Situation
An investment management firm was preparing to hold an annual meeting to discuss the company’s performance during the 2008 recession. Management had previously handled investor communications on a private basis and had never held a large [corporate] investor annual meeting

Solutions

• All members of the executive team received one-on-one presentation coaching to refine the content and delivery of their individual presentations

• The slides were evaluated for readability and consistency with the spoken presentations; slides were eliminated to reduce visual clutter

• A dress rehearsal was conducted to ensure a smooth flow of the entire meetings and to practice transitions between segments and speakers

Results

• Investor confidence was maintained – and strengthened – during a very difficult market period

• The firm’s executive team, which was unaccustomed to presenting to large groups, built confidence in themselves as leaders

• Fears of public speaking were reduced

• The firm willingly held additional investor meetings due to the success of the initial event, thus increasing the quality and quantity of their communication with key investors