I finally saw a big client demo go completely silent after a server crash

We were pitching a new analytics platform to a room of 12 people in Chicago, and the whole thing just froze. I had to switch to a whiteboard and sketch the data flow by hand to keep the conversation moving. Anyone else had to salvage a tech fail mid-pitch like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

xenarobinson1mo agoTop Commenter

We had a demo in Dallas where the live data feed died. I keep a printed one-pager in my bag now with key screenshots and metrics. That way you can just pass it around and talk through the logic while IT reboots. Whiteboarding was smart, it shows you can think on your feet. The backup paper cheat sheet has saved me three times since then.

claire641mo ago

Whiteboarding's good, but paper feels like a crutch sometimes.

finley_bennett2816d ago

Printed backup is the real move. Saved my butt during a board meeting once when the projector died. Just slid a binder around the table with my key charts. People actually appreciated having something physical to look at while talking. Made the whole thing feel more casual and less like a presentation. Now I always print a one-pager even if I'm planning to use slides.