The 5 Most Popular Consulting Slides (and how to build them)
How to Build Effective PowerPoint Slides
Introduction to Slide Building
- The speaker introduces a 10-minute tutorial on creating essential PowerPoint slides, particularly useful for careers in consulting, finance, or strategy.
- Observations from various presentations reveal that major consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG frequently use similar slide layouts to streamline their processes.
Key Slide Layouts
Table Slide
- The first recommended layout is the "table slide," which effectively displays categories or lists.
- Examples from McKinsey and Oliver Wyman illustrate this layout's commonality, featuring main categories on the left and supporting text on the right.
- This layout is versatile for qualitative and quantitative information that doesn't fit into charts; it's easy to create by copying boxes and adjusting formatting.
Chart Slide
- The second layout discussed is the "chart slide," characterized by a title at the top and a chart dominating the slide space.
- This format is effective for making convincing points with data, as seen in examples from Oliver Wyman and McKinsey where charts support key messages.
- Important considerations include ensuring that the chart type aligns with the message: line charts for trends, bar charts for category comparisons, etc.
Conclusion of Key Insights
Creating Effective Presentation Slides
Utilizing Ampler for Slide Creation
- The speaker demonstrates how to use the Ampler tool to insert slide layouts into a presentation, showcasing the ease of creating a subtitle slide.
- A vast library of slide layouts is available in Ampler, including features for easy chart building. Users can try it free for one month without needing a credit card.
Understanding Subtitle Slides
- The subtitle slide format includes a main title and supporting subtitles, which help convey structured information effectively.
- Examples from LEK and BCG illustrate how these slides present conclusions with supporting details, enhancing audience understanding of complex ideas.
Flow and Structure in Slides
- The flow of information on subtitle slides differs from table layout slides; it moves top-to-bottom rather than left-to-right, allowing for logical connections between points.
- Building these slides involves simple steps like copying text boxes and aligning them properly to maintain clarity.
Framework Slides: Organizing Ideas
- Framework slides serve as visual representations of concepts or ideas, helping organize content throughout the presentation.
- It's crucial to include only relevant details that support the message; excessive data can detract from clarity.
Visual Slides: Explaining Real-Life Concepts
- Visual slides are used to explain real-life objects or processes, often featuring maps or diagrams that clarify complex topics.
How to Effectively Use Visuals in Presentations
Importance of Visuals
- The main focus should be on using visuals effectively, such as maps, photos, or diagrams, rather than making slides aesthetically pleasing.
- Call-out boxes can be used to highlight different parts of the visual, ensuring clarity and understanding of the content presented.
Enhancing Readability
- To improve readability, change the shape fill of text boxes to white and add an outline for better contrast against the background.
- Adding a shadow effect to text boxes can help them stand out from images, making it easier for viewers to read the information provided.
Conclusion and Engagement
- The speaker expresses hope that viewers found the video helpful and encourages feedback on other topics they would like covered.