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We've all been there.

Someone asks you a question in a meeting, and your mind goes blank.

You start rambling, trying to find your point as you speak.

Or worse, you freeze up entirely.

Whether it's a client asking about project priorities, an executive seeking updates, or a teammate needing clarification, how you speak in moments when you feel least prepared dictates how people perceive you at work.

I developed the PREPS framework after years of struggling with this exact challenge. Today, I'll share a preview of how we'll master this technique in ​The Impromptu Speakers Academy.​ 

 

The PREPS Framework Breakdown

PREPS stands for Point, Reason, Example, Point, Segue. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Point (The Setup)

Before you even open your mouth, do these three things:

a) Pause (The "Playful Pause"):

• Take at least 3 seconds
• Look up, not down
• Nod thoughtfully

b) Paraphrase the question: "So you're asking about [restate question], is that right?" This buys you time to think through:

c) Your BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):

• Start with one clear sentence that encapsulates your main point
• Reframe the question in your answer

Example: When asked, "What are your top priorities this quarter?", start your answer using similar words in the question:

The more concise your topic sentence, the easier it is to understand.

 

Step 2: Reason

Provide 1-2 sentences explaining your point using "signposts" like:

• "The reason why..."
• "This is important because..."
• "We believe this because..."

Keep it focused on your strongest reason rather than listing multiple points.

Example: "The reason why we believe that focusing on existing partnerships to drive revenue is important is because we're already seeing a lot of customer demand for the partnerships we committed to last quarter, so we can make a lot more progress by meeting that demand."

Step 3: Example

Support your reason with either:

• A specific data point
• A brief anecdote
• Or ideally, both

Use signposts like:

• "For example..."
• "One particular scenario..."
• "We've seen this when..."

Example: "For example, we know that our top 10 accounts have all been using X software and have bought anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000 licenses. If we can even crack 10% penetration of that, that could equate to $300,000 in incremental revenue. There's no other net new partnership opportunity that would come close to that."

Notice how I'm weaving in specific details of the "top 10 accounts" and quantify the potential impact with concrete data.

 

Step 4: Point (Recap)

Briefly restate your original point – repetition helps it stick.

Example: "So for that reason, I think we should focus on our existing partnerships to drive revenue."

Step 5: Segue

End with either:

• A broader takeaway that transitions to a more important discussion
• An open-ended question starting with "what" or "how"

Example: "Given that I've shared our priorities, how would you say we should be working best together to accomplish that goal?"

Open-ended questions encourage the other person to elaborate, instead of answering with minimal words like "yes" or "no." ​HERE​ is another newsletter issue that details the importance of asking open-ended questions, particularly when having more difficult conversations.

Remember This

• You don't always need to use the full framework. In executive settings, you might just use Point + Reason (PR) or Point + Example (PE). The key is making it feel natural and appropriate for your situation.
• You can take PREPS to the next level by speaking with more emotion, once you get the hang of it. ​Watch this example​ of one of my students, Charles, doing this beautifully with "emotional tagging."

Understanding PREPS by reading this article is just the start. To make it your own, you need to follow a practice routine. If you found this helpful, the Impromptu Speakers Academy is my 3-week bootcamp to help you become a clear and confident speaker at work. Reserve your spot today while they're still available. 

Hope that helps!

Preston