Easy to Follow Tips for Presenting to Senior Executives
10
Executives are naturally a
TOUGH AUDIENCE.
They’ve got limited time,
competing priorities,
information overload,
demanding bosses, and
pressure to make great
decisions quickly.
They’ll want you to get to
the bottom line right away
Starting strong with executives
means giving them confidence
that you’re going to use their
time wisely.
MAKE YOUR
INTRODUCTION
COUNT
#TIP 1
Be prepared to cover your
content in the time allotted
and leave ample time for
discussion or questions.
USE YOUR TIME
EFFECTIVELY
#TIP 2
#TIP 3
BE FLEXIBLE
Always remember to be
flexible and cover what
is most important to
your audience.
#TIP 4
KNOW YOUR
AUDIENCEDo they have any preferences?
What topics are particularly
interesting to the targeted executive
or group of executives?
Do you know their background and
objectives?
Are they likely to interrupt your
presentation with questions?
#TIP 5
Don’t plan to show
the Data unless asked.
If they need it they
will ask, but otherwise
save time.
HAVE DATA TO SUPPORT
WHAT YOU SAY
#TIP 6
Your slides should supplement
what you’re saying by offering
images, diagrams, and other
easy-to-scan information.
SMARTEN YOUR SLIDES
#TIP 7
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Research shows that
executives appreciate
presentations that are
clear, brief, and to the
point.
#TIP 8
ASK FOR ACTION
What actions do you want
them to take? Approve an
idea? Give you feedback on
your approach? Hire a
consulting team? Fund your
startup?
#TIP 9
SUM IT UP
Develop a clear, short
overview of your key points,
and place it in a set of
executive summary slides at
the front of the deck; have the
rest of your slides serve as an
appendix.
#TIP 10
Before presenting, run your
talk and your slides by a
colleague who will serve as an
honest coach.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
As with almost everything, the
more experience you get
presenting to leadership teams,
the easier it becomes.