Business Presentation Training: 8 Essential Skills to Take You to the Next Level

Updated 8 November 2025

What business presentation skills will help you succeed? What corporate presentation skills training do you need? How do you give better business presentations?

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

What Business Presentation Skills Training Gives You

Strong business presentation skills are vital if you want to make an impact at work. Whether you’re pitching to investors, leading team meetings or addressing senior colleagues, the way you present shapes how people see you.

With the right business presentation training, you can master effective communication, reduce stage fright and build confidence that drives career advancement.

Why Business Presentation Skills Matter

Every successful leader understands that clear, confident presenting is key to influence. Great presenters don’t just speak — they persuade, inspire and connect.

That’s why corporate presentation skills training is so valuable. When you learn how to deliver effective presentations, you become more persuasive, more memorable and more trusted.

At Benjamin Ball Associates, our training programmes are built on over 20 years of experience helping professionals develop advanced presentation skills. We work with clients across sectors including financial services, technology and healthcare, helping them communicate with clarity and authority.

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1. Know Your Audience

The best presenters understand their audience before they say a word. They think about what the audience members care about and tailor their message accordingly.

One of our clients, a Managing Director in financial services, once faced a disengaged room during a mandatory compliance briefing. Instead of opening with data, he told a short story about a costly mistake made early in his career and what he learned from it. Within seconds, he had everyone’s attention.

That’s the foundation of effective business presentation skills — connecting through empathy and relevance.

2. Simplify to Amplify

Complex ideas are hard to follow. When you simplify, you clarify.

Strong communication skills are about turning complex ideas into clear, persuasive messages. Cut jargon, shorten sentences and use everyday language.

During our corporate presentation skills training, we often show how small changes make a big difference. A simple story arc, natural tone and confident body language all help you hold your audience’s attention and achieve maximum impact.

As Steve Jobs said, “Simple can be harder than complex… but it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

3. Speak to the Heart and the Head

Great presenters use both logic and emotion. Facts make your point, but feelings make it stick.

To create effective presentations, weave emotion through your words. Use stories that bring your ideas to life, speak with warmth and authenticity, and use body movements that reinforce what you’re saying.

In our presentation training programme, you’ll explore different methods to connect emotionally — from storytelling to vocal variation — so you can engage both minds and hearts.

4. Use Language Like a Leader

Confident presenters use powerful, positive language. They choose words that energise rather than explain.

Use contrasts and metaphors to make your point vivid. Try phrases like:

• “We can’t control the wind, but we can set the sails.”
• “It’s not about yesterday or today — it’s about tomorrow.”

These rhetorical tools help you sound composed and authoritative.

Through business presentation skills training, you’ll learn how to replace flat phrasing with persuasive messages that inspire action.

5. Master Your Start and Finish

Your opening moments decide whether people listen.

Avoid starting with “Good morning, my name is…” Instead, begin with something that grabs your audience’s attention — a question, a story or a striking statistic.

And remember, your final words linger longest. End your presentation with a clear call to action or a memorable takeaway.

In our public speaking courses, we teach participants to rehearse both the opening and closing until they feel effortless.

6. Use Visual Aids for Maximum Impact

Slides, charts and images should support your story — not compete with it.

Design your slides only AFTER you’ve written your talk, not before. Keep them clean, simple and visual. The visual design of presentations matters: too much text or clutter weakens your message.

When used well, visual aids can make complex information easy to digest.

Our clients often discover that they give better presentations when they present without PowerPoint or with many fewer slides – they also save themselves a lot of time.

7. Practise Until It Feels Natural

Confidence comes from preparation, not luck.

You wouldn’t run a marathon without training. The same applies to presenting. Practise out loud, time yourself and test your delivery with colleagues. Record your body language, gestures and tone to see how they come across.

Good course materials and expert feedback can fast-track your learning.

In our business presentation training, you’ll use structured course learning to develop new skills quickly — from managing nerves to refining your storytelling.

8. Keep Developing Your Skills

Strong presenters never stop improving. The best leaders invest in ongoing professional development to sharpen their communication.

Our tailored corporate presentation skills training is designed to help you take your skills to the next level. You’ll learn to craft story arcs that resonate, manage stage fright, and deliver messages that drive results — whether you’re in a boardroom or presenting at a conference.

CASE STUDY – How we helped the CEO of a large utility company improve his business presentation

Great presenters talk about their audience, not about themselves They involve their audience from the beginning. You need to show them that you have their interests at heart.

For example, one of our clients is the CEO of a large utility company. A few years ago he had to give a Health and Safety presentation to his staff. He knew they would come to the presentation with a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude.

But he wanted them to understand how important safety was to their company. So, he started with a story.

He said, “A few years ago I was managing a building site. In my first two weeks on a new job, we had a crane collapse. That night, I had to knock on a door – and tell a woman that her husband was dead –
all because of an accident on my site.

“I never want any of you to have to go through what I went through that day. And that’s why we are talking about health and safety today.”

In fewer than 80 words, our client had grabbed their attention and opened their minds.  All because he understood their self-interest. From then on, he knew they were listening.

How Our Business Presentation Training Will Help You

At Benjamin Ball Associates we’ve spent over fifteen years supporting major organisations with important communications. We work with leaders from all types of businesses helping them transform their communications.

Working with us, you get practical, easy-to-implement advice that helps you grab attention, make an impact and remain memorable. We build skills, effectiveness and confidence – and we do this every day.

Call our Client Services Director, Louise Angus on +44 (0)20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you today.

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Why Choose Us:
Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Some recent clients

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Business Presentation Training

1. What is business presentation training?

Business presentation training helps you develop the skills to communicate clearly and confidently in any business setting. It covers everything from body language and storytelling to slide design, public speaking and effective communication. The goal is to help you deliver effective presentations that engage your audience and drive results.

2. Who can benefit from presentation skills training?

Anyone who presents as part of their job can benefit. We work with professionals in financial services, law, technology, and many other industries. Whether you lead team meetings, deliver client pitches, or speak at conferences, strong corporate presentation skills will help you make a bigger impact.

3. What will I learn in a presentation training programme?

Our business presentation training combines practical coaching and real-world examples. You’ll learn how to:

• Structure persuasive messages and story arcs
• Control stage fright and nerves
• Use body movements and visual aids effectively
• Improve the visual design of presentations
• Deliver confident, memorable talks that hold your audience’s attention

4. How long does it take to see results?

Most people notice a difference after just one or two sessions. Our tailored training programmes focus on building new skills quickly using real-life examples and your own course materials. The more you practise, the faster you improve.

5. Do you offer group or one-to-one coaching?

Yes, we offer both. You can book individual coaching for personal feedback or corporate presentation skills training for teams. Many clients start with private coaching and later arrange a bespoke workshop for their wider team.

6. How does this training help with career advancement?

Strong presentation and communication skills are among the most sought-after qualities in business leaders. When you present well, you build credibility and influence, which often leads to new opportunities and faster career advancement.

7. Do I need previous experience to take the course?

Not at all. Our training works for beginners as well as experienced speakers looking to take their presentation skills to the next level. We tailor every session to your goals and experience level.

8. How can I get started?

Simply contact Benjamin Ball Associates for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your goals and design a training programme that fits your needs — whether you want to boost confidence, create more persuasive slides, or prepare for your next presentation.

Call our Client Services Director, Louise Angus on +44 (0)20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you today.

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