This is something I have encountered regularly as a solutions architect and more recently CEO of a Tech company. The universal key - irrespective of audience - is meeting people where they are, not where I think (or wish!) they should be. My team has recently been working with a mid-sized manufacturing client on a digital transformation of a number of core systems. The CEO and operations manager were brilliant at running their business but glazed over the moment anyone mentioned "APIs," "cloud infrastructure," or "data integration layers." Keeping them present meant keeping the conversation "real". Using analogies from the physical world kept things relatable and gave them a stable base to understand how we were approaching the solutions that were needed - no more glazed looks and the insights from them at key points saved the project team many hours! What started out as an approach to ensure understanding ended up taking on a life of its own with key project deliverables being given code names straight from the original analogies. On a recent trip back to the site, it was an eye-opener to hear the Operations Manager using many of the original analogies to explain the system to a visiting team of industry experts. Summarising what we did: 1 - Understood the client's world before explaining ours; 2 - Used language that was easily understood and related to physical objects to simplify object-to-object relationships 3 - Kept it consistently conversational so everyone was on the same page at the same time
One time at work, I had to present a data-driven project to company executives. Knowing their priorities and concerns helped me emphasise the project's impact on business outcomes. I focused on how the insights would inform decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and support strategic objectives. Structuring the communication with a clear storyline and using visuals to illustrate key points facilitated understanding. I translated technical metrics into business terms and used real-world analogies where needed. I tailored my approach by focusing on what mattered most to the executives, business outcomes and strategic impact. Instead of technical jargon, I used simple language and clear visuals to highlight key insights. I structured the presentation around a straightforward storyline: the problem, the solution, and the projected business results. This helped ensure the technical content was accessible, relevant, and aligned with their priorities.