Sample Business Presentation Analysis

Evaluation of a strategic presentation to executives

68/100
Needs Work

This presentation contains good elements but lacks punch for an executive audience. Too many slides, key message buried in details. Recommendation comes too late and lacks conviction. With restructuring and focus on essentials, this presentation will be much more effective.

Strengths

  • Solid, well-documented data analysis
  • Deep subject knowledge
  • Professional, cohesive visuals
  • Relevant answers to questions

Areas to Improve

  • Key recommendation absent from first 5 minutes
  • Too many slides (35 for 20 minutes)
  • No clear call-to-action in conclusion
  • Message buried in technical details

4-Pillar Analysis

Clarity

6.5/10

The message is present but hard to extract. Too much data without clear hierarchy. A busy decision-maker won't retain the essentials.

Strengths
  • Precise, sourced data
  • Professional vocabulary
  • Well-titled slides
To improve
  • Key message not identifiable in 30 seconds
  • Too much information per slide
  • No executive summary at opening
Suggested rewrite
Before:

"I'll present the market analysis, then our options, and finally recommendations..."

After:

"My recommendation: option B, with 340% ROI over 2 years. Here are the 3 reasons, and here are the risks we need to mitigate."

Impact

6.2/10

Numbers present but not put in perspective. Missing business storytelling and emotional arguments to convince.

Strengths
  • ROI clearly calculated
  • Competitor comparison
  • Risks identified
To improve
  • No memorable stat in first 2 minutes
  • No customer story or concrete case
  • Arguments purely rational
Suggested rewrite
Before:

"The market represents $2.3B with 5.2% CAGR growth over the next 5 years..."

After:

"If we don't act now, we lose 15% market share in 2 years. Our main competitor already invested $50M in this segment."

Structure

7/10

Logical plan but too long. Recommendation arrives too late (slide 25 of 35). Executives tuned out before.

Strengths
  • Logical progression: context → analysis → recommendation
  • Clear transitions between parts
  • Appendix well separated
To improve
  • Recommendation at slide 25, too late
  • 35 slides for 20 minutes = impossible
  • No executive summary on slide 1
Suggested rewrite
Before:

"(35 detailed slides before recommendation)"

After:

"Structure: Slide 1 = Recommendation + key numbers. Slides 2-8 = Arguments. Slides 9-10 = Risks and mitigation. Appendix for details."

Conviction

7.2/10

Good subject mastery but tone too neutral for a recommendation. Missing assertiveness on proposed choice.

Strengths
  • Obvious data mastery
  • Calm and professional
  • Answers questions precisely
To improve
  • Tone too descriptive, not prescriptive enough
  • Hesitation between options
  • Not enough personal commitment
Suggested rewrite
Before:

"Option B seems to be the best according to analyzed criteria..."

After:

"I recommend option B. It's the only one that positions us against competition while staying within our budget envelope."

Key Moments

0:30To improve
"I'll first present the market context, then competitive analysis, then options, and finally my recommendation..."

The audience knows they'll wait 20 minutes for the conclusion. Attention lost.

Suggestion: Give recommendation on slide 1, then justify. 'My recommendation: X. Here's why.'

12:45Strength
"Our main competitor invested $50M in this segment last year. If we don't act, we lose 15% market share."

Excellent moment - you create urgency with concrete facts. Executives are listening.

Suggestion: This moment should be in the first 2 minutes, not minute 12.

18:30To improve
"(Slide 28 of 35, executives checking phones)"

You've lost attention. Too many slides, not enough focus on essentials.

Suggestion: Maximum 10 slides presented. The rest in appendix for questions.

19:50To improve
"That's it, I'm available for your questions."

No call-to-action. Executives don't know what's expected of them.

Suggestion: 'I need your approval today to launch phase 1 on Monday. Who approves?'

7-Day Action Plan

Quick Wins

  • Create slide 1 with recommendation + 3 key numbers
  • Reduce to 10 presented slides (rest in appendix)
  • Add specific call-to-action in conclusion
  • Move competitive argument to first 2 minutes
D1Key message
  • Write recommendation in 1 sentence
  • Identify 3 key arguments (no more)
  • Create 'Executive Summary' slide 1
D2Restructuring
  • Select max 10 slides for presentation
  • Move rest to appendix
  • Reorganize: Reco → Arguments → Risks → Ask
D3Impact
  • Add competitive urgency in minute 1
  • Prepare memorable opening stat
  • Add concrete customer case
D4Conviction
  • Replace 'seems' and 'could' with assertions
  • Practice saying 'I recommend' with confidence
  • Prepare defense of your recommendation
D5Call-to-action
  • Define precisely what you need from executives
  • Prepare validation request phrase
  • Anticipate objections and prepare responses
D6Timing
  • Timed rehearsal (15 min max)
  • Identify what can be cut
  • Practice short transitions
D7Executive simulation
  • Present to 'difficult' colleagues
  • Practice handling interruptions
  • Adjust based on feedback

FAQ

How many slides for an executive presentation?

Maximum 10 slides presented for 20 minutes. The rest in appendix if questions. Rule: 1 slide = 1 message = 2 minutes max. Decision-makers don't have time for 35 slides.

Should I give the recommendation at the start or end?

At the start, always. Decision-makers want to know where you're going. Slide 1 = recommendation + key numbers. Then you justify. If they agree quickly, you save time for questions.

How to handle executive interruptions?

Interruptions are a good sign - they show interest. Answer briefly (30 sec max) and return to your thread: 'To answer your question... And coming back to key arguments...'. Don't get derailed.

How to make numbers memorable?

Contextualize them. '$2.3 billion' doesn't speak. 'That's 3x our current revenue' speaks. Use comparisons, relative percentages, concrete equivalents.

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