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Business Plan Presentations: A Guide

A vital element in today’s highly competitive business landscape is the ability to craft and deliver a business plan presentation. This applies to both entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. 

This guide describes essential aspects required to build a business plan presentation and deliver it to stakeholders. 

Table of Contents

What is a Business Plan Presentation?

Is a business plan presentation the same as a business presentation, executive summary, justification of the business proposal, swot analysis, the niche of the proposal & actors in the industry, competitors, competitive intensity, trend analysis and critical variables, value chain, market analysis, jobs-to-be-done, value proposition, revenue streams, cost structure, distribution channels, key partnerships for the business model, organizational structure & management, go to market and marketing plan, development plan, qa, and continuous improvement model, distribution plan, inventory management, initial funding and financing structure, projection of income and costs.

• Evaluation of Projected Return vs. Required

Risk Evaluation

Sensitivity to critical variables, how to present bibliographical information in a business plan presentation, how to deliver a business plan presentation.

A business plan presentation is the medium we use to communicate a business plan to an audience. 

Presenters commonly ask what is the target length of a business plan presentation in terms of slides. Our expertise in this field tells us it’s advisable to work between 13-20 slides, remaining as concise as possible and using the help of visual aids. Let the graphics speak rather than fill your slides with text blocks.

No. A business plan presentation is used to communicate an identified business opportunity and how it is planned to be served in a way that generates profit. A business presentation is a more generic term, explained in our article about business presentation examples . 

How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

This section will list our recommended content for a successful business plan presentation. We broke it down into four stages which help the presenter build the story backing the business: a-. The opportunity and the competitive landscape analyzed, b- the business model designed and tested to serve the opportunity, c- the implementation plan of the business model, and finally, d- the financial and economic projections estimated that show the profitability of the opportunity.

For the purpose of this guide, the slides will refer to a case study of photo editing software. To replicate this slide deck creation process, you can speed up design decisions by working with the SlideModel AI Presentation Maker and tailoring it to your project.

Stage 1 – Identifying the Opportunity

After the title slide that defines how to start a presentation , any business plan should proceed by introducing the executive summary in a concise but impactful format.

The purpose of the executive summary is to inform the audience what to expect from the presentation and its conclusion.

Work with a maximum of two slides for this section, highlighting the key elements through visual cues. Check our guide on how to present an executive summary .

The next slide should disclose all the reasoning behind the business plan proposal, why this plan is being presented at this present moment, and projections of how the plan aligns with the current market trends.

Presenters can share the analysis done by the Market research team as long as it’s made clear which problem is relevant to the current market trends that this business plan aims to solve.

Mention all the references used to arrive at the conclusions expressed so data is backed with meaningful sources.

Any corporate PPT template can help you craft this slide, but presenters can also boost their performance through the use of infographics . If your solution for the selected problem involves a complex process, consider using a process flow template to expose the step-by-step justification of this proposal.

Use a SWOT template to showcase the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of this business opportunity.

Make sure the SWOT diagram is legible. Work your way to meet the same aesthetic style despite speeding up the process with templates. Mention the tools used for gathering the information for this SWOT Analysis in the footnote and ensure the audience understands which information elements help you reach conclusions in each quadrant. Check our guide on how to create a SWOT analysis and see if your business plan requires a SWOT or SOAR analysis . 

Every business plan is scoped under a niche or industry sector. With this slide, describe the sector in which the proposal is immersed. Communicate its value,  list the actors involved, and describe their high-level relationships.

List the analyzed competitors. Communicate their attributes. The competitors’ comparison in business plan presentation can be visually explained using tools from the Blue Ocean Strategy framework, like the Strategy Canvas . 

The competitive intensity of an industry sector is studied through the Porter’s 5 Forces model. This intensity expresses how attractive the industry is. Explain the conclusion in each force showcasing the model.

First, introduce the variables identified as important for the industry sector, citing the insight’s source. Secondly, drill down each variable and break down the different trend dimensions ( PESTEL ) 

• Use a highly visual slide, like a dashboard template , to introduce factual data regarding the trends over a specific time period. Growth rates must be represented in time frames of over 180 days to evaluate the trend accurately.
• List the critical variables (consumers, product, production capability, and financing) briefly.
• Disclose how each variable can affect pricing and your position within the niche for that trend. Presenters can refer to case studies from successful competitor stories on how they responded to trend changes in the niche.

When presenting the value chain, we ought to articulate the sequence of activities the company handles to create value within the business plan. Start by breaking down the value chain into its key components, briefly explaining the stages from inbound logistics all the way through customer service. It is important to highlight the linking point between each stage and express the value of coordinating team activities to enhance overall efficiency.

We can use flowchart diagram templates as visual aids for the audience so they can understand the process sequence. Check our guide on how to make a flowchart .

Present the identified Market and its Segments. Continue explaining how conclusions were driven through the analysis and sizing of the market.

Presenters can use target market analysis templates , market segmentation templates , or TAM SAM SOM templates to compare their target market with the total available market. 

We recommend you check our guide on market segmentation for this process.

Then drill down with a Persona definition.

This study can be made by creating ideal customers, describing their demographics and psychological factors that make them prospective candidates to purchase the product or service this business plan presentation refers to.

Here is our guide on creating buyer personas . 

The Jobs-to-be-Done theory explains why certain customers are attracted to products and services and how those elements solve core problems in the consumers’ lives. 

A Perceptual Map is a tool we can use to measure the consumer perception of different products/services in the same market. This can be particularly useful if our value proposal is to brand ourselves as cheaper alternatives to already existing solutions. Check our guide on perceptual maps for further information.

Check our guide on the Jobs-to-be-Done framework and add suggestions to the business plan presentation.

Stage 2 – Business Model

To describe the  Business Model in your Business Plan Presentation, use the business model canvas analysis tool. Display your design in one slide.

For specific sections of the BMC, you can add slides if you need to drill down for further details. In our experience, the following sections require a deeper level of explanation.

List the Segments targeted in your Business Model. You can include a slide with additional information and segment size. Reference the Market analysis explained earlier to justify the selection or which were the pivots applied.

In order to explain the reasoning behind the Value Proposition and how it serves the segments selected, you can use the Value Proposition Canvas tool to explain the logic behind this selection.

The Value Proposition outlines the unique benefit our product or service offers the market and why customers should choose our offer over potential alternatives. Since we have already analyzed the potential buyers and presented the market, it’s time to deliver that value proposition using our best assets: customer testimonials, report data, surveys, etc.

As testimonials often weigh the most in established brands, be sure to present this information through a narrative that showcases why your product or service had a positive impact on the life of that customer. You can use customer testimonial templates to give an extra boost through visual aids.

Explaining how much the customers will pay for the product/services is critical to understanding the viability and profitability of the business. Showcase for each segment the pricing model and the engagement terms.

The Income Model expresses the sources of revenue for our business plan. This has to be in relationship with the pricing strategy for established businesses. Lean startups can work concerning their minimum viable product (MVP) and then elaborate with projections for future releases or changes in their income stream structure.

At this point, companies need to present the sources of revenue depending on their origin:

• Product Sales
• Subscription Model
• Freemium Model
• Partnerships with other brands in different niches
• Advertising and Sponsorships
• Monetization

Check our guide on pricing strategy models for more information about how to present this point. You can use revenue stream templates to represent this data in style.

Drill down the cost structure categories and relate them to the Value Chain explained earlier. Show a cost breakdown chart to make it easier for the audience to understand their weight in the total costs.

As this step can be a bit complex to articulate, we recommend you check our guide on Cost Structure to see how you can resume all that information in one slide.

At the business model stage, distribution channels should be briefly introduced since they will be mentioned again in the Distribution Plan . In some industries, it is important to highlight which channels are chosen over others for the sake of revenue and faster operation.

Our Distribution Channels PowerPoint Template is a perfect resource for this.

Presenting the strategic partnerships for the business plan is a way to prove the plan’s potential reach and success factor. On this behalf, companies must list which resources they are sharing with their business partners regarding expertise, technology, distribution channels, or capital, as these elements will impact the cost structure.

You can use the Business Partnership PowerPoint Template to present this information in a professional-looking format.

Stage 3 – Implementation

The business plan is designed to offer a product, deliver a service, or combine both. At this stage, the business plan presentation drills down on how the organization will build/deliver the product/service implementing the business model outlined earlier.  

Describe how the company operates regarding human capital and its roles. Presenters must describe to the audience the hierarchical structure, responsibilities, and how they play a role within the value chain.

You can use Org Charts to represent the roles and responsibilities in the organization visually. It is also advisable to highlight the expertise and experience of the management team, as it helps to build trust.

The Human Resource Plan must refer to your planned recruitment, training, and employee onboarding. Which talent will be required, and how is it planned to build the different teams of the structure.

Check the Go To Market Strategy guide and describe how the Business Plan will enter the market and overcome the initial barriers. Continue with the Marketing Plan limited to 1-2 slides resuming the plan’s tactics to increase brand awareness and the selected channels for this strategy. 

You can use the Marketing Plan Templates help to speed up the process by focusing on the content to fill rather than the design or creating complex charts from scratch.

Present the sales plan describing the full sales process, lead generation, nurturing customers, and conversion strategies.

Use Sales PowerPoint Templates to visually illustrate your sales process, like the Sales Pipeline Slide Template for PowerPoint , which depicts the process from lead acquisition to a closed deal.

Check our guide on Sales Plan for further information on this topic.

This step refers to presenting the product/service development plan, the Quality Assurance processes behind its validation, and your company’s commitment to a continuous improvement process based on surveyed data or customer feedback.

We can refer to testimonials, user case experiences our team successfully troubleshot, or experiences we learned from competitors in the same niche.

Presenting the distribution plan involves addressing logistics topics, supply chain , and sharing fulfillment strategies. Although we already presented the potential distribution channels, this is the step in which you detail how each will interact and their impact on the estimated revenue. 

Present one slide mentioning your company’s approach to these channels, if applicable:

• Direct Sales (either physical store or e-commerce)
• Retail Partnerships
• Wholesalers or Distributors
• E-Commerce marketplaces

This step involves two different approaches depending on the kind of industry we’re in. For traditional business, inventory management in a business plan presentation must highlight how the inventory will be handled to minimize transportation costs or overproduction. Projections must be shown per quarterly period and take into account seasonality if it has a significant impact on the required storage capacity.

On the other hand, e-commerce companies have to present their online infrastructure to secure the product’s availability 24/7, how customer tickets are handled when the customer cannot access the product, server costs, and how we prevent online leaks.

Stage 4 – ROI and Risk Evaluation

This section will outline the Financial Plan of your Business.

Showcase the financial structure, including equity, debt, and potential investors, at the moment of kick-starting this business. It is a good practice to consider the initial funding slide to be a brief summary of those points, with particular emphasis on the funding needs.

Cash Flow Diagrams , Comparison Chart templates , and Timeline templates to showcase when funds help to meet each of the plan’s milestones are good ideas to represent the elements on this slide.

Income and expense projections must be presented over a defined time period by using graphs or charts to clearly visualize the trends supporting each change.

Break down the revenue sources with clear, identifiable icons to showcase: product sales, subscription fees, advertisement, affiliates, etc. Sales estimations have to be realistic and conservative, as they will be contrasted with the production, marketing, administrative, and personnel costs to leave a gross profit margin calculation. 

Evaluation of Projected Return vs. Required 

Demonstrate the feasibility of your business plan. Start by presenting the profit margins in relation to the projection of income and expenses, then introduce the break-even analysis .

Presenters can make their message more relevant by presenting an ROI calculation and contrasting it with industry benchmarks in the same niche. By following this approach, presenters prove how the ROI offered by this business plan aligns with the investment’s risk projection.

Presenting a risk evaluation analysis in a business plan presentation involves introducing both risks and their mitigation strategies. 

Risk Management templates , like the ROAM framework, can help organize potential risk sources by their severity and impact on the organization. A pyramid diagram can be used to demonstrate how risk management can be delegated across the organization to completely eradicate the risk factor depending on its severity. 

The elements you should consider presenting are mainly regulatory changes, market changes, competitors (new or existing), and financial crises. 

The final point in our business plan presentation involves summarizing how key variables can influence the projected returns in our plan. Examples of these variables can be sudden increases in raw materials (affecting production costs and sales prices), a new pandemic (affecting workforce capacity and shortage of raw materials), geopolitical situations like war, etc.

We highly recommend presenting these critical variables using scenario analysis techniques according to measured data. Introduce best-case, worst-case, and most likely-case to give a full panorama of how your organization is prepared against any contingency.

An often overlooked point in a business plan presentation comes when listing the bibliographical information used to craft the business plan. Follow these steps to ensure a professional outcome for this slide or document.

• Use a title like: “Bibliography,” “Source Credits,” or “References.” If your business plan presentation cites examples from other companies, use a “Works Cited” section.
• References are usually shown in the APA style, but the MLE or Chicago style can be requested depending on your location or situation.
• Maintain a consistent style in terms of reference style used, font, text size, and formatting options across the entire slide deck. Footnotes or in-text citations can be used for important data.
• Verbally acknowledge your sources when required throughout the course of your presentation. This helps to establish credibility and respect for other people’s work rather than just dropping a slide with chunks of text.

