You've spent countless hours developing a business plan and you're ready to share it with the world. There's just one problem--the presentation. Perhaps you're considering hiring someone else to do it for you. However, nothing can compete with a good business plan presented by the owning manager. Presenting a business plan is no different from giving a regular presentation, only better because it's for your business.
Cardinal Rules
Tell them what you're going to tell them and what they want to know; then tell them again. This is a reinforcing model. Introduce yourself. Give your background information, how you came up with the idea and why you're the perfect person to get the idea off the ground. In your introduction, use a quote or ask a question. The goal is to grab their attention as soon as possible. Whoever you're presenting to may hear 10 to 20 business plans a week, so use your introduction to differentiate yourself from the masses. If you have any visual aids, use them.
Smooth Transitions
All good business plan presentations have smooth transitions. Once you've finished introducing yourself, use a story to segue into what you want to tell them. Once you're finished telling your audience about your idea, reiterate the main points and then introduce your financial segment. For instance, "Now that you know why this is such a profitable business idea, I'll show you the financial figures to back it up." It is OK to have someone else, possibly your CFO, walk through the numbers. Your audience will want a clear understanding of your cash flows for the first five years, your return and the assumptions behind it. Always provide your audience with a physical copy of your financial prospects.
The Conclusion
End with a bang. Having a memorable ending can make the difference between funding or not. If you didn't capture their attention in the introduction, it is possible to save your presentation with the conclusion. Appeal to as many senses as possible. Use food, visual aids, music, adjust the lights. Do something that will make the audience remember who you are even if they don't remember the idea. Follow with a short Q&A session. Bring all presenters or members of your team to the front of the room. One person should direct the session--always repeating each question so everyone can hear. At the end of each question, ask if you answered the question. This is not the time to embellish. Tell the truth. If sales are down, sales are down, but turn the negative into a positive by talking about your future opportunities.
