- Short & Sweet
One of the most important, if not THE most important, trick is to be clear and concise. Make sure that the pitch deck can showcase your success story best, and with the least number of words possible. Pitch decks that are short and clear project confidence, thereby drawing the attention of the judges. Keep in mind that the judges have to go through hundreds of submissions. Straightforward stories stand out more and will stick to the back of their minds because they can remember everything. Stories that are too long with unnecessary words/details will take their eyes off the ball.
- Content is King, Context is Everything
With brevity as the priority still, provide context to the project details. One common rule of thumb is to ensure that your pitch deck covers all the “5W1H” approach (What? When? Where? Who? Why? How?). Following this approach is your template for telling a memorable story.
If your story is understandable to someone unfamiliar with the industry, you’re on the right track! Make sure to use casual language, even conversational, whenever possible (other than on the technical side of the project). This will make your pitch deck interesting, which would go a long way for the judges. Offer bite-sized chunks of useful information to keep things moving — not a long, dense, drawn-out paragraphs of dry data. You are selling your story of innovation and success in the pitch deck, not a boring datasheet of just facts and stats. Make it engaging with a story that has a beginning, middle, and end.
- It’s OK to Brag!
This is one of the few opportunities where bragging is completely acceptable, encouraged even. Share your ROI and accomplishments to wow the judges. It’s ok to tout your work, but avoid overstating or embellishing your achievements because the judges could see through them. Instead, word them in a way that will mesmerize the audience.
Detailing the positive impact of your innovation to your customers, your employees, and even society as a whole is an excellent way to keep your pitch deck engaging. Be sure to include customer/partner/employee quotes as proof to strengthen your project’s success.
- Do Your Research
We received so many great entries over the years. Only the exceptional few will be selected as winners and finalists. You can find the 2022 honorees and past entries on the SAP Innovation Awards website, complete with their pitch decks. Use these examples as a point of reference. Find an entry that is in a similar industry or solve similar problems to help you build your perfect pitch deck. And don’t be shy about improving upon what you find. We encourage you to be creative and even “color outside the lines” so to speak, but remember to stay authentic and original because that’s how you can grab the judges’ attention.
Congratulations!
Now you’re ready to create the perfect pitch deck! With these tips and tricks in mind, you’re already starting at a good place.. Creating the perfect pitch deck is not a simple task by any means, but one that is definitely worth your while. You will significantly improve your chance of winning by being clear and concise, providing context, showing off the project’s achievements and impact, and doing the necessary research. The bottom line is to tell a compelling and memorable story.
Good luck! We’re excited to see what you have in store for the SAP Innovation Awards 2023.
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