The Importance of Consulting PPTs for Business Improvement
Design and delivery of a consulting PPT play a crucial role in facilitating business growth. They provide a visual and concise way to communicate complex ideas, strategies, and recommendations to clients or stakeholders. A consulting PPT allows one to present data, analysis, and insights clearly and organized, making it easier for decision-makers to understand and make informed choices. A consulting PPT is a must-have tool for driving business improvement and facilitating effective communication in the consulting industry.
Management consultants rely heavily on Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint to transform interviews, meetings, data analyses, and research pieces into insightful presentations. The client demands succinct, well-structured findings that are easily understandable. The age-old query is how to achieve proficiency and efficiency in using these tools without compromising quality.
The consulting industry revolves around the sale of ideas and concepts, wherein the adept utilization of tools like PowerPoint and Excel is paramount in effectively conveying these concepts to clients. Mastering these applications is vital for any consultant looking to provide maximum value to their clientele. Undoubtedly, it is the most crucial practical expertise a consultant can possess.
The daily routine of a consultant is truly bustling, with numerous responsibilities ranging from attending calls and meetings to scrutinizing and reporting outcomes. To achieve tangible results, it is imperative to prioritize tasks and allocate resources. However, even after effectively prioritizing, a significant fraction of time is consumed manually constructing presentations and reports.
Presenting Consulting PPT
Within this blog entry, we shall divulge seven pivotal pointers tailored for consultants. These suggestions provide a solid basis for proficiently using PowerPoint and tactically implementing it to amplify efficiency.
7 pivotal pointers tailored for consultants
1️⃣ Save time while building high-quality slides
Consulting PPT – Quality Slides
It is essential to create high-quality slides for effectively impacting your audience. It can be a time-consuming process and creating an audience impact depends on varied other factors. There are several ways to save time while building high-quality slides and choosing best tools can save your time.
2️⃣ Access to great templates is vital
Consulting PPT – Templates
One of the most crucial ways to save time is to have access to great templates. Templates can help you quickly create professional-looking slides without starting from scratch each time. A template library with various designs and layouts can also help create a consistent look throughout your presentation.
3️⃣ Be consistent in formatting, without exception
Consulting PPT – Formatting
Consistency is the key to creating professional-looking slides. Ensure all slides have the same formatting, including font size, color, or alignment. Aligning all elements on your slides can be tedious, but it’s worth the effort. Consistency in formatting is essential to creating a cohesive and professional-looking presentation.
4️⃣ Have someone review the slides
Having someone review your slides before the presentation can help identify mistakes or inconsistencies that you may have missed. A fresh set of eyes can point out any discrepancies in formatting or design. Additionally, the reviewer can provide feedback on the overall flow and effectiveness of the presentation.
5️⃣ Use technology for validation and finetuning
Using technology for validation and finetuning can also save time and ensure accuracy. There are many tools and software available that can help validate your presentation design.
6️⃣ Transferring and updating Excel data into PowerPoint
Consulting PPT – Data Visualization
Transferring and updating Excel data into PowerPoint can be crucial to any business presentation. The data presented in the PowerPoint slides has to be updated and precise. Excel provides a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing data. PowerPoint offers varied data visualization tools including think-cell charts and other plugins for data visualization.
7️⃣ Be aware of best-practice shortcuts
While learning these best-practice shortcuts may seem trivial, they can significantly impact your productivity. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with these shortcuts, you can save valuable time and energy better spent on another task.
Consultants use PowerPoint daily; the end deliverables will be as slide decks only. Let us see a few supporting points on why PPT stands the best for consultants in creating their deliverables.
Consultants use PowerPoint extensively
Consultants use consulting PPT as an effective tool for presenting complex information clearly and concisely. A consulting PPT enhances the visual appeal and engages the audience using various design features. By designing an effective consulting PPT, the presenter can cover all the necessary points during the presentation meeting. Consultants can use multimedia elements, such as images, videos, and charts, to support their arguments and provide a more compelling presentation.
The consulting domain is centered on the sale of ingenious ideas and concepts, and there is no denying that presentations serve as the essential medium for demonstrating these ideas. Consequently, a comprehensive comprehension of the primary presentation platforms, such as PowerPoint and Google Slides, is indispensable for effective communication with clients in this field.
Within the subsequent segment of this informative blog, we shall expound upon pertinent notions concerning presentations that are imperative for consultants to imbibe. These ideas shall be instrumental in establishing a streamlined and productive approach towards constructing presentations. Moreover, we shall also delve into the intricate mechanics of utilizing PowerPoint as a medium for presentation and elucidate the various techniques that can be employed to work around this tool.
