If you’re planning to present to a business audience, you probably want to inform, persuade, or sell. This may entail:
• Explaining new data.
• Soliciting ideas or feedback to build consensus.
• Asking people to take action.
• Seeking help solving a problem.
• Getting buy-in on an initiative.
Are you trying to do one of those things or something else? Write down your purpose in a phrase as short as the ones listed above.
Now look at what you wrote and ask whether you even need to give a presentation. Is that the best way to get the job done?
For example, if the number of people you need to reach is quite small, perhaps a quick face-to-face chat with each of them would be more efficient. If the audience is larger but the message is simple and you don’t need feedback, an e-mail might suffice.
Sometimes, of course, those forms of communication are inadequate and it’s clear you’ll need to give a presentation. If that’s the case, you’re ready to start working on yours. Hold on to that purpose phrase you wrote down a moment ago; you’ll need it.