Preparing Texts and Visuals for a Presentation
Key Issues. Communicators always face choices. This Scenario focuses on several such choices: deciding what content to deliver to different but related audiences, deciding how to distribute information between texts and visuals, using visuals to compensate for differences in language. Jorge must convey the same information to an audience composed of individuals with different levels of education, different interests, and different native languages, while also maintaining an ethos for the organization. How can he be sure the same information is packaged and delivered in ways appropriate to those differences? Does splitting the group into support and professional staff for one of the topics reinforce or overcome differences? Does doing so reinforce class differences and thereby raise ethical concerns?

A general managerial issue also surfaces in this Scenario. Because Jorge now holds the position John once did, he has to be careful not to criticize, even by implication, the way John performed the job--especially since he now reports to John. How well does Jorge handle this sensitive concern? Does Dorothy as CEO help or hinder?

Opportunities for Assignments.

1. For individuals: outline the full presentation Jorge proposes, and note for each segment the intended outcome (what will be accomplished?).
   
   
2. For individuals: outline the proposed separate presentations on customer relations for the two groups--support and professional staff. Notice any differences in organization and pacing, content, and level of language.
   
   
3. For groups: develop visuals (hypothesizing information as needed) on some or all of the proposed topics: the HR process, benefits, employee discipline, training, sexual harassment. Explain why you decided on which kind of visual (graphs, photos, etc.) for each topic. What material lends itself best to what visual form?
   
   

Opportunities for Role Playing.

1. For two persons: one plays Jorge and one plays John as they discuss what financial information should be presented and how it is presented. Note their different organizational roles and how these influence their thinking.
   
   
2. For three persons: one plays Dorothy, one Jorge, and one John as they discuss whether to divided the group into support and professional staff. Note their organizational roles and how these influence their thinking.