q&a questions for presentation

350 Top Q&A Questions to Expect for Any Presentations (Save Them Now!)

Zhun Yee Chew

Preparing the slide content is nothing compared to dealing with daunting questions during the Q&A session of a presentation. Sometimes, if we are not lucky, we will face a tough crowd with even tougher questions that may leave us feeling challenged on the spot. And none of us likes the awkward moment of not being able to provide a satisfactory response to the audience.

Answering Q&A questions is a skill that everyone can master with the right resources and the right amount of preparation. You’ve searched, and we have them for you.

In this article, you will find more than 300 Q&A questions that are most commonly asked in a wide range of presentation occasions. Save them so you can be ready for even the most unexpected questions in your upcoming presentations!

What Are Q&A Questions?

Q&A questions, short for “Questions and Answers”, are inquiries posed by an audience or participants to the speaker or presenter during the Q&A session of a presentation . This Q&A segment typically follows a presentation, a talk or a lecture, providing the opportunities for the audience to seek clarification, ask additional information, or understand the speaker’s perspectives.

The whole point of Q&A sessions is to make the presentation more interactive and foster engagement . It’s a chance for the audience to pick the speaker’s brain and get a better understanding of the subject. 

What Are the Different Types of Presentations?

Business Presentations:

• Sales pitches
• Quarterly or annual reports
• Performance reviews
• Project proposals/updates
• All-hands presentations

Academic  Presentations:

• Lesson presentations
• Conference/research presentations
• Classroom quiz games

Training Sessions:

• Employee training
• Onboarding sessions
• Skills development workshops

Public Speaking:

• Motivational speeches
• Commencement addresses

Informative Presentations:

• How-to presentations
• Demonstrations
• Informational sessions

Social Events:

• Celebration speeches
• Team-building activities
• PowerPoint nights
• Presentation games

Technology Presentations:

• Software launches
• Product launches

Crisis Management:

• Crisis communication
• Emergency response briefings
• Contingency plans

Virtual Presentations:

• Online conferences

Different presentations involve different audience types, and the nature of questions posed can vary significantly based on presentation formats and occasions. However, the core of a successful and engaging presentation remains constant – ensuring  interactivity in a presentation  and transforming it into a two-way street through Q&A questions and adding interactive elements or using interactive tools in your presentations.

Academic Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for lecture presentations.

• Can you provide more examples for the concept/theory you just explained?
• Are there any common misconceptions about this topic that we should be aware of?
• What are the main differences between this and [related topic]?
• Can you explain the steps involved in [specific process] in more detail?
• What are the current research trends or developments in this field?
• How does this concept connect to what we learned in the previous lesson?
• Are there any alternative approaches to solve the problems here?
• Can you recommend additional resources or readings?
• Can you provide some tips for studying this material effectively?
• Are there any real-world examples where this concept has been successfully applied?
• What are the most common mistakes students make when working on assignments for this topic?
• Can you explain the significance of this concept in the context of future careers?
• What are the ethical considerations associated with the topics we are discussing?
• Are there any current debates or controversies related to this topic?
• How does this topic connect with interdisciplinary subjects or other courses?
• Can you share examples of how this concept might be used in different industries or professions?
• Can you summarize the key takeaways of today’s presentation?
• Can you discuss any historical or cultural context that influences this topic?
• How might this information be relevant to current events or societal issues?

Q&A Questions for Academic Conference Presentations 

• How did you decide on the research question or topic for your study?
• How did you select your sample or participants, and how representative is it of the broader population?
• Can you explain the methodology you used in your research and why you chose that approach?
• What are the main findings or key results of your study?
• How do your findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your field?
• Can you discuss any limitations or challenges you encountered during your research?
• What implications do your findings have for practitioners in the field?
• Can you elaborate on the theoretical framework that guided your study?
• What ethical considerations did you address in your research, and how were they managed?
• How did you validate the reliability and validity of your research instruments or methods?
• How did you address potential biases or confounding variables in your research?
• How do your findings compare to previous research on the same or similar topics?
• Can you discuss any unexpected or surprising results that you discovered during your study?
• How did you handle data analysis, and what statistical methods were employed in your study?
• What alternative explanations or interpretations of your data did you consider?
• How does your research contribute to addressing specific gaps in current knowledge?
• How did you control for potential confounding variables in your research design?
• What recommendations do you have for policymakers based on your research findings?
• How does your study relate to other recent or ongoing research in the same area?
• Are your findings generalizable to different populations or settings?
• How did you ensure the rigor of your data analysis and interpretation?
• What role did collaboration play in your research, and how did you handle disagreements within the research team?
• Can you share any unexpected challenges you faced during the research process?
• How might your findings be applied in a practical context, such as in industry or education?
• How did you establish the validity of your conclusions in light of potential bias or subjectivity?
• What potential areas for future research did your study uncover?
• Can you discuss the relevance of your research to current global or societal issues?
• How did you handle any limitations in available resources or funding for your research?
• What key takeaway message or lesson would you like the audience to remember from your presentation?

Q&A Questions for Student Presentations

• Can you elaborate on the research process you used to gather information for your presentation?
• Can you discuss the process of selecting and organizing the visual elements in your presentation, such as charts or graphs?
• How did you decide on the topic or key elements to include in your presentation?
• What challenges did you encounter while preparing for your presentation, and how did you overcome them?
• What did you learn about the topic that surprised you during your research?
• Can you explain the significance of your topic or its relevance to the course content?
• Can you discuss any alternative perspectives or counter-arguments related to your topic that you considered?
• What sources did you consult to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented?
• Can you explain the connection between your topic and current events or real-world applications?
• Can you share any specific examples or case studies that support the points you made in your presentation?
• Can you elaborate on any implications or applications of your findings beyond the scope of your presentation?
• Can you discuss any ethical considerations related to your topic that you addressed in your presentation?
• How might your presentation contribute to the understanding of the broader course themes or objectives?
• What aspects of the presentation are you most proud of, and what would you do differently next time?

Q&A Questions for Project-Based Lessons

• What is the main goal or objective of this project, and how will our work contribute to it?
• Can you provide more details about the criteria for success in this project?
• How will our progress be assessed, and what are the key milestones or deadlines?
• Can you clarify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the project?
• Are there specific resources or materials that we should use or reference for this project?
• Can you provide examples of successful projects from previous classes or students?
• Are there specific presentation or communication requirements for showcasing our project?
• What opportunities for feedback and revision will be available throughout the project timeline?

Business Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for sales pitches.

• What makes your product or service different from competitors in the market?
• Can you provide some specific examples of companies or clients who have successfully used your product/service?
• How does your product/service address specific pain points or challenges that customers commonly face?
• Can you share some success stories or case studies related to your product/service?
• How does your product/service integrate with existing tools or systems our company uses?
• What kind of support or training is provided to customers after they purchase your product/service?
• Can you explain the implementation process and how quickly we can expect to see results?
• Are there any customization options available to tailor the product/service to our specific needs?
• What kind of ongoing maintenance or updates does your product/service require?
• How do you ensure the security and privacy of our data when using your product/service?
• Are there any limitations or restrictions we should be aware of when using your product/service?
• How often do you release updates or new features to your product/service?
• Can you explain the scalability of your solution and how it can grow with our business?
• What is your company’s roadmap for future developments or enhancements to the product/service?
• What is the typical return on investment (ROI) that your customers experience after implementing your product/service?
• How do you handle issues or challenges that may arise post-purchase?

Q&A Questions for Work Presentations

• How does your proposal align with our company’s overall goals or strategic objectives?
• What potential challenges do you foresee in implementing this plan, and how do you plan to address them?
• Can you explain the specific roles and responsibilities of each team member involved in this project?
• What kind of timeline are you envisioning for the different phases of this project?
• Have you considered alternative approaches to achieve the same goals, and if so, what are they?
• What resources, budget, and manpower will be required to execute this plan successfully?
• How do you plan to measure the success or effectiveness of this project?
• Are there any potential risks associated with your proposal, and what mitigation strategies do you have in place?
• Can you provide examples of similar projects that have been successful in the past, either within our company or in other organizations?
• How will you keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle?
• What kind of collaboration and communication tools do you plan to use to keep the team connected?
• Are there any dependencies or external factors that could impact the timeline or success of this project?
• Can you explain how this project aligns with current industry trends or best practices?
• What are the potential roadblocks or obstacles you anticipate, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Q&A Questions for Performance Review Presentations 

• Can you highlight specific projects or tasks where you feel you excelled?
• How have you demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to take initiative?
• Have there been any instances of conflict or difficult situations, and how did you handle them?
• What accomplishments are you most proud of since our last performance review?
• Where do you think you could have performed better, and what challenges did you face?
• How well do you think your current responsibilities align with your career goals?
• What new skills or responsibilities would you like to take on in the next year?
• How have you found the feedback and communication within the team or organization?
• How well do you feel you have contributed to team projects and collaborations?
• Are there ways we can enhance teamwork and collaboration within the team?
• Is there anything we can do to support you better in your role?
• What additional resources or training do you think would benefit you in your role?
• What motivates you in your work, and how can we ensure your continued motivation?
• What steps can we take to help you achieve your long-term career goals?

Q&A Questions for Annual/Quarterly Report Presentations

• How did specific projects or initiatives contribute to the overall success or challenges outlined in the report?
• What challenges or obstacles did the team face during the reporting period, and how were they addressed?
• Are there any unexpected or significant changes in the industry landscape that may affect future performance?
• What steps were taken to mitigate risks and uncertainties identified in the previous reports?
• Can you discuss the budgetary implications of the results presented in the report?
• How did the team adapt to changes in customer preferences or demands during this reporting period?
• How do the results align with the long-term strategic objectives of the organization?
• Can you discuss any feedback or concerns received from clients, customers, or stakeholders mentioned in the report?
• How did internal collaborations or cross-functional teamwork contribute to the outcomes presented?
• What initiatives or projects are planned for the upcoming quarter or year in response to the findings in the report?
• Can you elaborate on the return on investment (ROI) for specific marketing or promotional activities mentioned in the report?
• How do the current results compare to benchmarks or industry standards for similar organizations?
• Can you discuss any changes or improvements in operational processes that were implemented during the reporting period?
• Can you provide insights into any potential areas for improvement or focus in the coming reporting period based on the data presented?

Q&A Questions for All-Hands Presentations

• What are the key priorities and goals for the team in the upcoming quarter/year?
• Can you provide more details about the recent changes in team structure or leadership?
• How will recent industry trends or developments impact our team’s strategies moving forward?
• Can you discuss the reasoning behind recent policy changes or updates within the team?
• How will the team address challenges identified in recent performance reports or feedback?
• Can you provide insights into the budget allocation and resource planning for the team?
• How will the team adapt to changes in technology or tools that may affect our workflow?
• What professional development opportunities will be available to team members in the coming months?
• Can you share updates on recent achievements or milestones reached by the team?
• Can you discuss the team’s approach to fostering diversity and inclusion within the workplace?
• What strategies will be implemented to maintain team morale and motivation?
• Can you elaborate on the team’s strategy for managing workloads and preventing burnout?
• How will the team address any challenges related to communication?
• What steps will be taken to recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements in the future?

Public Speaking Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for motivational presentations.

• How did your background or experiences shape your perspective on the topic you discussed?
• How can individuals or communities apply the ideas you shared in their own lives or work?
• What impact do you hope your work will have on the future of [your topic]?
• How has your perspective on [your topic] evolved throughout your journey, and what lessons have you learned?
• How do you suggest we, as individuals, can contribute to or support the goals you outlined in your presentation?
• What advice do you have for someone who wants to get involved in or pursue a similar field or project?
• What are the common misconceptions or misunderstandings about [your topic] that you’d like to address?
• How can the audience stay informed or engaged with ongoing developments in your field or topic?
• Can you share personal experiences where you overcame significant obstacles and found motivation in [an area]?
• What advice do you have for dealing with [a personal issue]?
• How do you handle setbacks and failures in [an area]?
• What daily habits or routines do you recommend for sustaining long-term motivation?
• How can individuals at various career stages benefit from the insights you shared?
• Can you share examples of successful individuals who have been a source of inspiration for you?

Informative Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for youtube or online webinar presentations.

• How can I access the recording of this webinar for future reference?
• Can you recommend any additional resources for further learning on this topic?
• How does this information apply to different industries or professions?
• How do you suggest we adapt these concepts to our specific organizational context?
• How can we stay updated on new developments or research in this field?
• Can you suggest strategies for overcoming resistance to change when implementing these ideas?
• What role does ongoing professional development play in mastering the skills you discussed?
• How can individuals without a background in this field apply the principles you discussed?
• Can you explain the potential challenges or common mistakes people might encounter when trying this on their own?
• How do you foresee the future trends or developments affecting the subject of this webinar?
• Can you recommend specific tools or software that would enhance our implementation of these strategies?
• What are some key indicators of success when implementing the strategies you discussed?
• Can you discuss any industry standards or benchmarks related to the topics covered in this webinar?
• What would be the first step you recommend for someone looking to implement these ideas in their organization?

Q&A Questions for Demonstration Presentations

• Can you clarify the purpose or goal of the demonstration?
• What specific steps are involved in the process you just demonstrated?
• Are there alternative methods or tools that can be used for this demonstration?
• How long does it typically take to master this skill or process demonstrated?
• Are there any safety precautions that should be considered?
• Can you provide tips for troubleshooting or overcoming obstacles in the demonstrated activity?
• How does this demonstration apply to real-world scenarios or practical situations?
• Are there variations or advanced techniques related to this demonstration that you didn’t cover?
• Can you share examples of successful applications or projects that used the demonstrated technique?
• How does this demonstration align with current trends or innovations in the field?
• What feedback or suggestions do you have for individuals attempting the demonstrated task for the first time?
• Can you discuss any modifications or adaptations that may be necessary for different skill levels or abilities?

Training Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for training workshops.

• Can you provide more examples or practice exercises to reinforce the concepts you just covered?
• Are there any additional resources or recommended readings for further learning on this topic?
• Can you explain the specific steps or strategies for applying what we’ve learned in a real-world context?
• How often is this training updated to reflect changes in industry standards or best practices?
• How can we track our progress and measure the effectiveness of this training?
• Are there opportunities for practical application or hands-on exercises to reinforce the learning?
• Can you discuss any potential challenges or common difficulties participants might encounter during the training?
• Can you provide insights into how this training aligns with current trends or innovations in the industry?
• How will successful completion of this training impact our professional development or career advancement?
• What kind of ongoing support or resources will be available to participants after completing the training?
• Can you explain the relevance of each module or section of the training to our specific roles or responsibilities?
• Can you discuss any case studies or success stories related to individuals who have completed this training?
• Can you outline the specific skills or competencies participants are expected to gain by the end of the training?

Creative Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for brainstorming presentations.

• How did you arrive at the ideas presented during the brainstorming session?
• Can you provide more context on the criteria used to evaluate and prioritize the proposed ideas?
• Are there specific goals or objectives that the brainstormed ideas aim to achieve?
• How do the ideas generated align with the overall vision or mission of the team or organization?
• Can you discuss any potential challenges or constraints that may impact the implementation of these ideas?
• What steps will be taken to further develop and refine the selected ideas from the brainstorming session?
• How will the team decide which ideas to prioritize or move forward with?
• What role do you see each team member playing in the implementation or development of these ideas?
• What steps will be taken to test or prototype the most promising ideas before full implementation?
• Are there any potential synergies or connections between the different ideas presented?
• Can you discuss the anticipated impact or outcomes of implementing these ideas on the team’s objectives?

Q&A Questions for Creative Work Showcase Presentations

• What inspired your creative concept or idea?
• Can you discuss your creative process and how you generated or developed your ideas?
• How did you overcome creative blocks or challenges during the project?
• Can you share any unexpected twists or turns that occurred during the creative process?
• What influenced your choice of colors, themes, or visual elements in your presentation?
• Can you discuss any alternative concepts or ideas that you considered before finalizing your creative work?
• How did you decide on the overall tone or mood of your creative piece?
• Can you discuss any specific techniques or tools you used to bring your creative vision to life?
• How do you balance originality with meeting the expectations or objectives of the project?
• Can you elaborate on the symbolism or deeper meaning behind certain elements in your creative work?
• How did you ensure your creative work aligns with the intended message or purpose of the project?
• Can you share any unexpected challenges you encountered while executing your creative ideas?
• What advice do you have for others looking to enhance their creativity or embark on similar projects?
• Can you discuss any future plans or developments related to your creative work?

