Who This Helps
This is for every Junior Analyst who’s ever presented a brilliant analysis, only to get a ‘We’ll circle back.’ It’s frustrating. You did the work, but the decision didn’t happen. This guide, inspired by our Board Finance & Runway Narrative course, flips the script. It’s about framing your findings so clearly that stakeholders can’t help but say ‘yes.’
Mini Case
Sam, a junior analyst, found that switching to a new software vendor could save their team 15 hours a month. He presented a slide with 12 data points. The response? ‘Interesting. Let’s discuss next quarter.’ A week later, he reframed it: ‘We’re losing $2,100 a month in wasted time. This fix pays for itself in 90 days and frees us up for the Q3 campaign.’ The budget was approved in 48 hours. The difference? A clear, compelling narrative tied directly to business goals.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Find the ‘So What?’ Before you build a single chart, ask: ‘If my boss only remembers one thing from this, what should it be?’ Write that down first.
- Lead with the Headline. Start your email or deck with your core recommendation. Don’t bury it on slide 9.
- Connect Dots to Dollars. Translate every metric. ‘User engagement is down 7%’ becomes ‘We’re on track to miss our sign-up goal by 1,200 users this quarter.’
- Give Them One Clear Choice. Present your recommended path forward. Make it the obvious, easy-to-grasp option. Think of it like a menu—you’re suggesting the best dish.
- Define the Next Step. End with one, single, specific action you need from them. ‘Please approve this pilot by Friday’ or ‘Can I have 10 minutes on Thursday to walk you through the plan?’
Avoid These Traps
- The Data Dump: Showing every calculation. They trust you did the math. Just show the answer.
- Presenting Options, Not a Path: Giving three equal choices invites debate and delay. Guide them.
- Using Jargon: Words like ‘synergy’ or ‘leverage’ make eyes glaze over. Use plain language.
- Forgetting the Audience: The CFO cares about runway. The CMO cares about growth. Tailor the story to who’s listening. This is a core mission in the Board Finance course: speaking the language of your audience.
- Asking for ‘Feedback’: It’s too vague. Ask for a specific decision or approval instead.
Your Win by Friday
Your goal isn’t just to share information. It’s to create momentum. By Friday, take one analysis you’re sitting on and reframe it using these steps. Craft a three-sentence summary that states the problem, your solution, and the needed action. Send it to one key stakeholder. You’ve got this. Time to turn your insights into someone else’s to-do list.