When considering what should a good PowerPoint presentation include, especially when addressing senior executives, the focus should be on clarity, brevity, and impact. Senior executives often have limited time and require presentations that quickly get to the point, deliver actionable insights, and facilitate decision-making. Therefore, a successful PowerPoint presentation to this audience must be meticulously planned, designed, and executed with these considerations in mind.

The first key element is a clear and concise framework that guides the presentation. This framework should outline the critical points in a logical sequence, ensuring that the audience can easily follow and understand the main message. Consulting firms like McKinsey and Bain emphasize the importance of a storyline in presentations, where each slide builds upon the previous one to create a compelling narrative. This approach helps in keeping the audience engaged and makes complex information more digestible. Furthermore, leveraging a well-designed template can enhance the professionalism and visual appeal of the presentation, making it more likely to capture and hold the attention of senior executives.

Another crucial aspect is the inclusion of data and analysis to support the key messages. However, it's essential to present this data in a way that is immediately understandable and relevant to the strategic objectives of the organization. This often means distilling complex data into simple, visually appealing charts or graphs and avoiding the temptation to include every piece of analysis conducted. The goal is to provide enough context to support your recommendations without overwhelming the audience with unnecessary detail. Accenture's research highlights the effectiveness of data visualization in executive presentations, noting that well-designed visuals can significantly enhance comprehension and retention of information.

Lastly, actionable insights and clear recommendations are what senior executives value the most in a presentation. It's not enough to simply present data and analysis; you must also articulate what this means for the organization and what actions should be taken. This requires a deep understanding of the organization's strategy, goals, and challenges, as well as the ability to think critically about how the information presented can be used to drive forward strategic initiatives. Whether it's about Digital Transformation, Operational Excellence, or Leadership, your presentation should culminate in a set of clear, actionable recommendations that are aligned with the organization's strategic priorities.