"Can I let you in on a secret? Never start building an M&A pitch deck by ‘choosing the story arc.’ That’s great advice for most presentations, but it doesn’t apply here," our Creative Director advised a client—the founder of a learning and development company in Mumbai who was preparing a pitch deck for their company’s acquisition. We were brought in to craft their acquisition pitch deck.
"That’s surprising! Why would you say that?" the founder, Rohit, responded. "Everything we’ve heard and read says to start with the story arc. This sounds completely opposite."
"I get it," our Creative Director replied, "but with M&A pitch decks, data takes centre stage. There’s so much information you need to convey that data should drive the story. First, we gather all the relevant data, arrange it across the deck draft, and then shape the narrative around it."
As a presentation design agency, we draw inspiration for our blogs from real interactions we have with clients. This blog was sparked by this conversation, as we realized many are approaching M&A pitch decks like standard presentations, focusing on narrative before data. But in our experience, that’s a misstep. In this post, we’ll dive into a fresh approach that puts data at the forefront for an impactful M&A pitch deck.
Why are M&A pitch decks different from other presentations
Data is the Star
In M&A pitch decks, data drives the narrative because you’re highlighting company performance metrics that demonstrate financial and brand stability. Unlike other presentations, the focus here is on solid numbers, not fluff or engagement tactics.
A Tougher Audience
Your audience is harder to impress and typically expects hard facts over storytelling. Understanding their preference, whether they lean towards raw data or appreciate a subtle story structure—needs careful research.
You may not be present
Often, third parties involved in the deal might review your deck without you present to explain. This makes it essential for the deck to be clear, comprehensive, and able to convey its message independently.
How to make an M&A pitch deck [Our way]
Our approach is different from other agencies because 70-80% of our projects each month focus on pitch decks, including M&A presentations. This means our insights stem from extensive experimentation and refinement of the best strategies in the field.
Start with Data: The Star of the Show
The first step is to compile your data. As we've mentioned before, data is the star performer in your pitch. Gather your team and brainstorm all the metrics that showcase your company as a lucrative acquisition or merger opportunity. This is not the time to hold back—lay everything out in raw form. Think of it as building the foundation of a house; without a solid base, everything that follows can be shaky at best.
Consider not only financial data but also other key performance indicators that reflect your business's strength. For example, one of our clients, a Dubai-based real estate brokerage, strategically included their website traffic in their presentation. This was an insightful move, as it demonstrated not just brand value but also the potential for recurring business, which is a major selling point.
Drafting Your Slides: Organizing the Information
Once you’ve gathered your data, it’s time to move on to drafting your slides. Remember to give your data the space it deserves—don’t cram everything back to back. Overloading consecutive slides with data can quickly overwhelm your audience and obscure your key messages.
Think carefully about the sequence in which you present your information. Some data is better suited for initial slides, while other insights may be more effective if introduced later in the presentation. This flow is crucial for maintaining your audience's engagement. And always keep in mind that data isn’t exclusively financial; it can also showcase brand strength, customer loyalty, and market presence.
Audience Insights: Know Who You're Presenting To
When preparing your presentation, it’s vital to consider audience insights. While you likely have a grasp on the decision-making processes and expectations of your primary audience, don’t underestimate the value of insights from intermediary parties involved in the deal. These stakeholders can offer valuable perspectives on what to include in your presentation and what concerns might arise during the pitch.
Take the time to ask around and gather insights before finalizing your deck’s content. This step can save you from potential pitfalls and help you tailor your message to address the audience’s specific needs and concerns.
Collaborating with Copywriters: The Right Fit
Next up, it’s time to bring in copywriters. At this stage, remember that your first instinct might be to seek out a writer with a knack for storytelling. However, in the context of an M&A pitch deck, that’s not what you need. You want someone who can craft content from the audience’s perspective.
Your audience isn’t looking for entertainment; they’re expecting a rational, straightforward story. Striking the right balance is key—matching their expectations will help you avoid any missteps. Aim for clarity and conciseness in your messaging, ensuring that every word adds value to your presentation.
Seek Feedback: The Value of Fresh Eyes
After you've polished the content and the design, don’t skip the crucial step of seeking feedback. From our experience, we can tell you that once the design is locked in, making content changes becomes challenging, if not impossible. It’s much easier to tweak the content before it’s set in stone.
Seek feedback from a third party—this could be a trusted colleague or even an external reviewer.
You’re also welcome to have your deck reviewed by our team to ensure it meets the highest standards and resonates with your target audience. Feel free to reach to us from the contact section of our website.
Designing for Impact: Visuals that Speak Volumes
Finally, focus on designing your deck with impactful visuals. This doesn’t mean going overboard; in fact, less is often more. Given the data-heavy nature of M&A presentations, it’s essential to embrace a minimalist design that prioritizes clarity and ease of understanding.
Choose a clean layout that highlights your data without overwhelming your audience. Use visuals strategically—charts, graphs, and infographics can transform complex data into visualization. We suggest that you get your design done professionally.
Collaborate with us
And if all of this seems overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out. As a presentation design agency, we’re here to help you every step of the way—from brainstorming ideas to crafting a polished, engaging final deck.
