Communication Capability Programme for a Major Telecommunications Organization
Overview
A major telecommunications organisation sought to transform how teams communicated and presented ideas internally.
Senior leaders were regularly receiving complex presentations that lacked clarity, structure, and a clear recommendation. At the same time, a newly appointed CEO introduced a simple but powerful directive:
presentations should use no more than five slides.
This change forced a fundamental rethink of how teams communicated with senior stakeholders.
PreSSense was engaged to design and deliver a large-scale communication development programme that would help individuals move away from slide-heavy presentations and instead focus on clear thinking, structured communication, and meaningful dialogue.
Over an 18-month period, the programme supported approximately 1,500 employees across the organisation.
The Challenge
Senior leaders were frequently presented with lengthy slide decks that made it difficult to identify the core message or the decision being requested.
The organisation wanted to address several issues:
Presentations relied too heavily on slides rather than clear communication
Key messages were often buried within complex decks
Teams struggled to tailor communication for different audiences
Important decisions were delayed because the “ask” was unclear
With the introduction of the five-slide limit, the organisation needed to help teams rethink how they structured conversations with senior leaders.
The focus needed to shift from presenting slides to engaging an audience.
The Approach
PreSSense designed an intensive, highly practical communication programme focused on audience-first communication.
Rather than relying on theory, participants brought real presentations they were preparing for internal stakeholders.
Each programme ran over 1.5 days and centred on practical application.
Day One – Structuring the Message
Participants worked directly on their existing presentations while applying key communication principles, including:
Creating a clear and impactful opening
Defining the core message and recommendation
Reducing reliance on slides and focusing on the conversation
Using storytelling to create clarity and engagement
Flexing communication for different audiences
Handling challenge and questions confidently
Making the “ask” clear and actionable
Participants left the first day with a redesigned presentation built around clarity, dialogue, and audience engagement rather than slides.
Half Day Two – Delivery and Feedback
Participants delivered their presentations to the group.
They received structured feedback from both facilitators and peers, allowing them to refine their delivery, strengthen their message, and build confidence presenting to senior audiences.
This ensured participants practised communicating without relying on slides as the primary communication tool.
The Outcome
The programme significantly improved how individuals and teams communicated ideas and proposals across the organisation.
Participants became more confident presenting with fewer slides and focusing on structured conversation and clear recommendations.
Key outcomes included:
1,500 participants supported across the organisation over 18 months
A noticeable improvement in clarity, structure, and audience engagement
Strong engagement from participants and senior stakeholders
Average feedback scores of 96% across programme evaluation metrics
The programme demonstrated how focusing on clear thinking, audience engagement, and structured communication can transform how organisations present ideas and make decisions.