Do you struggle with making your business presentations concise?

If you present data in your business presentations, you may end up adding way too much information. This happens all the time. If you struggle to make your business presentations concise, we can help.

Why being succinct in business presentations matters:

• Time constraints: Busy professionals have limited attention spans and appreciate messages delivered efficiently.

• Impact potential: A concise story packs a more potent punch, leaves a lasting impression, and drives action.

Here's an example of a story that someone might use in a business presentation to show why their gross profit margins increased in the last two years:

"Two years ago, our company faced a significant challenge. Rising material costs and intense competition were putting immense pressure on our gross profit margins. We knew that if we didn't take decisive action, our profitability would suffer, and our business would struggle to maintain its competitive edge.

That's when we embarked on a comprehensive cost optimization strategy. First, we thoroughly analyzed our supply chain and identified areas where we could negotiate better terms with our suppliers. We secured more favorable pricing and payment terms through strategic negotiations and leveraging our long-standing relationships, leading to substantial cost savings.

Concurrently, we invested in lean manufacturing processes and implemented stringent quality control measures. By streamlining our operations and reducing waste, we were able to maximize our efficiency and minimize defects, resulting in lower production costs and higher yields.

However, our efforts didn't stop there. We recognized that our pricing strategy needed to be aligned with our value proposition. After conducting extensive market research and customer surveys, we adjusted our pricing to better reflect the premium quality of our products and the exceptional service we provide. This strategic move not only enhanced our brand perception but also contributed to higher gross profit margins.

The results of our efforts have been remarkable. Over the past two years, our gross profit margins have increased by a staggering 18%, surpassing our initial projections. This remarkable achievement has not only strengthened our financial position but has also positioned us as a leader in our industry, setting the stage for continued growth and success."

Now, let's make this story more concise while showing the steps taken:

Step 1: Identify and remove unnecessary details or embellishments.

Original: Two years ago, our company faced a significant challenge. Rising material costs and intense competition were putting immense pressure on our gross profit margins. We knew that if we didn't take decisive action, our profitability would suffer, and our business would struggle to maintain its competitive edge.

Concise: Rising costs and competition threatened our gross profit margins two years ago.

Step 2: Combine related sentences or ideas.

Original: That's when we embarked on a comprehensive cost optimization strategy. First, we thoroughly analyzed our supply chain and identified areas where we could negotiate better terms with our suppliers. Through strategic negotiations and leveraging our long-standing relationships, we secured more favorable pricing and payment terms, leading to substantial cost savings.

Concise: We optimized costs by negotiating better terms with suppliers, leading to cost savings.

Step 3: Focus on the key actions or initiatives.

Original: Concurrently, we invested in lean manufacturing processes and implemented stringent quality control measures. By streamlining our operations and reducing waste, we were able to maximize our efficiency and minimize defects, resulting in lower production costs and higher yields.

Concise: We implemented lean manufacturing and quality control, reducing costs and increasing yields.

Step 4: Summarize the outcome or impact.

Original: The results of our efforts have been remarkable. Over the past two years, our gross profit margins have increased by a staggering 18%, surpassing our initial projections. This remarkable achievement has not only strengthened our financial position but has also positioned us as a leader in our industry, setting the stage for continued growth and success.

Concise: Our gross profit margins increased by 18% in two years, strengthening our financial position and industry leadership.

Step 5: Combine the concise sentences into a paragraph.

"Rising costs and competition threatened our gross profit margins two years ago. We optimized costs by negotiating better terms with suppliers, leading to cost savings. We implemented lean manufacturing and quality control, reducing costs and increasing yields. Additionally, we adjusted our pricing strategy based on market research. Our gross profit margins increased by 18% in two years, strengthening our financial position and industry leadership."

By following these steps, we've transformed a detailed story into a more concise version while preserving the essential information and key initiatives that increased gross profit margins.

How can you make your stories more concise? Let me know your best practices.

If you want help communicating more concisely, we offer coaching and training.