I was working with a client who was preparing a big presentation for the executive team. They told me they didn't know why they were bothering. "All they ever say is, ' Show me the financials. They don't want to hear a story." I told them that was fine. We knew what the exec team wanted to hear, so we put the financials first. But you still need a story. You can't put up a slide and say nothing. We have all seen a presenter do that: 'The numbers tell the full story'. No, they do not. Numbers need context. You also have a point of view to promote. While you show the financials and explain them, the story provides much-needed insight and context.