Q&A Questions for Portfolio Presentations

• How did you curate or select the pieces included in your portfolio?
• Can you discuss the overarching themes or concepts that tie your portfolio together?
• What criteria did you use to determine which projects or works to include in your portfolio?
• Can you provide insights into your creative process for one of the featured projects?
• How do you believe your portfolio reflects your growth or evolution as a professional or artist?
• Can you discuss any challenges you encountered while working on specific projects in your portfolio?
• What inspired the overall design and layout of your portfolio presentation?
• Can you share any feedback or critiques you received during the creation of your portfolio?
• How do you handle showcasing both personal and professional work in your portfolio?
• How do you stay updated on current trends or techniques in your industry, and how does this influence your portfolio?
• Can you elaborate on any technologies or tools you used to create or present your portfolio?
• How do you handle showcasing a diverse range of skills or talents in your portfolio?
• How do you balance consistency with variety in the presentation of your portfolio pieces?
• Can you provide insights into the decision-making process behind the visual and aesthetic choices in your portfolio?

Subject-Based Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for history presentations.

• Why is it important for us to study this particular historical period or event?
• Can you provide more context on the social and cultural aspects of the time you discussed?
• Are there any alternative perspectives or interpretations of the historical event you presented?
• How did political or economic factors contribute to the events you covered in your presentation?
• Can you discuss the impact of this historical period on contemporary society or global affairs?
• How do historians generally view or interpret the significance of the events you discussed?
• Can you elaborate on any controversies related to the historical topic you presented?
• Can you discuss any parallels or connections between the historical events you covered and current events?
• Can you elaborate on any lesser-known or overlooked aspects of the historical topic?
• What were the main causes and consequences of the events discussed in this lesson?
• How did global events or other regions influence the events in this specific historical context?
• Can you share more details about the key figures or individuals involved in the historical events?
• Can you discuss any social movements or cultural shifts that occurred during this time?
• Were there any controversies or debates among historians regarding the interpretation of these events?
• What primary sources or historical documents can we explore to gain a deeper understanding of this time?
• What lessons or insights can we draw from the mistakes or successes of the past?

Q&A Questions for Geography Presentations

• Can you explain the significance of the geographical features discussed in this lesson?
• What are the cultural or societal aspects that make this geographic area unique?
• Can you discuss the environmental challenges or changes occurring in the region you shared?
• Are there any connections between the geography of a region and its cultural practices or traditions?
• How has human activity impacted the natural landscapes and ecosystems in the region?
• Can you provide insights into the economic factors shaping the geography of the area?
• How do political boundaries or geopolitical factors influence the geography of the region?
• Can you discuss any current or historical conflicts related to the geography you presented?
• Can you share examples of how globalization has impacted the geography you discussed?
• How does the geography of the area influence migration patterns and population distribution?
• Can you discuss any challenges or opportunities related to urbanization in the region?
• Can you provide examples of how transportation infrastructure shapes the geography of the region?
• How do the geographical features discussed impact the local economy and lifestyle?
• Can you discuss the role of sustainable development in shaping the geography of the region?
• How does the geography of a region impact the availability and distribution of resources?

Q&A Questions for Science Presentations

• How does this scientific theory or principle apply to real-world situations?
• Can you provide examples of experiments or demonstrations that illustrate the principles being taught?
• How do current advancements or research in technology influence our understanding of this science?
• Can you provide examples of how this scientific concept has been applied in various industries?
• Can you share insights into any ongoing or future research related to the subject of the lecture?
• Can you elaborate on any potential interdisciplinary connections between this science and other fields?
• How do you see the future developments or advancements shaping the field of science you discussed?
• Can you discuss any recent advancements or breakthroughs in the field related to your presentation?
• What experiments or studies have been conducted to support the information presented in your topic?
• Are there any unanswered questions or areas of uncertainty in the scientific understanding of this topic?
• Can you discuss the importance of peer review in the scientific process?

Q&A Questions for Social Science Presentations

• Can you provide some background information on the topic?
• Can you explain the significance of any statistical analyses or data presented in this studies?
• How might cultural or societal factors influence the interpretation of the findings?
• Are there any primary sources or case studies used in the lesson to illustrate these social science concepts?
• What are the alternative opinions or perspectives that one should consider for this topic?
• How can we critically evaluate bias in the research?
• What are the roles of globalization or international perspectives in this topic?
• Why is [a perspective/opinion] the case?
• What are the potential objections for [a perspective/opinion]?
• How does the topic of this lesson relate to broader social issues or current events?
• Are there any conflicting theories or perspectives within the field related to this lesson’s content?
• Can you explain the practical implications of the theories or concepts covered in this lesson?
• How do the concepts covered in this lesson contribute to a deeper understanding of human behavior or society?
• What are some potential criticisms or limitations of the theories presented in this lesson?

Q&A Questions for Art and Design Presentations

• How do different artistic techniques contribute to the overall aesthetic of the piece?
• Can you explain the cultural or historical influences behind the art or design style being taught?
• How can personal experiences or emotions be expressed through art and design?
• Can you provide examples of famous artists or designers who are known for this particular style or technique?
• How does the use of color, shape, and composition impact the visual impact of the artwork or design?
• Are there any contemporary or modern trends in art and design that relate to the topic of this lesson?
• How does the art or design being taught relate to broader movements or styles in the art world?
• How can art and design contribute to social or cultural change?

Fun Presentation Q&A Questions

Q&a questions for powerpoint night  presentations.

• Do you remember the time when we [shared a memorable adventure or experience]?
• What’s your favorite memory from our past travels together?
• If we were to plan a group vacation, what destination would you suggest for our bucket list?
• What’s one place you’ve always wanted to visit that we haven’t explored together yet?
• What’s the most spontaneous or unplanned adventure we’ve had?
• What’s our favorite inside joke?
• If we were to create a time capsule representing our friendship, what would you include in it?
• What’s the craziest or most unexpected thing we’ve ever done together?
• What’s your go-to travel snack or comfort food?
• What’s a shared goal or dream destination you’d like to achieve with the group?
• Can you recall the first time we met, and what was your initial impression of me?
• What’s a skill or talent of mine that surprised you when you first discovered it?
• If our group had a theme song, what do you think it should be and why?
• If we were characters in a movie, how would you describe our dynamic or roles?
• What’s a shared goal or aspiration that you think our group could work towards together?
• What’s your favorite thing about our friendship that you cherish the most?
• If we had a group motto or slogan, what do you think it should be?

Q&A Questions for PowerPoint Games

• What are the rules of the game?
• How long is the expected duration of the game?
• Are there any specific materials or equipment needed to play the game?
• Can you explain the objective or goal of the game?
• Are there any hidden surprises in the game that players might not immediately notice?
• Any secret tips for success in the game?
• Are there any special prizes or incentives for winners of tonight’s games?
• How is the game scored, and what determines the winner?
• What happens if there’s a tie in the game?
• Are there any variations or optional rules we should be aware of?
• Can you explain the order of play and how turns are determined?
• Are there penalties or consequences for certain actions during the game?
• Can participants form teams, or is the game strictly individual play?
• Are there any restrictions on player movement or interaction during the game?
• Can you provide examples of common strategies or tactics used in the game?
• How is cheating or rule violations handled in the game?
• Can you recommend any strategies for newcomers or first-time players?

Feedback Q&A Questions

• What specific aspects of the presentation do you think were most effective?
• Can you provide suggestions for improving the clarity of certain points in the presentation?
• How well do you think the presenter engaged with the audience during the presentation?
• Were there any areas where you felt the presentation could have been more engaging or interactive?
• Can you offer insights into the pacing of the presentation and whether it was appropriate?
• What are your thoughts on the visual elements, such as slides or graphics, used in the presentation?
• Were there any technical issues or challenges that affected your experience during the presentation?
• Can you provide feedback on the overall organization and structure of the presentation?
• Were there any moments in the presentation that you found particularly memorable or impactful?
• Did the presenter effectively convey the key messages or takeaways of the presentation?
• How well did the presenter connect with the audience’s level of understanding or familiarity with the topic?
• Can you discuss any specific examples or anecdotes that resonated with you during the presentation?
• Were there any instances where the presenter could have provided more context or background information?
• What are your thoughts on the presenter’s use of language, tone, and overall communication style?
• Can you suggest ways in which the presenter could improve audience engagement or participation?
• Were there any aspects of the presentation that you found confusing or difficult to follow?
• Can you share your overall impression of the presentation and whether it met your expectations?
• What recommendations do you have for the presenter to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of future presentations?

Closing Thoughts

With more than 300 Q&A questions to help you with your preparation, you can save so much time thinking and anticipating the questions your audience may ask during the Q&A session of your presentation. Now, you can focus on what matters most – acing your presentation! 

BONUS: Lazy to create PowerPoint presentations from scratch? Try these  11 top-rated AI PowerPoint generators (they’re free!), as well as these  4 ways to use ChatGPT to create PowerPoint presentations . 

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How to Nail the Q&A After Your Presentation

• Caroline Webb

You can’t rehearse it, but you can be prepared.

When preparing to give a presentation, most professionals focus their energy on the main portion of their talk — their key messages, slides, and takeaways. And far too few people think through how you’ll answer questions at the end of the presentation can be a big mistake. If you’re worried about how to hand the Q&A, there are several things you can do. Change your mindset. Rather than dreading this part of the talk, develop an appreciation for the conversation. It’s a good thing that people have follow-up questions and want to further engage with your content. Beforehand, think through the types of questions audience members might ask. Put yourself in your shoes and ask yourself what concerns they might have about how your message impacts their job. Then, when you’re asked a question, especially one that might be contentious, start your answer by focusing on where you and the person asking it agree. This makes the person feel seen and connected to you. And if you’re asked a question out of left field, be curious. Ask follow-up questions that help you understand what they’re getting at and where they’re coming from.

If you’re not a huge fan of public speaking , you’re in good company. It’s such a widely shared source of anxiety that when psychologists want to induce unpleasant stress in a person for experimental purposes, they often use a public speaking task called the Trier Social Stress Test . The test requires people to give a talk and do sums in front of a panel of impassive listeners, and it reliably generates stress markers such as a faster heart rate, raised cortisol levels, and “enhanced skin conductance,” which is the polite way of saying sweaty palms.

• Caroline Webb  is the author of  How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life .  She is also CEO of coaching firm  Sevenshift , and a Senior Adviser to McKinsey & Company. Follow her on Twitter  @caroline_webb_ ,  Facebook , or  Google + .

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How To Navigate Your Presentation Q and A Session Like A Pro

Table of contents.

Presentations are a pivotal part of professional life, an opportunity to share knowledge, influence decisions, and showcase expertise . But what truly separates the pros from the rest of the pack is not just the delivery of content but also their ability to master the art of the post-presentation Q&A session.

In this article, we’ll delve into strategies, tips, and insights that will empower you to confidently face any audience, tackle tough questions, and leave a lasting impression as a presentation maestro.

Is A Q & A Session At The End Of A Presentation Required?

A Q&A session at the end of a presentation is a common practice in many professional settings, including business meetings, academic lectures, and conferences. It provides the audience with an opportunity to seek clarification, engage with the speaker, and delve deeper into the topic discussed.

How Important Is Moderation In Your Q & A Session?

Moderation is highly important in a Q&A session, and its role cannot be overstated . Effective moderation ensures that the session runs smoothly, maintains a respectful and productive atmosphere, and maximizes the benefits for both the presenter and the audience.

Here Are A Few Tips On How To Moderate

Give audience members instructions on how to participate.

Encouraging audience participation as a moderator is vital for a successful Q&A session or discussion. Start by c reating a friendly and open atmosphere, setting clear expectations, and using open-ended questions that invite thoughtful responses. Actively engage with participants, ask follow-up questions, and acknowledge their contributions to foster a sense of inclusivity.

Rotate attention among panelists or presenters, promote written questions for larger or online sessions, and be patient, allowing participants time to formulate their thoughts. Summarize key points made by the audience and connect them to the main topic to reinforce the value of their contributions. Seek feedback at the end of the session to continually improve your moderation skills and enhance audience engagement.

Use a Moderating Tool To Improve Efficiency

Utilizing moderating tools is an excellent way to enhance the efficiency of discussions and manage interactions in online or live events. These tools typically offer features like question management, chat monitoring, and participant engagement tracking. To maximize their effectiveness, start by familiarizing yourself with the tool’s interface and capabilities before the event.

During the presentation or discussion, actively monitor incoming questions or comments, addressing them in real-time or queuing them for later. Use features like chat moderation to maintain a respectful and on-topic conversation, ensuring that disruptive or inappropriate content is promptly dealt with. Additionally, track participant engagement metrics to identify trends and areas that may need additional attention. By harnessing the power of moderating tools, you can streamline your role, keep the discussion on track, and create a more efficient and productive environment for all involved.

Prepare To Collect Unanswered Questions

You also need to be prepared to collect unanswered questions that you might not get to during the allotted time you have to present, have a system in place for noting down questions that couldn’t be addressed during the session, either submitted through digital tools or manually written, ensuring they are organized and ready for follow-up or future discussions. Make sure you have a clear and concise call to action in your presentation to achieve this.

Things To Think About Before Running Your Q & A Session

When running a Q&A (Question and Answer) session, there are several key considerations to keep in mind: Preparation, timing, audience engagement, question prioritization, complex questions, and audience diversity . Below, we will get into a few of these.

Let Your Audience Know In Advance When The Session Will Start

It’s essential to communicate the start time of the Q&A session to your audience effectively. By clearly indicating when the Q&A will begin, whether it’s at the end of a presentation or at a specified time during an event, you help attendees anticipate and prepare their questions. This proactive communication ensures that the Q&A session runs smoothly and that participants are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue when the time comes, enhancing the overall event experience.

Briefing Your Audience On The Format

At the beginning of the session, set clear expectations for audience participation. Explain the format, timing, and how questions will be received (e.g., raising hands, using a chat feature, or submitting questions in advance).

Leave Enough Time To Field Questions

Leavin g dedicated time during your presentation for a Q&A session is crucial as it allows for audience engagement, clarifications, and deeper exploration of topics, enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of your presentation.

Stick To The Time Limit Allotted

Sticking to the time allocated for a Q&A session is of paramount importance as it respects both the audience’s and the presenter’s schedules. It ensures that the event remains organized, preventing sessions from running over and causing inconvenience. Efficient time management in a Q&A also allows for the inclusion of as many questions as possible within the allotted period, maintaining the engagement and interest of the audience. Additionally, adhering to the schedule demonstrates professionalism and consideration for attendees, making the entire event more enjoyable and productive.

Tips On How To Answer Questions In The Session

Navigating a Q&A session effectively is an art that requires both expertise and finesse. It’s not only about providing accurate information but also about engaging with the audience, addressing their queries thoughtfully, and managing the flow of the discussion. In the following tips, we’ll explore strategies for answering questions during a Q&A session that will help you enhance your presentation and foster a constructive and informative exchange with your audience.

Make Eye Contact With The Audience Member Asking The Question

Making eye contact with the audience member who is asking a question is crucial as it conveys attentiveness, respect, and a genuine connection, fostering a more engaging and interactive Q&A session.

Research Suggests Taking A Brief Pause Before You Answer

This momentary pause allows you to gather your thoughts, ensuring that your response is well-considered and accurate. It prevents rushed or impulsive answers, particularly to complex or sensitive queries, and demonstrates a sense of thoughtfulness and confidence to the audience.

Moreover, the pause offers your guests an opportunity to absorb the question fully and mentally prepare for your response. This moment of reflection can enhance clarity and comprehension, making the exchange between you and your audience more meaningful and effective. Ultimately, by incorporating a deliberate pause before answering questions, you not only improve the quality of your responses but also convey professionalism and a genuine commitment to providing valuable information. This article dives even deeper on the importance of a brief pause before answering a question.

Take A Pause And Call The Geeks. We Can Help!

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Make Sure You Understand The Question Asked Before Answering

Your confidence and expertise in the subject matter also matter. Check out our article to help guide you in being a better presenter . If you are well-prepared and knowledgeable about your topic you will easily be able to understand the questions being asked.

