The Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CAARRDEC) hosted the training, “How to Get Key Decision-Makers to Say Yes to your Project Ideas” recently in General Santos City.
The training was initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Led by CARRDEC Consortium Director Lorna G. Valdez, the training involved 22 participants from the six Mindanao-based consortia.
Among those who were trained were staff members of the CARAGA Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (CCAARRD). The said consortium returned to the Regional Consortia system in May this year.
During the training’s opening ceremony, Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS) Danilo C. Cardenas, explained that the training was conceptualized two years ago, for project leaders and Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Managers, who present research and development proposals for PCAARRD’s funding consideration.
“While this training was meant to help you when presenting your projects to PCAARRD, it will also help you communicate better with your supervisors and other institutional partners,” Cardenas added.
Interim Director and Research Lead of WorldFish Lily Ann D. Lando, conceptualized the said training with Cardenas. She also served as the resource person for this purpose.
Dr. Lando shared her learnings from her years of experience as former head of the PCAARRD Applied Communication Division (ACD) and as former officer of the Highland Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (HAARRDEC), which is based at the Benguet State University (BSU).
The three-day training equipped the participants with the art and science of selling their project ideas and proposals to key decision makers, by understanding the information needs of the audience, organizing, and closing the presentation with a bang.
“When making presentations, always think that your audience is intelligent but may just be uninformed. As such, we should start the presentations with the “WHY.” This will help you earn the attention and support of your audience. Memorizing the first two sentences of the presentation can also help the presenters gain confidence and momentum,” Lando reminded the participants.
The training on persuasive presentation is part of PCAARRD’s initiative to capacitate its institutional partners, including the consortium, in effectively and efficiently implementing R&D activities for a self-sufficient and globally competitive agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector.