Had a presentation go horribly wrong yesterday. Client CEO asked basic questions I couldn't answer, my laptop crashed, and I forgot to bring printed copies. Felt like an amateur. Share your worst presentation disasters so I don't feel so bad!
Client Meeting Disasters - Learn from My Mistakes
Randy, good point about backups. I was so dependent on my laptop presentation that I had no Plan B. What's in your emergency presentation kit?
Portable projector, printed handouts, backup laptop, extension cord, and USB drive with presentation. Also business cards - you'd be surprised how often you forget those when flustered.
The worst part about disasters is they usually happen with your biggest potential clients. Murphy's law in action. Good reminder to always over-prepare for important presentations.
My projector died right as I was showing the big savings number. Had to describe charts from memory while frantically trying to get backup laptop working. Now I always test everything twice.
Showed up to wrong building once. Right company name, wrong location. Spent 30 minutes in lobby before security figured out I needed the other facility across town. Client waited an hour for me.
Joanne, we've all been there! I once presented the wrong client's data to a room full of executives. Didn't realize until 10 minutes in when they asked about a facility they don't have. Mortifying.
I keep a "disaster recovery" folder on my phone with key slides as images. If everything else fails, I can at least show the main findings on my phone screen. Saved me once at a small conference room meeting.
Karl, that's painful! I learned to always send meeting confirmations with full address and contact info. Also carry portable projector and printed copies as backup. Technology will fail at the worst possible time.