This section will cover the most commonly asked questions on delivering a business plan presentation.

How many slides should my business plan presentation list?

This will depend entirely on your niche and the complexity of the business plan. Generally, work with at least 15 slides and no more than 30. It is best to use an extra slide rather than overcrowd an existing slide with tons of information.

What is the best format to present a business plan?

There are different options to present any business plan, so the selected option will mostly consist of the presenter’s preferred style and the audience’s age and interests.

• PowerPoint Presentation : You can start from a blank slide and go all the way through a professionally designed PPT template . PowerPoint documents allow you to present images, text, audio, videos, and any kind of graphic to help you convey the core ideas behind the business plan. They can work with any PC or Mac device, as well as mobile devices.
• PDF Documents: This can be a choice made in a hurry or by preference. Sharing a PDF document can work, but you must include the fonts used in the original document, as some compatibility issues can be present. 
• Pitch Deck : Rather than doing a lengthy business plan presentation, a pitch deck consists of a maximum of 15 slides to deliver your proposal concisely. This is the typical approach we can see in TV shows like Shark Tank. 
• Video Presentation : In some cases, using a video in a business plan presentation is relevant, especially if we are to introduce an innovative product in the market. You can use videos to showcase features, present services in a live format, introduce your team, and plenty of other options.

Are printables required in business plan presentations?

Although they are not required, using supplementary material in business plan presentations can be useful. You can prepare reference material for investors, especially involving complex data like graphs in an amplified format (and reference the slide in which they appear and vice versa).

Providing a printable to accompany your business plan presentation helps to give an image of professionalism and respect to your proposal.

What are the don’ts of writing a business plan?

The main purpose of this article is to craft and deliver a business plan presentation. Still, we would like to clarify some common errors seen in business plans that typically affect the performance of the presentation.

• Using overcomplicated language : Jargon or unnecessary acronyms may confuse spectators who are not in touch with all the details relevant to a particular industry. 
• Ignoring the audience : Not considering the variety of interests among investors, partners, and team members can hinder your presentation.
• Neglecting/underestimating competitors : Any realistic business plan considers the existing competitors in their niche and perhaps potential newcomers. Not doing so will leave you unprepared to present a doable business plan.
• Ignoring Risk Assessment : Omitting the Risk Assessment analysis and mitigation strategies does not respect the value investors and your team have. 

How long should the business plan presentation be?

As a general guideline, try to fit your business plan presentation between 20-30 minutes. Some complex plans may require additional time to be presented.

Does the presentation need to be tailored to different audiences? 

Using this tactic can be a winning factor for both investors and your team, as you prioritize effective communication for the roles they are relevant. Take these items into consideration for tailoring the presentation for specific needs.

In-Company Presentation

The focus should be on goal accomplishment and the strategies targeted to the team’s roles. Emphasize how teamwork is the pathway to success and how each individual contributes to the bigger picture.

If new technologies or knowledge are required as part of the business plan implementation, then this is the moment to disclose that information and inform the process to coach the team into it.

Board Meeting

Whenever delivering the business plan presentation to a board of directors, focus on the strategic goals, financial projections, and KPIs. 

Showcase how this business plan aligns with the company’s core values, mission, vision, and long-term strategy. 

Potential Investors

Presenting your unique value proposition, potential ROI, and highlighting the market opportunity is extremely important. Focus on selling your business model and vision with accurate financial projections and growth strategy. 

Dedicate some minutes to present your industry’s competitive landscape and answer why your product or service is a better offering than what competitors produce.

As we can see, creating a business plan presentation is a process that can be time-consuming if we lack the required business plan presentation tools to turn data into visually appealing formats. 

Remember to work concisely without losing the big picture of what you intend to explain. Your presentation is the entry point into the heart of your business; therefore, by adopting a structured approach, you can deliver an experience that engages, inspires, and builds confidence. 

1. Coffee Shop Illustration Business Plan Slides

Create your new business plan presentation with quality vector illustrations for Coffee Shops. Ideal for cafeterias, coffee bars, barista giftshop stores, bookshops and more.

Use This Template

2. Real Estate Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Realtors looking to start their own agencies should take a look at this attractive selection of slides with tailored real estate vector illustrations. These presentation plan slides show the different stages that a prospective buyer may incur, from hiring the services of a Real Estate agent, checking different properties, to finally buying a home.  Graphs and charts are included in vivid colors that are fully editable to meet the required branding.

3. Restaurant Business Model PowerPoint Template

As we’ve seen with the previous cases, these vector images depicting typical restaurant activities can help us build a business plan presentation sample to discuss with our team prior to an important meeting. Save time and money by introducing these professional designs into your presentation.

4. One Pager Business Plan PowerPoint

To briefly summarize the objectives of your business plan, work in-team with this one-pager business plan slide. Ideal to take notes, give a general picture of the current status of the business plan and key growth opportunities.

5. Business Plan PowerPoint Templates

If you want to create the best business plan presentation, this slide deck can make that task 100% easier. Containing all the elements described in this guide, introduce your data and prepare to deliver a powerful speech.

6. Flat Bold Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Another slide deck intended for those looking at how to make a business plan presentation that delivers a memorable experience. With a minimalistic design approach, it perfectly balances formal elements and impactful visual cues to help increase your audience’s retention rate.

7. Car Sharing Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Create the next Uber-like car-sharing service with the help of these carpooling vector illustrations perfectly arranged in a cohesive business plan slide deck. Presenters can explain the ins and outs of their business model with highly detailed graphics that grab the attention of potential investors. Check it out now!

8. Beauty Salon Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Business plan presentations don’t have to look formal or boring. This slide deck is geared towards beauty salon businesses, especially for those targeted to women. Chic design, bold color scheme, and extremely useful tools like a pricing list to present an idea like a subscription-based model where consumers see the total value of their investment.

9. CrossFit Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Finally, we list an option filled with tools and gym vector illustrations for those looking to start a gym business or CrossFit academy. These illustrations were crafted with care to express the core idea on every single slide, such as human-shaped graphs to present relevant KPIs.

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Business Planning, Business Presentations Filed under Business

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How to Make a Killer Business Plan Presentation (+Templates)

Learn how to make a business plan presentation with tips for slide design, structure, and engaging examples, as well as templates to bring your vision to life.

7 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What slides should a business plan presentation include?

• Opening slide
• Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Business overview
• The challenge you're addressing
• Market analysis
• Your solution
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Team composition
• Funding request and allocation

Your business plan presentation needs to be as strong as your idea

Having a well-crafted business plan is crucial, but if it's not presented effectively, it's like having a treasure map that no one can read.

Even the best ideas can fall flat if they're not communicated clearly, potentially burying your chance of getting your business off the ground.

Remember, presenting a business plan is more than just sharing facts and figures. It's about engaging your audience, whether they're investors or stakeholders, and making them believe in your vision.

But don't worry, you're not alone in this. This guide is here to help you master the art of business plan presentation. You'll learn how to structure your presentation, design slides that captivate, and conclude in a way that leaves a lasting impact and drives action.

Let's dive in!

What to include in a business plan presentation?

A business plan presentation is your chance to delve deep, showcasing not just the what and the how, but also the why of your business. It's your strategic playbook that can persuade investors, guide your team, and set the foundation for your business's success.

11 essential slides of a business plan presentation:

Opening slide: Set the tone with an engaging first impression.

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Define what sets your business apart.

Business overview: Offer a concise snapshot of your company.

The challenge you're addressing: Describe the problem your business solves.

Market analysis: Demonstrate your understanding of the industry and market trends.

Your solution: Detail how your product or service addresses the problem you’ve identified.

Marketing and sales strategy: Outline your approach to winning and keeping customers.

Goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Specify your objectives and how you’ll measure success.

Team composition: Introduce key team members, their roles, and expertise.

Funding request and allocation: Explain your financial requirements and how the funds will be utilized.

Next steps: Guide the reader on the next steps after reviewing your plan, whether it's a meeting request, further discussion, or a specific action you want them to take.

What does a business plan presentation look like?

In today's fast-paced business world, static business plan presentations are losing their edge. Imagine having to constantly pinch and zoom on a mobile device just to see the details. It's frustrating and distracting.

People also get disengaged when faced with walls of text. They're there to hear a story, not read a novel.

Interactive presentations, on the other hand, bring your business plan to life. They encourage audience participation, adapt to the flow of discussion, and make complex ideas more digestible and memorable.

You can see what an interactive business plan presentation looks like below:

How to turn a business plan into a presentation

Transforming your business plan into a presentation is a crucial step in bringing your vision to life. It's not just about having a plan; it's about presenting it in a way that resonates with investors and partners.

Start by distilling the essence of your plan, focusing on key points like your mission, market analysis, and financial projections. Use engaging visuals and a clear narrative to make complex information accessible.

For detailed insights on how to write a business plan , check out our guide.

How to make a business plan presentation in 6 easy steps

Crafting a business plan is about blending vision and strategy into a narrative that captivates your audience. With Storydoc's AI business presentation maker, creating this narrative becomes intuitive and easy.

In the guide below, we'll show you how to turn your plan into an engaging presentation in 6 simple steps. Stick around to see how seamlessly Storydoc can bring your business story to life.

1) Describe your presentation’s objective

Kick things off by sharing with our AI the type of business plan you're looking to create. This is like setting the GPS for your journey, ensuring every part of your plan is aligned with your end goal.

2) Give an overview of yourself, your organization, and your offering

Introduce the essence of your business - who you are, what your company stands for, and the unique value of what you offer. This sets the stage for a personalized and relevant presentation.

3) Select a suitable design template

Dive into our collection of design templates and pick one that resonates with your business's personality.

4) Tailor your business plan presentation to your needs

Now, here’s where you add your personal touch. Fill in your details, tweak the design, and watch the magic happen as the template adapts to your content. This is where your business plan presentation starts to take on a life of its own.

Then, you can either upload your own multimedia elements or sit back as our AI assistant generates some for you.

5) Add personalized elements

Next up, sprinkle in some personalization. It works just like personalizing a newsletter - you can insert dynamic variables that automatically fill up with your recipient's data.

This level of customization not only makes your presentation feel tailor-made for each reader but also adds a layer of engagement. As a matter of fact, it can get 68% more people to read your deck in full , and share it internally 2.3x more often!

6) Review and refine your business plan presentation

Finally, take a step back and review your plan. Ensure it looks good, flows well, and clearly conveys your message.

The beauty of Storydoc is that it's a living document – if you spot a mistake or need to update information after sharing, you can. You're in control, ensuring your audience always sees the most polished and up-to-date version of your business plan presentation.

Business plan design principles to turn average into impressive

Designing a business plan presentation is about more than just putting words on a page; it's about creating an experience that captures and holds attention. In today's digital age, the way you present your plan can be just as important as the content itself.

Let's explore how to design a business plan presentation that stands out in the modern business landscape.

1) Move from static to interactive

Gone are the days of static, text-heavy business plan presentations. Today's plans are interactive, engaging readers with clickable elements, dynamic charts, and even embedded videos.

This interactivity not only makes your plan more interesting but also allows readers to engage with the content in a more meaningful way.

Here's a great example of an interactive business plan presentation:

2) Use scroll-based design

Forget the hassle of pinching and zooming on a PDF. A scroll-based design, similar to a modern website, offers a fluid reading experience.

It's straightforward and aligns with how we naturally consume content online, making your business plan presentation easier and more enjoyable to read.

Here's an example of scroll-based design:

3) Make sure your business plan presentation is mobile-friendly

With so many people reading on their phones, your business plan presenttion needs to look good on any device.

Responsive design means your plan is easily readable on a phone, tablet, or computer, ensuring that your message is clear no matter how your audience accesses it.

4) Shift from local files to online documents

Step away from traditional Word docs or PDFs and embrace online documents. They're great for sharing, updating in real time, and collaborating with others.

Plus, they're accessible from anywhere, which is perfect for busy investors who are always on the move.

For more information, check out our comparison of the best business plan document types .

5) Embrace visual storytelling

Use visuals like infographics and charts to tell your business's story. They can turn complex data into easy-to-understand, engaging information. A well-placed visual can often do a better job of explaining your points than text alone.

Here's a great example of visual storytelling:

Best business plan software

Selecting the right tool to create your business plan presentation is vital for any startup. To ease your journey, I've compiled a list of the top business plan software, each designed to cater to different needs.

From comprehensive platforms guiding you step-by-step to dynamic tools that add interactive elements to your presentation, there's something for every entrepreneur.

The best business plan software currently available:

LivePlan.com

BizPlan.com

Upmetrics.co

GoSmallBiz.com

Business Sorter

MAUS Master Plan Lean

For a deep dive into each tool and to find the one that best fits your business's needs, explore our detailed guide to the best business plan software .

Interactive business plan presentation templates

The pressure to get your business plan presentation right can be overwhelming. After all, in many cases, you only get one shot to impress.

