Creating Presentations That Resonate With Audiences

You’ve heard the advice, “Use stories in your presentations because people respond to stories!” Great advice. BUT… Your story won’t grab your audience’s attention and communicate your message unless it has these 6 elements. In fact, it could even have the opposite effect! Every story you use as the foundation of your high-stakes presentations needs to have: 1. A logical structure. A story needs a beginning, middle, and end with clear turning points between each section. Don't just jump between ideas randomly. Map your presentation flow on paper first so you can physically move sections around. The most persuasive structure builds toward your most important point. 2. An Emotional structure. In the middle of your story, create a rise of conflict where tension builds. This might be when your audience realizes their current approach isn't working or market conditions are changing rapidly. Plan moments where this tension rises before providing a cathartic resolve. Your audience will stay engaged through this emotional journey from tension to resolution. 3. A clear goal. The protagonist in your story must have something they're seeking–an objective that drives the narrative forward. In your presentation, position your audience as the hero pursuing something important. Whether it's reconciliation of different viewpoints or finding the solution to a pressing problem, make sure this goal is crystal clear. 4. Meaningful conflict. Every story needs the hero to face obstacles. This conflict might be with themselves, with others, with technology, or even with nature.  When preparing your presentation, identify what's standing in the way of progress. Is it internal resistance? Market challenges? Technical limitations? Acknowledging these conflicts shows you understand the real situation. 5. A resolution. Every narrative needs to resolve the conflict, though resolution doesn't always mean a happy ending. It could end positively (comedy), negatively (tragedy), or be inconclusive, requiring your audience to take action to determine the outcome. For business presentations, this inconclusive ending can be particularly effective as it prompts decision and action. 6. A lesson worth learning. While rarely stated explicitly (except in fairy tales), every story teaches something. Your presentation should leave your audience with a clear takeaway about what approaches to emulate or avoid. The quality of your story often determines the quality of your high-stakes presentations. Take time to really think through the stories you’re using. Hand-selecting the best ones will help you leave a lasting impact on your audience. #Presentation #StorytellingInBusiness #PresentationSkills

Want to make your audience SUFFER? Your guide to creating MOST BORING presentations: 1/ MORE is better ↳ Cram every slide with text ↳ Put EVERY single bullet on slide REALITY CHECK: When presenters do this, audiences: • Mentally check out within 2 minutes • Miss the key message entirely 2/ Tell, don't show ↳ Theory over examples ↳ Words trump visuals REALITY CHECK: Research shows audiences: • Retain only 10% of verbal info • Zone out during theory-only talks • Can't process walls of text 3/ Be a corporate robot 🤖 ↳ Remove all personality ↳ Perfection beats authenticity REALITY CHECK: Studies confirm: • Robotic speakers lose 70% of attention • Audiences crave human connection 4/ Test their memory ↳ Pack 20 ideas per section ↳ Make them guess takeaways REALITY CHECK: Brain science reveals: • People remember max 3-5 key points • Information overload kills learning 5/ Time slot? Ignore it! ↳ Go overtime ↳ Leave NO room for questions REALITY CHECK: Going overtime means: • Lost audience trust • Reduced impact 6/ Drown them in numbers ↳ Show ALL the data ↳ Context is overrated REALITY CHECK: Data overload causes: • Mental shutdown • Lost message impact • Audience frustration 7/ Start with your life bio ↳ Start from birth ↳ List every achievement REALITY CHECK: Opening with bio means: • Lost first impression • Wasted attention span • Audience disconnection 8/ Slides lead, you follow ↳ Read every bullet point ↳ Turn your back to audience REALITY CHECK: This approach: • Kills audience engagement • Breaks eye contact • Shows lack of preparation 9/ Avoid all analogies ↳ Keep it complex ↳ Make it impossible to relate REALITY CHECK: Complex presentations: • Create mental barriers • Waste everyone's time 10/ Use the most boring intro ↳ Start with "Today we will discuss..." ↳ List all agenda items twice REALITY CHECK: Boring intros result in: • Immediate phone checking • Mental checkout 11/ Multiple messages everywhere ↳ Change topics randomly ↳ Maximum confusion encouraged REALITY CHECK: Message overload means: • Zero retention • Complete confusion • Lost audience trust 12/ Avoid all controversy ↳ State only obvious facts ↳ Keep it mind-numbingly safe REALITY CHECK: Playing it too safe: • Makes content forgettable • Kills learning opportunities 13/ Stick to the script ↳ Ignore audience reactions ↳ Push through no matter what REALITY CHECK: Ignoring audience cues: • Breaks connection • Ruins engagement 14/ Panic at "mistakes" ↳ Apologize profusely ↳ Point out every error REALITY CHECK: Constant apologizing: • Undermines credibility • Distracts from content 15/ Skip all examples ↳ Keep it theoretical ↳ Never get practical REALITY CHECK: No examples means: • Lost context • Zero relatability → Want to be memorable? Do the exact OPPOSITE → Your audience will thank you ♻️ REPOST to help your network get better with presentations 📌 Which of these mistakes have you suffered through recently?

