Government Technology - March 2008 - (Page 50)

funding S TAT E | L O C A L | F E D E R A L j j Synopsis: Understanding the do’s and don’ts about communicating your grant needs to a panel. Closing the Experts reveal oral presentation tips on what it takes for project approval and funding. Deal can you possibly anticipate what the reviewers will expect of you during the oral presentation phase? These tips may help. Communication Is Key As the assistant city manager and interim IT director/CIO of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike Matthes reviews IT projects on an ongoing basis. They key, he says, is to communicate well. “You have got to think through exactly what the points are that you are trying to make.” In his role as interim IT director, he’s reviewed about five proposals per month submitted by a combination of outside vendors and internal staff members. Based on those experiences, Matthes said he believes that respondents must be able to answer clearly the following questions when they step foot into the interview room: “Why is this proposal a good one?” and “What problems does it solve?” It may sound easy, but when you’re trying to appeal to more than one reviewer, how do you know what points to emphasize in your oral presentation? Matthes suggests one of your main priorities should be to demonstrate that you have the support of everyone who has made a commitment to the project. For example, if he interviews a firm that has responded to an RFP, then he wants everyone involved in the project on the telephone line. “I may ask them one question in half an hour, but you must demonstrate that you can do the project,” he said. “And that means I want to see the horsepower you have.” Other basic do’s and don’ts that Matthes suggests include the following: · Avoid using buzzwords that may cause the reviewers’ eyes to glaze over, such as “collaboration,” “interface,” “critical mass,” and “business intelligence.” Also eliminate any type of sales jargon that might turn off the reviewers. MAR_08 alking into a room full of agency reviewers who have the power to decide the fate of your IT proposal takes courage. You already know you’re among the select few who have advanced this far, and therefore, your proposal is being considered carefully. But now you must conduct an oral presentation that demon- W strates the same level of commitment that, so far, has propelled you forward in the selection process. It’s not enough to be excited about your project; you want the reviewers to share your enthusiasm by the time you finish your presentation. However, the questions still remain: How do you stand out from the competition and win the favor of the reviewers? And how 50 BY SUZANE BRICKER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER http://www.govtech.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - March 2008

Government Technology - March 2008 Contents Point of View Big Picture The Last Mile On the Scene Four Questions for... Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers Let's [Not] Get Physical No Data Left Behind Conservation King Community Drug Test Reinventing the System Better Late Than Never Closing the Deal Spectrum Products Personal Computing signal:noise Digital Communities The Expanding Focus of Digital Communities The Digital Imperative Hot Fusion Redefining Municipal Wireless Made in the USA Bridge Detectives The 2008 Agenda

Government Technology - March 2008

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