These business plan presentation templates offer a framework that takes care of the structure and design, allowing you to focus solely on fleshing out your strategy.

Whether you're pitching to investors, partners, or stakeholders, these templates give you the confidence that your plan is presented in the best possible light.

Grab one and see for yourself.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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How to Make a Business Plan Presentation? Guide & Examples

This guide helps you make a strong business plan presentation easily. You will learn about important parts, how to organize them well, and use visuals effectively to explain your business idea clearly. You will get better at telling your business story to feel more confident in a competitive environment.

An innovative way to display your ideas and convince your team or clients is to present an idea with a business plan presentation. An effective presentation can showcase your mind and create an engaging meeting covering all necessary plan elements.

Every venture requires funding to start or grow and expand its business. A clear and detailed business plan will make it easy for the investor to understand your vision and goals. Hence, making it easier for them to fund you.

Whether you are a team, investor, or client, you must understand the importance of a business plan PowerPoint presentation. With the right strategy, you can influence anyone about your objectives and pitch your idea with an effective presentation. In this article, you will learn how to make a business plan presentation to grow your business. 

What is a business plan presentation?

The purpose of a business plan presentation is to summarize a company’s strategic goals, operational details, and financial forecasts concisely and visually engagingly. It typically includes key information such as the business model, target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategy , and financial projections. The business plan aims to communicate the business concept, demonstrate viability to stakeholders, and secure support or funding.

Key elements Of A Business Plan Presentation

A business plan presentation must include certain content that accurately represents your ideas. Usually, about 10 to 12 slides are required for an effective presentation. The key elements of the business plan must include the following:

Customer Profiles

Marketing and sales strategies.

• Organizational Structure And Management

Services And Products

Financial plan.

Your plan must have details about the company profile and should be explained using infographics in your slides. With the right graphics, one can better understand your company and its objectives. The company profile usually includes the history of the company, an overview of products and services, its customers, and its targeted market. 

The market analysis in your business plan presentation explains the size of your target audience, the problem it solves, and the consumer’s needs. It should include the strengths and weaknesses of your products and services. It must also include competitors’ market research and how your product will handle the competition. This way, you can show your investors how your product will stand out from the competition and your Unique Selling proposition. 

It is a sub-part of your market analysis. Your market research not only focuses on the competition but also the consumers. The customer profile includes most customers’ age, career, or location. It also includes their goals, problems, and behavior patterns. It can also provide how to attract that particular audience section and how they will trust your products. With customer profiles, you can determine the right price point, after-sales services, and market reach for consumers (both online and offline).

Once you explain your products’ needs, the next step is to market them. It is best to have a better market analysis to understand the ins and outs of your targeted market. The strategies usually include budgets, communication channels, marketing goals, and the resources needed to sell the products. Any investor investing in your product will be more easily convinced if they see a foolproof plan that guarantees a solid return on investment. Nothing is better than showcasing your marketing and sales strategies and impressing investors with effective plans. 

Organizational Structure and Management

The next order of business after your marketing strategy is the team. It is better to introduce your team and management people to make your investors acquainted with the ones in charge. Investors bet on the foundations, and your team is your foundation to grow your business It is easier for them to trust when they know who your team members are. 

An organizational chart representing your team and explaining their work and roles in the project is a good start. It will also highlight the effective hierarchy of work and establish a formal order of command that is followed. This structure will ensure your team follows a professional work culture. 

The services and products include tools that can benefit the targeted consumers. These tools include product canvas, value proposition canvas, and many others. Such tools ensure that the product fits the said customer. It also helps define your customer profiles and explains the market needs. 

The last but most important section of this business plan is the project’s financials. It is what the investors most care about. You can include the history data to establish your successful operations and how it will give you an edge in handling your new product.

Along with history, a future plan about how much funding you need and how you will execute your plan to use the said funding. You can use templates to save your time. They are available online. For example, try SlideUpLift templates to create a financial map for your investors. This plan must include all financial data and a plan B. This shows the investors that you are well prepared for all the situations.

It is best to conclude your presentation with an executive summary . It is a great way to explain how and why your plan is the right step for them. You can also add features and services you will offer. A precise yet appealing conclusion can offer you an edge. You can take it as the perfect ending as it concludes your plan. 

What is the difference between a business presentation & a business plan presentation?

A business presentation is a method of presenting information about your business. It can include marketing strategy or any other aspect related to the business. 

On the other hand, a business plan presentation is a way to interact with your investors, shareholders, and the audience. It includes your objectives, market research, customer profile, financial stakes, and the core of your idea. The business plan PowerPoint presentation is a foolproof roadmap of how you will execute your idea into a business model. 

How to make a business plan presentation?

A business plan presentation helps you explain your plan and execution strategies in an organized way through visuals. You can influence your audience with a good presentation that includes step-by-step interaction with all the sections. Each part and content of the presentation displays the need for your product and ensures trust and confidence for the investors. It is best to include useful information through a well-prepared visual aid and verbal explanation.

Here are the steps on how to create a business plan presentation:

Review essential business information

The first step is to review each element of your business plan closely. It acts as the base while collecting information for your presentation. It creates a firm foundation and effectively starts your business plan.

Research business competitors

You must also include your competitors’ information and statistics in your business plan presentation. With sufficient information and facts, you can help your product stand out. This information can help you build your reputation as a unique brand. This will create a professional and reliable image of your business for the consumers.

Network with prospective investors

Once you have collected the necessary information and prepared your strategies, the next step is approaching the right investors and stakeholders to showcase your business plan. You have higher chances of maximizing your investments by reaching the right audience. It also helps you understand and question your product in detail before you enter the market at your full capacity. Investors can also provide their valuable feedback, and all of this requires networking. 

Recommended: Explore our Strategy Roadmap PowerPoint Template here!

Create a slide presentation of your business plan

The next step is to display your plan uniformly and convince them to put their money into your product. One can attract investors and stakeholders better with effective strategy and influential products. Slides presentation is a visual approach and is better at convincing investors than just sharing statistics tables. 

Practice your business plan presentation

The final step is to practice your presentation before presenting. You can do a demo run of the presentation for your team members and understand the common doubts they have. A demo run can help you identify your faults and prioritize which section is more vital than others. Your team must also brainstorm questions your investors are likely to ask so that you are well-prepared beforehand.

Top 10 slides you need for a business plan presentation

You need at least ten slides to present your idea effectively. Covering one topic in each slide is more appealing as it helps the audience counter questions after each slide. Here are the top 10 slides you can add to the plan presentation:

Slide 1: The Title Slide

A title slide is an introduction to your presentation. Just add your business name, logo,  slogan, and motto you believe in. You can begin your presentation with the next slide with just a few introductory lines.

Slide 2: The Problem Statement

As we discussed, it is better to come directly to your product and explain the problem it solves. Rather than beating around the bush, please focus on the facts and explain them with a story. You can also include effective infographics, fun facts, and engaging questions to increase audience attentiveness. You must ensure that your problem statement is short, clear, and easy to understand. This slide will shape your whole presentation. You will attract your audience’s attention by clearly conveying the problem your business solves. 

Slide 3: Your Business Solution

Now, as soon as you discuss the problem, you must focus on the solution to how your products solve the problem and conclude the slide by connecting it with the story. You can add a step-by-step solution or use graphs to help your audience understand the process.

Slide 4: Your Pricing Plan

The following slide should discuss your price strategy. A more effective payment plan will only retain prospective customers. It is better to attract customers with appealing prices and impress them so they keep on purchasing your product or service. It is easier said than done. But once you convince investors of your problem/solutions, you must impress them with your revenue stream strategy. You may also add your competitors’ pricing to this slide to justify how reasonable your pricing plan is.

Slide 5: Business Operations Information

Briefly explain your business objectives and operations in your Business Plan Presentation. Add how you have planned to streamline your business operations to save time and resources. You can help them understand your work better by explaining it step-by-step. 

Slide 6: Your Marketing Plan

Now you have a Problem statement and your solution. But how will you enter the market?  How will you let your target audience know about your services and products? A product is as good as nothing if it doesn’t reach your customers’ hands. For this, you need a marketing strategy. Add your go-to market strategy to this slide. It helps investors understand how you will reach your targeted audience. The more you impress investors with a marketing strategy, the more chances you have of investment. 

Slide 7: Industry Overview

This slide shows current industry conditions. It includes your competitors and how they are operating the market. Just keep the data fact-based to make it more credible. 

Slide 8: Financial Projections

This slide displays how fast you will grow and what your investors can expect in returns. It will include money management and growth strategy as well. Add all the details about how much you will spend on various stages. Include your revenue and profit expectations for the following years as well. Financial projections for 3-5 years can help you reach your goals faster.

Slide 9: Your Team

This slide is an introduction to your team. Add all the crucial team members responsible for executing the plan. This will give investors a sense of your company’s hierarchy. And help them understand who is responsible for what. A well-established team with dedicated and motivated people always boosts investors’ and stakeholders’ confidence in the business.

Slide 10: Concluding Slide

The last slide must be an executive summary or a conclusion. This slide will discuss all the essential topics you discussed in a precise form and help you conclude better. Adding this slide is best; it helps your audience remember the vital topics and keeps them engaged throughout. 

Business plan powerpoint presentation examples

There are thousands of business plan powerpoint presentation examples and templates you can select from. Besides basic free presentations, you can download executive summary templates , project management presentation templates , and other templates from many online resources. It is easier to select among these templates once you have a concept in mind. Even if you have no budget to buy premium PowerPoint templates , you can download a free template to cater to your needs from SlideUpLift’s website.

How to present a business plan presentation?

The best way to present your business plan is with PowerPoint presentations. You can use ready-made templates and edit them as per your requirements to ease the job. Usually, up to 15 slides must be displayed to display your overall execution strategy. But you can add or remove slides as per your content. Using simple vocabulary and easy-to-understand terminology for such business presentations is vital. 

Most interesting presentations have a variety of graphs, tables, and infographics to engage the audience. You can also add a risk assessment to ensure you are prepared for every situation. With effective market and consumer research, you can convince investors better. Even if you have the best presentation, you might lose the opportunity if you don’t practice it well. Always practice presentations multiple times and be prepared for questions from investors. 

Tips and Tricks to make your Business Plan powerPoint more Memorable

Here are some tips that can help you present your business plan presentation effectively and influence investors easily:

Focus on the Main Points

The presentation usually covers a vast range of topics and information. However, it is necessary to focus on the prioritized data. Most investors are more interested in financial data than understanding each other’s aspects. Provide precise yet critical points about each slide and ask questions after each topic to ensure they know everything. It is not ideal to explain each topic in detail as It will make your presentation boring.

Use Common Language

Use simple yet professional language for your presentation. Try to use easier words over technical language or over-the-top vocabulary, as it will make the presentation challenging to understand. Most financial data is already too entangled, and using confusing language can make it worse. Using simple, layman-like, and understandable language to express your viewpoint is better. Also, use infographics and graphs to make it more engaging and easy to grasp.  

Genuinely Deliver Information

A presentation is a serious matter for your business. It is essential to maintain professionalism so that your investors can rely upon you with your money. Always stay excited and try to deliver information genuinely. Try to avoid using filler content. Write to the point and short content. Ensure your overall presentation is easy to read and skimmable. 

Prepare for the Questions Beforehand

Always prepare an expected questionnaire for the investors. These must include all questions you and your team think your investor will be curious to ask. Put yourself in the investors’ shoes and think. If prepared beforehand, you can give accurate answers and include the necessary information.

Practice Again and Again

The best thing you can do is practice repeatedly. The more presentations you give, the better you will be at presenting them. It’s better to present twice in front of your team so you are prepared overall. 

Time Management

Any presentation that goes on for long will eventually become boring. With just facts and data, your audience will lose interest. Hence, it is better to share necessary information quickly. Always time your presentation and try to keep it on point. This will maintain audience enthusiasm about your product and help you answer their questions correctly.

Mistakes to Avoid When Making A Business Plan Presentation

Sometimes, no matter how much you try, mistakes are unavoidable. But there is no harm in minimizing these to present your product efficiently. Hence, here are the most common mistakes one can avoid in a business plan presentation:

Not Timing Your Presentation

The most obvious mistake is not timing your presentation. If one fails to time the presentation, it can become extended and boring. It must catch up on the targeted goals and shouldn’t become repetitive. It is better to keep the presentation precise and short. With just 10 to 12 slides, one can present effectively and share the overall project without wasting time on unnecessary topics. 

Focusing on Non-Essential Information in the Presentation

The presentation usually involves a variety of topics. You must focus on the priority topics more than the rest of the information. If each topic is explained thoroughly, it will consume a lot of time. Deciding what is necessary and what must be explained well is better. This also guides investors to understand what your primary goal is and what comes next.

Overloading Data

Refrain from overloading your presentation with information. Keep your slides’ data content precise and short. Also, explain it in keynotes, as explaining each topic will elongate the presentation. The audience can better understand your presentation with simple bullet points and visuals.

