Shapes for PowerPoint

Shapes in PowerPoint are very useful to create a variety of visual aids and illustrations to enhance presentations, especially in a business context.

How can shapes in PowerPoint be used? Here are seven ways you can use shapes to draw different illustrations in PowerPoint for business presentations:

1. Flowcharts and Process Diagrams: PowerPoint shapes can be used to represent different stages in a process or steps in a workflow. For example, rectangles for processes, diamonds for decision points, and arrows to indicate the flow direction. This helps in explaining complex processes in a simple and visually appealing manner.
2. Funnel Slides: Funnel templates can be used to represent processes that start broadly and narrow down, such as sales funnels, lead conversion, or any narrowing down processes. Multiple shapes, usually trapezoids, can be stacked to represent each stage of the funnel.
3. Timelines templates: Timelines are a linear representations of events over time. Use lines to represent the time period and add shapes (like circles or rectangles) at specific points along the line to indicate milestones or key events. This can be useful for showcasing project milestones, company histories, or future plans.
4. Roadmaps: Roadmaps are great for laying out the path or direction for a project or strategy. Use shapes, lines or curves to represent the road and place shapes like flags, pins, or rectangles to represent stages or goals along the way.
5. SWOT Analysis: SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOT is a strategic planning tool. Use a large square or rectangle, divide it into four smaller ones, and label each for the SWOT categories. Use other shapes inside each quadrant to highlight and elaborate on specific points. Alternatively, learn how to make a SWOT slide.
6. Organizational Charts: Represent the hierarchy and structure within an organization. To make an organizational chart in PowerPoint, use rectangles to represent different roles or departments and connect them with lines to show relationships, reporting structures, or flow of information.
7. Comparative Diagrams: To showcase comparisons between items or ideas. For instance, using two overlapping circles can create a Venn diagram to showcase similarities and differences. Bar shapes of varying lengths can be used for bar graphs, showcasing quantitative differences among categories with the help of comparison slides.

While shapes are useful for breaking down and visualizing complex information, it’s also essential to maintain clarity. Overloading your slides with too many shapes, colors, or text can be counterproductive. Aim for simplicity and coherence, ensuring your audience can quickly grasp the information being presented.