PowerPoint and Business Presentations
Structure, slide design and delivery that persuades.
Taught by Kritika Lama · Product Manager
What you'll learn
- Define the audience, purpose and single key message before opening PowerPoint
- Build a storyline with SCQA and the pyramid principle, and write action titles that tell the story on their own
- Design clean, consistent slides using alignment, contrast, whitespace and a Slide Master template
- Choose the right chart for your data and redesign cluttered charts to highlight one clear message
- Rehearse and deliver a presentation using Presenter View, speaker notes and accessible slides
- Handle questions and objections calmly with prepared appendix slides and a clear follow-up
About this course
Almost every job involves presenting, whether it is a weekly update, a project proposal or a pitch to senior leaders, yet few people are ever taught how to do it well. This beginner course is for students, new graduates and professionals who want their PowerPoint presentations to be clear, persuasive and quick to build. You will learn to plan a storyline with SCQA and the pyramid principle, write action titles that carry the argument, apply slide design principles for layout, typography and colour, build clean charts that make one point, and use Slide Master, templates and Copilot in PowerPoint to work faster. The final lessons cover rehearsal, Presenter View, presenting in person or on Microsoft Teams, and handling tough questions with confidence. You need PowerPoint from Microsoft 365 or a recent desktop version and basic computer skills; the design principles apply equally to Google Slides and Keynote.
Course content
7 lessons- 1Why Most Business Presentations Miss the MarkAudience, purpose and one key message: the three decisions to make before you open PowerPoint.Preview
- 2Building the Storyline with SCQA and the Pyramid PrincipleStructure your argument before you design, using SCQA, the pyramid principle and action titles.
- 3Slide Design Principles That Make Content ClearLayout, alignment, contrast, typography and colour: the principles behind slides that are easy to read.
- 4Working Faster in PowerPoint: Masters, Tools and AutomationUse Slide Master, alignment tools, shortcuts, Designer, Copilot and a little Python to build decks quickly.
- 5Charts and Data That Make One PointPick the right chart, strip out clutter, and use colour and titles to direct attention to the insight.
- 6Rehearsing and Delivering with ConfidenceRehearse efficiently, use Presenter View and Speaker Coach, and present well in the room or on Teams.
- 7Handling Questions and Following UpPrepare for tough questions, answer with composure, use appendix slides and turn the meeting into action.