The purpose of this slide deck is to help you create insightful and powerful presentations. For a higher quality version, visit: http://decklaration.com/7-deck-rules-slides 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. More at decklaration.com

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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. The Rules
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8. 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 DECK RULES
4 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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9. 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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10. Rule # I:
Understand
the
Canvas
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11. 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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12. Rule # II:
Keep
it
Simple
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13. 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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14. Rule # III:
Tell
a
Story
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15. 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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16. Rule # IV:
Solve
a
Problem
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17. 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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18. Rule # V:
Focus
on
Composition
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19. 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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20. Rule # VI:
Leverage
a
Library
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21. 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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22. Rule # VII:
Make
it
Sing
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23. 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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24. In Conclusion:
Make a
Decklaration
Get your
message heard
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25. 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 DECK RULES
4 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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26. 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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