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Planning Phase

Do not open PowerPoint yet. Your slides support your words, not the other way around.

Step 1

Start at the End

Before you touch a single slide, you must answer three critical questions. This is your "Empathy Suit"—shifting perspective from what you want to say to what the audience needs to hear.

The Goal

What exactly do you want them to do (not just understand) after the talk?

The Memory

What one sentence, stat, or story should they remember 24 hours later?

The Buy-in

What challenge do they face that you solve? Why should they care now?

Worksheet Preview

My Goal:"I want them to actively ask for this product when talking to X-type clients."
Key Memory:"We're missing 40% of value in segment X."
Urgency:"If we do nothing, competitors will capture this segment by Q4."
Bauhaus style brainstorming
Step 2

The Sticky Note Method

Don't start in the slide software. It forces linear thinking. Use sticky notes to brainstorm freely, then filter ruthlessly.

  • 1

    Brainstorm

    Write every idea on a separate sticky note. Don't worry about the 20-slide limit yet.

  • 2

    Filter

    Be ruthless. Every point must earn its place. If it doesn't support the goal, trash it.

  • 3

    Cluster

    Group notes into the 4 main sections of your narrative arc.

Step 3

Choose Your Structure

Don't reinvent the wheel. Use one of these proven narrative arcs to organize your 20 slides.

Option 1: The 4-Part Story

Best for: Case studies, problem/solution narratives

Slides 1-4Opening (Hook + Problem)
Slides 5-8Body 1 (Key Idea / Case)
Slides 9-12Body 2 (Second Angle)
Slides 13-16Body 3 (Proof / How it works)
Slides 17-20Closing (Recap + CTA)

Option 2: The 4 Talking Points

Best for: Product features, strategic pillars

Slides 1-2Intro / Setting
Slides 3-6Key Point 1 (Challenge + Fix)
Slides 7-10Key Point 2 (Use Case)
Slides 11-14Key Point 3 (Impact / Proof)
Slides 15-18Key Point 4 (Sales Angle)
Slides 19-20Summary & CTA

Structure Ready?

Now let's design the visuals to support your story.

Go to Design Phase