How to Prepare a Presentation for the Board Meeting
A presentation made for a board meeting is different to the normal presentation due to the time pressure and the need for unanimity. Board members have the highest stake in the company’s success therefore their decisions will have implications for the business. To make the right choice, they must have all relevant information in the shortest possible time frame and with all risks taken into consideration. That is why it’s important to know what the board wants to achieve through your presentation and that your communication should be focused on achieving that objective.
The best method to do this is to put your data points in context. You can’t just present the conversion rate for an innovative product. You must show the board how it compares to industry standards or expectations. If the board can draw right conclusions from the information they are searching for, it will be much easier for them to trust your recommendations or vision for the future.
Do some research on the background of board members and their interests before making your presentation. This will help you anticipate questions they could ask and incorporate them into your presentation or come up with a considered answer for an Q&A at the end of your presentation. I’ve seen presentations where the speaker attempted to guess what the question was but if they get the answer wrong, it can be a huge blow to their credibility.