How to Prepare a Board Presentation

A board presentation is a very important task that any leadership team should do. The presentation gives a chance for management to discuss their goals check that and priorities, as well as their performance to allow the board to examine its performance and determine whether it’s on the correct path. It also gives the board a snapshot of how the company stands in its industry and compares itself to other companies.

A great board presentation should include a mix of high-level data (such as income statements, balance sheets or cash flow statements) and more visual representations of the information. Charts that present numbers in a context relating to time periods or company goals, as well as the performance of competitors are included. Additionally assets that show a specific strategy (such as images of websites or social media ad) are also useful.

A good board presentation also makes use of language that board members can understand and apply. This means using familiar metaphors to help grow and drive an organization, instead of the more technical terms that could confuse or overwhelm. Also, it means avoiding the jargon and incorporating a glossary.

The board will also want to know how your strategy will affect the bottom line, and what’s required to get there. It’s helpful to talk to the person inviting your presentation before the meeting or at least have a brief phone conversation to gain an understanding of the purpose.