So, you are on the agenda to present to your executives.  Great (or not so great, depending on your perspective). Now is the chance for you and your team to shine. Don’t treat this like other presentations. Executives’ attention spans are shorter than my niece’s (and she’s 2).

You need an effective, impactful presentation that will make them want to double your budget (or at least not argue with your request an upgraded package on Glassdoor).

Follow these 3 steps and you will be on your way to a c-suite standing ovation.

1. Develop the story you want to tell. What is the most important for them to understand?  Whether it the realities of the current job market or the need for a new ATS or the importance of an effective onboarding program, you need to paint a picture.  Start with the conclusion you want them to draw and think about how you want them to feel in order to make that decision.  Do you need them to be frustrated with the challenges of your ATS?  Make sure your story includes examples of the inefficiencies.  Should they feel the need to beat your competitors?  Find examples and comparison data.  Ensure your story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Start with where you are now, add the data and examples to support the conclusion, and end with what happens if you don’t take action.
2. Say it with pictures.  We all hate PowerPoint.  Executives review copy-heavy decks all day long.  Be different.  If you are sharing data to tell your story, develop a chart, table or graph.  If you are conveying examples that require more prose, don’t write bullets. Find an image that aligns with the story (a woman pulling her hair out, a new hire excited to start his new job, someone receiving a trophy, etc.).  Instead of putting the words on the slide and reading them, just show the image and tell the story.  Expert tip: if you need to leave the slides with the executives for them to make a decision later, put your word salad in an appendix.
3. Cut it down to three slides. If you can’t get tell your story in pictures in three or fewer slides, your story is too long.  Review what you have with a trusted colleague and ask for suggestions about what can be taken out.  Carefully scrutinize each item to ensure it supports the conclusion you are after and advances the story.  If it doesn’t advance the story or move you towards the feeling you are after, cut it out. Also, don’t put 5 charts on one slide to meet the 3 slide rule, that just looks desperate.

Bonus recommendation:  In the few days before the presentation, book a few minutes on each executive’s calendar to preview the presentation and gather any feedback or questions.  This action accomplishes a few things:

• It can help you finalize what makes it onto the 3 slides.
• You can answer detailed questions prior to the presentation so that you can focus on the big picture story.
• You now know what everyone’s reactions are going to be so you can be prepared to fully address concerns or add to their support.

You are now ready to wow the c-suite with presentation.  Once your three slides are complete, practice your presentation a few times.  Focus on telling the story – the beginning, the middle, and the end – and ensure you are conveying the feelings you are after.  Make sure you don’t go over your allotted time and prepare you answers to the questions you know are coming (because you already know what they are going to ask).

Now, go knock ‘em dead.

If you don’t know where to find images you can use or just want an uninvolved third party to take a look at your slides or tell you how they feel after your presentation, drop me a note. I’ll be happy to point you in the right direction or review your charts or listen to you practice.

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