Additionally, knowing when you are being asked an irrelevant question, or a thoughtful question, is a key tool in helping you move through your Q&A’s. Be sure to hear what your audience is asking, and for any irrelevant questions, keep your answers short and move on to any potential questions that will bring your guests back to your key messaging.

Always Keep Cool, Calm And Collected

Maintaining a sense of calm during a Q&A is essential as it allows you to think clearly, respond confidently, and manage unexpected challenges or difficult questions effectively. It also helps create a positive and reassuring atmosphere, which can enhance your credibility and the overall experience.

If You Don't Know The Answer, Be Honest!

Being honest when you don’t know the answer to a question during a Q&A session is vital because it builds trust with the audience, maintains your credibility, and opens the door for future opportunities to provide accurate information.

Feeling Like You've Got Your Presentation Q and A Covered? Awesome!

You are now fully equipped to run a Q&A and moderate effectively! You’ve learned the importance of clear communication, timing, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and using pauses for thoughtful responses . You understand the value of being honest when unsure of an answer and the role of audience engagement and moderating tools. These skills will enable you to confidently navigate Q&A sessions for productive and engaging interactions with your audience.

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The Art of Question & Answer: Handling Audience Questions Like a Pro

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

If you have ever given a presentation , you might know how witty and challenging a question-and-answer session can get. Not knowing the answer to a question can be quite unnerving and leave a bad impression even after a fabulous presentation. This blog will help you bridge that gap before your next presentation. We will talk about how to maintain your composure as you deal with questions and also the different types of difficult questions one can face.

Why should I have a Question-and-answer session?

Having a Question and Answer (Q&A) session serves multiple valuable purposes. It transforms one-sided communication into a two-way exchange, turning lectures or speeches into engaging discussions. This interaction not only enhances audience engagement but also promotes collaboration and the collective building of knowledge. Historically, great questions have driven innovation and change, such as Isaac Newton’s curiosity about gravity. During a Q&A , encouraging audience participation by inviting questions and making eye contact with various attendees creates a sense of connection and keeps the session lively, much like a talk show host engaging their audience. 

Including a question and answer (Q&A) session after your presentation holds numerous advantages and is a pivotal aspect of engaging with your audience effectively.

Let’s delve into these reasons:

1. audience engagement and participation: .

Inviting questions at the end of your presentation allows your audience to actively participate, transforming your session into an interactive experience. As Albert Einstein aptly put it, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

2. Addressing Confusion and Skepticism:

 Your presentation might leave some audience members perplexed or unconvinced. Before you begin, it’s vital to gauge your audience’s understanding. As Aristotle noted, “Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” Q&A provides an excellent opportunity to clarify doubts and bolster your argument.

3. Expanding on Your Message: 

Often, time constraints force you to condense crucial information during your presentation. Q&A, however, empowers you to elaborate on your points, share practical examples, and address any opposition, creating a more comprehensive understanding. This aligns with Robert Frost’s sentiment: “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”

4. Fostering Natural Interaction: 

Effective public speaking thrives on interaction. Audiences seek speakers who communicate openly and naturally. Q&A brings a conversational and relatable dimension to your presentation. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

5. Challenging Your Expertise: 

The unpredictability of Q&A keeps you on your toes. You must be well-prepared and nimble to handle a variety of questions and objections. Eleanor Roosevelt’s words resonate: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face.”

How do you answer Questions effectively?

Handling a question-and-answer session effectively requires preparation, communication skills, and adaptability. Whether you’re conducting a Q&A session as a speaker, presenter, or moderator, here are some tips to help you manage it effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:

Know your audience: Research your audience’s demographics, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your responses to their needs and expectations. Imagine you’re hosting a Q&A session about pets. Knowing your audience means finding out if they’re mostly cat lovers, dog enthusiasts, or perhaps reptile fans. This helps you tailor your answers to their specific interests, like offering dog training tips for dog lovers and habitat ideas for reptile enthusiasts.

Anticipate questions: Develop a list of potential questions that might arise during the session. This can help you prepare concise and informative answers. If you’re giving a presentation about a superhero movie, anticipate questions like “Who’s the main villain?” or “What are the special powers of the hero?” Prepare concise answers to these common questions to keep the audience engaged.

Review your material: Revisit your presentation or discussion content before the Q&A session. This will help you recall key points and examples that may be relevant to questions. For Ex: You’re a teacher conducting a Q&A after a science class. Before the session, review your notes on the periodic table. This ensures that when a student asks, “What are the noble gases?” you can confidently explain their properties.

2. Set Expectations:

Clearly explain how the Q&A session will be structured. For example, inform the audience whether questions will be taken throughout the session or only at the end. Mention any time constraints.

Let the audience know if you have topics you’d like to cover or all questions are welcome. 

For example: Think of a cooking class where you’re the instructor. Before starting, inform your students that they can ask questions anytime during the class. This sets the expectation that it’s an interactive learning experience.

3. Active Listening:

Give the questioner your full attention. Make eye contact, nod to acknowledge understanding, and avoid interrupting.

Repeat or rephrase the question if needed to ensure clarity and show that you are actively engaged with the questioner.

Imagine you’re a detective in a mystery novel. When a witness asks, “Did you see the suspect?”, listen attentively, nod to acknowledge, and ask follow-up questions to gather all the details. This demonstrates active listening.

4. Take a pause

Before answering any question there is a key aspect that makes you look smart and composed- “The Pause.” The Pause is where you gather your thoughts and prepare your answer in a gist. You decide how to answer the question and tackle it swiftly. If you perhaps don’t know the answer, what is the best way to say you will get back with an answer, and so on? You can get a firm grip on your audience as they wait for you to speak and then speak with utmost clarity, that is the power of Pauses. 

5. Be Concise and Clear:

Answer each question briefly and directly. Avoid going off on tangents or providing excessive background information.

Use plain language and avoid jargon that might confuse the audience. Suppose you’re explaining how to play a video game. Instead of going into a lengthy backstory, say, “To win, you must collect all the magical crystals and defeat the dragon boss.” This clear and concise explanation keeps players engaged.

6. Stay Calm and Confident:

If you don’t know the answer to a question, admit it gracefully. Offer to research or follow up later, and don’t try to bluff your way through.

Maintain a calm and composed demeanor even in the face of challenging or critical questions. Focus on addressing the question, not the tone.

This is also where your preparation becomes your backbone and provides you the confidence to deal with your audience. 

Also, I want you to remember that knowledge is very vast- The more you gain knowledge the more you realize how little you know! Do not worry about admitting that you don’t know an answer, you can provide whatever information you have and later get back to them when you do find one.

7. Manage Time:

Allocate a specific amount of time for the Q&A session and communicate this at the outset. Stick to the schedule to ensure you cover all planned topics. If necessary, prioritize questions based on relevance or importance.

Think of a soccer coach during a practice session. Allocate specific time for different drills and stick to the schedule. This ensures that all aspects of the game are covered within the session.

8. Field Diverse Questions:

Encourage a wide range of questions, including those that challenge your viewpoint or prompt discussion. This diversity can lead to more engaging and informative sessions.

For Example: In a book club discussion, encourage members to ask questions about various aspects of the book, from plot details to character motivations. This diversity of questions leads to a more engaging conversation.

9. Moderate Effectively:

As someone who has to give direction to the discussion, try to maintain control of the session and ensure questions are relevant to the topic and audience. Politely redirect or filter out off-topic or inappropriate questions.

Give everyone a chance to ask questions, and manage time to allow for a variety of voices to be heard.

Pretend you’re a radio DJ taking calls from listeners. If someone goes off-topic, gently steer the conversation back to the music or topic of the show to maintain a cohesive experience.

10. Encourage Feedback:

After the Q&A, ask the audience for feedback on the session’s effectiveness. This can help you improve future sessions and tailor them to the audience’s needs. 

Example: After a group art project, ask each participant what they liked and what could be improved. This feedback helps everyone learn from the experience and create better art in the future.

11. Follow-Up:

If you promised to provide additional information or research an answer, do so promptly after the session. This demonstrates your commitment to addressing the audience’s needs.

12. Reflect and Improve:

After each session, take time to analyze what went well and what could be improved. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors to refine your Q&A skills for future engagements.

Can I answer a Question with a Question?

Many a time we think is it disrespectful to answer a question with a question, or perhaps even condescending? However, answering a question with a question can be an effective communication technique when used thoughtfully, but it’s essential to be mindful of the context and tone to avoid coming across as disrespectful or condescending. 

Consider, for instance, a scenario where someone asks, “Do you know where my keys are?” Responding with, “Have you checked your coat pocket?” instead of a direct “yes” or “no” can be helpful. However, if someone in a team meeting asks, “How do we solve this problem?” replying with, “Well, what solutions have you considered?” can encourage collaborative problem-solving. So, while answering a question with a question can be a valuable tool for prompting critical thinking or guiding discussions, it’s crucial to gauge the situation and intent to ensure it’s used appropriately.

Types of Difficult Questions:

Often times in presentations we don’t get softball questions that are easy to handle but rather some sort of pushback. The audience tries to gauge your authenticity or simply disagrees with you. These are what we call Difficult questions. They are inquiries that pose challenges beyond their surface. They require careful consideration, provoke thought, or test one’s knowledge, often demanding more than a simple yes or no answer. Handling difficult questions effectively is a skill that involves not only providing accurate responses but also managing the dynamics of the discussion and the emotions of those asking. In this exploration, we’ll delve deeper into these challenging types of questions, dissect their nuances, and offer strategies for responding adeptly and constructively.

1. When You Don’t Know the Answer:

• Challenge: It’s common to face questions to which you don’t have an immediate answer, especially in complex or unfamiliar topics.
• Example: In a technical presentation, someone asks a highly technical question beyond your expertise.
• Admit it gracefully: Acknowledge that you don’t have the answer, but express your willingness to find it.
• Offer a partial answer: Share what you do know or suggest possible resources or experts to consult.
• Follow up: Make a commitment to research and provide a comprehensive response after the session.

2. Too Many Questions at the Same Time (Machine Gun Questioning):

• Challenge: Some audience members may bombard you with multiple questions all at once, making it difficult to respond coherently.
• Example: An audience member asks, “How does this technology work, and what are its applications? Can you explain its impact on the industry?”
• Politely request clarification: Ask the person to specify which question they’d like you to address first.
• Address one question at a time: Break down the multiple questions into individual responses to maintain clarity.
• Control the pace: Politely request that questions be asked one at a time to facilitate a more organized discussion.

3. Audience Member Makes a Statement and Tries to Take Over:

• Challenge: Some individuals may attempt to dominate the Q&A session by making lengthy statements or challenging your expertise.
• Example: An audience member insists on sharing their own knowledge and experience, seemingly to undermine your credibility.
• Acknowledge their input: Politely thank them for their perspective and acknowledge their knowledge.
• Redirect the focus: Gently guide the conversation back to the topic or the question at hand.
• Set boundaries: Establish ground rules for the Q&A session at the beginning, emphasizing that questions should be concise and relevant.

4. Emotional Questions Driven by Anger:

• Challenge: Emotionally charged questions, often stemming from anger or frustration, can be challenging to handle without escalating tension.
• Example: An audience member confronts you with anger about a controversial topic you’re discussing.
• Stay calm and empathetic: Maintain composure, listen attentively, and acknowledge the person’s emotions.
• Avoid confrontation: Refrain from responding with defensiveness or aggression, as it can escalate the situation.
• Reframe the question: Politely ask the person to rephrase their question in a more constructive and specific manner.

5. Off-Topic Questions:

• Challenge: Sometimes, audience members ask questions that are unrelated to the topic of your presentation or discussion.
• Example: In a business presentation on marketing strategies, someone asks about your personal hobbies.
• Politely redirect: Acknowledge the question but gently steer the conversation back to the main topic.
• Offer to discuss later: Suggest discussing off-topic questions after the session to avoid derailing the current discussion.

6. Provocative Questions:

• Challenge: These questions are designed to provoke a reaction or create controversy.
• Example: During a political debate, someone asks a loaded question aimed at stirring up emotions rather than seeking a constructive answer.
• Stay composed: Maintain a calm and respectful demeanor when responding, regardless of the provocation.
• Address the core issue: Focus on the underlying topic or concern within the provocative question rather than getting drawn into the emotional aspect.

7. Incomprehensible Questions:

• Challenge: Some questions are poorly phrased or unclear, making it challenging to discern the intent behind them.
• Example: An audience member asks a question with convoluted language and vague references.
• Seek clarification: Politely ask the person to rephrase or clarify their question to ensure you understand it correctly.
• Paraphrase and respond: Restate what you believe the question is about, and answer based on your interpretation. The person can then confirm or correct your understanding.

8. Condescending Questions:

• Challenge: These questions are posed in a belittling or patronizing manner, often implying that the person asking believes they know better.
• Example: An audience member asks, “Do you even understand the basics of this topic?”
• Maintain professionalism: Respond with professionalism and confidence, avoiding any temptation to match the condescension.
• Address the question’s substance: Focus on providing a well-informed and concise response to demonstrate your expertise.

9. Overly Technical Questions:

• Challenge: In technical or specialized discussions, questions may become overly complex, making it challenging for a broader audience to follow.
• Example: A highly technical question filled with industry-specific jargon is asked in a general audience setting.
• Simplify the response: Offer a simplified explanation or analogy to make the answer accessible to a broader audience.
• Offer follow-up resources: Suggest additional reading or resources for those interested in delving deeper into the technical details.

Handling these challenging question scenarios effectively requires a combination of good communication skills, patience, and tact. Remember that the goal is to maintain a productive and respectful dialogue with your audience while addressing their concerns and inquiries.

People Also Ask:

Why is it important to know how to take the audience’s questions when you are presenting.

It is crucial to know how to handle audience questions when presenting for several reasons. Firstly, audience questions signify engagement and interest in your topic, making it an opportunity to further connect with your audience and demonstrate your expertise. Secondly, addressing questions allows you to clarify any misunderstandings or provide additional context, ensuring that your message is well-received and understood. Moreover, handling questions effectively helps you maintain control over the presentation’s flow, ensuring that it stays on track and doesn’t deviate too far from your intended message. Lastly, audience questions can provide valuable feedback, enabling you to gauge the audience’s comprehension and adapt your presentation in real time if necessary, leading to a more successful and impactful presentation overall.

Who is responsible for answering questions from the audience at the time of the presentation?

The responsibility for answering questions from the audience during a presentation primarily falls on the presenter (most likely You). You’re the one who’s been preparing and practicing your presentation for weeks, months, or maybe even years. You’re the guru on the stage, the oracle of information. When those curious souls in the audience raise their hands or type away with their burning questions, it’s your time to shine. You get to flex your brain muscles and give them answers that will make their heads spin (in a good way, of course). It’s your duty to facilitate a productive Q&A session by actively listening to each question, providing thoughtful and accurate responses, and ensuring that the discussion remains relevant to the topic at hand. However, in some cases, especially during larger presentations or panel discussions, a moderator or facilitator may assist in managing the question-and-answer

In conclusion, mastering the art of Q&A, and handling audience questions like a pro, is a skill that can transform any presentation, discussion, or public speaking engagement. By understanding the diverse types of questions that may arise and adopting effective strategies to address them, you can create an interactive and engaging dialogue with your audience. From riddles that stimulate creativity to emotionally charged inquiries that demand empathy, each question offers a unique opportunity to connect, educate, and inspire. 

Remember, the key to success lies in active listening, clear communication, and maintaining composure, even in the face of challenging questions. Whether you’re a speaker, presenter, moderator, or simply someone engaged in a meaningful conversation, the ability to navigate difficult questions with finesse not only enhances your credibility but also fosters a more enriching and enlightening exchange of ideas. So, embrace the art of Q&A, and with practice and patience, you’ll continue to refine this valuable skill, ensuring that your interactions with your audience are both memorable and impactful.

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• 7 Tips to Encourage Audience Questions in Your Presentation Q&A

September 19, 2017

Ever seen a presenter ask “Any questions?” at the end of their presentation, and heard only crickets from the audience?

In my work as a professional emcee and trade show presenter , I see it often, and it always makes me cringe because it’s so awkward, and so completely avoidable.

