Your challenge in this situation will be to ensure the IT guys realise you appreciate their job and the issues they deal with. You’ll need to add some vocabulary and concepts that resonate with them: how do you do that if you’re not an expert? Whatever you do, don’t just bluff it! Preparation is the key.
It’s clear from the beginning of the project that you’ll present to various groups with an IT focus. When they contribute as the project progresses, pay close attention to their vocabulary and take time to understand to some level what their own challenges and attitudes are. Reflecting their vocabulary and concerns back to them will help you.
In another situation you may be presenting to a more diverse team, giving you a couple of choices; go for a common denominator, or reflect as many of the relevant groups in your presentation as possible. Here are two potential approaches;
1. You’re presenting to an international group of salespeople at a European head office meeting. Either present the European sales only; or mention individual countries, ensuring you name as many of the countries attending as possible.
2. You’re giving a talk to a group of students from a variety of disciplines who may want to work for your company. Either you focus on the general values and future of your company; or you find out exactly which subjects your audience is studying, and reflect the potential areas where they might work based on their background.
Either of these approaches will work. What’s important is spending time to think the situation through. Doing your best to reflect the audience will communicate that you care about what’s important to them.