How to Be Confident and Compelling in Financial Presentations

Financial presentations are not easy. You have a lot of information to convey and you have a short time. And your audience is often not interested.

Why should anyone listen to you when you are presenting financial information? And how do you look confident and compelling?

It’s the question we help answer in our presentation coaching programmes.

Look Impressive When You Present Financial Information

Of course, the main reason for wanting better financial presentation skills is to impress those you are speaking to and get them to make the right decision. And this is very important if you are presenting to the board. But the big question is, what do you do to achieve this.

We have been coaching financial professionals to present financial information successfully for nearly 15 years and over the years we have discovered a series of common themes that underpin the most successful financial presentations. Here are a few gems we’ve learned over the years.

How to successfully present financial information

1. Make the right first impression in your financial presentation

People buy people. We all make instant decisions – and only later use facts to justify those decisions. This is as true for decisions whether buying software or deciding if the financial numbers are good. The good news is that you can improve the first impression you make.

For example, what happens in your first 30 seconds when you present financial information?

• Do you have good eye contact?
• Do you show interest in them?
• Do you ask the right questions?
• Have you done enough research?

Can you be sure that you have made the right impression?

I want to improve my financial presentation skills

2. Know how you want others to see you

Unless you are clear how you want to be seen by others, it’s a real challenge to get the results you want. But, the simple question: “What impression do you want to make?” is hard to answer. To be good at presenting in business you should be clear how you want others to see you, and your goals. Once we help you clarify how you want to be seen, we can then polish what you say and how you say it.

3. Don’t get stuck with PowerPoint presentations

People rarely want to be taken through a presentation. The best presenters do not use PowerPoint in a boring way. While PowerPoint may not be going away, you can use it differently. For example, did you know that PowerPoint is a terrible planning tool? There are many more effective ways of structuring and story-boarding your next financial presentation.

So, with your presentation, you can avoid “turning the pages” in a meeting. You can learn how better to plan, make more impact and, most importantly, make a real positive impression with your audiences. This means clear confident financial presentations, engaged listeners and much more successful communications.

I want financial presentation coaching

4. Make your financial presentations more interesting

Financial presentation should never be dull. Good financial presentations are all about how well you tell your story. Don’t tell me what the numbers are – tell me what they mean. Tell it properly and you connect with your audience – whether it is the board, or your investors or financial commentators.

There are tried and tested techniques you can use to tell powerful financial stories. Our experts help businesses, CFOs and financial professionals with their financial presentations, investor days and fundraising presentations.  Email us to learn how we can help.

Polish your financial presentations

Examples of better financial presentations

From our tailored training you will take away financial presentation tips that you can apply immediately. One firm told us that the financial presentation training programme we developed completely transformed the quality of presentations internally. A quick return on your investment is one of the many benefits of working with us. Read what our clients have been saying.

Improve How You Pitch, Present and Persuade

If you have an important financial presentation coming up, or you want to improve the skills of your team, call us to discuss how to get the results you want.

Speak to Louise Angus, our client services director to discuss how we can best help you.

Contact us now for a no obligation consultation

About Benjamin Ball Associates

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we help clients to communicate better in pitches and presentations.

Over the years the BBA team has coached thousands of senior executives globally to pitch & present powerfully. You get access to a transformational toolbox of techniques to help you become a clear, confident communicator.

We’ll help you create a powerful first impression that hooks and engages your audience immediately, and we’ll transform you to deliver clearly, confidently and with impact.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email louise@benjaminball.com to find out more and discuss your upcoming speech or presentation.

Contact us to transform your financial presentations