Lack of Graphs and Tables

A presentation is more engaging than raw data because of the infographics. It can be just a data dump if your presentation lacks graphs, tables, and other visuals. Creating a business plan presentation filled with visuals, color schemes, and easy-to-read fonts is better to keep the audience interested in your idea.

Ignoring Audiences and Their Needs

One of the blunders you can make while creating a presentation is to ignore your audience. You must prioritize your audience’s needs and keep pushing how your products solve those needs. You should buy your product and assess it like your consumers. This can decide whether your investor thinks your product is worth it.

Why you should choose SlideUpLift’s pre-made business plan presentation templates

A premade presentation template from SlideUpLift can offer you an edge and make the business plan presentation process much faster. Our ready-made, fully editable presentation template can be easily altered to your needs and likes in just a few clicks. You can add more or reduce the amount of data you want. With thousands of templates, SlideUpLift covers all bases to create your desired perfect presentation. Not only do we offer free PowerPoint templates, but we also have an exclusive variety of templates for Google Slides as well at affordable prices.

How To download SlideUpLift’s business planning templates? 

The most essential step before downloading SlideUpift Templates is registering on our website. You can then login and select from a range of templates. Depending on your need, you can either pay for a template or select a free template for your presentation. In addition, we also offer membership plans if you are interested in getting various other services apart from professionally designed business plan presentations. The process of getting the membership and downling these templates is simple and easy to follow. 

Here is a list of some of the best and most used templates from SlideUpLift:

• Executive Summary Templates For PowerPoint & Google Slides
• Project Management Presentations Collection PowerPoint Template
• Roadmap Templates For PowerPoint & Google Slides
• 30 60 90 Day Plan Collection For PowerPoint
• List Templates Collection For PowerPoint  
• Business Planning Isometric PowerPoint Template
• One Page Strategic Plan PowerPoint Template

Business Plan Presentation — Conclusion

The best answer for how to make a business plan presentation is to use research data appealingly. A simple download template can be converted into an effective way to engage an audience and convince them to understand your business model. 

With effective sales, marketing, and business strategies, a business plan presentation can showcase your objectives clearly and ensure your idea influences the investors. Your presentation can become a vision for your business, so it should inspire your investor as it motivates you. 

With SlideUpLift, download, edit, and create your own version of a presentation that helps you to see the bigger picture. With attractive templates, fonts, and color schemes, find your own way to deliver your vision and display it in a structured manner. 

A business plan presentation is a way to interact with your audience to display your business plan. It is a detailed presentation that targets investors and shareholders to get inspired by the product and acquire funding for the business.

How do you create a business plan presentation?

The simplest way to create a business plan presentation is to download a premade template online. You can then edit it according to your needs. You must research the market, targeted audience, and your competition in-depth. 

This will include information, and your business plan must include such data. Also, include a financial strategy to ensure your business is a wise choice for investment. One can also include sales marketing and awareness strategies to attract more customers. Finally, a risk assessment makes your plan more foolproof. Hence, including one will make your presentation more engaging

One can present a business plan presentation with at least ten slides. Each slide should include a topic and explain why the product stands out to the investors. Data must be kept short and precise, and graphs and infographics must be presented enough to engage the audience. With easy-to-understand language, more straightforward vocabulary, and effective planning, a presentation can inspire your audience and encourage them to invest more and more in your project. 

What should be included in a business plan presentation?

The business plan presentation must include every detail of your overall business plan. It must include your team, operations, marketing, and sales strategies, and financial goals. Along with these, it must also include your mission, vision, objectives, and how you solve the issues. It should be a gateway to your product’s vision, so you must be precise and explain why and how it is essential. 

Where do you find the best templates related to business plan PowerPoint?

There are hundreds of websites that offer business plan PowerPoint templates. Among others, SlideUpLift stands as the best there is to offer. With over 4000 templates, we cater to every professional’s needs. You can select free-of-cost, affordable, or exclusive templates depending on your needs. Professionally designed templates allow you to edit and create unique presentations as per your requirements. With SlideUpLift’s easily customizable templates, you can inspire the audience better.

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Business plan presentation: A complete guide for executives

Ever wondered what goes into creating a killer business plan presentation that leaves your audience in awe? Well, you're in the right place.

Sahul Hameed

Building presentations

Hey there, fellow business enthusiast! 🚀

Have you ever wondered what sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest?

It's not just a great business idea; it's the ability to present that idea effectively through a stellar business plan presentation. In today's digital age, where first impressions matter more than ever, mastering the art of business plan presentations is crucial.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of crafting a winning business plan presentation that will leave potential investors, partners, and stakeholders eager to jump on board.

What is a business plan?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of presentations, let's start with the basics. A business plan is the blueprint for your entrepreneurial journey. It's a detailed document that outlines your business idea, strategy, and financial projections. It's like the GPS for your business, guiding you from start to success.

Purpose of a business plan: Why do we need one?

Now, you might be thinking, "Do I really need a business plan?"

Absolutely! A well-crafted business plan serves multiple purposes. It not only clarifies your business goals but also acts as a roadmap for your team. Moreover, it's a powerful tool to attract investors, secure loans, and demonstrate your expertise in your industry.

Types of business plans

When it comes to business planning, one size doesn't fit all. Depending on your specific goals and needs, there are various types of business plans to choose from. Let's explore some of the most common ones:

1. Startup business plan

Starting a new business venture? A startup business plan is your go-to document. It's like the blueprint for your entrepreneurial dream. This plan outlines essential elements such as your products or services, target market, competition analysis, and financial projections. Its primary purpose? To attract investors and secure the necessary funding to kickstart your business.

2. Strategic business plan

Looking at the bigger picture? A strategic business plan is your long-term roadmap. It not only sets your business goals and objectives but also outlines the strategies to achieve them. Think of it as your guiding star, ensuring that your business stays on track and steadily moves towards its goals.

3. Feasibility business plan

Before taking the plunge, it's wise to assess the waters. A feasibility business plan helps you evaluate the viability of your business idea. It dives into market analysis, competition assessment, and financial projections. This plan is often used to secure loans or grants, especially from banks or government agencies.

4. Operations business plan

Want to optimize your day-to-day operations? An operations business plan is your tool for streamlining processes. It covers everything from your products or services to supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, and customer service procedures. This type of plan helps enhance efficiency and productivity within your business.

5. Growth business plan

Ready to take your business to new heights? A growth business plan charts the course for expansion. It involves a thorough market analysis, competition assessment, and financial projections. This plan is instrumental in attracting investors or securing financing for ambitious growth projects.

6. Specialized business plans

Beyond the broad categories, there are specialized business plans tailored to unique needs. These include:

• Marketing business plans : Focused on marketing strategies and tactics.
• Financial business plans : Emphasizing financial projections and budgeting.
• Product launch business plans : Geared towards launching new products or services.

Here is a guide on new market entry strategy presentation .

Types of business plans based on size

Business plans can also be categorized based on their size and complexity. Here are the main types:

1. Traditional business plan

Think of a traditional business plan as the comprehensive encyclopedia of your business. It delves into every aspect, from products and target markets to competition and financial forecasts. Typically, it's used to woo investors or secure funding from banks.

2. Lean startup business plan

For startups seeking a more streamlined approach, the lean startup business plan is the way to go. It's a shorter, more focused version of the traditional plan, highlighting key elements like the problem you're solving, your solution, and your business model. Ideal for early-stage businesses looking to attract investors.

3. One-page business plan

Short on time but big on ideas? The one-page business plan is a concise summary of your business. It covers essential information like products or services, target markets, competition, financial projections, and your team, all on a single page. It's perfect for quickly pitching your business concept to potential investors or partners.

Remember, the type of business plan you choose depends on your specific business goals, size, and the stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for growth, there's a business plan tailored to your needs.

Why presentation is important for a business plan

Now, let's talk about the secret sauce that makes your business plan stand out – presentation.

Think of it this way: You've got a fantastic business idea, but if you can't convey it effectively, it's like having a treasure map but no one to read it. This is where a well-crafted business plan presentation comes into play.

But don't just take our word for it. Numerous studies and statistics underline the crucial role of business plan presentations in the success of entrepreneurs and businesses:

Higher chance of success

Companies armed with well-structured business plans are more likely to succeed. According to a study by Harvard Business Review , business owners who create a formal business plan have a 16% higher chance of succeeding than those who don't. It's like having a roadmap that not only guides you but also significantly increases your odds of reaching your destination.

Securing funding

If you're in the pursuit of investors or loans, a well-crafted business plan presentation is your golden ticket. It's the bridge that connects your vision, strategy, and financial projections to potential investors. This critical step can't be underestimated, as 72% of investors consider a business plan presentation an important factor in their decision to invest in a company, according to CB Insights .

Attracting and retaining top talent

Your team is the backbone of your business, and attracting top talent is a vital aspect of growth. A business plan presentation plays a pivotal role here. It offers prospective employees insights into your company's goals and values, helping them understand the bigger picture. In fact, 85% of employers state that they would be more inclined to hire a candidate who demonstrates a clear understanding of the company's business plan, as reported by Glassdoor.

The power of well-designed presentations

It's not just about having a presentation; it's about making it count. Well-organized, informative, and engaging business plan presentations have a higher chance of success. A study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that such presentations, when thoughtfully designed and expertly delivered, are more likely to persuade investors and attract top talent.

In essence, a business plan presentation is your voice, your vision, and your opportunity to shine. It's not merely a formality; it's the vessel through which you convey your passion and dedication to your business. So, craft it thoughtfully, present it passionately, and watch how it can transform your business journey.

How to structure an effective business plan presentation

Creating an impactful presentation requires more than just slapping together a few slides. You'll need to structure it thoughtfully. Here's a winning formula:

• Title slide : The first slide should be eye-catching and informative. It's like the cover of a book – make it compelling.
• Executive summary : In a nutshell, summarize your business plan. Keep it concise and captivating, like the teaser of a movie.
• Business Idea : Dive into the heart of your business. Explain your idea in a way that sparks curiosity.
• Market analysis : Who's your target market ? What's the size of your market? Show investors you've done your homework.
• Business model : Explain how your business operates. What sets your business apart? Highlight your competitive advantage .
• Marketing and sales plan : How will you enter the market? What strategies will you use to promote your products or services ?
• Financial projections : Lay out your financial plan. Investors want to see the numbers – revenue, expenses, and profit.
• Management team : Introduce your team. Highlight their expertise and why they're crucial to your business.
• SWOT analysis : Assess your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Conclusion : Summarize the key points and leave your audience with a sense of urgency to join your journey.

Do's and don'ts on a business plan presentation

Now that you know the structure, let's talk about some do's and don'ts to ensure your presentation hits the mark.

• Use visuals : Charts and graphs speak louder than words.
• Be concise : Avoid using too much text; let your slides complement your speech.
• Rehearse : Practice makes perfect. Be well-prepared for questions.
• Engage your audience : Make your presentation interactive. Ask questions and involve your audience.

Don't :

• Overload with information : Stick to the essentials.
• Read slides word-for-word : Your presentation should augment your words, not replace them.
• Waste time : Keep your presentation within the allocated time frame.
• Lack confidence : Believe in your business and your presentation.

1. Why is it important to make a business plan presentation?

A business plan presentation is your opportunity to showcase your business in its best light. It's not just about information; it's about capturing your audience's attention and conveying your ideas effectively. Think of it as a powerful tool to explain your business, highlight key aspects, and ultimately secure the support and funding you need. Whether you're presenting to investors or stakeholders, a well-crafted presentation can make a significant difference in conveying your unique value proposition.

2. How many slides should my business plan presentation have?

The number of slides in a business plan presentation can vary, but a common guideline is to aim for 10-12 slides . This range allows you to explain your business comprehensively without overwhelming your audience with too many details. It's essential to create an outline and plan your presentation strategically to fit your entire story within these slides. Remember, it's not about how many slides you have, but how effectively you use them to highlight the key points of your business plan.

3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a business plan presentation?

One of the most common mistakes to avoid in a business plan presentation is overloading it with text and data. Instead, focus on using bullet points and visuals to convey your message clearly and concisely. Additionally, don't forget to include a value proposition that sets your business apart. It's crucial to answer the following questions: What services or products do you offer? Who is your target audience ? How do you plan to reach them? What channels will you use? By addressing these aspects and avoiding information overload, you'll be on the path to creating a winning presentation.

4. Do I need a specific presentation template for a business plan presentation?

While it's not mandatory, using a business plan presentation template can be highly beneficial. Templates provide a structured format that makes it easier to organize your content effectively. They often include slide designs tailored for different aspects of your business plan, such as market analysis, financial projections, and product development. By using a template, you can save time, ensure a professional look, and focus on the details about your business rather than the design of your slides.

5. How should I time my business plan presentation?

Timing your business plan presentation is crucial to keeping your audience engaged and respecting their time. Generally, a business plan presentation should last around 20-30 minutes to allow for questions and discussions afterward. However, it's essential to rehearse and ensure that you can present your content effectively within this timeframe. Make sure to plan and highlight the most critical points, keeping your audience's attention throughout the presentation. Remember, a well-paced and engaging presentation can leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of success.