Asking for questions and getting none kills a presentation’s momentum. It usually goes like this:

• The presenter, having run out of content, asks “Any questions?”
• The audience, having no questions, freezes in place.
• Everyone thinks they hear crickets, though there are none in the room.
• The presenter, getting no questions, says, “OK, I guess I’m done.”

OUCH. How’d that happen?

Chances are, you caught your audience by surprise. They didn’t know you’d take questions, so they didn’t think of any. When you asked, you caught them off guard.

I want your next presentation to end with a bang, not a whimper. So try these tips to encourage questions:

1. PREPPING YOUR Q&A: PRIME YOUR AUDIENCE

> TIP THEM OFF EARLY:  As you start your presentation, tell your audience: “I’ll take all your questions at the end, so write down your questions as you think of them along the way.”  That’ll get them active thinking of questions throughout your presentation.

> REMIND THEM:  A few minutes before you take questions, say: “I’ve got one more slide to cover, then I’ll take your questions.” That’ll remind them to think of some questions if they haven’t yet.

2. STARTING YOUR Q&A: GIVE THEM A NUDGE

> LEAVE ROOM: Starting a Q&A with little or no time left discourages questions; your audience wants to leave on time too! Instead, carve out 5-10 minutes or more for questions (and cut some content to make room if needed; your audience prioritizes the information they want to get over the information you want to share).

> USE A PLANT: Have a “plant” in the audience who’ll ask the first question (one you’re comfortable answering), which encourages other audience members to ask (and saves them the awkwardness of going first) and gives them time to think of something to ask.

> CHANGE YOUR PHRASING: Your audience may interpret the phrase “Any questions?” as a sign that you don’t expect or even want questions, which discourages them from asking. Instead, encourage questions by phrasing your question with a more upbeat, expectant tone:  “Who’s got a question?” or  “Who’d like to go first?”

> ASK IT YOURSELF: Ask yourself a common question:  “One question I get often is…” Then answer it. Again, this encourages the audience to follow suit, and gives them more time to think of a question.

3. ENDING YOUR Q&A: ADD THAT BANG!

Q&A or not, ending your presentation by saying you’re ending your presentation (“OK, I guess I’m done”) will end your presentation with a whimper. You can easily replace that whimper with a “bang” by restating your main takeaway and thanking your audience:

“Folks, I hope my presentation has shown you that when it’s raining and you want to stay dry outside, use an umbrella! You won’t regret it. Thanks so much for your time.”

And thank you so much for your time!

by Andy Saks

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Q&A Techniques for a Perfect Question and Answer Session

How to run ‘part two’ of your presentation for maximum audience engagement

Learn These Q&A Techniques for the Perfect Informal Question and Answer Session

There are many presentation techniques that enhance the value of your Q&A sessions, but the most important is to treat them as part two of your presentation and prepare as much as possible.

If part one is the formal delivery using speaker-support slides , then the Q&A is an informal follow-up session in which further content is delivered in the form of answers to questions. For example, clarifying points, going into further detail, and alleviating any concerns.

With that in mind, here are our top ten presentation techniques for preparing and hosting a perfect Q&A.

Give Advance Warning

A Q&A session with no questions can feel a little awkward, but there are presentation techniques you can use to encourage interaction. For example, if you provide advance warning of a Q&A session at the start of your presentation, then it encourages the audience to make mental notes about things they could ask.

Another presentation technique is to kick off the Q&A session by asking “Who has the first question?” This creates an expectation that there are questions out there and can encourage someone to put their hand up.

Treat Questions Equally

Avoid saying “Good question” as it infers you are grading audience members on the quality of their input. This can stifle questions from those who have more basic queries about something they didn’t quite understand. If they leave the room without clarification, then your presentation may not have achieved its objective.

Make it clear that all questions are welcome. If one really stands out, simply say “Thank you for asking that question.”

Repeat the Question for Everyone

Look at the person as they ask their question and then repeat it back the question to the whole room so everyone has the necessary context for your answer. This also gives the impression that the question was asked by the whole audience and provides an opportunity for the originator of the question to correct you if you misheard or misunderstood.

Before you answer, don’t forget to use another important presentation training technique – the well-timed pause .

Answer Questions to the Room

One of the most important presentation techniques is to address the entire audience with your answer so everyone benefits from the information. Equally, avoid the temptation to move towards the person who asked it. Continue to stand where you are so everyone in the audience feels equal.

Eye contact is another essential skill to learn. Check out our presentation tips on how to use the power of eye contact to enhance audience engagement .

Give Concise Answers

Lengthy responses can make the audience feel like they are back in the formal part of the presentation again. Always deliver answers as concisely as possible, but with enough detail to ensure everyone understands.

Bear in mind that the person asking the question may be the only one who wants to hear the answer. If you feel someone would benefit from further information, then suggest they come and see you after the Q&A.

Check Your Response

After delivering an answer, ask if it was satisfactory. This confirms you helped the person who asked the question and provides an opportunity for a follow-on question if time allows. However, never allow more than two questions in a row so the Q&A session remains a fair and balanced opportunity for everyone.

Kick Off with a Question Yourself

If no one has any questions, it can help to prepare a few of your own to get the ball rolling. For example, you could say:

“A question I’m often asked is…” or “You might be asking yourselves…”

Answer your own question, and then open the floor to others again. You can even strategically word your answer to raise a logical follow-on question.

Kicking off the Q&A session yourself shows you have passion for the subject, which is one of the seven laws of presentation skills . 

Answering Loaded Questions

Loaded questions are one of the toughest challenges of Q&A sessions, but some simple presentation techniques can prevent them from derailing you or undermining your confidence .

The purpose of a loaded question is often to corner you into a specific answer that makes you look incorrect, morally wrong, or simply unprofessional. The person asking the question often has an agenda, and their aim may be to discredit you or what you are saying.

One of the best presentation techniques for this situation is to defuse the question first. For example, if someone asks

“What are you doing with all the money you make from the price increase?”

You could defuse it by saying that you understand their frustration. Then rephrase their question into a less emotionally charged format such as

“I believe what you’re asking is: why such a sudden price increase?”

If the person is unsatisfied with your rephrasing, it may be better to ask them to come and talk to you after the Q&A so you can address their concerns directly.

If a loaded question is off-topic, then don’t be afraid to politely say

“Actually, that question doesn’t quite fit the context of this discussion.”

Dealing With Speech Makers

Sometimes the person asking the question simply wishes to make a point. This is okay for short points, and you can simply thank them for their comment and move on to the next question.

Occasionally, you may encounter someone who wishes to make a speech themselves, but this is unfair to those who have genuine questions.

Presentation techniques for this situation include waiting for the speechmaker to pause or take a breath, and then interrupting with

“Thank you very much for your comment. Next question?”

Then quickly look to the other side of the room and point to the next person with a question. In most cases, the speech maker will be unsure whether you interrupted them deliberately or genuinely thought they had finished.

Prepare, But Be Prepared to Say “I Don’t Know”

Take time to prepare for both parts of your presentation. For the Q&A session, look at the content of your formal delivery and think about the questions it might raise. If your presentation feels comprehensive, it can even be useful to reduce the level of detail in one or two sections to make them logical areas to explore in the question & answer session.

Once you have anticipated questions, prepare concise answers but never use notes or slides to deliver them as you don’t want it to seem rehearsed. The audience may even think the person asking the question was planted by you.

Finally, it is perfectly acceptable to say that you don’t know the answer. Feel free to provide a useful opinion, but make sure the audience knows you are unsure. Alternatively, simply note down the question and say you will follow up with an answer.

If you have any anxieties about answering questions, we have many other presentation techniques to help you .

This article was originally contributed by Stephen D. Boyd

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15 Tips That Guarantee A Productive Q&A Session

Conferences and events often include question-and-answer sessions as an integral presentation component or as standalone segments. These Q&A sessions allow audiences to delve deeper into specific subjects or pose questions to individuals they might not typically have access to.

Hosting a successful Q&A session may not always be a cakewalk. It requires the moderator or emcee to manage the time effectively, structure the session strategically, encourage active participation from the audience, and much more. Let’s delve into the tips for hosting a successful Q&A session.

Table of Contents

• What is a Q&A session?
• 15 Tips to host a successful Q&A session 2.1 Define Clear Objectives 2.2 Structure the Session 2.3 Undergo Thorough Preparation 2.4 Concise and Clear Responses 2.5 Enhance with Visuals 2.6 Encourage Active Management 2.7 Facilitate Effective Moderation 2.8 Focus on Relevance 2.9 Nurture a Positive Atmosphere 2.10 Guidance for Off-Topic Questions 2.11 Inclusive Participation 2.12 Facilitate Dialogue 2.13 Balanced Question Selection 2.14 Adaptability to Challenges 2.15 Effective Closure and Follow-up

Challenges Faced During a Q&A Session

Key takeaway, what is a q&a session.

A “Question and Answer Session,” or “Q&A Session,” is when a presenter interacts with an audience by answering their questions. Hosting a Q&A session is very important from the point of view of engagement, as participants stay engaged through interactive conversations that keep them interested and focused.

It can also help participants understand the discussed issue as they can ask questions to understand complex subjects better. It also ensures personalized learning, as asking tailored questions makes the information more relevant to the person’s requirements.

Furthermore, it promotes problem-solving as these Q&A sessions address issues and provide immediate, useful answers. Q&A sessions help people engage with the content and learn more effectively.

15 Tips to Host a Successful Q&A Session

While we know Q&A sessions and why they are so important, let’s look at a few tips to help you conduct a successful and effective Q&A session. This section below will contain tips for each stakeholder- presenter, moderator, audience, and organizers. We hope these tips help each of you achieve your goals at the conference, enhance attendee engagement, and improve your interaction with the audience. 

For the Presenter-

Here are a few pointers that a presenter should keep in mind for a successful Q and A session-

1. Define Clear Objectives

First, clearly define the objectives for a successful Q&A session. This means outlining the specific goals and expected outcomes. This clarity creates the foundation for a concentrated and deliberate relationship. Stating these goals can guide participants and shape the conversation’s direction. To do so, follow these steps:

• Choose the main goals you hope to achieve during the Q&A session. Are you hoping to exchange information, solve issues, or generate creative ideas?
• Create straightforward statements that convey each purpose. Use language that is easily understood by your intended audience. 
• Before the session starts, inform the participants of the goals. This provides background and aids in establishing expectations.
• Maintain a direct connection between the objectives and the session’s central theme.

2. Structure the Session

Plan how the discussion will go and what will be discussed for a good Q&A session. This strategy helps more people participate, keeps things organized, and makes the session impactful. This is how you do it:

• Begin by outlining the session’s goal, objectives, and any participation rules.
• Establish the speaker’s credibility by briefly outlining their expertise or history. 

• You can begin with quick opening comments that establish the tone for the Q&A.
• The majority of the session should be devoted to questions and answers. The speaker can discuss multiple topics while emphasizing their significance to the main theme. 
• Give each question a time restriction to guarantee a detailed discussion. This will save time on certain topics.

3. Undergo Thorough Preparation

Preparing well for a Q&A session is important. It helps you gain a thorough understanding of the topic so that you can effectively tackle the questions after the presentation. For tips, check out our article on Public Speaking Techniques to Leave a Lasting Impression. 

If you are a presenter and are wondering how you prepare for the presentation like a pro, we have a few techniques explained ahead for you that will help you in the process:

• Firstly, consider what your audience is interested in, what they know, and their history when responding. That will help you prepare accordingly. 
• Secondly, you need to understand the topic of discussion to answer effectively and fully. 
• While preparing the presentation, think about the questions the participants might ask and plan smart answers beforehand. This is crucial to establish your credibility as a moderator. 
•  Track new advancements in the field to stay updated with the latest information. This will help you tackle any challenging questions that may come your way. 
• As you prepare your key points, find important details, examples, stories, or statistics to improve your replies. Doing so will add credibility to what you have to say. To get more interesting ideas to make your presentation successful, read our article, “ 17 Impactful Persuasive Techniques to Become a Master Public Speaker .”  
• Also, remember to simplify complicated concepts while answering the audience, as you don’t want to lose their attention along the way.

4. Concise and Clear Responses

Speakers should always keep their responses short, clear, and focused on the problem when answering questions. Before organizing the Q and A session, you should also thoroughly research and prepare for the session’s main theme. 

In an excerpt from the 2016 Japanese textbook called “NIG Method for Scientific English Presentation by Tatsumi Hirata, Todd Gorman, and Yash Hiromi’’, the authors discuss how to interpret certain questions under various circumstances. According to the journal, this practice guarantees the participants receive correct information while avoiding needless discussions or confusion. This is how you can do it:

• As soon as a question is asked before replying, take the time to comprehend the question thoroughly.
• Address the questions using facts, figures, and substance. This shows your preparation for the topic. Avoid technical jargon that may mislead people. 
• Summarize key points separately if the question is open-ended and long.
• You can also use analogies to simplify some difficult topics. 
• Try to avoid repeating the same material in multiple ways.
• Inquire whether the participant understood your response or if they want more clarity.

5. Enhance with Visuals

A research paper published in May 2023 in Multimedia Tools and Applications, titled “ The Influence of Product Digital Visual Presentation on Purchase Willingness: effects of Roundedness Axes and Degree,” explores how different shapes and colors in a presentation affect one’s attention. These responses to stimuli make one focus more on the screen. Pictures, charts, graphs, or slides can reportedly make a Q and A session more understandable. These visuals show concepts, statistics, or ideas. Visual aids make complex content easier to understand. They add depth, clarity, and interest. This is how you do it:

• Choose graphics that directly support the presentation’s contents.
• Put clear, uncluttered graphics that are easy to understand.
• Turn statistics or data into aesthetically appealing charts or graphs.

• To show concepts, procedures, or scenarios, use visuals or diagrams.
• Avoid using too much text in your presentations, as it can make the screen look cluttered; instead, concentrate on visual depiction.
• You can use colors to emphasize and distinguish different aspects or use specific colors and shapes to highlight specific information. 
• For your participants to understand everything thoroughly, explain every visual depiction from your presentation.

While we are on the topic of presentations, you should also check out The Gazebo- B2B speakers directory. If you’re a speaker or want to be one, join our Gazebo Speaker Community by filling out a small Google form . Once you’ve made your profile on this platform, you can also upload your presentations and creations with fellow community members and expand your connections.

For the moderator-

For a Q and A session to be successful, a moderator must consider these key pointers carefully-

6. Encourage Active Engagement

To get more people involved in a Q&A session, it’s important to empower them. Participants should feel encouraged to ask questions and share their views. This active engagement raises the session’s depth and richness. So as a presenter, you can adhere to a few important ways, as mentioned below- 

• Begin the meeting with a kind and welcoming introduction that invites participation.
• To establish the tone for the conversation, prompt participants to ask questions.
• Start with a few icebreaker questions to establish rapport and show openness. It is extremely important to ensure that everyone feels welcome and at ease asking questions.
• Let people share their thoughts and stories about the subject by giving them the floor open for their words.

• Invite participants to ask follow-up questions to dive deeper into specific aspects.
• You should also encourage participants to answer each other’s questions and explain further to promote interaction.

7. Facilitate Effective Moderation

The moderator should ensure a balanced and productive conversation during a Q&A session by managing its flow and dynamics. A good session runs smoothly, involves people, and gives everyone value. 

Here are a few steps to effectively moderate your session: 

• Introduce yourself at the beginning of your session. Include your background and expertise on the topic and explain how you can moderate that session for your current audience. 
• Before the session starts, explicitly announce your session’s participation criteria to your audience. This ensures courteous and helpful conversations.
• Give each question a specific time limit to keep things on track and maintain a good pace.
• Explain the session’s rules in the beginning. Make sure to inform them beforehand that you can step in as a moderator if some queries take too long. This needs to be practiced so everyone can have a turn to speak.
• Use transitional statements to move between queries. 
• Maintain a neutral and respectful demeanor, especially when dealing with potentially contentious issues.

8. Focus on Relevance

As a moderator, you must ensure that the questions and their replies are related or always circle back to the session’s main theme to keep it relevant. Using this method helps everyone stay focused and get the most out of the session. Follow the instructions below to make the most out of your session:

• Encourage participants to ask any queries that they have about the main topic of discussion.
• If a question deviates from the major issue, gently steer it back to the right topic.

