Planning Business Presentations

First Business English know that giving presentations is a common task in the business world. Whether you’re presenting a project update, pitching a product, or reporting company results, the ability to plan and deliver a clear and professional presentation is essential. For Business English learners, understanding key phrases, vocabulary, and techniques will help improve your confidence and communication during presentations. In this First Business English article we look at the vocabulary and phrases used in relation to business presentations and provide an example paragraph to help you get started talking about planning business presentations.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

• To outline the agenda – to present the structure or main points of the presentation
  “Let me outline the agenda before we begin.”

• To run through – to quickly go over or explain something
  “I’ll run through the main points of the proposal.”

• To highlight – to emphasize or draw attention to something
  “I’d like to highlight the key benefits of this product.”

• To wrap up – to finish or conclude
  “Let’s wrap up with a summary of today’s discussion.”

• To take questions – to invite questions from the audience
  “I’ll take your questions at the end of the presentation.”

• Visual aids – tools like slides, charts, and images that support the presentation
  “Use visual aids to make your message clearer.”

• Main message / key takeaway – the central point or lesson of the presentation
  “The key takeaway is that we need to improve customer service.”

Steps for Planning a Business Presentation

1. Define your purpose
   Ask yourself: What is the goal of this presentation? Are you informing, persuading, or reporting? Clarifying the purpose helps you stay focused and relevant.

2. Know your audience
   Consider who you are speaking to. Are they clients, colleagues, or executives? Adjust your language, tone, and content to suit their level of understanding and interest.

3. Structure your presentation
   A good presentation usually has three parts:

   • Introduction: Greet the audience, introduce yourself, and outline the agenda.

   • Main body: Present the facts, data, arguments, or case studies.

   • Conclusion: Summarize the key points and wrap up with a clear message or recommendation.

4. Use visual aids wisely
   Keep slides simple and readable. Avoid putting too much text. Use graphs, images, or bullet points to support your key points.

5. Rehearse your delivery
   Practice speaking clearly and confidently. Time your presentation to stay within limits and reduce nervousness.

6. Prepare for questions
   Anticipate possible questions and prepare your answers. This shows professionalism and deep understanding.

Example Paragraph

Last month, I had to give a presentation to senior management about our team’s quarterly performance. I started by outlining the agenda, then I ran through the main achievements and included some charts as visual aids to support the data. I also highlighted areas for improvement and gave clear suggestions for the next quarter. At the end, I wrapped up with a short summary and invited the audience to ask questions. Because I had prepared well and practiced in advance, the presentation went smoothly, and my manager said it was clear and professional.

Conclusion

Planning a business presentation is not just about speaking well—it’s about clear structure, useful content, and effective delivery. Learning useful business phrases such as “let me outline the agenda” or “I’d like to highlight…” can help you communicate your message with confidence. With preparation and practice, you’ll be able to give successful presentations that leave a strong impression. To learn more simply book a lesson with us at First Business English.