DB6 part 1

After reading the course material in this and the prior unit, if you had to write a guide for new employees on creating an executive-level PowerPoint presentation within your industry, what would you include? Can you find any examples of do’s and don’ts in visualization online to share with the class?**

In response to your peers, is there anything you would add to their guide? Are there any differences in style between your peers and your own industry

CLASSMATE 1
lassmates and Professor,
If I had to write a guide for new employees on creating an executive-level PowerPoint presentation within
my industry here are the steps I would have them take.
1. Understanding the Audience: Before creating the presentation, understand the audience and their
expectations. Research the executives’ backgrounds, interests, and priorities to tailor the content
accordingly.
1. Clear Objective: Define the presentation’s objective. Ensure the content is concise, focused, and
aligned with the objective.
1. Structure: Organize the presentation in a logical sequence. Divide the content into clear sections,
such as an introduction, body, and conclusion.
1. Content: Keep the content concise and to the point. Use bullet points, headings, and subheadings
to make the information easily digestible.
1. Design: Use a clean and professional design. Choose a simple and consistent color scheme,
font, and layout.
1. Visuals: Use visuals to support the content. Charts, graphs, and images can help convey complex
information more effectively.
1. Interactivity: Consider adding interactive elements, such as animations, transitions, and videos, to
engage the audience.
1. Practice: Practice the presentation to ensure a smooth delivery. Time the presentation to ensure
it fits within the allotted time.
Do’s and Don’ts in Visualization
Do:
• Use clear and simple visuals to convey complex information.
• Use contrasting colors to highlight important data.
• Use appropriate chart types for the data.
• Use labels and legends to make the visuals easy to understand.
Don’t:
• Use too many visuals on one slide.
• Use clashing colors or distracting backgrounds.
• Use inappropriate chart types for the data.
• Use too much text in visuals.
To create an executive-level PowerPoint presentation, you must understand the audience, define the
objective, structure the content, keep it concise, use a clean design, add visuals, practice the
presentation, and follow the do’s and don’ts of visualization. Examples of do’s and don’ts in visualization
can be found online, such as using clear and simple visuals, contrasting colors, appropriate chart types,
and avoiding cluttered visuals with too much text and inappropriate chart types.
References:
Tips for Making Effective PowerPoint Presentations. (2017, Aug 8). National Conference of State
Legislatures.
Heinrich, R. (2021,March 13). Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations [Video].
YouTube. https://youtu.be/MbwFt8wWilU
CLASSMATE 2
Hi everyone,
whether we like it or not, creating effective PowerPoints is a crucial skill in many industries, especially in
the consulting sector I work at. Therefore, I’ve put together a guide on creating an executive-level
PowerPoint presentation. Here are some key points to consider:
Essentials of Data Storytelling
According to Sejal Vora in “The Power of Data Storytelling,” storytelling is essential in making your data
engaging and persuasive. Vora highlights the importance of clarity and simplicity in Chapter 2 and
Chapter 5. The goal is to turn complex data into actionable insights that are easy to understand and
compelling to the audience (Vora, 2019).
Key Tips for Effective Presentations
The National Conference of State Legislatures provides some great tips in their article “Tips for Making
Effective PowerPoint Presentations” (2017). Here are a few highlights:
•
•
•
Keep it Simple: Avoid clutter. Use bullet points to break down information.
Consistency: Use the same fonts, colors, and styles throughout your presentation.
Visuals: Use high-quality visuals to illustrate your points, but avoid overloading slides with images
(National Conference of State Legislatures, 2017).
Persuading with Data
George Peacock emphasizes the importance of simplicity in persuasive presentations. In his book
“Persuading with Big Data,” he advises keeping the data presentation straightforward to maintain the
audience’s attention and clear the message (Peacock, 2017).
Examples of Effective Visualization
McKinsey & Company are known for their powerful presentations. One of their key strategies is
personalizing data to make it relevant for the audience. They highlight the importance of tailoring their
message to their audience’s specific needs and interests (McKinsey & Company, 2022).
Do’s and Don’ts in Visualization
Here are some do’s and don’ts based on Jonathan Schwabish’s “Better Data Visualizations” (2021):
• Do use clear and concise titles and labels.
• Do choose appropriate chart types for your data.
• Do use color strategically to highlight key data points.
• Don’t use 3D charts as they can be misleading.
• Don’t overload your slides with text or data (Schwabish, 2021).
Useful Resources
• Videos: Watching expert reviews and creation processes can be incredibly insightful. For
example, an Ex-McKinsey consultant’s video on creating slide decks from scratch is highly
recommended.
• Books and Articles: Books like “Business Analytics: Data Analysis & Decision Making” by Albright
and Winston provide in-depth knowledge on using statistical and visual tools effectively (Albright
& Winston, 2020).
By following these guidelines and leveraging these resources, everyone can create PowerPoint
presentations that are not only visually appealing but also effectively communicate the data and insights.
References:
• Vora, S. (2019). The Power of Data Storytelling. Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd.
• Tips for Making Effective PowerPoint Presentations. (2017, Aug 8). National Conference of State
Legislatures.
• Peacock, G. (2017). Persuading with Big Data: Keep it simple. Bennelong Publishing.
• McKinsey & Company. (2022, Feb 24). Unlocking the value of personalization at scale for
operators.
• Schwabish, J. (2021). Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks.
Columbia University Press.
• Albright, S. C., & Winston, W. (2020). Business Analytics: Data Analysis & Decision Making (7th
Edition). Cengage Learning.
Looking forward to discussing this further and hearing your thoughts!
CLASSMATE 3
Good morning class and Dr.,
Creating an executive-level PowerPoint presentation requires attention to detail and
effective communication. Here are some key points to include in your guide:
Understand Your Audience: Before creating your presentation, consider who your
audience is. Tailor your content, tone, and level of detail to match their expectations and
knowledge levels.
Clear and Concise Content: Executive presentations should be clear, concise, and to
the point. Avoid unnecessary details and focus on key messages. Use bullet points,
visuals, and graphics to enhance understanding.
Professional Design: Choose a clean and professional design template for your
presentation. Use a consistent color scheme, font style, and layout throughout the
slides.
Visual Elements: Incorporate relevant visuals such as charts, graphs, images, and
diagrams to support your key points. Visuals can help break up text-heavy slides and
make the presentation more engaging.
Executive Summary: Start your presentation with a brief executive summary that
outlines the key points and takeaways. This helps set the context and prepares the
audience for what’s to come.
Data Visualization: When presenting data, use charts and graphs to present complex
information in a clear and visually appealing way. Make sure the data is easy to
interpret and supports your narrative.
Practice Delivery: Practice your presentation multiple times to ensure you are
comfortable with the content and delivery. Practice speaking clearly, maintaining eye
contact, and managing your time effectively.
As for examples of do’s and don’ts in visualization, you can find many resources online.
Check out websites like the Data Visualization Society or data visualization blogs to find
practical examples of effective visualization techniques. Look for case studies, best
practices, and tips on creating impactful data visualizations for presentations.
References:
Tips for Making Effective PowerPoint Presentations. (2017, Aug 8). National
Conference of State Legislatures.
Heinrich, R. (2021,March 13). Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations [Video].
YouTube. https://youtu.be/MbwFt8wWilU