Summarizing key takeaways

In this comprehensive guide, we've unraveled the art of crafting a compelling business plan presentation. From understanding the types of business plans to mastering the do's and don'ts, you're now ready to create presentations that leave a lasting impression.

Remember, a successful business plan presentation is not just about the slides; it's about telling a captivating story that resonates with your audience. So, go ahead, use those templates , slides , and presentation software to make your business idea shine.

And always keep in mind: Your business plan presentation isn't just a pitch; it's the first chapter of your entrepreneurial journey. Make it count!

Create your business plan presentation with prezent

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to create a winning business plan presentation, you might be wondering where to start.

The answer? Prezent, the ultimate AI presentation software for enterprise teams.

With Prezent's 35,000+ slides and 100% compliance, you can save 70% of the time in making presentations while ensuring your brand is 100% on point. Our real-time sharing and collaboration features make teamwork a breeze, and you can access guides , e-courses, and templates that will make your presentation shine.

So, why wait? Whether you're using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or any other platform, Prezent has the templates and tools you need to create a business plan presentation that wows your audience.

Ready to supercharge your business plan presentations? Try our Free Trial or book a Demo today with Prezent!

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Start » startup, smart strategies for presenting your business plan.

Whether you're pitching investors or applying for a bank loan, it's important to nail your business plan presentation. Here are some tips for crafting and presenting yours.

For entrepreneurs who plan to apply for funding or raise investor capital, it's essential to write a solid business plan before launching a business . This document outlines the most important details about your new venture — including your mission, your founding team, your market research and, most importantly, your financial projections.

Once your business plan is written, you may be asked to present it in a variety of circumstances. Much like a professional resume, your plan will need to be tailored and tweaked to appeal to the specific audience you're trying to reach.

Whether you're preparing to write your first plan or refining your existing one, here are some expert-recommended tips for successfully presenting it to anyone who's evaluating your business.

When will you need to present your business plan?

A business plan should contain in-depth details about your business's market, revenue strategy and company structure to communicate the big picture, said Gerald Padilla, vice president of sales and marketing at Joorney Business Plans . The most common circumstances where you'll need to present your plan include:

• Applying for a business loan, especially through a bank or the Small Business Administration .
• Pitching investors and board members.
• Renting a commercial space.

Matthew Wolf, head of advisory and senior consultant for Joorney Business Plans, said that even if your business plan is just an internal document for now, writing one forces you to think critically about how your business will achieve success, while also keeping you accountable.

[Read: 5 Business Plan Templates to Help You Plan for Success . ]

You should be able to clearly state who you are, what you do and why you are relevant.

David Reiling, CEO of Sunrise Banks

Crafting the right business plan for your audience

If you want your business plan to be effective, you should customize and tailor it to the audience you're pitching, said Padilla.

"It's impossible to be everything to everyone," added David Reiling, CEO of Sunrise Banks . "You should be able to clearly state who you are, what you do and why you are relevant."

Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

• Lenders. Banks and the SBA require specific information in their business plan in order to approve a loan , said Padilla. It's important to understand those requirements and address each one within your business plan. "Debt providers are interested in your cash flow being sufficient to cover the principal and interest of the loan for the term," added Wolf.
• Investors. In general, said Wolf, equity investors are interested in returns on investment, as well as debt coverage, which affects free cash flow and returns on investment. However, some investors may also be attracted to different aspects of your business. "Some may be endeared to the product or service concept, while others may invest in the team or CEO because they see the value in their qualities," Padilla told CO—. "Be sure to understand the investors you may be presenting to and their interests."
• Landlords. Padilla noted that the potential landlord of a commercial space may ask for a business plan to understand the type of venture the business owner is proposing for use within the lease space. "They want to get clear details of the applicant's business activity before they accept the potential tenant's lease application," he said.

How to present your business plan

Regardless of your audience, there are a few key things to keep in mind when preparing to present your business plan.

First and foremost, you should ensure that all information included is credible and error-free.

"You want the business plan to reflect your professionalism and add to your credibility," said Padilla. "When using statistics, facts or figures, always cite the source of the data to support your ideas."

[Read: How to Write a Great Business Plan . ]

Reiling noted that you'll want to keep your plan simple so you can present it easily. Consulting resources like the SBA and SCORE can help you strike the right balance between simplicity and providing enough relevant information, he said.

"Bigger isn't necessarily better," Reiling added. "It's the content that matters."

On that note, Wolf advised making your plan as engaging as possible so you can capture the attention of the audience from the beginning.

"Be sure to have a clear go-to-market strategy and think deeply on your business's true competitive advantages," he said.

Finally, be sure to review your plan before each presentation to ensure you're providing the most accurate, up-to-date information on your business and its progress.

"Business plans should be living documents that are revisited and changed to reflect where a business is versus where it projected it would be," said Reiling. "It's the roadmap for a business."

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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6 Strategies for Presenting Your Business Plan When you're ready to approach people with your finished business plan, these six strategies will help you achieve the results you want.

By The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. • Feb 3, 2015

In their book Write Your Business Plan , the staff of Entrepreneur Media offer an in-depth understanding of what's essential to any business plan, what's appropriate for your venture, and what it takes to ensure success. In this edited excerpt, the authors explain how to present your plan to investors or other individuals after you've completed it.

It doesn't matter how compelling your business plan is if the reader starts with a negative impression. A shopworn plan reeks of failure from the get-go. Make sure the cosmetics are right: Clean paper, crisp font, clear pictures and a professional (noncolloquial) presentation go a long way toward securing a fair reading or hearing of your business plan.

As always, when preparing your plan, keep your audience in mind. Businesslike is almost always best as a fallback decision on how to make a good first impression. Also ask in advance if the recipient wants a hard copy or an e-copy of your plan. In the digital age, we want to give people what they want.

Once you've prepared your plan for presentation, you need to put it in front of the right people. There are six steps for doing so:

1. Obtain leads and referrals. Find names, addresses and phone numbers of the type of investors you wish to target. Ask people you know for referrals. Network as much as possible.

2. Research your target. Learn as much as possible about how much money people have to invest, industries they're interested in and other requirements. Search venture capital directories, Who's Who , news articles, websites and similar sources.

3. Make your pitch. First, email or mail an introductory letter to your target letting them know you have a plan you'd like to send. Sending unsolicited, unanticipated business plans with a mere cover letter won't typically get your plan read. Not only are most people too busy to read whatever comes across their desk or lands in their inboxes, they also don't want to be sued someday for "stealing your ideas," even if they never read your plan.

A letter of introduction is your way of asking them if they'd be interested in reading your business plan. Within the letter, explain why you've selected them and what you have to offer, in a brief compelling manner.

You should also explain generally what you're looking for—an investor, a loan, a long-term supplier relationship or something else. Often this will be obvious from the circumstances. If you've received a personal referral, you'll want to include who gave you the referral very early on, probably in the first sentence following the salutation. Never underestimate the power of a personal referral from a friend, colleague or acquaintance. It may not land you an investor, but it gets your foot in the door. When emailing the individual, you might put the referral in the subject line.

In a world of "who you know" and the power of networking, many of the people you'll be sending your plan to will be referred by others. In some cases, you may even have some personal connection to the person other than a referral. For instance, perhaps you once met this individual while networking or worked together at a company or organization.

Finally, in the letter of introduction, you may want to detail the terms under which you're presenting your plan. For instance, you may say that you're not submitting the plan to any other investor. Or you may explicitly point out that you're currently seeking financing from a number of sources, including this one. If there's a deadline for responding to your plan, if you wish to stress that the plan is confidential and must be returned to you, or if you'd like to ask the recipient to pass it on to someone else who may be interested, this is the place to do so. Somewhere between sending the introductory letter and sending the plan—if the person agrees to see it—is where you can email a non-disclosure agreement if you plan to include one.

If you don't hear from them within a week or so, send a follow-up email, and try once more about two weeks later (in case they were out of town or swamped with other work). If this doesn't produce a meeting, look elsewhere.

4 . Try to meet people in person. Despite the fact that we're living in a text, email and conference-call age, you should still try to meet your recipient face to face, especially if you're seeking any type of funding. It's very hard to get such a commitment through a few texts or by email. Skype may work, but meeting in person for a major financial commitment is best. If they want to keep all communication electronic, then follow their lead.

5. Defuse objections. Although you may think you've answered everything in your plan, you haven't. Prepare a list of possible objections—potential competitors, hard-to-buttress assumptions and the like—that your investor may raise. Then prepare cogent answers. Have friends, co-workers and your team play devil's advocate and provide every possible objection or ask tough question, then formulate your answers.

6. Get a commitment. You won't get an investment unless you ask for it. When all objections have been answered, be ready to offer one last concession—"If I give your representative a board seat, can we do this today?"—and go for the close.

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How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

Noah Parsons

8 min. read

Updated October 27, 2023

It’s been said that business plans are worthless – it’s the planning process that is truly valuable . In many ways, this is a true statement. The business plan document that you create isn’t necessarily that useful because few people will ever review it in detail.

But, the process you went through to create that document forced you to think in detail about your business and answer questions that you might not have answered otherwise. The planning process forced you to become an expert in your business, your target market, and your operations.

The expertise that you created in the planning process is what you need to showcase when you pitch your business to lenders and investors. Figuring out how to distill all of that knowledge into a few slides and a ten-to-twenty-minute presentation is the next challenge. This guide will help you turn your business plan into a cohesive and convincing presentation that will help you win investors and wow your audience. 

• What is a business plan presentation?

A business plan presentation is also often called a “ pitch deck .” It’s a set of slides, often designed to accompany an in-person or Zoom meeting, that presents the fundamentals of your business. A great business plan presentation explains what you do, who your target audience is, how your business operates, and what your “ask” is. After all, you probably aren’t just presenting your business plan to share your great idea, you’re trying to convince your audience to do something for you.

When you’re designing your business plan presentation, it’s helpful to know if you’re going to be able to talk through your presentation, or if it’s just going to be emailed out. This 

• Why do you present a business plan?

Your business plan presentation is all about the “ask”. Whether you’re trying to raise money for your business, win a business plan competition, or pitching a potential new employee to join your business, you have a reason for presenting your business. As you work on your business plan presentation, keep this in mind. Know who your audience is and what you want from them at the end of your presentation. More often than not, your goal will be simply to get to the next meeting or have some opportunity to continue the conversation. 

• 6 Tips to create a convincing business plan presentation

We’ll cover exactly what to include in your business plan presentation in the next section, but first let’s go over a few tips that will help you prepare a great presentation.

1. Start with a review of your business plan

Your business plan presentation is a summary of your business plan, so use your plan as a starting point. You already have all the information you need to, so just go back to your plan and highlight the key points that you plan to cover in your presentation. If there are key statistics or facts about your market that you want to highlight, identify those so that you don’t forget to include them in your presentation.

2. Tell a story

The key to engaging your audience is to hook them with a story. Think about the problems your customers face when they’re using a product or service from the competition. Explain what life is like before your business arrives to provide a novel solution. The more that you can get your audience to nod along and understand the point of view of your customer, the more likely they are to support your business. 

3. Use visuals

Business plan presentations shouldn’t be slides crammed with text and other information. Instead, focus on using imagery to convey your message. You don’t want your audience to just be reading a slide full of information while you talk – they won’t really give you their full attention when this happens. Instead, use photos, charts and graphs, or diagrams to explain your business and the problems you are solving. 

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4. Use large, easy to read font

Always use a relatively large font in your presentation – 30pt or larger. Your audience shouldn’t have to strain to read what’s on your slide. Using a large font will also force you to choose your words carefully because you won’t have that much room on the page for a lot of words. 

6. Research who you’re presenting to

Nailing your presentation requires knowing your audience. For example, if you’ve invented a new medical device and are presenting to a room full of industry experts and medical professionals, you’ll want to present using terminology that they are familiar with. However, if your presentation is to investors who may not be as familiar with your industry, you may need to simplify things and make sure to use language that they will understand. 

• What to include in your business plan presentation

As a general rule, try to keep your presentation to 10-12 slides. Although you could probably talk about your business all day, your audience is looking for a concise presentation that clearly communicates what your business does and where you are going. Here are the 10 slides you should include your presentation:

1. Introduction 

This is sometimes also called the title slide. You should include your company name and logo and a one line summary of your business. This might be your mission statement, or just a short tagline that explains what you’re doing in a nutshell. For example, Spotify might have said, “We’re revolutionizing how people listen to music and how artists get paid”. Instagram might have said, “We make it easy for anyone to produce professional-looking photos”.

2. The problem and your solution

This is where your story-telling skills need to come into play. You want to make your problem real to your audience. You want them to relate to people who have the problem, even if they don’t have the problem themselves. You want your audience nodding along in understanding.

With your problem clearly identified, you now explain your solution. This is a description of what your product or service is and what it does. Explain how it solves your customer’s problem and how it compares to the competition. 

