b'BUT THE BOARD WILL SAY NO!How to Tell a Story That Leads to YesBy Tim Handyside, Branch Manager, Voss LightingW hen approaching your schooloutcomes, board members becomethat almost all of the lights in the school board for energy upgradeinvested partners rather than justwere still on. So I sat down and calculated approvals, presenting afinancial gatekeepers. how much money that was costing us. compelling narrative canCan you believe it is almost $2,500 every be far more persuasiveThree Essential Story Elementsmonth? From there, guide them to than data alone. The most successfulfor Your Presentation the turning point: how your proposed facilities managers understand thatsolution creates a new path forward with board members must be able to visualize,The Financial Journey: From Costspecific savings milestones. This is where connect with, and champion yourCentered to Investment you get to share all the numbers that proposal. Here are some ideas on how to Rather than opening with a barrageyour strategic partners have helped you transform your technical request into aof numbers, introduce your financialaccumulate. Then, conclude with the powerful story that resonates. analysis as a journey of transformation.resolutionhow those recovered funds Stories move people to action in waysBegin with a relatable moment: Im surewill be redirected to enhance educational that spreadsheets simply cannot. Youryou all remember, or at least heard about,opportunities. Help them picture the energy upgrade isnt just about equipmentlast football season when a whole bank ofnew science room, upgrading the special and efficiencyits about transformation,field lights went out in the middle of theneeds center or other long-term visions stewardship, and educational excellence.4th quarter. That was embarrassing! Orthat the board has, that can be funded When you frame your proposal as a Last month, when I was driving by theby the savings. This helps them see that journey with meaningful stakes andschool at night, I couldnt help but noticeaddressing deferred maintenance, coupled 20|SCHOOL PLANT MANAGER MAGAZINE|FALL 2025'