Preparing an International Presentation
Key Issues. In this Scenario, Cassandra confronts two overlapping challenges: how to communicate across cultures, and how to sort through incomplete conflicting information about audience expectations and the setting for a presentation. She becomes trapped because she focuses on the use of sophisticated visuals to drive home a point to a multicultural audience. She is confused about what that audience expects and about the setting for her presentation because she relies--not unreasonably--on what her manager tells her. But she lacks direct knowledge of the communication situation and faces serious last-minute choices when she discovers what is expected of her. This Scenario highlights the need to determine directly and clearly all the variables affecting communication before devoting time and energy to preparing a presentation, especially one that calls for cross-cultural awareness.

The Scenario allows for comparing the three methods of presentation--impromptu, outlined, and scripted--and determining which best fits what situations. It also raises questions about the use of technology in making presentations, especially elaborate PowerPoint presentations when the environment of the talk doesn't support them and when the audience expects something less formal.

Opportunities for Assignments.

1. For individuals: write a letter of invitation from the managing director of the professional association to the vice president. Pay particular attention to the intended purpose of the presentation, the audience and its expectations, and the setting and timing.
   
   
2. For individuals: write a memo from the vice president to Cassandra assigning her to do the preparation. Be sure to provide as much information as she will need to do the right job, and consider whether to include the original invitation the vice president received.
   
   
3. For individuals: write a memo from Cassandra to her vice president to clarify the assignment. Note all the questions she needs to have answers to if she is to carry out the assignment.
   
   

Opportunities for Role Playing.

1. For two persons: one plays Cassandra and one the vice president as they discuss and clarify her assignment. Cassandra may need to be reasonably aggressive in pursuing all questions she has.
   
   
2. For two persons: one plays Cassandra and one the managing director of the professional association as they discuss how she should modify her presentation to fit the circumstances she unexpectedly confronts. Pay particular attention to the question of how forthright she should be in explaining that what she has prepared doesn't fit the environment she faces.