Here's how you can customize your presentations for different industries using contract work experiences.

Know who the decision makers are ahead of time and confirm their attendance. Understand their motivations and “hot buttons” to ensure the important facts are addressed in the presentation.

Starting by understanding your audience is definitely #1. You need to know at what level you are going to be presenting to effectively customize your story and presentations. If you don't already speak their language on their industry, challenges, and goals, you need to get up to speed so you can tailor your content to address their specific needs and pain points. This demonstrates your commitment to providing relevant solutions and builds credibility. And if you don't and the purpose is to gain that insight and understanding from them, the story should be what you need from them and the overall ask.

Be sure to present in conversation style and do not talk down to your audience. Engage them in active listening and encourage participation at the right moments to make sure you are heading in the right direction.

Using industry-specific terminology helps establish rapport and shows that you understand the field. For example, when presenting to a pharmaceutical company, incorporate terms like “regulatory compliance” and “clinical trials.” This helps your audience relate to your content and perceive you as a knowledgeable partner. Make sure you always spell out any acronyms the first time with the acronym following it, that way if you use it later it is already defined. You can also provide definitions or context somewhere accessible on a note at the bottom of the slide or in the appendix.

Engaging visuals are crucial for capturing and retaining your audience’s attention. Use relevant graphs, charts, and infographics to illustrate key points. Keep it simple, and clean, with constant colors, font, and themes, and have them follow through a deck in a flow that matches the story and goal you are trying to execute. In many slides I've created to tell a story or gain information, I ensure the visuals align with the industry’s aesthetic and standards, I shoot to boil down and make complex data easily digestible for all parties. If you can create a simplified view that even someone from the "outside" can understand and follow, then you have created a valuable output.

Don’t over-visualize however and use visuals as support and not the basis for a reading tool. Remember it’s supplemental, not your whole script.

I always do this as I deal with various industries and talentpool. Detailing Industry-Relevant Challenges: When presenting a case study, outline the specific challenges or issues existing within the industry you're addressing. For example, if presenting to the manufacturing sector, you might highlight challenges related to production efficiency, supply chain management, or regulatory compliance. Tailoring the Presentation: Ensure that the case studies are directly relevant to the audience's industry and are framed to address their specific pain points. This demonstrates a deep understanding of their challenges and establishes trust in your ability to provide relevant and valuable insights.

I agree. Be prepared to use pertinent examples and follow it through to the end showing final outcome and cost and benefit.

Respect the participants time and be cognizant to not rush through more complex topics. Stop and give people time to take notes or ask for clarification along the way. Summary at the end of question and answer time helps tie up the presentation nicely.