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Author’s Message

7 Deck Rules uncovers the art and science behind creating great presentations.

The purpose of this slide deck is to help you create insightful and powerful
The rules outlined here have
presentations.
evolved over the years based on
work at various organizations.
Ideas and information are power, only if they can be conveyed. That is what
a great presentation does – it conveys your message effectively.

7 Deck Rules will guide you through the art and the science behind creating
a great presentation.

Happy decking!

Acknowledgement
 The author wishes to acknowledge the inspiration taken from the Landis Template, created by Ken Landis
(Deloitte), in developing 7 Deck Rules
 A big thank you to clients and colleagues who have helped me grow over the years (Tim Westendorf, David
Hodgson, Sumit Malhotra, Jordane Elmassian and Sundeep Nehra)

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What is a Deck?

Decks are documents in slide format (like this one!).

Deck can be used to communicate ideas in a more informative and persuasive manner.

Document Deck
In its essence a document is A deck is a document laid out using slides in a presentation
communicating a message or an format – it helps communicate a message in a compelling and
idea insightful way

1 Easier to read slides (instead of lengthy documents)

2 Easier to connect with your audience

Reasons to
create documents 3 Easier to structure ideas as slides are discrete objects
in a
Deck format 4 Easier to be solution oriented and make decisions

5 Easier to shorten the document creation process

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Types of Documents

Most types of documents can be created using a deck format.

Various types of documents can be written in the deck format.

Executive Summary Decision Analysis Sales Pitch Planning

Strategy Document Design Document Request for Proposal Status Report

Business Case Business Document Proposal Responses Meeting Document

White Paper Technical Paper Requirements & Specs Resume

Point of View Thesis Procedures Personal Profile

Brochures Research Paper Instructions & Guides Personal Portfolio

We recommend all documents be built in a deck format.

See Slide 8 for Benefits

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Death by Bullets

Avoid Death by Bullets. Follow 7 Deck Rules and standout.

10 Billion presentations are created every

year . 95% are bad - they do not convey
the intended message.

​Bullets do kill in this case. PowerPoint

bullets that is.

5%

Following 7 Deck rules will help you

speed up the document creation process
so that you can convey your message
in a compelling and insightful way.

Be in the Top 5%.

95% of presentations suck.

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The Rules

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7 Deck Rules – Overview

Follow 7 rules to make compelling presentations.

Understand
the Canvas
I
Make it Keep it
Sing Simple
VII II

There are 7 Rules behind the Follow them all to

art and science of creating a 7 DECK4 RULES successfully convey your
great presentations. message.
Leverage VI III Tell a
a Library Story

V IV

Focus on Solve a
Composition Problem

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7 Deck Rules – Benefits

Leverage a tested mechanism to produce excellent presentations in a short time-frame.

7 deck rules provides a It will save you time by

methodical approach to helping you quickly build
building deliverables deliverables

It helps structure your It provides a template so It inspires you with proven

ideas and information in you can focus on the problem solving
solution oriented way. content & not the format. techniques.

Bottom line:
It will help you convey your
message in a compelling
way.

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Rule # I:

Understand
the
Canvas

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Rule I: Understand the Canvas

A typical slide has 6 distinct components.

The Headline is a short title The Lead is a brief, sharp

1 2
describing the slide statement summarizing the slide

The Body is the core part of the

3
slide (also known as the Storybox)

The Company Logo is displayed Page number in the middle of the The Department or Project Name
4 5 6
for branding purposes slide is displayed for branding purposes

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Rule # II:

Keep
it
Simple

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Rule II: Keep it Simple

Simplicity is necessary to properly convey an idea.

The goal of simplicity is to emphasize the

insightful and remove the distractful
Simple Powerful

Natural tension between simple and powerful,

finding the right balance is the goal

Reducing complexity is in of itself complex and

takes a focused approach
Reducing
Complexity
Continuously Organize, Collect and Reduce
content as the Deck as the deck is being built
Eliminate

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Rule # III:

Tell
a
Story

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Rule III: Tell a Story – Storyboarding Depicted

Storyboarding is a simple method to keep the Deck focused and coherent.

