How to Give A Great Business Presentation

How do you give an impressive business presentation? How do you prepare a business presentation? Any tips for giving an effective business presentation? What process will result in 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. 

Why You Need Better Business Presentations

Ever sat through a boring business presentation?

You’re not alone—most presentations fail to engage, persuade, or inspire action. Here’s how to avoid those mistakes and deliver a presentation that gets results.

If you want to be a success, if you want to spend less time preparing PowerPoint and more time being recognised for your work, then this guide is for you.

Why Most Business Presentations Fail (And How to Fix Yours)

Think about the last truly great business presentation you saw. Chances are, it stood out because it was clear, compelling, and memorable. But most presentations blend into a forgettable haze of bullet points and monotone delivery.

The truth? 90% of business presentations fail to achieve their goal, whether that’s securing a deal, aligning a team, or inspiring action. The reason isn’t a lack of expertise; it’s a lack of preparation.

What Makes a Powerful Presentation?

A powerful presentation isn’t about fancy slides or charismatic delivery (though those help). It’s about strategy, structure, and storytelling—knowing exactly what your audience needs to hear and delivering it in a way that sticks.

Whether you’re pitching to investors, updating stakeholders, or leading a team meeting, the difference between a presentation that lands and one that flops comes down to how you prepare. Below, we break down the key steps to crafting a business presentation that gets results—and avoids the common pitfalls that lose your audience in the first minute.

If you need to give a business presentation, you want it to be a success.  Most people write their business presentations in the wrong way.

What Skills are Needed to Present Well?

Preparing a business presentation is a real skill.  And it’s a skill you can learn.  Over the last 15 years the team at Benjamin Ball Associates have coached thousands of people to be brilliant business presenters and outstanding at public speaking. 

Do please call us and we’ll tell you about our business presentation coaching – it’s fast and good value.

So that you leave a lasting impression when you next present, you have here quick tips about best practices to prepare a great presentation like business professionals do:

1. Don’t open PowerPoint

While PowerPoint is good for many things, it’s terrible for planning business presentations.  You should only start using PowerPoint at the very end of the presentation planning process.  Remember, a good presentation does not involve narrating slides. Instead, think of a presentation as a talk that may or may not involve visual aids.

Restrain yourself.  We know you will be tempted to create slides for a PowerPoint presentation.  But this is the biggest presenting mistake that people make. Instead, your starting point should be the next step of the presentation preparing process. Come back to creating PowerPoint or Google slides and your slide deck only AFTER you’ve done everything else.

“PowerPoint makes us stupid.”
— General James Mattis, US Marine Corps

2. Define Your audience

To prepare properly, you need to know your target audience.  For example, you might be addressing just 10 people in an audience of 1000

Or you might want everyone in the room to change their behaviour slightly. The more tightly you define your objective, the greater your chance of success. When you present to the board, you need to confider what is important to them.

To really understand your audience, stand in their shoes. Ask yourself:

• Why are they coming?
• What’s on their mind?
• What concerns do they have?
• What ideas will resonate with them?
• What language will they recognise?
• What are the main points they expect?

The better you understand your audience, their fears, concerns and desires, the more focused you will be and the more confident you can be that you will address concerns. And you’ll be better at grabbing and maintaining your audience’s attention.

“If you don’t know what your audience cares about, you’ve already lost them.”
— Carmine Gallo, Communication Expert and Author

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3. Have a single message

Distil what you want to say into a single sentence. This phrase should encapsulates your presentation. Avoid vague statements like “I want to tell them about our new product” The sharper your message, the better.

Imagine someone in your audience being asked after your presentation, ‘What was that presentation about?’  If you know exactly what they will answer, you have a brilliant presentation. Read more about the So What Test.

You can always use our messaging cracker process to create powerful messages for effective business presentations. This is probably the hardest aspect of planning a powerful business presentation, but it is also a key first step in being a good presenter.

“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.”
— Dianna Booher, Communication Expert

4. Segment your presentation 

A three part structure is often the most effective. For each part of your presentation, have a clear message. You need a strong start to your presentation.  Then three key parts to your presentation.  Then finish with a powerful end. 

“No one remembers a long list of facts. Divide your content into clear, digestible chunks.”
— Nancy Duarte, Presentation Expert and Author

Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Business Presentation Skills Coaching

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years.  Our coaching is fast and effective.  We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups.  Call us today to learn more.

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

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

Our most popular training courses include:

• Presentation Coaching
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Investor Pitch Support and Coaching

Trusted by some of the most successful companies globally

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

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

5. Start your presentation strong

Work out something that will make people sit up and listen. Tell them what you are going to tell them.  Get them excited.  Learn more here about how to start a presentation with impact.

“The first 10 seconds of your speech are the most important. They set the stage for everything that follows.”
— Scott Berkun, Author of Confessions of a Public Speaker

6. Use stories, anecdotes and examples

Learn how to use stories in your business presentations. Find ones to support your messages. The more you illustrate what you want to say with a real story, the more powerful your presentation becomes. The best stories are personal real life examples. Bring it to life with memorable phrases.

“Stories are the single most powerful weapon in a leader’s arsenal.”
— Dr. Howard Gardner, Psychologist and Professor at Harvard University

7. Finish strong

What you say last will be remembered best.  Here are some tips about ending your presentation effectively.

