If your strategy is hard to explain, it’ll be even harder for others to understand, remember, and act on. A clear, thoughtfully designed visual can help you win buy-in from both employees and investors—and make your message stick. Here’s how to build a one-slide strategy that actually works:
1. Focus on Three to Four Core Ideas
Group your strategy into three or four essential concepts. Simplicity is key. Too many points dilute your message and overwhelm your audience. The most effective frameworks are easy to organize and quick to grasp.
2. Add Operational Depth
Don’t stop at high-level ideas. For each main concept, include tangible, real-world examples of how it shows up in daily execution. This grounds your strategy and makes it actionable.
3. Prioritize Clarity Over Style
Design for understanding, not decoration. Use color sparingly—to separate ideas, not to impress. Skip flashy animations or irrelevant icons. Overdesign distracts from the message.
4. Connect the Dots
Use arrows, flows, or other directional elements to show how your strategy components relate to each other. A great slide doesn’t just display your strategy—it tells the story behind it.
5. Think Left to Right
Use a horizontal layout to mirror how people naturally scan information. Our brains are wired to read from left to right, so structure your slide in a way that aligns with that instinct.
When done right, a single slide can serve as your North Star—something your team refers to, rallies around, and remembers. Make it simple, strategic, and visual.