With the number of hours consultants spend on presentations, it would be worthwhile to share tips and tricks to save those vital minutes and give you the edge you need during your next presentation.
8 Noteworthy PowerPoint Hacks For Consultants
Let’s explore eight noteworthy PowerPoint hacks that every consultant must know about.
1️⃣ Quick Copy
A pertinent example of this approach is the utilization of a keyboard shortcut that enables swift object copying on a slide. A simple press of the control key while clicking on the object serves to copy it, after which it can be dragged away easily. By prioritizing leveraging pre-existing slide elements, individuals can streamline their approach to slide creation and improve their productivity.
2️⃣ Move Objects in a Straight Line
The true potential of this shortcut is realized when it is used in conjunction with the initial one. In essence, it enables the seamless duplication of any element, be it a box or otherwise, which can be positioned directly underneath the original. Press the control and shift keys together, followed by a click-and-drag function with the mouse. This can save time and enhance your productivity.
3️⃣ Repeat Commands
Using the F4 key, you can easily apply the same action to multiple objects. For e.g., if you want to change the color of an object to green, select the object and choose a green shape fill from the ribbon. Select the same color as the next object and press the F4 key to apply it. This shortcut saves time and allows for efficient editing in PowerPoint.
4️⃣ Ribbon Shortcuts
The ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint interface contains various commands and options. By using ribbon shortcuts, you can easily access these commands. For instance, pressing the Alt key followed by the letter for a specific tab, such as the home tab (H), and then the letter for a command, such as a font color (FC), allows you to alter the color of the font quickly. This shortcut, Alt -> H -> FC, simplifies formatting your presentation.
5️⃣ Copy and Paste Formatting
This feature allows you to duplicate one item’s formatting onto another quickly. Take for instance, if you want to convert a box into a series of bullet points, you can select the bullet points, press Control + Shift + C, then select the box and press Control + Shift + V to apply the formatting. This saves you time and effort in manually formatting each item.
6️⃣ Aligning and Distributing
Users can ensure that all items are evenly spaced and aligned by selecting multiple objects and using the align tool. The distribution tool allows users to space objects evenly, both horizontally and vertically. These tools can save time and effort in creating presentations and make creating a polished and cohesive design easy.
7️⃣ Group Objects
Grouping objects in PowerPoint is a useful feature that allows users to manage and manipulate multiple objects as a single entity. Grouping objects enables users to align, resize, and move multiple objects simultaneously, making it much easier to create professional-looking presentations quickly. Select the objects you wish to group, right-click, and choose the “Group” option. This saves time and improve the visual impact of presentations.
8️⃣ Use the Quick Access Toolbar
The Quick Access Toolbar in PowerPoint is a useful feature allowing users to access frequently used commands and tools easily. It is located above the ribbon and can be customized to include any command or tool that a user desires. Users can save time and avoid unnecessary clicks by adding commonly used commands to the Quick Access Toolbar.
With these 8 PowerPoint hacks, now we shall see the usefulness of think-cell charts, data visualization tools, and common design layouts used in consulting decks.
12 amazing charts created using think-cell in creating a consulting PPT
Consulting PPT – Think-cell Charts
- Waterfall Chart
- Gantt Chart
- Mekko Chart
- Scatter and Bubble Chart
- Pie Chart
- Line Chart
- Clustered Chart
- 100% Chart
- Stacked Column and Bar Chart
- Area Chart
- Area 100% Chart
- Butterfly chart
10 creative data visualization techniques used in designing a consulting PPT
Consulting PPT – data visualizing tools
- Chord Diagram
- Sunburst chart
- Radial Bar chart
- Nightingale Rose chart
- Parallel Coordinates Plot
- Histogram Chart
- Frequency Table
- Tree map
- Bullet Graph
- Funnel Chart
10 commonly used design layouts in building a consulting PPT
- Pillar Diagram
- Matrix design
- Process Flow Diagram
- Harvey Balls
- Venn Diagram
- SWOT analysis
- Market sizing visualization
- Map Slide
- Organization Chart
- Heat Map Visualization
In this blog, we shall only see the list for the said tools and a detailed guide covering all of them; please refer to our previous blog on “How to create consulting decks like McKinsey Consultants”.
