Have you found yourself in need of more optimal visuals to help you tell your story? Are you constantly searching for the right assets to prepare for a meeting? Has it been hard to adapt to online meetings? Now is the time to consider creating cross-functional materials. These are diverse assets that are tailored to conveniently function in a wide variety of settings. From helping onboard new talent, to introducing your company before a meeting, using your slide deck outside of your presentation will streamline your workflow. Let’s face it, most of us have more time on our hands these days. Spending a little time now on quality tools may save you a lot of time down the line. After all, constantly re-inventing the wheel every time a new opportunity arises is not only exhausting, it’s avoidable.
Convert to PDF
Oftentimes editable presentations are created so we can change statistics, logos, and/or big ideas on the fly. The next time you’re creating a deck, consider more generic information on a few key slides that won’t change. Then, convert these to a PDF. This way, you can email them at a moment’s notice, or print them out and always have a few copies on hand. Additionally, these multi-purpose assets can help your potential client feel a sense of familiarity to your brand during your pitch.
Consider an infographic
Infographics can improve cognition by utilizing graphics to enhance the human visual system’s ability to see patterns and trends. A simple infographic speaks volumes. Zoom out and look at your assets with a fresh perspective. How can you tell your story differently? Even better, how can it be more visual using a timeline, a series of icons, or arrows? This type of cross-functional material will elevate your deck, creating a memorable experience for your audience.
Anticipate your audience
Take some time to assess your message’s viewpoint. First, is all of your material created for a specific set of viewers? Remember, easily digestible information makes your deck more versatile in general. Next, are your go-to slides speaking to a wide range of listeners? Your cross-functional materials should speak to anyone from c-level executives, to your peers, to your inferiors. Alternately, it is important to consider that tailoring certain material to a niche audience can be more impactful at times. However, implementing a broader viewpoint can significantly minimize your efforts in constantly creating new content.
Using some extra time now to make these small changes will help you feel more confident about representing your brand in an impactful, memorable way. Know any experts who can help you create a great infographic? We do! Our graphic design team specializes in identifying and tailoring cross-functional materials for your every need. Click here to get started!