Last night, former President Obama and First Lady Michelle reminded us of the power of compelling storytelling in their speeches at the Democratic National Convention. But what’s the secret behind these moments of excellence? Jon Favreau, Obama’s former director of speechwriting, shared five golden rules that are just as applicable to our business presentations as they are to political speeches. Here are five insights you can apply when delivering your next presentation, whether on stage, in a meeting, or in the boardroom: 1. The story is more important than the words Too often, we focus on the right words, but the real question is, “What story am I telling?” Before writing a speech, Favreau would always begin with a conversation, drawing on Obama’s ability to outline a clear narrative first and build the words around it. Always start with the story you’re trying to convey—it’s the backbone of your message. 2. Keep it simple Long presentations may feel thorough, but they are often forgettable. Favreau emphasized brevity: aim for twenty minutes or less. "A speech about everything is a speech about nothing." Narrow your message down to the essential points. 3. Address counterarguments upfront Don’t wait for the Q&A to address objections. In business, as in politics, it's key to acknowledge opposing views and deal with them during your presentation. When Obama delivered his Health Care Reform Plan, he anticipated objections and tackled them head-on. 4. Empathy is key Knowing your audience isn’t enough. You have to step into their shoes. Obama’s speeches resonated because they were written in a language his audience understood. Whether you're presenting to colleagues, clients, or an entire audience, connect by understanding their challenges and perspectives. 5. Persuasion requires inspiration Logic alone won’t motivate. The best way to connect is through stories that touch the heart. In Obama’s 2008 victory speech, Favreau chose the story of Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old woman who had seen the full spectrum of progress in America. Her story was the perfect reminder that change, though slow, is always possible. Whether you're stepping on stage or presenting in the boardroom, these timeless tips from Obama’s speechwriting playbook can help you connect with your audience, deliver your message effectively, and inspire action. What stories are you sharing in your presentations? #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Empathy #Inspiration

90% of CXOs have access to AI presentation tools. But their most critical business presentations still fall flat. At CXOAxis, we've been deep-diving into how top executives create presentations that drive real business decisions. Here's why traditional AI presentation workflows are broken: → Tools generate slides without strategic insights → Pretty templates that lack compelling business logic → Generic content that doesn't address real decision-making needs → No connection between data analysis and presentation narrative The Strategic AI Presentation Framework changes everything: ✅ Deep Research First - Use AI reasoning models (ChatGPT O-series, Gemini) with comprehensive prompts to uncover real insights, not just surface-level data ✅ Strategic Structuring - Transform research into compelling narratives using proven consulting frameworks (Porter's 5 Forces, SCQA) that drive decisions ✅ Professional Visualization - Design tools like Gamma turn your strategic outline into polished, executive-ready presentations ✅ Human Refinement - Apply your domain expertise to refine AI output, ensuring accuracy and relevance The 3-Step Process That Works: Step 1: Insight Generation - 7-minute deep research sessions that analyze competitive landscapes, market opportunities, and strategic risks Step 2: Story Architecture - Structure findings into decision-focused narratives with clear recommendations and supporting evidence Step 3: Executive Design - Professional visualization with tactical editing for maximum business impact Real results from executives using this framework: Market entry presentations that secure $2M+ investment decisions Competitive analysis that redirects entire product strategies Strategic recommendations that influence board-level resource allocation The difference? Moving from "Here's what AI found" to "Here's why you should act, backed by comprehensive analysis." Your board wants strategic clarity. Your investors want data-driven confidence. Your team wants actionable direction. The Strategic AI Presentation Framework delivers all three. Top AI tools powering this transformation: ChatGPT/Gemini Deep Research for insight generation Gamma for professional slide design Porter's 5 Forces framework for competitive analysis SCQA methodology for compelling storytelling The gap isn't in presentation tools – it's in the strategic thinking that comes before the slides. Remember: AI handles the research and design. You provide the strategic judgment and business context. That combination is unstoppable. 🔥 We're hosting exclusive CXO Roundtables in Bengaluru with our venue partner BHIVE Workspace 15 seats only. Real frameworks. 🗓️ July 18 - CTOs: Building AI-Native Development Organizations 🗓️ July 25 - CROs: Revenue Intelligence Revolution 🗓️ Aug 1 - CHROs: The Future of Product Engineering Talent DM "ROUNDTABLE" + your role Looking forward to hosting you!

As a Data guy, I had certain beliefs about presenting. I feel icky admitting this, but I used to think... "Can I impress them with my charts and graphs?" If you've ever seen a data analyst present, you've seen this. Data Analysts love their charts and graphs. But the truth is... Pretty graphics don't win people over, especially Senior Leaders. My problem was... my ego. And it actually made me a ball of nerves. So why does this matter to you? Because when presenting is about YOU, it's all wrong. Being impressive isn't about great slides... being extra funny or sarcastic... or having a one line zinger... Business leaders aren't impressed by this. Here's the key that changed everything… Your Leaders want Team Members who know this: Great business presentations are about being RELEVANT for your audience. Here are 5 ways to be more RELEVANT when speaking... so you can engage your audience and win them over. (See if you see the common thread.) 1️⃣ Start with their priorities Don’t open with your outline. Start with what they care about. 2️⃣ Use their language and examples Skip buzzwords. Speak in terms they already use day-to-day. 3️⃣ Answer: what does this mean for them? After every key point, tie it to... what and why it matters to them. 4️⃣ Prioritize what impacts their world Cut anything that’s irrelevant... Oh, and don't think emotions don't matter Every leader makes decisions with some emotion. 5️⃣ Tailor your visuals and data to your audience Your examples and slides should reflect... their world, not yours. Did you see the common thread? Notice how being engaging & impressive is about THEM! Yes, great communicators know it's about the audience! Focus on SERVING them and you'll engage (and impress) them. Why? Because... Serving others reduces nerves (and your ego). Relevance to your audience earns attention. Speaking in their language builds credibility. Was there one of the 5 that stood out to you? - - - - - If we haven't met, I'm Cooper, and I help business professionals grow their confidence & credibility when speaking and presenting. +Follow me for more actionable tips.