I hated presenting at the start! Was it correct? Were people listening? Did they notice when I stuttered? These were all worries that used to haunt me. It’s a daunting task — one minute you’re confidently preparing spreadsheets, and the next, you’re stumbling your way through a presentation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to keep your audience awake, engaged, and maybe even a little impressed.
1. Speak Human, Not Accountant
If this wasn’t number one, I’d be writing in the wrong blog post. You’re talking to a room full of humans, treat it like it! If you dive straight into financial language you will lull your audience into a coma so swap out the fancy lingo for plain English. For instance, instead of saying “liquidity ratios indicate financial solvency,” try “this shows how easily we can pay our suppliers.” Make it so clear like your trying to tell a friend over a drink.
2. Keep It Simple, Effective
People don’t have loads of spare time, and the longer you talk, the more likely they’ll zone out. Stick to the most relevant stats and keep slides straightforward. Highlight key figures in bold and explain why they matter. Less is more — you want them to remember the big stuff, not the fact that cell B47 had a 0.5% variance.
3. Start with a Story
Numbers without context are just… numbers. Starting things off with a quick story gives people a reason to care about what you’re saying. For example, instead of diving straight into profit margins, try framing it with a story about a customer or a key decision that impacted those figures. Stories are like espresso shots for your presentation — they wake people up fast.
4. Ask Questions — Even Rhetorical Ones
A well-timed question can snap people’s attention back to you. Things like, “Would you rather see your profits go up or your costs go down?” get people mentally engaged, even if they don’t answer out loud. It’s a cheeky trick to keep them from scrolling through Instagram under the table.
5. Use Visuals, Not Just Numbers
Let’s face it — staring at endless columns of figures is a fast track to nap time. Swap out some of those numbers for charts, infographics, or images that highlight your points. A well-placed graph showing profits rising is way more impactful than rattling off a list of percentages. Plus, visuals help people remember information better, which means your key points will stick long after the presentation ends.
Presenting figures doesn’t have to be painful for you or your audience. A bit of storytelling, plain language, and focusing on the “why” behind the numbers can transform a dull presentation into something people actually want to hear. Keep it simple and effective and you’ll be onto a winner.