3. Target market and opportunity

Your next step is to explain the size of your market and what your business opportunity is. You’ll use the market research data from your business plan in this slide to show how many potential customers are out there and you’ll show the different market segments that your business will target . 

4. Business model and pricing strategy

Your business model is an explanation of how you make money. For many businesses, this is very straightforward and doesn’t require much, if any, explanation. For others, more details will be required. For example, a business like Google provides their search engine for free to users, but sells ads in the search results. 

5. Traction

Traction is evidence of early success with your business. This might mean a list of initial customers, pre-orders through a Kickstarter campaign, or signed contracts with potential buyers. Any evidence that you can provide that proves that your business will be a success is useful to showcase here. 

6. Marketing and sales

Be sure to include a slide that provides an overview of your marketing and sales plan . You’ve identified your target market and now you need to explain how you’re going to reach them and sell to them. 

7. Financial projections

You shouldn’t try and fit your entire financial plan into your business plan presentation. Instead, extract the highlights and present them here. A sales forecast chart and profits chart could be useful. If you have a guess as to when you’ll become profitable, include that information. The goal of your presentation is to spark interest and get your audience to ask for additional information, so don’t overload things in your initial presentation.

8. Your team

Who is behind your business is often even more important than your idea. People come up with good ideas all the time. Investors are looking not just for a great idea, but for a team of people who can turn that idea into reality. Use this slide to provide a brief overview of your team and the rationale behind why your team is the right team to make the business a success. 

9. Use of funds

Assuming that you are presenting your business plan to raise money for your business, you’ll need to explain how you’re going to use that money. Is it for marketing or perhaps R&D? Maybe you need to raise funds to hire key additions to your team or to expand to a new location. Make it clear why you need the money and how you’re going to use it.

10. Call to action

Finally, don’t forget your “ask.” If you’re seeking investment, ask for it. If you are trying to convince someone to join your team, ask them to join. Your business plan presentation exists for a reason and there’s no harm in being direct about what you are looking for.

11. Appendix

Aside from the core slides of your presentation, it’s always useful to have additional slides ready to answer questions that come up. A great presentation leaves the audience interested and wanting to know more. Try and anticipate those questions and add slides in the appendix that helps answer those questions. When the audience asks a question that you’ve prepared a slide for, skip into the appendix and answer that question with your slide. This method shows your audience that you’re well prepared and have thought through all aspects of your business.

This is where it all comes back to planning. The plan document itself may not be useful, but the process you went through will leave you well-prepared to have an expert and successful business plan presentation.

• Download your free pitch deck template

Get a jump start on your business plan presentation by downloading our free pitch deck template . It has everything you need to get started and includes all the key slides you need for a winning presentation. 

Create a business plan that maximizes your chances of securing funding

Noah is the COO at Palo Alto Software, makers of the online business plan app LivePlan. He started his career at Yahoo! and then helped start the user review site Epinions.com. From there he started a software distribution business in the UK before coming to Palo Alto Software to run the marketing and product teams.

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The Easy Guide to Making a Business Plan Presentation

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

That’s why a business plan is crucial to your business. If you want to make sure that the promising business idea in your head is feasible, you have to start with a business plan .

Visuals make anything easier to understand. That’s why including them in your business plan presentation is a foolproof way to ensure that it’s readily welcomed by your audience and digested without confusion.

By no means is this business plan template limited to presentations; you can also include these diagrams in your business plan documents to make them more readable.

Following are downloadable Simple Business Plan Templates

• Business Plan Template PDF
• Business Plan Template Word
• Business Plan Template PowerPoint

What is a Business Plan?

Benefits of using a business plan presentation, executive summary, company profile, customer profiles.

• Perpetual Map
• Porter’s Five Forces

SWOT Analysis

Pest analysis, competitor profile.

• Competitive Intelligence

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Organizational structure and management, product canvas, value proposition canvas.

• Financial plan

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Business Plan Presentation

Faqs about business plan presentations, want to extend the guide to creating a business plan presentation.

Let’s start by clarifying the business plan definition.

A business plan is a document that describes your business in terms of what it does, the products and services it offers, your business strategy and business goals, and your action plan outlining how you plan to achieve your goals and earn money.

The main purposes of a business plan are to

• Show the future financial performance of the company and its economic situation for the owners and investors.
• Help identify risks that may affect the growth of the company and provide strategies to overcome them.
• Help make predictions about market trends, competitor behavior, customer requirements and define and prioritize key business objectives .
• Serve as a key resource for developing budgets

Clarity and Communication

A business plan presentation helps you communicate your business idea, goals, and strategies with clarity. It allows you to distill complex information into concise and visually appealing slides, making it easier for your audience to understand and grasp the key points. Presenting your business plan in a structured and organized manner enhances clarity and ensures that your message is effectively communicated.

Engaging and Persuasive

A well-designed and well-delivered business plan presentation can be highly engaging and persuasive. By using visual aids, such as graphs, charts, and images, you can capture the attention of your audience and create a memorable impact. Effective storytelling and compelling visuals can help you convey the value proposition of your business, showcase market opportunities, and convince investors, stakeholders, or potential partners to support your venture.

Feedback and Interaction

Presenting your business plan allows you to receive immediate feedback and engage in discussions with your audience. This feedback can be invaluable in refining your business strategy , identifying potential gaps or weaknesses, and addressing questions or concerns. The interactive nature of a presentation enables you to have a dialogue, gather insights, and build relationships with key stakeholders. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, passion, and confidence, which can further strengthen your credibility and increase the likelihood of securing support or funding for your business.

The Key Elements of a Business Plan

A business plan should contain the following key components.

• Executive summary
• Company profile
• Market analysis
• Marketing and sales strategies
• Organizational structure and management
• Services and products

Although this comes first, it’s smarter to write it at the end. The executive summary of your business plan should explain what is great about your business model and its products or services.

It should be concise and appealing to the reader. And it’s easier to write a meaningful summary once you have filled in the rest of your plan.

Your company profile should provide details on,

• Company history
• Overview of the company
• Mission Statement
• Key resources
• Business contact information
• Products or services
• Location details
• The market you serve
• Your key customers
• The customer issue you seek to solve

All these details can be presented in a much nicer way with an infographic like the one below. It’s easier to read and understand and more compact and clearer than paragraphs of detail.

Market Analysis

Through a market analysis , you can find enough detail to define your target market, its size, customer segments, and their needs.

Your market analysis should also include a competitor analysis, where you will research your key competitors in terms of their influence in the market, their strengths and weaknesses, the threats they pose to you, their products and services, their pricing plans, their marketing strategies etc.

Some visual techniques you can use in this section to present your data are

These aptly summarize all your findings on your customers such as their demographic details, jobs, responsibilities, needs, challenges etc.

Perceptual Map

This tool helps you depict and analyze how your (potential) target customer perceives the brands or products of your competitors. It helps you make sense of your product or service’s competitive positioning through the survey data at your hand.

Porter’s Five Forces

This tool is used to assess your business competitive strength and position against your competitors. Using it you can understand whether your new product or service is profitable.

SWOT analysis is a great way to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors and the opportunities and threats they bring to you within the industry. You can also use it to assess the capabilities of your own company.

More on SWOT Analysis: What, Why and How to Use Them Effectively

PEST stands for Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural and Technological factors. It’s a great way to examine how the external forces in your market can impact your company. It will also help you shape your marketing strategy and develop your risk management plan.

View More More on SWOT Analysis: PEST Analysis Tools

All the details you have gathered on your competitors, such as their sales numbers, strategies, partners, suppliers etc. can be organized here. It’s a great way to prepare your competitor analysis data to be added to your business plan presentation.

View More Competitor Analysis Tools

Competitive Intelligence Mind Map

Or you can convey these data in a mind map. You can use Creately Viewer to add this to your online documents, websites, intranet, Wiki, or business plan presentations. This way you can view any links included in the mind map and navigate through it easily.

You can learn how to use these tools along with other useful techniques in more detail in;

View More Market Strategy Planning Tools

This is where you outline how you plan to market and sell your product. It’s easier to do now as you have extensive knowledge about your market, target customer and your competitors.

With your marketing strategy, you have to consider factors like your marketing or communication channels, marketing goals, marketing budgets, resources etc.

With your sales plan , pay attention to your sales targets, sales tools, resources etc.

You can use mind maps to visualize all this data to your audience. You can either use two mind maps to outline your sales and marketing strategies separately or a single mind map to showcase both.

Marketing and Sales Plan Template

If you want separate a marketing plan and sales plan, check out the templates below,

• Marketing Plan Template for Business Plan Presentation
• Sales Plan Template for Business Plan Presentation

Who are the key personnel involved in your organization? List them down in this section along with their expertise.

Use an organizational chart to represent your team, their roles and skills. It can help you highlight the hierarchy of your organizational structure as well.

Services and Products

This section explains your services or products and how they can benefit the customers. Here are some visualizations you can use to make this section more interesting to your audience.

Product canvas is a tool used to map, design and describe your product strategy. It takes into consideration your target audience, the important features of your product decided by storyboards , epics, design sketches, mockups , and the tasks you need to carry out to build the product.

Learn about this in more detail here .

It’s a tool you can use to ensure that your product or service fits the requirements of your customer. It helps you look into

• The value you can deliver to the customer via your product or service
• Which customer problems/s that you are trying to solve
• Which is the job that your product helps the customer to finish
• Which customer needs you are satisfying
• What are the different products you are offering to each customer segment

Financial Plan

This is the section where you provide all financial information related to your business. This section is required if you are presenting your business plan to investors.

It will include both historical data such as cash flow statements,profit and loss statements, income statements etc. and financial projections based on the impact of your new product.

If you are pitching a new product to your investors, you may also want to include your funding requirements.

For a business plan presentation, you can use a digital database of your financial information with a simple Creately mind map. You can link up all your financial statements on your mind map.

This way anyone who refers to the mind map can easily access the linked resources from one single place.

Overloading with Information

One of the most common mistakes is including too much information on each slide. This overwhelms the audience and makes it difficult for them to follow along. Keep your slides concise and focused on key points. Use bullet points or visuals to convey information effectively.

Lack of Visual Appeal

A presentation that lacks visual appeal can fail to engage the audience. Avoid using too much text and opt for visually appealing elements such as images, graphs, and charts. Use a consistent color scheme and fonts that are easy to read. Make sure your visuals support your message rather than distract from it.

Ignoring the Audience’s Needs

It’s essential to consider the needs and interests of your audience when creating a presentation. Tailor your content to address their concerns and provide relevant information. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand. Focus on presenting the most compelling aspects of your business plan that align with their interests.

Lack of Practice and Rehearsal

Presenting a business plan without sufficient practice and rehearsal can lead to a lack of confidence and a disjointed delivery. Practice your presentation multiple times to become familiar with the content, timing, and transitions. Rehearse in front of a mirror or a small audience to receive feedback and improve your delivery.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a compelling and effective presentation that effectively communicates your business plan to your audience.

In this post we have explained how to create a business plan presentation step-by-step. Make use of the templates that are provided to make your presentation more eye-catching and easy-to-understand.

Here are some more tips on making your presentation a hit.

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

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Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

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The importance of business plan: 5 key reasons.

A key part of any business is its business plan. They can help define the goals of your business and help it reach success. A good business plan can also help you develop an adequate marketing strategy. There are a number of reasons all business owners need business plans, keep reading to learn more!

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

What Is a Business Plan?

5 reasons you need a well-written business plan, how do i make a business plan, key takeaways.

A business plan contains detailed information that can help determine its success. Some of this information can include the following:

• Market analysis
• Cash flow projection
• Competitive analysis
• Financial statements and financial projections
• An operating plan

A solid business plan is a good way to attract potential investors. It can also help you display to business partners that you have a successful business growing. In a competitive landscape, a formal business plan is your key to success.

Check out all of the biggest reasons you need a good business plan below.

1. To Secure Funding

Whether you’re seeking funding from a venture capitalist or a bank, you’ll need a business plan. Business plans are the foundation of a business. They tell the parties that you’re seeking funding from whether or not you’re worth investing in. If you need any sort of outside financing, you’ll need a good business plan to secure it.

2. Set and Communicate Goals

A business plan gives you a tangible way of reviewing your business goals. Business plans revolve around the present and the future. When you establish your goals and put them in writing, you’re more likely to reach them. A strong business plan includes these goals, and allows you to communicate them to investors and employees alike.

3. Prove Viability in the Market

While many businesses are born from passion, not many will last without an effective business plan. While a business concept may seem sound, things may change once the specifics are written down. Often, people who attempt to start a business without a plan will fail. This is because they don’t take into account all of the planning and funds needed to get a business off of the ground.

Market research is a large part of the business planning process. It lets you review your potential customers, as well as the competition, in your field. By understanding both you can set price points for products or services. Sometimes, it may not make sense to start a business based on the existing competition. Other times, market research can guide you to effective marketing strategies that others lack. To have a successful business, it has to be viable. A business plan will help you determine that.