• As a moderator, if you are dealing with a large volume of questions,  prioritize the ones that are closely related to the subject.
• Allow for larger debates about the core issue while remaining on topic. This helps in audience engagement and promotes open discussion about the theme. 
• Politely acknowledge fascinating questions that are outside the scope of the present discussion that’s going on.  And if you choose to answer them, tie your responses to the main subject to foster relevancy.

9. Nurture a Positive Atmosphere

Participants need to feel comfortable and respected to make a Q&A session positive. It’s important to encourage them to ask questions and share their ideas. Promoting optimism increases involvement and leads to a fruitful and courteous debate. Use the following actions:

• Start with a friendly introduction to set a positive tone from the beginning and make your participants feel comfortable. 
• Recognize the significance of each participant’s questions, regardless of how complex their query is, and try to answer it with much poise and factual accuracy. 
• Provide positive comments or expressions of thanks for smart or thought-provoking inquiries.
• To create a respectful environment, answer with courteous words and a considerate tone. Use statements like- “That is a wonderful question,” | “I appreciate your curiosity,” and similar statements.
• If you have disagreements or confrontations among participants, you should handle them politely.
• When meeting in person, remember to make eye contact, use friendly body language, and have a positive attitude.
• Thank the participants for coming and for their interest in the session topic.

10. Guidance for Off-Topic Questions

During a Q&A session, make sure to redirect participants who ask unrelated questions politely. To keep the session helpful, redirect the debate and focus on the theme. To ensure that your sessions don’t derail and provide maximum useful outputs, follow the steps below:

• Begin by recognizing the question and its importance to the participant.
• Transition politely by announcing the session’s main focus. This needs to be practiced as many times as needed during the session. 
• First, determine a link between the off-topic query and the main theme. Then, as a moderator, show genuine interest in the off-topic inquiry, even if you can’t answer it completely.
• Return the discussion to the core topic and explain to your participants why you did that. 

• Toward the end of the session, provide resources that can answer the off-topic queries raised by your participants during the session. 
• If the participant requires further help, encourage them to contact you directly.

11. Inclusive Participation

As a moderator or organizer, you must create an inviting and respectful environment for diverse participants to engage in a Q&A session. This method encourages more diversified and interesting sessions that benefit all participants. To do this, follow these steps:

• Begin with an introduction that emphasizes the importance of different points of view. This will ensure that all your participants feel included and are encouraged to participate freely. 
• Choose a language that will not alienate any group of participants. It is important to make everyone feel comfortable consistently and included in the discussion. 
• Create an opportunity for every individual to express themselves. If needed, highlight a few participants with different backgrounds and who have some expertise related to the topic. 
• Ensure that both in-person and virtual participants have equal opportunities to engage.
• Recognize that involvement styles might differ (verbal, written, etc.).

• Allow participants to ask questions either in person or virtually. Check out some Conference Tools to help organizers and participants with this experience.

12. Facilitate Dialogue

Promoting meaningful conversations between participants is extremely important in a Q&A session. This strategy goes beyond simple conversations. It creates an atmosphere where participants build on each other’s ideas and discuss with each other. Below mentioned are some steps you can practice to implement meaningful discussions: 

• Encourage attendees to react to one another’s questions or remarks.
• Pose questions that inspire a variety of perspectives and in-depth replies. Then, open the floor for such discussions to ensure maximum engagement. 
• Connect replies from one attendee to another one’s query to establish a continuous dialogue among participants.
• Address opposing ideas respectfully and facilitate meaningful debates.
• Encourage participants to go into depth about certain topics by allowing follow-up questions.
• Share relevant experiences as a presenter and open the stage for attendees to discuss their inputs as well. 

For the audience-

Audiences are the most integral part of a Q and A session. For your audience to be satisfied, remember the following points while planning the Q and A session-

13. Balanced Question Selection

In a Q&A session, choosing a mix of questions that cover different views, topics, and difficulty levels is important. As per an article published in 2016 by  Nielsen Norman Group ( a collaboration of all world leaders), questions can be of two types: Open-Ended and Close-Ended. The report’s authors advise to pose more open-ended questions to uncover more insights. They also advise attendees to fine-tune their questions and assess whether they can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” If they can, rephrasing them to explore the “how” and “what” aspects in greater detail is highly encouraged. Having said that, there are situations where one may need to restrict response options, such as when free-form or write-in answers are not practical or manageable. 

Here are a few things to remember before selecting a mix of questions to ask the speaker/panelists.

• Before the session, review submitted questions to ensure a fair mix.
• Include questions that touch on many facets of the major subject to cover multiple themes, such as factual, conceptual, and application-based questions.
• Choose questions that are appropriate for both beginners and experts.

• Ensure your questions include a wide range of demographics, experiences, and points of view. And tailor these questions to the demographics of your participants. 
• Combine simple questions with ones that need more in-depth answers.
• Include questions on recent advances in the field.
• Incorporate questions that are widely relevant, as well as those with unique subtleties.

For the organizer-

A successful Q and A session hinges on the organizer keeping in mind various crucial aspects, as outlined below-

14. Adaptability to Challenges

An organizer can face challenges throughout the conference and should always have a backup plan for it. The most important quality to possess during a challenge is – Flexibility.  Flexibility means handling problems and tough questions gracefully during a Q&A session. This method shows how well you handle challenges, stay calm, and make participants happy. To do it, follow the instructions below:

• You should prepare contingency plans for any potential problems. To know more about such problems, keep reading this article. 
• If a problem emerges, change the session schedule to accommodate it.
• Redirect questions that are outside the topic of the session.
• Address complicated or delicate issues courteously and respectfully.
• If the first format fails, try a new mode (e.g., Q and A panel, open forum).
• The moderator should respond to negativity with positivity and positive replies only.
• Even during difficult conversations, maintain respect and professionalism.
• Adapt and enhance any upcoming conferences or sessions based on the feedback provided by your participants.

15. Effective Closure and Follow-up

You must end the discussion meaningfully to close and follow up well in a Q&A session. Also, give participants chances to join in later or get more information. This conclusion ensures that participants have the option to continue learning. Here’s how to efficiently end a session:

• Recap through all the important points and ideas addressed throughout the discussion.
• Thank your attendees for their participation, questions, contributions, and engagement.

• Include any upcoming relevant seminars, workshops, or events that may interest your attendees.
• Invite attendees to provide comments to enhance future sessions. Read our article on Conference Feedback to help you plan your next event .
• Share your contact information with the participants if they have any extra inquiries.
• Share social media handles or details for any community related to the conference agenda. This will encourage the attendees to continue their conversations. 
• After the session, make any recording or a summary of the discussion available to the participants. 
• Thank all your attendees personally for their presence through follow-up emails.
• Always end a discussion using a motivational or uplifting statement. This ensures that the overall conversation ends on a positive note/

Once you know how to plan a successful session, remember that issues can still arise during Q&A. These may include:

• Time Management: Balancing time while dealing with a myriad of questions can result in hastily finishing off the questions. Hence, the moderator should be affluent in managing their time while dealing with each question. 
• Irrelevant Questions: Off-topic questions might derail the conversation from the session’s main point. This can also lead to a waste of time. That’s why you should always gently veer back the whole discussion to the main theme.
• Limited Participation: Encouraging all guests to ask questions might be difficult, as answering each query requires a lot of facts and examples to be presented. So, as a speaker, you should encourage the participants to share their stories and experiences while answering each other’s questions. 
• Sensitive Topics: Q&A sessions tend to reveal sensitive discussions among the attendees. There is a famous saying by Albert Einstein –  “Curiosity has its own reason for existing,” which implies having to deal with all kinds of curious brains and their questions civilly.  

• Volume of Questions: These sessions can be challenging because of the overwhelming number of questions. Handling these many questions can lead to difficult decisions, such as skipping a few questions politely or addressing them later with another query related to the main theme. 

To have a successful Q&A session, you must navigate challenges well. This means being a good moderator, preparing in advance, and being adaptable.

Knowing how to interact with your audience in a productive Q&A session is a powerful way to communicate and share information. Use the 15 techniques in this guide to make your next Q&A more engaging and productive.

When you use these techniques in your Q&A sessions, you’ll see a change from a regular conversation to a memorable dialogue. The impact of this dialogue will stay with your audience for a long time, even after the session ends. Engaging in positive Q&A sessions helps build connections, enhance learning, and leave a lasting impression.

For the latest information about the event’s industry, visit our site- Eventible .

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Alison Bensch

Senior director of global events, cloudinary, proudest of.

In both cases, we had to figure out how to take what are historically in-person events and translate them into engaging virtual experiences with a team of just two in-house event marketers, counting myself.

ImageCon is our flagship customer summit. In 2021, more than 1,700 people across 107 countries registered for the two-day event, which included 20 virtual sessions designed to help retailers unleash the full potential of their visual media.

Our hosted event series included about 8 virtual events across North America and EMEA markets. To drive up attendance and engagement, we hosted unique virtual cooking and mixology classes, wine tastings, tequila pairings, and more, with celebrity chefs and bartenders such as Marcus Samuelsson, Julio Cabrero, and Amanda Freitag.

Rockstar Mode

ImageCon was a success, in part, because we secured high-quality speakers and focused on providing true value to attendees by creating sessions to optimize their usage of the Cloudinary platform to improve their business. We featured customers in the content by doing customer spotlights. We also improved the production level of the summit by partnering with an agency.

I am proud we were able to pull off a high-quality event of this scale while managing 30 other events for the year.

Prior to the pandemic, our hosted event series consisted of in-person dinners and intimate happy hours. We wanted to recreate these virtually, without making them feel like webinars. We succeeded, in part, because we invested in high-quality talent to attract participants and create fun, memorable moments we probably could not have pulled off in-person.

We also took pains to make the events as easy as possible to attend, for example, by mailing guests meal kits or drink kits with everything they needed to participate. Of course, everything was branded, right down to the salt and pepper. We know our attendees’ time is precious, so we encouraged them to involve their family and were sure to include enough food and/or drink to share.

After the experience, we broke out into small groups, allowing people to network with peers and Cloudinary team members, who led discussions on relevant industry topics. Thus, attendees topped off a great culinary or cocktail experience with valuable learnings that could help their business. In fact, I see us continuing with some of these virtual events even after we have resumed in-person ones.

Our on-demand event content is now a powerful sales enablement tool for our sales team, who share session recordings with prospective customers, as well as existing ones who are considering adding on a new capability. We will continue to measure the performance of this content.

For the hosted events, we evaluate success by measuring pipeline acceleration. So, we consider where event guests are in their consideration process before attending the event. We use the event, and event follow-up, to help move the prospect or customer to the finish line. We usually see prospects who engaged in marketing campaigns were more likely to close, and close faster, than those who did not attend an event.

While this is harder to measure, we know our event series keeps the Cloudinary brand top of mind and deepens our relationship with customers. We document the positive feedback we receive from attendees and sales reps for internal use and marketing purposes.

Survivor Mode

Another challenge was creating an event strategy against a backdrop of so much uncertainty. I have seen industry colleagues invest resources in planning in-person events, only to have to rejigger in the final hour. I made the decision from the onset of the year to plan for virtual events, given our small team and resources. This allowed us to create more effective and engaging virtual events from the start and maximize our budget.

Nothing beats in-person events, and I am excited to be moving forward with these in 2022. But I plan to continue with digital and hybrid events, as well, for a number of reasons. When done right, they can be more memorable than in-person ones, and certainly more convenient. They also allow me to engage people across a wider geographic region (all of Europe for example or across the US), which leads to cost-savings and unique and widened interactions for our attendees.

Annie Yuzzi VP

Global corporate events and experiences, sumo logic, bethany roskin murphy, director of global events, drift, charlene kate ditch, founder, charlene kate events, gabrielle d., global events director, automation anywhere, gerilynn marburger, director, global events, hewlett packard enterprise, hollie ashby, senior manager, cxo and third party events, palo alto networks, lindsey cohen, director- event marketing, snyk, ceo & chief event strategist, liz king events, nicola kastner, vice president, global head of event strategy, sap, rachel russell, field marketing manager, even, samantha calle, associate director, xandr, margaret shaeffer, head of field marketing & events, linearb, traci depuy, head of global events, salesforce, dale rickert, global conference head of greentech festival, matthew lin, head of marketing, beetc, emilie watrob, head of event marketing, zs, katherine leong, director, corporate events, gainsight, sr. director, marketing technology (brand and events), salesforce, karim youssef, creative director, dpw, elizabeth thomas, head of global events, elastic, gerry schneider, vp events at wearedevelopers, director, global events at hewlett packard enterprise, mike kalyan, event and seminar marketing manager, shrm.

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how to give the perfect presentation

Giving a presentation – q & a strategies, how to use the q & a session to your advantage.

Most presentations include a short question and answer session, which is a positive way to invite the interaction of your audience. During your introduction, inform the audience when they may ask questions. You may choose to accept questions throughout your presentation or at the end. Answering questions from the audience can help you to summarize the information, stress your main points, clarify any misunderstandings and reinforce your recommendations. More important, it can make you more likable, allow you to connect at an informal level with your audience, and enable you to maintain your leader/expert role.

Answering Different Types of Questions

Questions from the audience tend to fall into three categories: good questions, difficult questions, and unnecessary questions. Making a comment about the question before you begin the answer will give you some time to think.

From your point of view as a speaker, good questions enable you to reinforce and elaborate on your message to the audience. You could begin your response by saying, “That’s an excellent question.” Difficult questions are those which are confrontational. They are designed to embarrass you, challenge you, confuse you or discredit you. If you don’t know the answer, you might say, “I’m afraid I don’t have that information with me.” If you prefer not to answer, you could say, “I’m afraid I’m not in a position to comment on that.” Unnecessary or irrelevant questions are those which ask about information you have already given. Point this out by saying something like “I think I answered that earlier.”

Staying in Control

Your objective is to maintain as much control of the question-and-answer session as you did of the formal presentation. You are the one who decides how many people to call on. You are the one who chooses how much detail to provide in your response. You are also the one who signals when the question-and-answer session comes to an end.

Start by listening carefully to the question and nod to show that you understand and are paying attention. Be patient if the questioner asks you to clarify something that you have already explained at depth during your presentation. Even though you may feel you explained this point clearly, there may be some misunderstanding among audience members. Don’t roll your eyes or sigh in exasperation when you hear a question. These are insulting signals. Instead, after the questioner has finished speaking, say you’ll be happy to clarify the point. Otherwise, explain politely that you have already done so.

Always repeat the question. This has several benefits. First, it brings the attention of the audience back to you, rather than the person asking the question. Second, in a large room, the question may not have been heard by everyone. Your repeating it allows each person to know what you are going to talk about. Third, it gives you time to think of how to answer. Remember to stay on track and answer the specific question. If one person tries to ask several questions, explain that you could speak privately afterwards but for now, you’d like to give more people a chance to ask questions.

Maintaining Visual Control

• Adopt a comfortable position, where you can look at all sections of the audience.
• Use eye contact techniques.
• Use walking patterns to focus and refocus the attention of the audience.

Maintaining Verbal Control

• View the question and answer period as an opportunity to reinforce your major points.
• Listen to the intent of the message, instead of the tone.
• Keep your answers brief so as not to appear to be defending yourself.

Remember that a speaker is judged from the moment he or she enters the room until the last question is answered, so be polite, helpful and professional in answering questions.

At times, I’ve faced difficult technical questions after a presentation for which I have no answers.

What can I do to avoid losing my credibility if I HAVE NO ANSWERS!!??

There are many things you can do:

Tell the person you do not have the information available at this time, but will get back to him / her with it as soon as you get it. Then, make sure you do.

Explain that you are not the technical expert but that you will provide the contact info for the right person.

Answer part of the question and ignore the rest.

Explain that the question will take time to answer, so you will get back to him / her by email later.

About Presentation Prep

Being able to speak in public can change your life! Presentation Prep is your complete, free guide to delivering speeches, lectures, and presentations more successfully and confidently. Whether you're a native English-speaker who suffers from public speaking anxiety, or a non-native speaker who needs guidelines for presenting to international audiences, this site will give you everything you need. Presentation Prep is written by Rebecca Ezekiel, an experienced corporate trainer who specializes in the areas of communications, presentations, and cross-cultural skills. Her online English language training videos are watched by millions of students worldwide.

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Q & A: Handling Audience Questions

Answering Audiences Questions Appropriately

You’ve crafted an excellent presentation: you’ve practiced the talk, rehearsed your presentation, and even managed to come up with a few great jokes. But have you thought about the questions your audience may have for you when you’re finished?

How to handle audience questions effectively is a key part of any presentation. Why? Because when people in your audience ask questions, you know you’ve engaged them . When they ask questions or give feedback, it means they’ve been listening to what you’ve been talking about—and they want to know more.

Questions Provide Feedback

For some people, opening up the floor and answering the audiences questions at the end of their presentation causes a lot of anxiety , and it’s usually because they’re afraid someone is going to ask a question they can’t answer—or worse, a question they’re not comfortable answering.

Great discussions evolve from Q&As—not to mention, the questions your audience members ask can provide valuable feedback and insight for your business. Don’t shy away from an audience’s questions. Here are a few tips to help you make it through the question-and-answer period of your next presentation:

Anticipate The Most Likely Questions

If you’ve ever done a presentation, you know time is of the essence. That means sometimes you have to pick and choose which points you will elaborate on, and which ones you won’t. Some of the points you aren’t able to talk at length about will leave unanswered questions that your audience will inevitably ask you during the question-and-answer period. What are questions you are most likely to be asked? What questions have you been asked before? You may not predict every question the audience has, but if you are prepared for some of them (and have practiced your responses), you’ll look more polished and professional when you answer them.

Listen, Pause, Repeat

One of the most important things we talk about during our Presentation Skills Training workshops is that a presentation is all about communication, and you can’t communicate effectively without listening. Make sure you fully understand the question being asked of you before answering it. If you’re not sure what they really meant by the question have them rephrase the question.  Listen to the entire question, pause for a moment to reflect. If everyone in the room didn’t hear the question, repeat it so everyone in the room knows what was just asked. By doing this, you not only confirm you understood what the person has asked and it also gives you a moment to process it so you can come up with an appropriate response.

Put The Fish on the Table

If there’s a difficult subject or situation that you know someone is going to ask about, use it to open your presentation. Address it up front so no one thinks you’re trying to hide it or avoid the subject. This is particularly helpful when you’re speaking on a subject that’s contradictory to something that’s happened recently. For example, if you’re delivering a presentation on world peace the day after a terrorist attack, it would be ridiculous to ignore the event. Acknowledge the “elephant in the room” first and find a way to incorporate it into your presentation.

It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. If you’re asked a question you can’t answer, thank the audience member for asking the question, admit you didn’t anticipate being asked it, and then ask if you can follow up with them after the presentation (and after you’ve had a chance to find the answer or come up with a good one). Always get the person’s name and contact information and make sure you do follow up. It’s a good idea to have a pencil and paper available for you to write down questions you can’t answer on the spot.

Opening up the floor to questions is a great way to get your audience involved in your presentation, and it provides an opportunity for you to gauge what it is your audience has taken from your talk. If you’ve been reluctant to include a question-and-answer period in your presentations, give it a try the next time.

For more great tips and public speaking advice, be sure to connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

Great post! You seemed to touch on every issue I’ve encountered. I especially really liked the part about putting the fish on the table! Steal their thunder!

I have bombed a few presentations because the Q & A got out of control.  Its a little scary because i’m not sure if I will be able to answer the questions from my audience 

Thanks to my father who informed me about this company, these blogs is truly amazing and very helpful.

Repeating the question back has helped me so much! It allows me to think it over in my head before answering and it makes sure I heard the person properly. If you don’t do this in your presentations, it is worth a try!

I always thought it was the worst thing if you told your audience that you didn’t have the answer to something. Your suggestion on how to deal with that was great. Thanks for the great tips!

Great tips. Thanks!

Very helpful. Thanks for another terrific blog.

It’s comforting to know it’s okay to say “I don’t know.”

Of the few presentations I’ve done, a Q&A didn’t seem appropriate and even if it was, there wasn’t enough time. Should I make my presentation shorter to allow for questions at the end?

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How to Facilitate a Successful Q&A Session

A Q&A session has the potential to be the most important part of your company meetings.

It’s a way to give employees a voice – a chance to ask questions to leadership and raise any concerns.

On the other hand, Q&As allow leaders to connect with employees at scale and in turn, create trust within the company.

Hybrid work has made this more important than ever.

Especially at larger online meetings such as all-hands and town halls, there aren’t many opportunities for employees to speak up and be heard.

In this article, we’ll show you how to design and facilitate a successful Q&A session at your hybrid company meetings.

What you’ll learn:

What is a Q&A session?

Why is q&a important, how to set up and facilitate a q&a session at your meeting.

Let’s dive right in.

Q&A (Questions-and-Answers) sessions are formats that allow audiences to ask questions to the speakers. Q&As originate in the events industry, where short Q&A blocks are typically held after each speaker slot to engage the audience and give them a chance to ask the speaker additional questions.

Q&A sessions have also found their way into companies. Many companies made Q&A sessions a regular part of their all-hands meetings or town hall meetings to allow for a communication flow between their employees and leadership.

Others, like Slack , Facebook , or IBM run standalone “Ask Me Anything” sessions with their CEO and executives.

Running a Q&A session is important because it helps bridge the gap between employees and company executives. When done over time, this builds a trusted and transparent culture and promotes inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

Effective internal communication Since hybrid work has made interactions between employees and leadership even more scarce, Q&A sessions provide an important avenue for effective internal communication.

Transparency & Trust Open Q&As help leaders keep healthy two-way communication with their staff, which is an important factor for employees to trust their leaders .

Diversity & Inclusion By opening a forum for employee questions, companies give their employees a voice and support diversity of thought and opinion in the workplace.

Read also: Employee interaction is the tip of the meeting iceberg

Below, you’ll find the best practices that will help you pull off a successful Questions-and-Answers session at your company meeting.

Or would you rather watch a video? Here you are:

1. Include Q&A directly in your agenda and dedicate enough time to it

Make the Q&A section a fixed part of your all-company meeting agenda to keep a regular communication flow with your employees. Running regular Q&A sessions will also help you keep an eye on the overall atmosphere in your organization and detect any changes or patterns.

Also, make sure to dedicate a substantial amount of time to the Q&A part. Only then will you create a meaningful discussion with your staff.

A rushed Q&A session may fail to hit the mark, and even backfire – your employees may feel as though leaders don’t care about their questions and concerns.

• At Slido, we allocate one-third of our all-hands meeting agenda to the Q&A – out of a 90-minute meeting, we spend 30 minutes answering questions from our teammates.
• At Google, a Q&A makes up one-half of their weekly all-hands meetings called TGIF – they run a 30-minute meeting, followed by a 30-minute Q&A with Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

2. Collect questions from your employees via a Q&A platform

At large company meetings, and especially when run online, it’s impractical to have people ask questions verbally. Not only does it create friction (people unmuting themselves, or jumping in the discussion), but it also isn’t inclusive of those who aren’t comfortable with speaking up.

By using Slido Q&A , you can allow everyone to ask questions asynchronously in advance at a time that suits them best, no matter what their timezone.

All they have to do is simply type their questions in the app (they can even stay anonymous) – and you’ll run more organized Q&A sessions.

Plus, you will have all the questions in one place. During the Q&A, you can display them on the screen and make it easier for your team to follow the discussion.

💡 Tip If your company’s new to Slido, give it a proper introduction among your employees. Explain to your employees how they can join your Slido event and send their questions in.

3. Start collecting questions from employees in advance

Allow your employees to submit their questions even before the meeting. They will have more time to think their questions through and your leaders will have an opportunity to check the questions before the meeting and prepare more elaborate answers.

For example, we share a link to Slido Q&A with our colleagues about a week before the all-hands meeting.

You can share a link to your Slido event via:

• Slack Share a link to Slido Q&A with your colleagues in a dedicated Slack channel
• Calendar Paste the link to the calendar invite, along with a Zoom link, and other important details
• Email Send the Slido link to your colleagues in an invite email and encourage them to submit their questions

💡 Tip By collecting questions in advance, even those who can’t join the meeting in person will be able to ask questions. They will see their question answered when they watch the meeting recording.

4. Appoint a Q&A moderator

To make your Q&A even more effective, have a dedicated person to moderate the discussion. What actually works really well is running your Q&A session as a natural conversation.

Have your moderator read each question out loud and assign it to a concrete person to answer it. This will take your Q&A session from one to 100 and will be much more engaging for your audience to watch and listen to.

A good Q&A moderator will also help keep the discussion organized and relevant by grouping similar questions together, or following up on some of the questions to get the best answers.

💡 Tip Especially with larger meetings, it’s handy to appoint someone to review the incoming questions , archive duplicate questions or those already answered, and highlight the current questions.

5. Keep reminding people to ask questions

Even if you’ve collected some questions in advance, a good practice is to give your employees a gentle reminder at the beginning of the meeting so they don’t forget to ask questions.

Have your moderator encourage people to keep sending their questions throughout the meeting and repeat the call to action by the end.

Our all-hands moderator, Juraj Holub, often does this trick: After a block of business updates, he prompts people to take a moment, think of what they’ve just heard, and then submit a question should they have one.

6. Use upvotes to keep the discussion relevant

‘Question upvotes’ is a fantastic feature that allows employees to influence which questions will get answered with priority. They can simply give a question a thumbs up to upvote it if they think it’s relevant. You can even enable downvotes that allow them to do the very opposite – send the question down.

It’s a great way to keep the discussion relevant and to the point. Also, it allows employees to express their support for certain questions or topics, even if they don’t want to ask a question themselves.

💡 Tip Shortly before the end of your Q&A, ask your employees to open Slido and go through the submitted questions once again and upvote them.

You can say something like: “We have time for two more questions, please go ahead and upvote your favorite ones so we’ll get to answer the most relevant ones.”

7. Tackle the unanswered questions after the meeting

If you’ve run out of time and there are still many questions left unanswered, don’t let them disappear.

Answer them in writing, include them in your internal newsletter, or record a video and share it with your teammates afterwards.

Here are 8 tips on what to do with unanswered questions after your all-hands meeting.

A great Q&A session is usually a combination of thoughtful preparation, masterful moderation and skillful use of interaction technology. And, naturally, an intelligent and curious audience population. Use the tips above to make your next Q&A a success.

Improve your Q&A with Slido.

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8 tips for encouraging questions in your presentation

by Olivia Mitchell | 8 comments

Most of us would like people in the audience to ask questions. A lively Q&A session is stimulating and engaging for the audience. But sometimes you ask for questions, and you’re just met with blank gazes back from your audience. It’s a let-down and your presentation ends on a sour note.

Questions from the audience are like young fragile seedlings – they need nurturing. Consider when you’re in the audience – what stages do you have to mentally go through in order to ask a question? It might go something like this:

So as the presenter, you need to nurture your audience’s questions through these four stages. Here are 8 tips to help make them through:

1. Pitch your presentation at the right level for your audience

The first stage of questions is birth – they have to be born in your audience’s mind. If your presentation is too simple for the level of knowledge in your audience – it’s all material they’ve covered before – they won’t have any questions. Conversly, if it’s too complicated for them, they’ll turn off rather than risk asking a question which might make them look stupid.

2. Don’t cover every aspect of your topic in the presentation

If you cover everything there is to know on the topic – you won’t leave room for questions. So don’t be exhaustive in your coverage.

3. Let your audience know you would like questions and when to ask them

Near the beginning of your presentation let your audience know that you welcome questions. Then let them know when to ask them. There are a number of options:

Take questions throughout your presentation

Tell people they can interrupt you throughout the presentation to ask questions as they come to mind. This has several benefits:

• people won’t have to remember their question till later
• if they’re uncertain about something they can get that clarified at the time
• questions on a particular issue are dealt with at the same time that you’re discussing that issue.

The downside to this strategy is that it can take you off track if people ask irrelevant questions or questions that you’re going to cover later in the presentation. If you find it tricky to get back into the flow of your presentation after an interruption it may not be the best strategy for you. Finally, it can throw the timing of your presentation if people ask a lot of questions on a particular issue. This strategy is best used in longer presentations and training courses where timing is less critical.

Take questions at defined points of your presentation

Tell people you will have an opportunity for questions after you’ve finished each part of your presentation. This option is a useful halfway point between having questions throughout and leaving them till the end of the presentation. You can also decide how long to take questions for during each break in your presentation, and so control the timing better.

4. Let them ask a question as soon as they have one

If you’re serious about ensuring that people get their questions answered, invite people to interrupt you and ask their question. It’s the only way to ensure this. That’s when the question is burning for them. The longer you make people wait, the less likely they are to remember it. Once you’ve moved onto a new topic, their question will seem less relevant. Joey Asher from Talking Points blog says:

Questions aren’t to be feared. They’re to be embraced.  There’s no better way to connect with an audience than to allow them free rein to ask as many questions as they want.

5. Invite people to write down their questions as they think of them

If you don’t want to take questions throughout, you can help people remember their questions by suggesting that they write them down.

6. Validate every question

It takes courage to ask a question. It’s public speaking – just not from the front of the room. People are held back by wondering if their question is stupid or did they miss something and you already answered it. So you need to do your bit to make it a safe environment for people to ask questions. Do that by responding warmly to all questions that are asked – even if the question is stupid or you had already covered it. I don’t recommend saying “Good question”. It’s become a cliche which is often used when the presenter can’t immediately think of the answer.

7. Have people discuss in pairs any questions they may have

If your audience seems a little shy, give them an opportunity to discuss their questions with one other person before they ask them in front of the whole of the audience. Here’s how do do this:

“I’m going to ask for questions in a moment. Please turn to the person next to you and discuss together any questions you have. Then I’ll answer those questions.”

This has several benefits:

• It gives people the opportunity to try out their question in front of one person before risking humiliation in front of the whole audience.
• Any questions that are answered by material you’ve already covered can be answered by their partner.
• It gives people the opportunity to rehearse and fine-tune their question so that it will be shorter and clearer when they ask you.

8. Answer questions clearly and succinctly

If you answer every question with a long-winded and incoherent ramble, people are going to be reluctant to ask you another one. They’ll conclude they’re unlikely to get a useful answer from you. Nor do they want to subject the rest of the audience to another ramble.

More resources on other blogs

Five ways to make presentations Q&A friendly from Joey Asher at Talking Points. He also recommends validating every question:

Smiling at the questioner is like rewarding a dog for sitting on command.  Once rewarded, the chances are the audience will ask more.

John Windsor has a useful post Making the most of a Q&A session . He stresses anticipating the questions that might be asked. And also advises that you recap and conclude your presentation after the Q&A session. That provides a stronger ending to your presentation than just lettting questions peter out.

Andrew Dlugan discusses Leading the perfect Q&A . This covers all elements of the Q&A session from both the audience’s point of view and the presenters.

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Hi again Olivia – just seen this following someone else’s link. It’s something I blogged about myself a while ago – and in retrospect I probably over-stated my case: http://www.curved-vision.co.uk/presentation-skills-blog/2008/03/29/questions-or-not/

To me, it’s important to differentiate between two types of question. Firstly, you’ve got questions of fact (“Did you say 200%?”) which seem to me to be necessary at any point because otherwise people won’t be able to make much of anything you say after that.

Secondly though, there are questions of “application” for lack of a better term. Things like “So in my position, would it make sense to….?”. I love these questions as it shows the audience has bitten what I’ve said and is running with it. My instinct is that these questions should only surface at the end (in fact if the presentation is well structured this is probably the only place it CAN surface!).

And, for the “during the presentation so askers don’t forget”, I’ve also seen Twitter used effectively – either as a displayed backchannel – so that the whole audience can see, or just visible to those who have the necessary hardware. Quite often, small questions can be answered by someone else in the audience (like whispering to the person next to you – only there are lots of people next to you!), or the presenter/room host can skim them at the end & answer the key ones.

Hi Emma Yes, that’s a great use of the backchannel. Thank you for adding it to this post. Olivia

You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually one thing which I believe I might never understand. It seems too complex and very wide for me. I am taking a look forward to your next publish, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!

