Create a Business Presentation

A business presentation is a structured set of slides used to explain business information or persuade an audience to consider a proposal.

Common types include:

• Company introduction presentations.
• Sales and marketing presentations.
• Business proposals.
• Monthly and annual performance reports.
• Product demonstrations.
• Project plans and progress reports.
• Investor presentations.

Before creating slides, decide what you want your audience to understand or do after the presentation.

• Inform: Explain company performance or a new policy.
• Persuade: Convince a client to consider a proposal.
• Sell: Explain a product's benefits and value.
• Report: Present results and progress.
• Plan: Explain future business activities.

Adjust your presentation according to the people attending it.

• Clients: Focus on their needs and the value you provide.
• Managers: Highlight results, risks, and decisions.
• Employees: Explain responsibilities and next steps.
• Investors: Present the business model, evidence, and financial assumptions.
• Suppliers: Explain requirements, timelines, and expectations.

Consider the audience's existing knowledge, interests, and available time.

A basic business presentation can follow this structure:

1. Title slide
2. Agenda or overview
3. Company or project introduction
4. Problem, opportunity, or business need
5. Proposed solution or strategy
6. Products, services, or implementation plan
7. Budget, results, or supporting data
8. Conclusion and recommended next steps
9. Questions and contact information

Adjust this structure to fit your purpose. A short sales presentation does not need every section.

Include the information relevant to your presentation:

• Presentation title.
• Company name and logo.
• Presenter's name and designation.
• Presentation date.
• Client or project name, if applicable.

This is an illustrative example. Replace the details with your own company and presentation information.

A company introduction slide may include:

• Company name and background.
• Main products or services.
• Target customers or market.
• Business mission or goals.
• Relevant experience or achievements.

Example:

Our company provides website development, software solutions, and technical support to help businesses improve their digital presence.

A business proposal should explain the problem before presenting the solution.

Explain how the proposed solution addresses the problem and support your claims with relevant evidence.

When presenting a product or service, explain:

• What it is.
• Who it is designed for.
• Which problem it solves.
• Its main features and benefits.
• Pricing or package details, when relevant.
• Support, delivery, or implementation arrangements.

Charts help audiences understand business performance and comparisons more quickly.

• Column or bar chart: Compare sales across products.
• Line chart: Show monthly revenue trends.
• Pie chart: Show a simple breakdown of a whole.
• Table: Display exact figures or detailed comparisons.

Label charts clearly, include units, and explain the main finding rather than expecting the audience to interpret every value.

• Use a consistent theme and color palette.
• Choose readable fonts and suitable font sizes.
• Keep titles short and descriptive.
• Align text, pictures, and shapes neatly.
• Leave enough whitespace.
• Avoid unnecessary animations and decorative effects.

Business slides should look professional without distracting the audience from the message.

For proposals and project presentations, explain the expected cost and implementation schedule when these details are relevant.

A project plan might include:

• Project phases.
• Expected start and completion dates.
• Estimated costs.
• Required resources.
• Milestones and deliverables.
• Risks and dependencies.

Label budgets as estimates when the final cost has not yet been confirmed.

Explain the value of your proposal using relevant evidence and measurable outcomes where possible.

• Time saved.
• Process improvements.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Cost reduction.
• Sales or performance changes.

Distinguish actual results from targets, projections, and expected benefits.

A call to action tells the audience what should happen next.

Examples include:

• Approve the proposed project.
• Schedule a product demonstration.
• Review and confirm the budget.
• Arrange a follow-up meeting.
• Contact the sales team for further details.

• Practice before the meeting.
• Speak clearly and at a comfortable pace.
• Explain charts instead of simply reading them.
• Maintain eye contact when appropriate.
• Use Presenter View and notes if helpful.
• Prepare for questions and objections.
• Keep within the allotted time.

Be ready to explain the assumptions behind your numbers and the reasoning behind your recommendations.

Create a business presentation for a fictional website development company.

1. Create a title slide with the company name.
2. Introduce the company and its services.
3. Describe a customer's business problem.
4. Present your proposed website solution.
5. List features and customer benefits.
6. Add an illustrative project timeline.
7. Include a sample budget clearly marked as an example.
8. End with contact details and a call to action.