4. They Help Owners Avoid Failure

Far too often, small businesses fail. Many times, this is due to the lack of a strong business plan. There are many reasons that small businesses fail, most of which can be avoided by developing a business plan. Some of them are listed below, which can be avoided by having a business plan:

• The market doesn’t need the business’s product or service
• The business didn’t take into account the amount of capital needed
• The market is oversaturated
• The prices set by the business are too high, pushing potential customers away

Any good business plan includes information to help business owners avoid these issues.

5. Business Plans Reduce Risk

Related to the last reason, business plans help reduce risk. A well-thought-out business plan helps reduce risky decisions. They help business owners make informed decisions based on the research they conduct. Any business owner can tell you that the most important part of their job is making critical decisions. A business plan that factors in all possible situations helps make those decisions.

Luckily, there are plenty of tools available to help you create a business plan. A simple search can lead you to helpful tools, like a business plan template . These are helpful, as they let you fill in the information as you go. Many of them provide basic instructions on how to create the business plan, as well.

If you plan on starting a business, you’ll need a business plan. They’re good for a vast number of things. Business plans help owners make informed decisions, as well as set goals and secure funding. Don’t put off putting together your business plan!

If you’re in the planning stages of your business, be sure to check out our resource hub . We have plenty of valuable resources and articles for you when you’re just getting started. Check it out today!

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How to present your business plan to investors

Related blogs.

• Master Your Money: Categorize, Cut & Track Expenses
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Introduction

A business plan is a formal document outlining an entrepreneur's goals, strategies, and ideas for achieving those goals. It serves as a roadmap for business success and typically contains details about an organization's market analysis, operational plans, financial forecasts, and marketing strategies. The purpose of presenting a business plan to investors is to obtain financing for the business venture, persuade potential partners to join the business, or secure investments from venture capitalists.

This article will provide an overview of how to present a business plan to prospective investors. It will cover topics such as the importance of presenting a compelling business plan, the information that needs to be included in the business plan, and the steps to take when presenting the plan. By the end of the article, readers will have a better understanding of the process and be better prepared to give an effective pitch to investors.

Organization of Your Business Plan

Organizing your business plan for a presentation is a critical step for you to become successful in your endeavor. Planning for the presentation should start with researching related information and preparing materials. To achieve success when presenting to investors, it is important to structure your business plan properly.

Thoroughly research before the presentation

Before structuring your plan, it is important to thoroughly research the appropriate resources and industry. Research the investment preferences of potential investors that apply to your business model. Also, consider the level of technical understanding that is necessary for your presentation. Utilizing your research, you can prioritize the relevant information and tailor the content for the investors at hand.

Present a well-structured business plan

When creating your business plan, it is important to establish a clear and concise structure. Your plan should be logical and have a consistent flow of information. Consider creating an outline that includes a description of your products and services, an analysis of the market, your target market and your competitive advantage. Additionally, consider discussing your financial goals and resources, such as funding and capital. Lastly, it is important to continuously evaluate your plan and adjust it accordingly if need be.

Summarize key features in an executive summary

An executive summary is the most important document for any business plan. This document should include a summary of the company’s mission, its financial position, strengths, and goals. It should also include a brief explanation of key features and products or services offered, as well as a short description of the management team. Before presenting your plan to potential investors, review the executive summary several times to ensure that it is clear and concise.

Pitch Preparation

Creating a pitch to present your business plan to potential investors is a crucial part of the journey. A pitch is a chance to prove how your business can be successful and why people should invest. There are a few key steps to take when preparing for a pitch to ensure your business gets the best reception.

Customize your presentation to the individual investors

A pitch should be tailored to the individual investor or investors listening. Before you present, research and get to know the investors you are pitching to. You should understand their background, any businesses they have invested in previously, and what type of business or product they tend to invest in. Having the knowledge of their history and interests allow you to customize your pitch to fit with their values, and make it more likely for them to take an interest in what you have to offer.

Focus on key selling points

The pitch should focus on the key selling points of your business. What is unique and innovative about your business? How is your business different from its competitors? What makes it stand out and attractive to potential investors? These are critical points to emphasize in your pitch to convince the potential investor that your business is a worthwhile venture.

Practice your presentation

It is important that your presentation flows well and that you are comfortable speaking in front of an audience. So it is essential to rehearse your presentation until you can recall it with ease. You should practice in front of friends and colleagues to ensure that it sounds natural and flows easily before you prepare to present to investors. Listening to your own presentation and hearing feedback from friends or family can help you identify any areas or points that could use improvement or further clarification.

Presentation Tips for Presenting Your Business Plan to Investors

Presenting your businesses plans to investors is one of the most important steps in the process of starting a business. As an entrepreneur, you must come across as confident, composed, and knowledgeable of your plan. Here are some tips to ensure you make a great impression.

Be Confident and Show Enthusiasm

Confidence and enthusiasm are two very important factors when it comes to presentations. People want to invest in plans they believe in and that come with an exciting pitch. Make sure you project a positive attitude and emphasize the growth potential of your plan.

Speak Clearly and Slowly

Investors have short attention spans, so it's important to make sure you and concise and concise. Speak slowly and pause to allow investors to process and ask questions. Don't rush to explain every detail; let investors ask specific questions, that way you can be sure you are communicating your ideas correctly.

Use Visuals to Help Explain the Concept

Investors will appreciate the use of visuals and charts to help illustrate how your business plan works. Visuals are a great way to explain complex concepts and help investors better understand the plan. Be sure to have a few helpful slides prepared that you can refer to during the presentation.

Address Any Potential Investor Concerns

Investors will have concerns about the business plan and will want to make sure all of their questions are addressed. Before the presentation, make sure you research any potential issues that may arise. Be prepared to answer any questions about the plan and don't be afraid to ask for feedback.

• Be confident and show enthusiasm
• Speak clearly and slowly
• Use visuals to help explain the concept
• Address any potential investor concerns

Presenting your business plan to investors is a critical step in launching your venture and securing the necessary resources to make it a success. A well-explained business plan will not only lead to further discussions and investments but also reinforce the potential of your venture.

Reinforce the Benefits of the Business Plan

When summarizing your business plan, be sure to emphasize the potential tangible and intangible benefits of your endeavor. Not only do you need to explain what kind of return on investment potential exists, but you should also provide evidence from reliable sources to back up your claims.

Focus on the Potential Return on Investment

This is the primary concern for most investors, so be sure to explain in concise terms what would be the potential return. Outline both short-term and long-term financial gains that prospective investors can expect and provide evidence in the form of financial models, market research, and other related documents.

Encourage and Invite Follow-Up Questions

At the culmination of your presentation, it is important to be open to questions and further discussions. Encourage and invite constructive feedback since it will create a clearer picture of your venture and affirm the investment opportunity. Keep in mind that any questions your investors may have will likely be an important part of the discussion, so being prepared and open to questions is key.

Post Presentation Advice

Congratulations! You successfully presented your business plan to investors. Now, it’s time to turn that interest into an investment. There are key steps for finalizing this process and making sure you are successful. Here are some post presentation advice tips that can help.

Follow up with a Thank You Note

Take the time that day or the very next to write a thank you note to each investor for allowing you to present your business plan. Make sure to be specific about something you discussed that you found interesting or helpful. Send out the thank you note via email or if you prefer, through a handwritten card. This simple gesture can show your appreciation and help you stand out.

Show that You are Willing to Incorporate Feedback

It’s likely that the investors you presented to have given you feedback or direction before you left. Use this feedback and incorporate it into your business plan if you think it’s something that can benefit your business. Demonstrating this willingness to take their advice shows your dedication and ability to adapt. This can leave a lasting impression with investors.

Stay in Contact with Investors

Finally, don’t forget to stay in contact with investors. Keep them updated on your progress and any changes that you have made. This allows you to remind them of your capabilities and can give them the confidence to invest. You don’t have to stay in contact every day, but keep them up to date on a regular basis.

• Follow up with a thank you note
• Show that you are willing to incorporate feedback
• Stay in contact with investors

By following these post presentation advice tips, you can strengthen your case and create a better chance to gain investments from your presentation. All it takes is some small steps and you’ll be on your way to a successful business launch.

Presenting a business plan to investors can be a daunting experience. However, armed with the knowledge of how to prepare a successful business plan presentation and what to include, entrepreneurs can confidently enter any situation knowing they are providing potential investors with the information they need to make an informed decision.

By focusing on the key elements of the business plan, including the company overview, target market and financial projections, entrepreneurs can be sure to provide investors with a comprehensive overview of their business. Additionally, the use of visuals, storytelling and industry expertise can be key to convincing a potential investor.

The suggestions outlined in this article provide entrepreneurs with the tools to present their business plan and secure the funding they need to launch and grow their business. With the right outlook and preparation, entrepreneurs can easily and confidently present their business plan to investors.

Summarize the advice discussed

This article discussed the key elements to presenting a successful business plan to potential investors, including the different sections of the plan, visuals and storytelling, and industry expertise and experience. Additionally, entrepreneurs were encouraged to practice their presentation and be prepared with questions from the investors.

Explain the benefits of a well-presented business plan

A well-presented business plan helps investors better understand the entrepreneur's vision, objectives and goals. Presenting a well thought-out business plan to investors also helps increase the chances of securing the required funding and gaining a strong support network. With the right advice and preparation, entrepreneurs can easily and confidently present their business plan to potential investors.

Encourage readers to use the suggestions outlined in the article

Using the suggestions outlined in this article, entrepreneurs can create an effective and impactful presentation for their business plan. The following strategies can help entrepreneurs succeed:

• Compose a clearly structured business plan
• Include visuals and graphics
• Tell a compelling business story
• Be knowledgeable and confident in their industry
• Practice presenting the business plan
• Answer questions with confidence

By integrating these strategies into their presentation, entrepreneurs will be better positioned to gain investors' trust and secure the funding they need to achieve their goals.

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What is the importance of a good business presentation?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

If you one of those who are thinking “Why the heck is a good business presentation important”? Trust me, you are not alone! We get this question A LOT! We also encounter clients who not only don’t understand the importance of a good presentation, but also hesitate to ask. I suppose that they probably feel it must be obviously important to have something which has “good” attached to it.

Honestly, creating a good business presentation does require you to put in a bit of effort. It requires a bit of skills, knowledge, willingness and practise to pull things together. It can also take quite some time to create that perfect business presentation which works for you.

So, WHY is it important to have a good business presentation? It is important to have a good business presentation because a  well-crafted, visually appealing business presentation can say that you are professional and value quality. On the contrary, not-so-good presentation fails to hold your audience’s attention, and can even lead to unfavourable outcomes. A business presentation is often the first document about your organisation that your clients or partners get to see.

Thus, it is important to have a good business presentation in order to build a first impression, a good brand image and most particularly to convince your audience about your business/idea.

Overwhelmed? Don’t worry, in this post we will evaluate the various aspects of creating a good business presentation. Hopefully, you will feel more confident to create a business presentation by the end of this post. Let’s have a look at some of the key things you should know –

Things to keep in mind before starting work on your business presentation?

While there is a lot of thinking one needs to do for the actual presentation, there are few things one should keep in mind even before they start working on their business presentation. You need to know what kind of presentation needs to be created. You need to ask yourself, who am I making this 

business presentation for? Who is my audience? What is the size of my audience? How big will be the screen size on which I’ll be presenting? Do I need to email this deck or is it something that I will be presenting in-person? The amount of time you have with your audience/stakeholders.

These questions essentially help produce a self-created design brief. Answers to these questions can be critical as they sort of give creative direction throughout the presentation. For example –

• Font size – Audience size can help you define the size of the text. If there is a large audience, the possibility of them being further away from the screen increases. In such a scenario, a general rule of thumb we follow is – “larger the audience size, the larger the font size”.
• Amount of information on each slide – This is in direct correlation with the first point. If you are presenting to a larger audience, you should obviously not cram a lot of information in a single slide. You will definitely have more liberty to put in additional information if your deck is viewed by a smaller audience. Even so, one should keep in mind that too much text and too much of the information on any single slide is a recipe for a bad presentation.
• File size and images – If you intend to send the presentation over email to your audience, do keep in mind the size of the file. The size of presentation file can easily get out of control if precautions are not taken. We shall cover this topic on how to keep the image size under control in another blog post.
• Number of slides – In order to identify the number of slides, the first thing you may want to look at is the total time that you have at hand. Next, identify approximately how much time you intend to spend on each slide. Divide the two, and you have an approximate number for the total slides that you should have. Be sure to consider some time for Q&A. For example – if you 30 minutes for a meeting – you may want to set aside at least about 10 minutes for Q&A. You’re then left with 20 minutes. If you intend to spend about 2 minutes per slide, your goal should be to restrict the presentation to about 10 slides.

As per Guy Kawasaki , the creator of the term “Death by Powerpoint” and the “ 10/20/30 rule ”, one should take no more than 10 slides, and 20 minutes to explain their business/idea. Also, one should use no less than 30 point font in order to maintain readability. I feel this is a great benchmark to keep in mind.

What do we mean by a “good business presentation”?

