In most business situations, the aim is to give your audience something that really matters to their plans and decisions, and to do it a way that is concise, simplified, and easy to remember and act upon. Ideally, a business speaker is also passionate about the importance of their topic, and able to speak in a style that is engaging and even entertaining.
Here is a great way to structure a business presentation. The focus is on the interests and needs of the audience, whether they are your colleagues, clients, employees, executive committee or board of directors. Your role is to give perspective and insight, and to facilitate a path forward.
I. State the topic and why it is important to this specific audience.
- Example re: a concern – Today I have some new insights on changing market conditions that will help this executive committee turn around the falling demand for our products.
- Example re: opportunity – This morning I would like to talk about the new project and how it will boost the chances for each one of us to learn more and do some fascinating leading edge work.
II. Give your point of view. (Don’t leave them searching for the big picture you already have.)
- Having examined the situation carefully, my perspective is that we are facing …
- I would like to suggest a new and useful way of looking at our challenge.
- The research suggests that there are three things that really matter as we move forward.
III. Give supporting evidence.
- Let me highlight the key reasons this point of view makes sense.
- Here are the key supporting facts.
- There are also risks/weaknesses that also should be acknowledged.
IV. Give a resolution, i.e. a plan, proposal or idea
- It appears that we can benefit by …
- There is an opportunity here for a win-win if we …
- You may wish to reduce the inherent risk by implementing a plan with these elements …
V. Give or suggest the next step.
- If you agree that this should be implemented, the next step would be to …
- I would like to suggest that each team move forward by …
