Introduction

In the world of modern sales, traditional slide decks often fail to engage prospects. Static, linear presentations filled with company details and lengthy product descriptions rarely connect with clients’ specific interests. During an interview with Luke Goetting, Director of Puffingston Presentations, for a Prezi series on Engaging Presentations, he shared a game-changing approach: Flexible Slides. His concept transforms predictable slideshows into dynamic, conversation-driven experiences that align with how real sales discussions unfold.

The Problem with Conventional Slides

Most sales presentations are too rigid. They follow a one-size-fits-all narrative, often ignoring the prospect’s individual needs. Research and sales experience show that more than 90% of corporate presentations reduce engagement instead of increasing it. Why? Because they are:

• Overly focused on the company instead of the customer
  • Long and repetitive
  • Linear, forcing reps to follow a script rather than a conversation

This approach clashes with consultative selling, where listening and adapting matter more than delivering rehearsed pitches.

Introducing Flexible Slides

Flexible Slides reimagine the traditional deck. Instead of one continuous story, they’re designed as modular, clickable segments of mini-presentations that you can access based on what the prospect cares about most. Think of it as turning your PowerPoint or Prezi into an interactive app with a simple goal: make your presentation follow the conversation, not the script.

How Flexible Slides Work?

Using hyperlinks or interactive navigation, each slide acts like a menu or portal to deeper sections. In PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote, hyperlinks can connect text, icons, or shapes to any other slide. In Prezi, this is even more seamless through built-in zoom navigation.

This structure lets you:

• Jump between topics instantly
  • Personalize your flow for each audience
  • Keep engagement high throughout the discussion

Real-World Use Cases

Here’s how sales professionals can apply Flexible Slides to improve conversations:

1. Multiple Services Overview: Display your three main services on one slide. Let the prospect pick the area they want to explore, and instantly jump there.
2. 
   Success Stories on Demand: Keep a library of client stories and select the one most relevant to your prospect’s industry or challenge.
3. 
   Time-Constrained Meetings: If the prospect’s time is limited, navigate straight to your “Call to Action” or key takeaway slides.

These micro-adjustments make your presentation feel personalized and natural rather than forced.

Optimizing Your Content for Flexibility

When building your deck, start by mapping your typical sales flow:

• Discovery Points: Where do prospects usually share input? Add clickable options there.
  • Deeper Dive Sections: Prepare short modules for data-driven clients versus story-oriented ones.
  • Industry-Specific Content: Keep adaptable sections for each major industry you serve.
  • FAQ Navigation: Use flexible navigation during Q&A to jump directly to relevant answers.

This modular design means you’ll only need one master deck yet it can adapt to dozens of client scenarios.

Benefits of Going Flexible

• Real-time Adaptability: Respond instantly to client cues.
  • Efficiency: One deck serves multiple purposes, no need to rebuild for every meeting.
  • Engagement: Clients feel heard because the discussion revolves around their priorities.
  • Consistency: Maintain brand alignment while allowing natural flow.

In short, Flexible Slides allow you to combine the storytelling power of visuals with the adaptability of conversation.

Conclusion

The future of sales presentations isn’t about flashier graphics, it’s about flexibility and relevance. By transforming your decks into interactive, client-driven experiences, you align your slides with the rhythm of real conversations. Instead of talking at your prospects, you engage with them.