“Your closing is the parting impression you leave with your audience. Make it powerful.”
— Patricia Fripp, Speaker and Presentation Skills Expert

8. Use clear simple language

Cut out all jargon or corporate speak. Your presentation skills training should teach you some basic elements of rhetoric which will bring life to your presentations and make it easy for you to engage your audiences. Learn about Power Language and how to use it in your presentations. For example, rhetorical questions, metaphor and story telling are some of the many tools you can apply towards presentation success.

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
— Albert Einstein

9. Incorporate pauses, short sentences, great eye contact 

A presentation is a performance. If you look and sound good there is a better chance of success in your presentation.

Non-verbal communication and body language plays a crucial role in how your message is perceived. Maintain eye contact, use purposeful gestures, and vary your tone to convey enthusiasm and confidence. Pausing at key moments can also give your audience time to digest information. You will also look and sound more confident when you present.  Discover the Power of the pause in presentations.

“The pause is as important as the word.”
— Unknown

10. Work out what questions you could be asked

When preparing important business presentations, you need to dedicate time to preparing answers to potential questions. Practice how you will answer questions using tried and tested question answering techniques.  Don’t just leave it to a Q&A session. Perhaps answer questions throughout your presentation.

11. Now, decide out if you really need any visual aids or handouts

You may now decide that some charts, diagrams, pictures will help get your message across even more powerfully. If you do use these in your presentation, make sure your training course shows you best practice for preparing your visuals, slides and charts.

“PowerPoint is like a crutch; you can lean on it, but it won’t make you walk.”
— Unknown

12. Practise, practise, practise

You will only take your skills to the next level by practising your important presentation. The best business presentation training will show you a method and process so that you continue to improve after your training. For example, you should learn to use use a critical knowledgeable audience and a camera to refine your performance and to set up a feedback loop.

“The more I practice, the luckier I get.”
— Gary Player, Professional Golfer

The more you rehearse and perfect, the better you will get.

13. Seek feedback and improve

After your presentation, gather feedback from trusted colleagues or audience members. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights to help you refine your skills for future presentations. Continuous improvement is key to becoming a more effective presenter.

When you work with a presentation coach, you’ll find it much easier to get constructive feedback that will speed you on your way to success.

If you want to learn about the business presentation training workshops we run, please  contact us today

Give Great Business Presentations – A Summary

Creating a powerful presentation is essential for any business owner or professional looking to report information, get things done, secure funding or attract new clients. Whether you’re preparing for a sales presentation, presenting to colleagues or presenting to investors, your introduction slide and slide title sets the tone for the entire presentation.

This is your opportunity to convey your ideas succinctly and engage your audience from the outset. Using presentation templates can help streamline your process. They allow you to concentrate on delivering important information effectively. But beware of getting trapped by templates. In our experience, most presentations are improved by taking out PowerPoint slides.

In a typical business presentation, clarity is key. Create a compelling narrative. Don’t rely on bullet points. You need to break down complex concepts into easily digestible segments.

Final Presenting Tip

Remember, you don’t need slides to make a good impression. The best way to present is to make a good impression by having a well-prepared meeting.

By following these expert tips, you can turn a standard presentation into a successful business presentation that captures the attention of stakeholders and propels your business forward.

How Presentation Training Will Improve your Presenting Skills

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.

We can help with:

• One-to-one presentation coaching online
• Group presentation coaching in-house
• Advice to improve a particular pitch or presentation

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.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

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.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

FAQ: How to Give a Great Business Presentation

1. How long should a business presentation be?

The shorter the better!! No longer than 15–20 minutes, leaving time for Q&A. Research shows attention spans drop sharply after 18 minutes (similar to TED Talks). For investor pitches, 10–12 slides max. Need help condensing? Our coaching streamlines content without losing impact.

2. Should I use slides in every presentation?

No. Slides should support your message, not replace it. Many persuasive presentations (e.g., Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch) used minimal visuals. Follow our Step 11 to decide if slides add value. Tip: If your slides work as a standalone doc, you’re doing it wrong.

3. How can I calm my nerves before presenting?

• Practice aloud 5+ times (Step 12).
• Pause and breathe (Step 9) to reset.
• Think about audience needs (Step 2), not yourself.
  Our coaching clients reduce anxiety by 80%+ with tailored techniques.

4. What’s the #1 mistake presenters make?

Starting with PowerPoint (Step 1). Slides ≠ your presentation. Build your story and strategy first, then design visuals if needed. Example: A client cut 80% of their slides after our coaching—and won the deal.

5. How do I handle tough questions?

• Anticipate them (Step 10) and rehearse answers.
• Use the “Bridge” technique: “Great question. What’s critical to remember is…”
  We train clients to turn Q&A into a persuasive tool—contact us to learn how.

6. Can I improve my presentation skills quickly?

Yes. Work on:

• A single message (Step 3).
• Strong open/close (Steps 5 & 7).
• 1–2 storytelling examples (Step 6).
  Our 3-hour coaching sessions often transform clarity and confidence.

7. Why hire a presentation coach?

Even CEOs use coaches. Benefits:

• Objective feedback (Step 13) on content/delivery.
• Custom frameworks for your industry (e.g., investor pitches vs. internal updates).
• Confidence boosts via proven techniques.
  Result: All our clients see immediate and lasting improvement. Call us to discuss your goals.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation