Know Your Audience
| Stakeholder | Cares About | Show Them |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | Business impact, vision | Metrics, strategy |
| CTO | Feasibility, timeline | Technical approach, effort |
| PM | User value, scope | User research, prioritization |
| Engineering | Specs, edge cases | Detailed specs, component reuse |
| Marketing | Brand, messaging | Visual direction, copy |
| Sales | Customer pain, demos | Before/after, customer quotes |
Presenting Design Work
- Start with the problem (not the solution)
- Show evidence (data, research, user quotes)
- Present one recommendation (not three options)
- Anticipate objections (address them proactively)
- End with clear ask (decision, resources, timeline)
Handling 'Make the Logo Bigger'
- Don't dismiss: there's a real concern underneath
- Ask: 'What's driving that request?'
- Reframe: 'Sounds like you want more brand presence. Let me explore options.'
- Come back with alternatives that address the underlying concern
Building Trust
- Share work early and often (no big reveal surprises)
- Follow through on commitments
- Admit mistakes and show how you're fixing them
- Credit the team, absorb the blame