Any good business presentation should be able to do at least the following – 

• Give an overview of your organisation
• Objective of the meeting
• Synergy/next steps in the partnership

A business presentation is a tool or a handy reference document that provides an overview of your business, the purpose of the meeting and possible next steps. As I mentioned earlier, it is often the first document about your organisation that your clients or partners get to see. Thus, it should definitely give a brief overview of your organisation, specify the objective of your meeting and highlight the future roadmap or the next steps envisaged.

What should be included in a good business presentation?

Not every business is the same. Therefore, business presentations also vary based on your business. Thus, it is difficult to have a structure that fits with every specific requirement. Having said that, a general list of contents that should be included in your business presentation are as follows – 

• Cover slide – this slide may have a title and the date
• Vision & mission
• Business overview – objective of the business, sectors/industries, number of years, office locations, team size etc.
• Details of the products or services
• Case study of a project
• Testimonials
• Partnership opportunity – this should take into consideration the areas of business of your potential audience, and also highlight how a partnership would be mutually beneficial to both organisations.

It is of utmost importance that each presentation is customized to your audience, and it should be designed keeping your audience at the core. This means, highlighting specific products or services that may work in favour of the partnership specific to a client. 

Is it worth putting the effort in creating a good business presentation?

Absolutely! While it may seem a lot of effort to create a good business presentation, we’ve seen that a well-designed presentation that is crisp and conveys the right message, and is also visually appealing, has as much as a 63% higher chances of conversion . It is important to note that having a good business presentation isn’t everything, but not having one definitely sets you back by a few steps! We strongly advise organisations to put efforts in ensuring a good business presentation. Through our partnerships, we’ve seen that the most amount of time taken in creating a good business presentation goes into designing it. Now, we understand that not everyone always has the time, skills, or resources to put in the effort for designing a good business presentation. Thus, we have put together some pro-tips that can help you in achieving this task easily.

Pro-tips on creating a good business presentation easily

There are a few ways you can save some time and effort in creating a good business presentation. We’ve listed our top 3 recommendations below-

1. Buy presentation templates – There are quite a few platforms available on the internet that provide you with well designed presentation templates. These templates are great if you don’t wish to spend much time on designing the deck as these are pre-designed by professionals with dummy content and dummy text. However, the flipside is that while the design has been already created, they are generalised and not specific to your content. Therefore, you may still need the necessary skills to edit the presentation, and you still end up spending a lot of time. If this is the course you plan to take, I would recommend Envato Market . 

• You get a professional looking presentation
• Templates are highly generalised
• Customization still requires moderate to high level of expertise and a lot of time
• Since templates are open to use for all, your presentation may end up looking similar to someone else who may have used the same template.
• Doesn’t work if you have many presentations to be designed

2. Hire design interns – this is a great option especially if you have many presentations/designs that you need created. While interns are not experts, good candidates can give you great designs which are more professional than most non-designers. 

• Great for large/high volume design needs.
• Highly customised designs
• High time and effort associated for identifying and hiring good design interns
• Interns will mostly be available for a short period of 3-4 months. Thus, post design changes can be a challenge
• May lack focus on messaging as their expertise is often in design and not in communication

3. Hire a presentation design agency – If there is a lot at stake, we would recommend going with this option. While it might seem a bit cost heavy, however, we’ve seen this to be a great return on investment especially if you are pitching for a project with a total revenue potential of at least 10 times the cost of hiring the agency for this task.  For example, if you’re planning to raise $1 million, hiring a professional agency for a presentation design and spending upto $5000 may not be a bad idea after all. 

• Highly customised designs with great precise messaging
• No further customization needed (generally) – even if needed it is generally carried out by the agency
• Saves time – allows you to parallely work on other areas of business. Also, absolutely useful if you have a short turn-around time. 
• Cost – while high at times, cost-value proposition can easily outweigh this as a con.

In case you intend to hire a professional agency, you can write to us at [email protected]

We’ve established that having a good business presentation is indeed important. While it can take some time and effort, it is worth the investment. A bit of pre-planning can help you reach your end objective faster and easily. Identify which route you may want to take to design your presentation, and soon you will have a great presentation for your business.

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A Roadmap for Responsible Business Conduct

Three years ago, a Dalit woman was murdered by her supervisor at a garment factory in India. Her co-workers did not wait for the company to respond. They organized collectively and engaged major global fashion companies, developing an enforceable agreement between the buying companies, the factories and their trade union to identify, remedy and prevent gender-based violence and harassment in their workplaces.

Known as the Dindigul agreement , the initiative established independent monitoring entities and trained female shop floor monitors with special retaliation protections to take immediate action on cases of gender-based violence and harassment. The agreement ensured that there were trusted and reliable grievance mechanisms in place. It also held companies accountable to resolving issues and providing workers access to remedy.

By 2026, companies are projected to spend over $27 billion a year on voluntary social audits to report on labor abuses in their supply chains. Yet, no audit would have stopped the tragedy in India. And in 2013, the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh , killing over 1,100 workers – days after an audit found no problems in the building. Voluntary third-party audits have all too often shown their limitations.

We believe businesses can and must do better. That’s why we’ve released the Responsible Business Conduct and Labor Rights InfoHub , a one-stop shop for information, guidance and tools from the U.S. government and international organizations to support the private sector in integrating labor rights and responsible business practices in their operations and across their global supply chains.

This comes as part of the U.S. government’s second National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct, founded on the Biden-Harris administration’s bedrock belief that businesses can have success while doing good, and that governments should create the conditions for responsible business conduct to take place.

The InfoHub provides companies with the knowledge and tools they need to comply with federal statutes, agency rules and trade provisions around responsible business and labor rights. It also makes government reports and advisories easily accessible, so businesses can stay up to date on emerging risks in priority sectors.

The site complements existing due diligence tools the Bureau of International Labor Affairs has created, such as Comply Chain and our List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor . The InfoHub also builds upon ILAB’s commitment to amplifying worker voice as a critical component of worker-centered due diligence.

We urge all stakeholders — from civil society to the C-suite — to use these resources, tools and legal standards to engage in meaningful action, strengthen their due diligence and ensure workers in their supply chains can exercise their internationally recognized rights without fear of retaliation.

We are entering a new era of corporate compliance, one where binding commitments to support worker voice, as we see in the Dindigul agreement, emerge as powerful and viable tools. The businesses at the top of global supply chains have the power to make these agreements widespread and effective and to ensure that workers are at the center of these new processes and institutions. This requires not just standing up new processes to map and track impacts within supply chains, but on concrete, positive outcomes for workers. It requires not just setting up hotlines, apps or suggestion boxes for workers but respecting their rights to organize and bargain collectively.

Through the Responsible Business Conduct and Labor Rights InfoHub and other resources, the U.S. Department of Labor is providing companies with the tools to chart a path forward on meaningful due diligence and bolster the rights and protections of all workers.

Thea Lee is the deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor. Follow ILAB on X/Twitter at @ILAB_DOL and on LinkedIn .

• Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)
• supply chains
• labor rights
• Responsible Business Conduct

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Onboarding New Employees — Without Overwhelming Them

• Julia Phelan

Give people the space and time they need to thrive in their new job.

A great onboarding experience can keep new hires engaged and committed, and increase their learning and preparedness for their new role. In trying to ensure new employees feel supported and properly prepared, some organizations flood new hires with far too much information. Even if managers have the best intentions, bombarding new hires with tasks  — such as asking them to read every single page of the employee manual or requiring them to get set-up on Slack, email, Box, and all the other platforms all at once — will backfire. Three strategies can help organizations mitigate this overload and ensure employees have the space, time, and mental resources available to learn and thrive in their new job.

We know that effectively onboarding new employees has huge value. A good onboarding process — with clear information on job requirements, organizational norms, and performance expectations — not only enhances employee productivity but helps increase loyalty and engagement, and decrease s turnover .

• JP Julia Phelan , Ph.D. is a learning design consultant and expert in applying learning science principles to create effective learning experiences. She works with organizations to help build a strong workplace learning culture by improving training design, implementation, and outcomes. She is the co-founder of To Eleven , and a former UCLA education research scientist. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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Home » News and Public Notices » City of Mishawaka State of the City Address State presented to the Common Council “Honoring the past, leading the present, shaping the future” Mayor David A. Wood

City of Mishawaka State of the City Address State presented to the Common Council “Honoring the past, leading the present, shaping the future” Mayor David A. Wood

• April 3, 2024
• Uncategorized
• Matthew Lentsch

City of Mishawaka State of the City Address presented to the Common Council “Honoring the past, leading the present, shaping the future” Mayor David A. Wood

Dear Friends,

As we plan to gather in the Council Chambers inside of the beautiful City Hall on April 11 th , 2024, at 6:00pm, I am reminded of the importance of reflecting on the past year, assessing our progress, and addressing the challenges that lie ahead. The State of the City address provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge our ongoing efforts, and chart a course for the future.

I am pleased to reiterate that the 2024 State of the City address will take place on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The address will be held in the Council Chambers at Mishawaka City Hall, located at 100 LWW, Mishawaka Indiana, 46544.

Join me as we come together to honor the past, lead the present, and shape the future of our beloved city. Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a vibrant, resilient, and prosperous community for all residents.

Mayor David A. Wood

• February 2024
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City of Mishawaka

100 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN [email protected]

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I quit my tech job to be a stay-at-home boyfriend who cooks, cleans, and sews for my girlfriend. I have no plans to return to the 9 to 5.

• William Conrad, 25, and his girlfriend Levi Coralynn, 26, have been together for three years. 
• Conrad is a stay-at-home-boyfriend, while Coralynn, a content creator, supports them financially. 
• Conrad previously worked in tech but has no plans to return.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with William Conrad, a 25-year-old stay-at-home boyfriend and content creator from Canada. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

For the last three years, I've been a stay-at-home boyfriend. I cook, clean, and do the laundry — and I've never been happier.

My girlfriend Levi is big on social media and makes enough to provide for us both financially. She works from home, and I do 90% of the domestic chores. Our dynamic very much flips societal norm on its head, but it works for us, and we love it.

On a typical day I wake up a little earlier than Levi to make us some coffee. We usually share a coffee, hang out for a while, and do Wordle together. Then, she'll do some work while I either prepare food or do other household chores. If we're not ready to eat, I might do some work on the computer alongside her.

Since she works from home, we pretty much spend every minute of every day together, which I love because she's my best friend before anything else.

We lead a very communal life, and that applies to how we navigate money too. We've never had the perspective of "this is my money, this is your money." It's very much a joint venture, and most of our purchases are done together anyway.

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I help with the backend of her business, doing the accounts and bookkeeping, just as much as I do things around the house.

Being a stay-at-home boyfriend allows me to do what I love

Levi and I met on Hinge around three years ago when we were living in different cities. I was living in Toronto, near where I grew up, while she was in Alberta. We started talking online and knew we needed to meet in person, so she came to see me in Toronto.

Our first date was a week long and we stayed in an Airbnb . Shortly after that, we moved in together in Ontario, and we've been together ever since.

Growing up, I didn't have a strong sense of what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn't want to sit in an office all day looking at a monitor. I've always liked creating things and working with my hands. But I ended up studying computer science at college and then found a job at a tech startup .

When I met Levi, I was doing freelance jobs here and there, and some more consistent stuff in the tech world. She was deep into her career as a content creator and needed help running her online business. She thought I'd be the perfect fit and asked if I would work for her. So I quit my job and became a full-time stay-at-home-boyfriend.

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy my job, but this was just a greener pasture that I could step toward. It was an opportunity that was better suited to me, I think, in the long run. I was really into cooking and sewing before I even met Levi, and this meant I could focus on those interests more and hone my skills.

I have no plans to return to the 9-to-5 and would only do so if our online businesses stopped working.

I started posting online to show the world a softer type of masculinity

In August 2022, I started posting snippets of my life on TikTok. My videos mainly showcase the meals I cook for Levi, but sometimes it's me braiding her hair, hemming her clothes, or fixing things around the house. I'm soft-spoken and have a gentle manner, and the comments from my mainly female audience have been overwhelmingly positive. These are all things I do anyway, but it was Levi's idea to share it with the world.

It was around the time that Andrew Tate , the anti-feminist influencer, was really popular, and there was an oversaturation of toxic masculinity online. We saw this need and an opportunity to present a kind, loving man in the online space. One thing I'm very proud of is showing the duality a man can have. I have both feminine and masculine characteristics, but I'm still a man.

I was raised in a very nurturing household where both my parents worked and split the domestic tasks evenly. Everyone contributed to the household, and gender was never tied to a specific role, so living this way has never affected my sense of masculinity.

Social media is giving young men a skewed image of what women want

Women often comment things like "Where do I buy mine?" on my content. And while it's always nice to hear that someone thinks I'm a good boyfriend, it's also sad that a loving dynamic seems to be a scarce thing.

Lots of women are looking for a man who will cook them a nice meal and be gentle, but maybe not enough men value these things.

I think toxic masculinity on social media might be giving young men and boys a skewed perspective of what women want. I hope to inspire other men to lean into their feminine traits more without feeling like it threatens their manhood.

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