PowerPoint is widely used across all industries as a preferred presentation software. The consultants extensively make use of PowerPoint in their day-to-day operations. It is worthwhile for a consultant to stay tuned with the latest updates in PowerPoint for new features being introduced.
Let us briefly overview the new features introduced in PowerPoint 2023.
PowerPoint new features in 2023 worth trying out – Stay updated
PowerPoint introduced new features in 2023 to adapt to changing user needs. These updates will include enhancements to the teleprompter function, improved saving options for Microsoft Teams and Groups, and improvements to the Drawing Tools. These new features will make using PowerPoint easier and more efficient, incorporating modern technology and artificial intelligence. Stay updated with the latest and greatest for Microsoft PowerPoint by exploring these tips and tricks.
1️⃣ Enhanced teleprompter
This new feature will allow users to quickly refer to their script while recording videos, eliminating the need to fumble with notes. The auto-scroll feature will help users maintain better eye contact with the camera, resulting in more confident and engaging presentations.
2️⃣ Accessibility ribbon improvements
One notable addition is the Accessibility ribbon, which will appear when the Alt Text Pane and Reading Order Pane are open, making it easier to identify and address accessibility issues for color-blind individuals. Additionally, a new feature called Mark as Decorative will allow users to designate images purely decorative, eliminating the need to include alt text. Another time-saving feature is quickly adding a header row or column to a table with the Insert Header Row and Insert Header Column commands. These updates aim to improve the overall user experience and make PowerPoint more efficient for creating accessible and visually appealing presentations.
3️⃣ Improved drawing tools
The Draw tab has been updated based on user feedback, providing easier access to a wider range of tools. Some new capabilities include Undo/Redo and Ruler, allowing for more precise editing. A laser pointer will also be available in Slideshow mode, enhancing presentations. Furthermore, users can now draw straight lines using a stylus or a mouse, adding more versatility to their designs.
4️⃣ Add your own videos to PowerPoint for the web presentations
While users have been able to insert videos from online platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, the upcoming update will allow users to include their videos quickly. Whether it’s a memorable moment from a personal event or a team celebration, users can now seamlessly integrate their video content into their presentations. Use of short videos are more effective in capturing the audience’s attention. The recommended video file format is .mp4. PowerPoint also supports other file types such as .mov, .wmv, .avi, .m4v, .mkv, .asf, and .ts.
5️⃣ Automatic bullet formatting
Previously, setting up a bulleted list required navigating through the ribbon, selecting the desired bullet style, and manually applying it. However, the latest update allows users to effortlessly create bulleted lists without interrupting their workflow or needing to use the mouse. This new feature enables users to quickly and efficiently convey their message with impactful statements.
6️⃣ iOS Template collection
The number of templates in PowerPoint for iOS has been increased from 24 to 71 and made social-friendly and -ready. With these templates, you can quickly create posters, flyers, invitations, celebratory posts, and more. Check it out!
7️⃣ Export slides as an animated GIF in PowerPoint for iPad
The latest features in PowerPoint will include creating animated GIFs from different slides and converting existing presentations into animated GIFs while preserving their animations. This feature will be available not only in PowerPoint for Windows, Mac and iPad as well.
8️⃣ Format Painter in PowerPoint for iPad
The Format Painter feature, which allows users to apply formatting to multiple elements easily, is now available on PowerPoint and Word for iPad. With just a single tap, users can copy all the formatting from one object and apply it to another. This includes color, font style and size, and border style.
We have discussed 8 new updates in PowerPoint 2023 that are useful in improving your PowerPoint designs and adapting to changing design needs and trends.
Are you a busy consultant? Need more time to learn and adopt these updates for your next consulting PPT designs? No need to try hard.
Instead, try to outsource your consulting PPT designs to a top presentation design agency
Still, have questions?
If you have more questions about improving the designs of consulting decks, leave them in the comments below. Our expert designers team at Visual Sculptors are eager to share the top design principles followed for McKinsey-style presentation designs for consulting decks.
Wrapping it up
Consultants provide hand-drawn sketches to production staff, who create the final product. Specialist professionals do the presentation slides. An effectively organized presentation with carefully considered content is far more effective than one that looks attractive.
You can visit our portfolio to understand a typical consultant style. Our team of Ex-McKinsey Presentation Designers (Ex-VGI Visual Graphics India) meticulously follow the best practices of formatting and data visualization techniques to come up with suitable chart types. If you require a professionally designed presentation with formatted charts in MS Graph or Thinkcell, please contact us; we would be delighted to discuss your next design project.
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