Before Your Business Showcase: A Seven-Point Readiness Checklist
A business showcase is an opportunity to make your work easy to understand. The audience needs to see the problem, the customer, your offer, the evidence, and the next step. Use this checklist to turn a passionate introduction into a clear business case.
1. State the customer problem
Name the person or organization you serve. Describe the specific problem they experience and what it costs them in time, money, or missed opportunity. Avoid saying your product is for everyone. A defined customer makes your message easier to assess.
2. Explain the offer and the price
Show what the customer receives, what they pay, and how they order. If the offer is still being tested, say so. Separate an existing product from a future product. Include a sample, demonstration, or clear photograph when you have one and permission to share it.
3. Bring a simple money picture
Prepare a summary of sales, direct costs, recurring expenses, and available cash for a stated period. Identify whether the figures are actual results or estimates. Explain what each additional sale costs you to deliver. Keep household and enterprise figures separate so the audience can understand the business.
4. Show evidence of execution
Use completed work, order records, customer feedback, or a documented pilot to support your claims. Do not share customer contact details or private documents without permission. If you are at the idea stage, explain what you have tested, what you learned, and what you plan to test next.
5. Make a specific request
A request for a customer introduction is different from a request for a grant, a delivery partner, or investment. State the type of support you need, the amount or scope where relevant, and the milestone it will help you reach. Explain how you will report progress.
6. Match the opportunity's requirements
For a funding application, check the eligibility rules, deadline, required attachments, allowable costs, and reporting obligations. Prepare the requested material in the required format. A showcase presentation can introduce your work, but each funder or partner still has its own review process.
7. Give people a clear next action
Close with one action: place an order, request a meeting, review your proposal, or introduce a relevant partner. Provide a working contact method and keep a record of the follow-up you promised. Momentum depends on what happens after the presentation.
Put the checklist to work
Prepare a short presentation and a one-page summary using these seven points. Ask a colleague to repeat your customer, offer, price, and request back to you. If those points are unclear, revise before adding more slides. The goal is a credible conversation that can move toward a practical next step.
Want a structured way to prepare your next milestones? The paid 90-Day Business Execution Planner includes a guided workbook and editable execution tracker. This free checklist remains available without a purchase.
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