Nice response in return of this query with real arguments and explaining the whole thing concerning that.

Các c? ?ã có câu Nh?t dáng nhì da th? ba là váy c??i”.

Right here is the right website for anybody who wishes to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

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Guide for Handling Questions after a Presentation

October 19, 2017 - Dom Barnard

The questions at the end of a presentation can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. However, questions form an important part of the presentation for the whole audience as they allow for clarification and consolidation of learning.

The presenter can enhance the usefulness of the question and answer session by treating it as a formal part of the presentation that requires as much careful planning and control as the delivery of the core material.

Identify possible questions and scope in your preparation

The background work that you undertook whilst planning your presentation is the key to handling questions effectively and understanding what  type of audience  you’ll be faced with. If you have defined a focus for your presentation and have explored this thoroughly in your research and planning, you are more likely to be able to confidently respond to questions.

When planning your presentation, you will need to prepare prompts for questions that are open and straightforward, for example saying “That’s the end of my presentation. I’ll be taking questions for the next 10 minutes”.

You might also want to define topics for discussion before taking questions, by stating the areas you’re willing to field questions in. Your preparation will help you identify topics you are not confident with and want to avoid in the questioning.

Set some rules for asking questions

At the start of your presentation, make it clear when you would prefer to deal with questions – as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

If you leave questions until the end, plan to leave plenty of time for questions so that the audience doesn’t feel rushed.

Framework for responding to questions

Answering questions under pressure can make you say things you shouldn’t have – the nerves can force you to give an inappropriate response. In your panic you might have misinterpreted the question or given away company information that was sensitive. Use the following framework to help you respond effectively to your audience.

Practice answering AI-generated questions on your speech or presentation with  VirtualSpeech .

1. Listen to the whole question

You don’t have to answer a question immediately. Pause for a few seconds,  actively listen  to all parts of the question and think about the best way to answer.

Frequently questions can change direction at the last moment, particularly if the questioner is thinking on their feet. This can throw you if you have already started to prepare an answer. Remember that questioners will frequently try to make a point whilst asking their question – it’s therefore important to both hear the content of the question and try to decipher the questioner’s intention.

2. Understand the context

If you are worried that you haven’t understood a question, ask them to clarify what they mean. Check for confirmation by paraphrasing the question back to the questioner – “You want me to list the improvements of X?”.

3. Involve the whole audience

It is important to remember that even though you are taking a question from one member of the audience, you are still responsible for the interest of the other audience members. This is particularly important in large groups as the audience will become bored if the presentation descends into a series of one-to-one discussions.

To involve the rest of the audience, make sure the whole audience has heard and understood the question by repeating it or paraphrasing it to the audience.

4. Respond concisely

When you reply to a question, direct your answer to both the questioner and other members of the audience. Try to keep your responses as focused as possible, leaving space for other questions. To avoid going into too much detail, check back with the questioner to see if you have answered their query – “Does that answer your question in enough detail?”.

We’ll cover different ways to respond in a later section.

5. Allow follow-up questions via email

You can also encourage your audience to ask questions after the event has finished by providing your email address. This shows a high level of respect for your audience and implies that the topic still has much further scope for enquiry.

Two good resources for handling questions

• What’s the art of answering a tricky question?
• Dodging the Question

Practice Answering Questions

Practice answering questions after your presentation using a 4 step process. Learn More

Options for answering the question

There are five possible choices depending on how well you understand and can answer the question. It’s okay to say that you don’t know the answer to something. This can add to your credibility instead of trying to waffle through an answer you don’t really know.

If you have a good answer for the question from the audience, go ahead and answer it in a short and clear message.

Ask a question back the audience member, such as “Can you clarify what you mean by that”. You can also attack the question if it is not related to the issue, factually inaccurate, personal or based on false assumptions. Be careful with this method.

Ask the question back to the audience or pass it to another panel member if possible. If suitable, another technique is to imply the question has been asked already, with you stating you don’t want to cover old ground.

Tell the audience member you will talk to them after the event. This gives you more time to think of a good answer and there is less pressure to give a perfect answer.

Or mention that that point is coming up in a slide.

This involves answering the question but changing the subject. You can also give a partial answer or give a negative answer, saying that something else will happen instead.

Avoid answering questions that fall outside of the remit of your talk: “I’m afraid that really falls outside of my objectives for today’s presentation. Perhaps we can resume discussion of that particular point later?”

Diagram Explained : Once you receive a question, you’ll have a few moments to think about it and reframe it in a way that makes sense to you. This will give you five choices on how to react – you can answer, reflect, deflect, defer or change the scope of the question. Once you’ve answered concisely, you can then follow up to check if the person asking the question is satisfied and then continue with the presentation.

Strategies to use when struggling to answer

Here are some strategies to use when you are struggling to answer the question posed to you. For more information, read this article on  Dodging the Question .

• Acknowledge the question without answering it – “That’s a good question, let’s consider the impact by looking at…”
• The question fails to tackle the important issue.
• The question is based on a false assumption.
• The question is factually inaccurate.
• The question is too personal or objectionable.
• Decline to answer. Refuse to answer on the basis that it is not your area of responsibility or it is sensitive company information – “You will have to ask [name] because I wasn’t involved in that particular project.”
• Partial answer
• Start to answer but change the subject
• Negative answer. You state what won’t happen instead of what will happen
• Answer a similar question
• State or imply the question has already been answered – “We’ve already covered that topic”

Things to avoid

When handling questions and answers, you will still need to be as professional as you have been for the main delivery of your presentation. There are some common dangers to avoid.

Answering the question you wished you’d been asked

A common trick played by politicians, this strategy ignores the precise nature of the question and uses a predetermined answer to the broad topic area. If handled poorly, this technique is very obvious to the audience and frustrating to the questioner.

Giving a lengthy response

This is the process whereby you make a lengthy response, including all the information you’d left out in planning the main presentation. Your unplanned response will be unstructured and rambling, so keep things focused and brief. If you find yourself rambling, ask them to talk to you after.

Passing the blame

Passing the blame to others comes across as weak and evasive. If an idea from the audience is a good one, acknowledge its value. If it isn’t, make a polite rebuttal and move on.

Defensive answers

Occasionally, questions can really put you on the spot, but it is important to remain calm and in control. An aggressive or defensive reply will be seen as weakness on your part and will spoil the effect of an otherwise successful presentation.

Handling difficult questions

It is important not to start responding to a difficult question before you have thought about the answer. Repeating the question and asking for clarification will help create some space for your thoughts.

Sometimes you will need to think about a question for a moment before responding. You may be able to buy a little bit of thinking time to help focus your response. Useful strategies include searching for an appropriate visual aid to help focus your response or simply pausing for a moment or two to think. For even more time, suggest that you’ll come back to the topic later (but don’t forget to do this).

7 myths when answering tough questions during presentations

Sometimes questions are too difficult to answer. Don’t worry about admitting that you don’t know something or haven’t considered an alternative approach. An enthusiastic “That’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that” is much more positive than a mumbled “I don’t know ”. Remember that a presentation is a two-way process and it is important to show that you are learning from your audience as well.

Finally, you can come across a questioner who disagrees strongly with your argument. Although this can feel very awkward, remember that you are still responsible for the whole audience and that you cannot allocate all of your question time to one individual.

If you feel that you have answered the initial question, announce that you will move on and suggest that you might continue discussion after the presentation. If the questioner persists, assert your position calmly by saying “I’m afraid I need to move on”.

You can read more on this topic here:  Responding to questions effectively (PDF)

Presentation Skills: How to answer those killer questions

Feb 19, 2017 by maurice decastro in communication skills , presentation skills , presentation tips.

Questions can be a major source of anxiety for many presenters.

In our presentation skills courses we are often asked to help people to answer questions more professionally.

It’s a much bigger issue than many people think.

When we probe a little deeper to understand the issue, our delegates often ask 3 questions:

         1. ‘How do I respond confidently to a question I simply don’t know the answer to?’

         2. ‘What if I don’t understand the question?

         3. ‘How do I deal with hostile questions?’

Our first task is to re-frame the way we think about being asked questions. For many people that presents a significant challenge.

It is often perceived as the moment of truth

We’ve spent hours crafting our presentation to ensure its content rich and helpful. We know our content well and have practiced exhaustively.

We’ve left nothing to chance; so what’s the problem?

It’s as simple as it is frightening. We convince ourselves that our entire reputation depends on how we answer questions.

Unfortunately, there can be a touch of truth behind that limiting belief. That’s why it’s the cause of so much anxiety amongst presenters. 

There’s plenty you can do to answer those challenging questions with confidence and credibility. Before we explore them, try to avoid this mistake.

Don’t answer a question saying:

“That is a really good question and I am glad you asked it.”

Quite often, it’s not a good question? If it’s not a good question the response sounds glib. If it is a good question, does that mean the others aren’t?

How you would feel if you asked the next question and the presenter didn’t acknowledge it as a ‘really good question’.

Just answer the question.

The scary six

Our job as presenters extends beyond crafting a content rich, compelling, presentation. We also have to deliver  it in a way that is congruent with our message. We have to anticipate difficult questions too.

Surround yourself with a small group of people you trust and respect. Share your presentation with them giving each person a specific role. 

Devil’s advocate 

Ask them to be contentious, oppose your view and challenge the strength of your presentation.

 Their role is to criticise you and to create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.

The energy thief

 Get them to look for a negative aspect of everything you say.

The know all 

Encourage them to actively demonstrate that they know more than you on the topic.

Let them tell you in the most respectful way that they don’t agree with you.

The wanderer  

They demonstrate that they haven’t listened to a word you said.

It’s not an excercise for the faint hearted because it takes courage.

It is, however an investment worth making.

Once the scary six have taken you and your presentation apart, take another look at your presentation.

As painful and as strange as it may sound, remember it’s not real and it won’t happen. You, however, will be prepared for anything.

What exactly should you do with those awkward questions?

Killer question 1  – You don’t know the answer

The old saying ‘honesty is the best policy’, has stood the test of time because it’s true. The moment you try to bluff your way through a question you don’t know the answer to, you lose your credibility.

Try this instead.

Step into the question. In other words, take a step forward towards your audience. If you are seated then lean forward into the table or desk.

Have you noticed how common it is for people to be on the ‘back foot’ when they don’t know the answer to a question?

Your challenge is to be on the front foot and to step into or lean into the question.

Acknowledge the person who asked the question with eye contact. After that, bring the rest of the room into your response with eye contact too.  Once you’ve  moved forward and made eye contact, confidently say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know’.

You have a few choices at this point. You can:

Ask the audience

“I don’t know the answer to that but I wonder whether anyone else in the audience does.”

“Can anyone help answer that question?”

Share a thought

You may not have the answer but you may have a view. Share a thought or perspective on the question if you have one. 

‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know. In the meantime I have a thought on the issue. Please keep in mind that it’s not the answer to your question as I’ve already stated I don’t know the answer but here is a thought…

What’s your view on that?’

Ask for a moment

If you need a little time to think about the question, ask for it.

‘I need a few moments to think about that.’

This also take a little courage but remember, you don’t need to rush in to giving an answer.

Give yourself a little time to think. Your audience will respect you for it.

Postpone the answer

It may well be that you know the answer but under pressure the answer has slipped your mind. This is another opportunity to be honest.

‘ Given the importance of the question, I’d like to give you the most complete answer I can. I will need to get back to you in…’

Killer question 2 – You don’t understand the question

I’ve long held the view that most people don’t really listen. I believe that many do something else – they wait to speak.

“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. Covey

That is often the reason why we don’t understand the question. The solution is relatively simple; we need to really listen. That means:

– Listen – to the entire question

– Breathe – don’t leap straight into a response

– Check – ‘Let me just check that I understand you correctly, you are asking me if…’

‘To make sure that I’ve understood you correctly are you asking…’

If you still don’t understand the question, don’t panic.  Take a deep breath and ask them to clarify what they mean. Explain politely that you are still not clear you understand the question.

Killer question 3 – It’s a hostile question

Most audiences are on your side. They are friendly, open and are keen to learn from you. That said, every now and then you may get what we call hostile questions.

They feel hostile because of the emotional charge. The questioner may wave their pen at you challenging or criticizing your perspective.

If this happens, your  job is to remain calm. Depersonalize the attack and avoid being over defensive; easier said than done I know.

Your first priority is to diffuse the emotional charge and to take care of the rest of the audience whilst respecting the questioner.

Treat them the same as any other member of the audience.  Answer their question as honestly and as professionally as you can.

Avoid matching your tone of voice to theirs. Stay calm, professional and polite. Remember that your audience will align with whoever is more courteous and respectful.

Very occasionaly it appears as though the questioner is looking for more of an argument rather than an answer. This is rare but if it happens, you owe it to the rest of your audience to close it down.

You do have some options:

– You can acknowledge their concern and suggest that the two of you meet separately after the presentation to discuss the matter in greater detail.

– If the questioner persists you can calmly assert:

‘I’m afraid I need to move on now.’

It’s possible that you may need to repeat this two or three times.

– A  simple but powerful technique you can use to respectfully regain control of your presentation is to:

That means listening very closely and carefully to the perspective of the questioner.

You have listened closely enough to find something you can sincerely agree with. That does not mean you agree with a point they make even if you don’t. It means you listen intently for something that does make sense to you that you can agree with. When there is such a high emotional charge in a question it’s often fueled by passion and a need to be heard.

The questioner isn’t a bad person. They are simply someone who feels very strongly about what you are saying and may not share your perspective. Once you have listened closely enough to find something you can genuinely agree with, no matter how small, there is only one thing left to do.

You acknowledge that you agree with that element of their argument. Tell them that you understand their perspective or that the specific point they just made makes sense to you. Then you pause and you stay silent.

It’s more than a pause of course, as you are signalling to the questioner that you have nothing else to say on the matter.

You don’t say a word and watch what happens next.

Try to understand the motivation behind the question and tone. Share what you are picking up from them: “It sounds like your main concern is with the process. Is that correct?” This will encourage them to focus on the point they are trying to make. It will  also give you a little  time to consider a response.

One of the many key distinctions between a Mindful Presenter and a mediocre presenter is the ability to handle challenging questions professionally and effectively.

That distinction is achieved through the conscious focus and effort to:

– See questions as an opportunity to learn and engage, rather than be judged

– Listen very carefully to the question

– Lose the ‘headstuff’; in other words not making it all about you

– Pause and breathe

– Repeat the question if necessary and appropriate

– Understand the motivation behind the question

– Respect the questioner and the audience

– Anticipate difficult questions whilst crafting the presentation

– Stay calm, focused and on message

– Close the questions down politely and move on

If you need help answering those killer questions:

– Book yourself onto a powerful  public speaking course .

– Invest in some really good one to one  public speaking coaching .

– Get yourself some excellent  presentation training

Image courtesy of: iStock.com

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6 Simple Ways to Handle a Q&A Session at a Conference

Conference presentations offer an ideal forum to share your work with other researchers and receive feedback. They can take many forms, including short or full papers, round-table or panel discussions, workshops, and poster presentations.

While organizing a conference , it is critical to prepare for a Q&A session that will accompany your presentation. Providing effective answers in your Q&A session will engage your audience, further demonstrate your expertise, and ensure that you leave a lasting impression. In today’s article, we will look at some ways you can make sure that you always have an effective Q&A session at every conference presentation you give.

What is a Q&A Session?

A Q&A session is generally a specific amount of time set aside at the end of your presentation for the audience to ask you questions directly. These may be about specific points that you addressed in your presentation, but they might also be about related research, recent news, or the background of your subject material. The toughest part is that you never quite know what to expect!

This may be one reason why  even experienced presenters and researchers dread the Q&A portion of a presentation. But think of the Q&A session as a chance to engage with the audience and clarify anything your presentation may have skipped or touched on briefly. It is also a great way to hear new points of view and identify weaknesses or gaps in your work.

How to Hold an Effective Q&A Session

Fortunately, there are some pointers you can follow to make sure you have an effective Q&A session at any conference presentation . Here are a few tips to ensure your next Q&A session is a great one.

– Be prepared for some potential questions. When you work on your presentation, prepare for your Q&A session at the same time. Identify areas for potential questions based on your background research, and draft some answers in advance.