1 2 3 4 5

Storyboarding is the A great storyline has an Its easier for the In combination, the Slide The storyboard process
method for the creation engaging beginning, audience to understand Title and the Slide Lead converts brilliant,
of a storyline of a deck insightful content & a complex concepts when will summarize the entire abstract ideas into a
clear conclusion explained in a storyline deck coherent storyline

How these 5 point would

be storyboarded

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Rule # IV:

Solve
a
Problem

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Rule IV: Solve a Problem

A Deck should solve a problem. A methodical approach should

be taken when solving a problem.

Principle 1: Process Principle 2: Organization

A methodical process should be used to find the right viable solution, Divide the problem into smaller discreet parts such that there is no
not just any solution. overlap, no gaps.

Principle 3: Frameworks Principle 4: Focus

Using formal frameworks to structure your analysis will help support Problems can be complex – typical with little effort a major part of the
the conclusions reached. problem can be solved. So focus on what is important.

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Rule # V:

Focus
on
Composition

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Rule V: Focus on Composition

Follow these 6 principles to ensure writing is informative and direct.

Principle 1: Rules Principle 2: Language Principle 3: Substance

Use correct grammar, punctuation & spelling Use clear, concise and precise language Focus writing on the subject matter

Follow conventional rules Utilize ethical and inoffensive Language Align writing with the deliverable objective

Principle 4: Structure Principle 5: Leveling & Labeling Principle 6: Voice & Tone

Group thoughts into clusters Distill your message (levels of details) Use active voice (vs. passive voice)

Sequence thoughts logically Using headings to label content Express ideas in positive terms

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Rule # VI:

Leverage
a
Library

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Rule VI: Leverage a Library

Why re-invent the wheel when building deliverables? Have a library of slides handy and leverage.

Set 1: One Pager Set 2: Objects and Models

Work bench with basic objects that are frequently used All objects and models that can be used for visuals

Set 3: Executive Summary Set 4: Frameworks and Methodologies

A standard one page executive summary template Established frameworks and methodologies

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Rule # VII:

Make
it
Sing

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Rule VII: Make it Sing

Function (information) and form (design) go hand in hand.

Information Human’s are

Information Design
is power visual creatures

Design your information so it can be

conveyed in an understandable power

Direct the Eyes Choose your Colors Accentuate with Visuals

The slide flow should be understood in a Colors have deep meaning. Use creative diagrams to illustrate – as
flash. To achieve this, structure the slide Choose your colors as would choose simply as possible – concepts, models
in a way so as to guide the viewer eyes. your words – carefully. and processes

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In Conclusion:

Make a
Decklaration

Get your
message heard

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Conclusion – 7 Deck Rules

The art and science behind creating a compelling presentations simple – always follow the 7 Deck Rules.

Understand
the Canvas
I
Make it Keep it
Sing Simple
VII II

Follow ALL these rules In the time-pressed world we

collectively to building 7 DECK4 RULES live – who won’t find this
insightful presentation, fast. useful?
Leverage VI III Tell a
a Library Story

V IV

Focus on Solve a
Composition Problem

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 Developed and Designed by

Salahuddin Khawaja
salahk@gmail.com

More at Decklaration.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Salah has 14 years of experience, primarily in the

Financial Services Industry. Before joining JP Morgan he
spent 11 years at Deloitte & Touche helping Fortune 500
clients with various types of Strategic Initiatives.

He is currently is based in Hong Kong with responsibility

for delivering the next generation platform for Securities
Processing.

Areas of Expertise: Strategy Development, Business

Transformation, System Integration, Program & Project
Management, Mobile Strategy, Data Analytics, Executive
Presentations

Sample Clients: Bank of America, Citi , MasterCard

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