Best Practices for Persuasive Presentations (Collection)

Preface: Corporate Inquisitions

The Not-So-Grand Inquisitor

He sat behind a desk holding a pitchfork, as all upper-level managers do when they are bedeviling their employees. Well, at least that's how many people picture the boss. This guy was actually holding one that resembled an implement of the devil—a long black handle with a red trident at the end. An appropriate accompaniment for a kid in a Halloween costume, it was out of place with the corporate blue suit of the middle-aged business director. But, as you will see in a moment, this was a manager who was out of step with his business.

Managing business development efforts for a major electronics company with worldwide supply chains is a daunting job for anyone. He had responsibility ...