– Set time limit . The Q&A session doesn’t have to be a free for all! State clearly that this is the time for questions, and that time is limited . Don’t let people talk endlessly or give their own “mini-presentation”.

– Start the discussion. If asking for questions results in silence, you can ask and answer your own question to start things off. “One thing many people ask me is…” is a good way to begin. This also allows you to direct the flow.

– If you don’t know, say so . It can be nerve-wracking to stand on a stage and be asked a question you don’t know the answer to. But don’t worry! If you don’t know something, say it is beyond the scope of your research, or that you are still working on gathering enough data to be able to answer that question. It’s much better to say you don’t know than to try to fake your way through.

– Include the group . Don’t limit your answer on the person who asked it- you are presenting to a group. Paraphrase the question and shift your gaze to include the entire audience. This will keep others engaged.

– Validate dissent . If someone disagrees with you, don’t fight with them. Acknowledge them, and respond with something like “my research has produced different results” or “Thank you for your opinion. I know there are different schools of thought on this issue- let’s move on.”

Remember that this is an opportunity to share your research with interested people! Try to relax and have fun.

Do you have any other tips for giving effective Q&A sessions? What has worked for you? Let us know in the comments below!

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How to Handle Research Presentation Q&A Sessions

Answering Research Presentation Questions Effectively

Dealing with questions from audience members can be one of the most difficult aspects of presenting your research. In addition to the pressure of speaking in front of a crowd of your academic peers, presentation questions can often be difficult to answer for a number of reasons: communication difficulties, lack of information, inability to understand the exact question, or even difficulty hearing the speaker. Even if you know your research topic inside and out, these questions can cause a lot of frustration for even the best researchers.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for the Q&A session and make it a productive part of your presentation. The following guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to answering questions you are likely to encounter during your research presentations and give you some simple advice on how to respond to these difficult questions and awkward situations.

Before Your Research Presentation

Before you even give your presentation, there are some basic strategies you can use to make sure you are not caught off guard by any questions you will be asked.

Create a list of the possible presentation questions you will be asked

Imagine you are a fellow researcher sitting in the audience. Which questions would you ask about your study? Break down your questions as they relate to different sections of your research paper (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion), and write down as many questions are possible regarding this information.

List questions you CAN answer and those you CANNOT (or do not want to) answer

Among the questions you write down, some you will be happy to answer, some you will be incapable of answering, and still others you may not  want  to answer (at least not in front of an audience). Divide your questions into these categories so you know exactly how you will begin your response to them if they come up.

Practice asking and responding to the questions out loud

Go through each question and ask it in a couple of different ways (as there are several ways to ask the same question). Practice giving your answers using both your own knowledge about the topic you are researching and the sample sentences provided in this guideline. Practice makes perfect!

During the Presentation Q&A Session

Step 1: open the q&a session.

Tell your audience that you are starting the Q&A session.

Presenter : “I will now answer any questions you have about this research. Please speak slowly and clearly.”

Step 2: Clarify the question asked

You should understand a question before you try to respond. Here are some phrases to use to respond to clarify the question in different situations.

Step 3: Respond to the question

Once you understand the question, you can respond to the audience member.

3a. Begin your response with a polite comment —When you respond, it is a good idea to first thank the audience member for the question and/or give them a compliment.

3b.  Give an appropriate answer —Every question is unique and there are many kinds of responses. However, here are some phrases you can use to respond to questions depending on your ability to answer it.

When you cannot or do not want to answer the question:  If you are unable to or would rather not answer a question, you can let the audience members know this using these phrases.

Examples of this kind of response:  Here are some real examples of research-related questions and responses.

When you can answer but need a little time or more details : Sometimes you need to further clarify a question or give yourself some time to respond. Here are some responses to tell the audience what you need.

Examples of this kind of response:  Here are some real examples of research-related questions and responses.

More Q&A Questions by Research Paper Section

In addition to answering general questions about the research, you can also respond to questions about parts of your paper with some general answers to get you started.

Questions about the Methods section

Questions about  findings/results and implications, reviewing and referencing visual aids.

You can also review your presentation notes and use materials such as visual aids to help answer questions.

Presentation Q&A Session Techniques for Success

It is just as important to be prepared in attitude, posture, and voice as it is to practice your Q&A responses. These simple tips will help things go smoother throughout your presentation.

• Stand up straight and tall —this will give you more confidence when speaking publicly.
• Be friendly and warm— smiling and answering politely will make your Q&A session more relaxed.
• Delay your answers and take your time— speak slowly and don’t rush through the questions or answers; make sure you understand each question before trying to answer it.
• Display a slide with your contact information— this will allow you to easily tell audience members where to contact you if they have further questions.

When preparing your presentation, be sure to get professional editing and proofreading services to ensure you get off to a great start with academic language and style enhancement.

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Election 2024: Lane County Commission candidate Q&A with Trieger, Widdicombe

This is part of a series of stories on the candidates running in the May 21 primary election, with question-and-answer articles scheduled to be published each day through the rest of April. Ballots must be mailed to voters by May 1.

The elections for the Lane County Board of Commissioners are approaching with ballots due May 21. Two candidates have registered to run for District 3 on the board — incumbent  Laurie Trieger  and  Grace Widdicombe .

Lane County Commissioner District 3 is officially labeled "South Eugene" and approximately covers Eugene's Amazon, Downtown, Fairmont, Friendly, Far West, Harlow, Jefferson Westside, Southeast Eugene, Southwest Hills, South University and West University neighborhoods and the University of Oregon. With two candidates on the ballot for the district, May’s primary election outcome will decide which candidate runs uncontested in the November general election. 

The Register-Guard asked each of the candidates a series of questions and asked them for biographical information. Here are the candidate's answers, word for word. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Biographical Information

Laurie trieger.

Occupation: County Commissioner, District 3, Current Board Chair

Experience: Incumbent. Governor’s appointee to Oregon’s Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Board and member of The National Association of Counties Health Policy Committee, among other assignments. Prior to taking office I served on Lane County’s Budget Committee, The Lane County Equity & Access Board and 4J Equity Committee, as some examples of public service. Professional background includes 25 years of nonprofit leadership at local organizations including FOOD for Lane County, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, and Sponsors Inc., along with decades of community organizing, advocacy, and volunteerism.

Grace Widdicombe

Grace Widdicombe graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Through the years, she has invested in many courses in real estate, negotiating, and business.

Grace spent most of her career in commissioned sales, from selling computer learning in the 90s to industrial lubricants and chemicals in the first decade of this century. 

Grace is now a successful entrepreneur. During the great recession in 2010, she recognized an opportunity to invest in neighborhoods by learning how to purchase and renovate abandoned homes.

 In 2017 Grace founded Oregon Real Estate Investors’ Association and she teaches and mentors people on how to invest in single family homes, fix them up to qualify for first-time homeownership. As a leader, Grace is concerned with the lack of housing in Lane County, and our lack of workforce.

What relevant experience do/would you bring to the board of commissioners?

Trieger: Having lived, and raised a family, in this district for 37 years I understand my constituents’ needs. I’ve been actively engaged as a volunteer, community organizer, policy advocate, and nonprofit professional working on the ground for the people. I am values-driven, thoughtful, strategic, compassionate, and dedicated.

I am a Governor’s appointee to the statewide Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment andRecovery Board. I serve as Board Chair and was Vice Chair for two years prior.

Effective leadership requires courage and focus. I take my role as a leader seriously. I value honesty, good governance, and ensuring transparency in decision making.

Widdicombe: My leadership experience as a board member and as the president of boards for non-profit organizations and for for-profit organizations provides me with tools to work well with others, to find solutions and strategize to build pathways to better planning, better training and more transparency in the works of the board of commissioners.  I’ll use my background to keep people informed of what is going on in the community, which will help build trust in the leadership of the county. Bringing my background in marketing, sales, real estate and community building will strengthen the board of commissioners.

According to a January presentation to the board of commissioners, Lane County employment is still below pre-pandemic levels. What policies or strategies do you plan to pursue to bring back those jobs?

Trieger: I’m working with community and elected leaders to address workforce shortages across sectors with a strong focus on behavioral health and addiction treatment services. We need to innovate and act quickly to create more apprenticeship-model programs and remove regulatory and policy barriers for health care professionals of all kinds so they can more easily practice in our community.

I leverage my trusted relationships with state and local partners, including unions, to build the fairly compensated and skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of the future in healthcare, and for the housing and clean energy infrastructure projects coming our way.

Widdicombe: It’s not a lack of jobs that is the issue, it is the lack of labor force that is the issue. Per the report unemployment is low, at 2.8%. Per my economics course in college, the percentage that we strive for is 4% unemployment, which provides a stronger labor pool for employers to pull from. My plan is to get vocational education back into our high schools and encourage students to learn trade skills. I’ll work with Lane ESD and the school districts to get training courses available; courses like welding, mechanical repairs, drafting, nursing and more.

What strategies or policies do you support to reduce homelessness in Lane County?

Trieger: Overall we need more housing for all stages of life. Next, focus on prevention like rent and utility assistance, and other supports to keep people in their homes. When people do lose housing, get them re-housed as quickly as possible.

Access to affordable health care is also important. It helps many people stay well enough to work, and reduces chances of lost housing due to crushing medical debt.

I support building more permanent units with wraparound services for high-need individuals andwill continue advancing our Behavioral Health Stabilization Center project and advocating for moreaddiction treatment and recovery services.

Widdicombe: I have been working in housing for the past ten plus years. Not only do I provide first-time home buyers with houses that qualify for FHA financing, but also teach other people how to do the same. As commissioner I will work with the county to write laws that allow governments to seize houses that have been condemned and left rotting.  This needs to happen or we stand the risk of becoming known as a community experiencing blight. We have thousands of houses that have been condemned for code violations which need to be fixed up and sold to home buyers.

What strategies or policies do you support to increase housing affordability and/or supply in Lane County?

Trieger: Creating and/or improving critical infrastructure such as water, broadband and communications systems, and other basic services is key. These foundational projects are required to build at scale and meet housing production goals. They’re the best way to progress at the rate needed to make a real difference and have significant positive impact.

I work hard to secure state and federal aid to support these projects, and lobby for resources to help with resilience in the face of increasing wildfires and other climate chaos-induced disasters.

I support creating denser infill in our cities and providing assistance to first-time home buyers.

Widdicombe: I will work with the county staff and commissioners to get policies and procedures corrected so that landowners can build houses on their property. Governor Tina Kotek has set ambitious goals for housing production, yet our current commission has failed to participate in the housing reforms necessary to reach them. I will change that! Building permit reform will be first on my agenda. Our building permits are too expensive, too hard to get and too confusing for people to jump through the hoops.

What new or current county environmental protection strategies or policies would you support? Are there any current policies you think go too far?

Trieger: I always weigh the impact of county initiatives on our environment; whether those projects relate to land use, waste management, housing production, transportation, county operations, or anything else. We only have one planet and it’s in the public's interest to protect it.

In my first term I secured funding for clean water restoration in areas devastated by wildfires. I am committed to reducing the county’s carbon footprint including marshaling resources for a state-of-the art Mixed Waste Processing facility. I was proud to adopt the county’s first ever Bicycle Master Plan, and to lead on our historic investment in parks funding.

Widdicombe: The commissioners voted (3 to 2) to have Lane County build an integrated material and energy recovery facility for $150,000,000. That is preposterous! Lane County already does an excellent job at recycling. Our citizens are adapted to sorting and recycling. We have non-profit organizations that collect materials from computers to old doors and more. The IMERF will cause our trash haulers to haul more miles, use more fuel and pay more in tipping fees. The taxpayers don’t want to pay for it, and they don’t want their disposal rates to increase due to the county increasing the haulers’ tipping fees.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at [email protected] or on X @alanfryetorres .

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Cowboys mailbag: Questions on the first round, Dak Prescott’s contract, and draft trades

Our latest mailbag features plenty of questions about the Dallas Cowboys.

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Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it.

“Do you think it’s a lock the Cowboys will be drafting an offensive linemen in the first? If not, what position takes priority?”

(@cowboy_regg via twitter).

Mike: Everything points to the Cowboys taking offensive line first. Dane Brugler is a pretty reliable source when it comes to who Dallas will take in the draft. He’s been pretty on the money in the recent years and his choice in his seven-round mock draft had Dallas taking Tyler Guyton. On top of that, a lot of main scouting services have Dallas taking Guyton so it’s a very common theme. Even talking to guys over in Dallas, like Kyle Youmans, they are saying it’s offensive line in the first round.

Brandon: At this point, it would be a shock if the Cowboys didn’t take an offensive lineman at No. 24. The holes along the offensive line have been too glaring, and the talent at offensive tackle is top-heavy. Around ten tackles could be selected in the first round and be day-one starters for their teams.

Even if Dallas lands someone like OT Kingsley Suamataia, he will be far and away better than anyone at his position in rounds two and beyond and could be the Cowboys’ left tackle in 2024. He is still raw like Tyler Smith was when he was drafted, but Suamataia could develop into a top NFL left tackle under the right coaching and situation. Getting that value in the back half of the first round would be too good to pass up.

“Do you think that Dak Prescott is going to be extended? Or are they going to let him walk in 2025?”

(@mattdillon1791 via twitter).

Mike: He gets extended. This contract is too important. The team will get Dak signed and the money they save from the extension they will use to sign the draft and undrafted free agent class. How soon that happens is anyone’s guess, but it gets done before training camp is best guess.

The irony here is Dak’s contract is very important in getting done, but getting CeeDee Lamb’s contract is may be even more important. Without Lamb it’s hard to define what the identity of this offense is, so without him this offense looks very bleak.

Brandon: A few months ago, Dak Prescott spoke about his confidence in getting a deal done with the Cowboys. Prescott’s comments made that reality less certain at the “Knight to Remember” children’s benefit on Friday. When speaking to reporters, the Cowboys signal caller mentioned he’s not looking to become the league’s highest-paid quarterback. Prescott also said, “He doesn’t fear being here [in Dallas] or not” and that, “After the season, we’ll see where we’re at and if the future holds that. If not, we’ll go from there.”

That might be the first time Prescott has ever talked about the possibility of not being a member of the Dallas Cowboys . While it could be part of the negotiation tactics to try and get something done with the franchise now, he is in no hurry to get something done and letting things fall the way they do at the end of the season. I was 90 percent confident Prescott would be in Dallas for the foreseeable future a few months ago, but after Friday’s comments, I’m 80 percent confident.

What do you think the team would receive if they traded Dak at the draft this year?”

(@stevenmasci1 via twitter).

Mike: They would be looking at multiple early round picks over two seasons and probably a conditional pick. More than likely another player from the trading team gets thrown in to help motivate the deal and Dallas would probably send a late Day 3 pick depending on what gets moved around.

The best example of what to expect would be the Houston and Cleveland trade with Deshaun Watson. Houston received three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks along with running back Dameon Pierce.

With Dak’s track record, skills and accolades, you can say that’s far better than Watson’s at the time of his trade but we can factor in the age to balance out the deal. With a lot of teams desperate for quarterback at the moment the expectation would be something fairly close to this trade.

Brandon: Any team that wants to trade for Dak Prescott would have to get approval from the player himself. Because Prescott’s current contract has a no-trade clause, the Cowboys couldn’t just trade him right now if they wanted to before the draft.

I’d say there’s no reality in which Prescott gets traded right now. With one year left on his contract and set to hit free agency in 2025, there’s no reason a team would trade for him and give up substantial draft capital when they could just wait and negotiate a new contract with him then. At that point, teams wouldn’t have to worry about Dallas applying the franchise tag, considering Prescott also has a no-tag clause in his deal.

Even if a team were intrigued to approach the Cowboys and their quarterback about a trade, it would make zero sense for Prescott to do it now when he can negotiate the terms of a massive contract with 31 teams next offseason, including the Cowboys.

I could sit in front of this computer and tell you that Prescott would garner three first-round picks to rebuild the franchise and make it successful, but that's impossible. However, if your question was about Micah Parsons, then we could have a discussion about it.

Would you want Dallas to trade Dak Prescott for multiple picks?

Be sure to check blogging the boys as well as @kenfigkowboy and @brandoniswrite on x and also facebook for the weekly post, asking for your questions to include in the weekly mailbag. many thanks to everyone who send in your questions and votes., more from blogging the boys.

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