How to Create a Structured Presentation for C-Level Executives

If you have the chance to present to C-level executives, congratulations.

It reflects both your success in your domain and the value of your insights.

However, it's not easy to excel.

Most of the time it's not a success (both for you and the C-level executives).

-The executives don't understand and get frustrated with the deck.

-You may be frustrated with the long hours spent and the unsatisfactory outcomes.

So, how to ace it?

Below is my experience in delivering a deck to C-Level executives:

1. The Mindset:

-It's important to recognize that C-level executives are extremely busy; every minute is precious for them (see page 1-3).

-So, your ultimate (and only) goal is:

-> to deliver your complex message in a way that they will understand easily and clearly, in the shortest amount of time possible.

2. The Framework:

-I call it PSD (Planning - Storylining - Deck making)

Planning:

-Before you begin drafting, consider who your C-level is (their background, concerns).

-If you were in their position, what key insights would you want to know?

-With their viewpoint in mind, what crucial information do you aim to convey? (Ensure it resonates with their interests or concerns)

Storylining:

-You should have completed your exploratory phase (i.e., your message is ready, analysis and insight are done).

-Then create your executive summary:

-> A one-pager of the end-to-end story: the situation - complication - resolution, in a logical order (SCR framework).

-> Following this executive summary, you should have a clear, specific message that each page of your deck will convey.

Deck Making:

-Now, the question is: how to convey each message so that it is quickly and clearly understood? (Hint: use effective data visualization, conceptual diagrams/flows to deliver it).

-> Do provide evidence/facts, as without a basis, our opinions are void, but with facts/evidence, they hold undeniable truth.

-Create the deck in 2 ways: 1) ghost deck (Draw your detailed deck pages with pen & paper); 2) transition it to digital (e.g., PowerPoint/Google Slides).

-> The critical part is the creation of the ghost deck; the digital part is merely the administrative aspect.

3. Other Important Tips (3 only, and they’re not MECE):

-Avoid using tables to present data and numbers (this will burden the C-level executives’ cognitive load, as they’ll “read” it, instead of quickly “understanding” it, as they would via effective data visualization).

-Data visualization is not about beautification; a concept most people miss. The goal is to help the C-level executives understand the message (and its evidence) clearly and in the shortest amount of time possible. Nothing more, nothing less.

-Align with stakeholders at each step (e.g., during the exploratory phase, ensure alignment on the logic tree approach to avoid unpleasant surprises in the end).

What's your take on this? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

If this perspective resonates with you, I'd be delighted to connect!

#AsepTamar #StructuredThinking #ProblemSolving #StructuredPresentation