The #1 Secret to Creating an Engaging Finance Presentation

When I learned about decision-focused meetings, it blew my mind.

It’s such a simple idea, but it’s rarely executed.

I first encountered it when I joined the board of Professional Speakers Australia in 2021.

Yes, I’m the Finance person on the board.

When I joined, the board president told me the meetings were decisions-focused to make the best use of everyone’s time. There’s a lot to get through, so there’s no room for fluff.

Music to my ears in terms of them not wanting a boring run-through of ALL the numbers.

These meetings are a breath of fresh air.

They’re so productive. They’re not just generic discussions around the topic - it’s decision after decision.

It’s fantastic.

But what does that mean for the Finance report?

Well, for one thing, it means I can’t just read through tables of numbers.

What Does a Decisions-Focused Finance Presentation Look Like?

It’s liberating to not just read through the Profit and Loss!?

They aint bored and neither am I.

The Finance update is short and sweet. I prepare about ten slides, which are taken as read.?

The discussion is where we spend our time.

So what does my presentation actually contain? Well, there are four elements to it.

Step One: Context

I open with a high-level overview of the results compared to last month for year-to-date, and the year-end forecast.?

I then tell the board members where I want their input on the forecast.?

Step Two: Main Changes

I share my slides so we can discuss any major changes in the numbers. I call out wins for new programs or events and, of course, point out places we could improve.?

We agree on follow-up actions for those improvements.

Step Three: Year-End Position

Then we talk about the impacts of the results on the forecast, and look at the year-end position using a good old waterfall chart.

Step Four: Forecast Assumptions

This is where we spend most of our time.

We discuss the forecast income to get a pulse on the assumptions.?

The organisation runs many events and training programs for members, so I need to know if the expected numbers are on track. If they’re not, we discuss what we’re going to do about it.

Then we discuss any new expenditure not in the budget being proposed by board members.

We agree on any information that needs to be followed up on or provided to me so I can update the forecast later.

It’s Not Just Numbers and Figures - There’s Energy in the Room

Who knew there could be energy in the room during a Finance update?

The board members are actually engaged because the majority of the time is spent on the forecast assumptions. They’re providing input on programs they’re responsible for, not just listening passively.

We talk about things from an operations perspective, not a financial one. It’s about making decisions and taking action.

It's a discussion, a conversation. The energy is flowing in both directions - from me to them and back again.

This is the opposite of a Finance update where the numbers get read to the room. When there’s no exchange of energy, everyone gets drained. That’s why Finance presentations have a bad rap - and rightly so.

Do you want to turn your next Finance presentation into a decision-focused meeting?

I thought you might.

Even better, you can do it in about 30 minutes.

I have put together a 3-page resource that includes the solution, the structure, and the specifics.??

You can download it here .

?- Alan “Decision-Focused” Cameron-Sweeney