Perception Study Finds Your Earnings Call Runs Too Long—Here’s What You Can Do
An IRO recently reached out and asked:
“We just did a perception study, and analysts say the prepared remarks portion of our earnings call is too long. They also think our earnings presentation is overly detailed. Any advice?”
Here’s our take:
We’re in a world of attention deficit—where shorter, crisper, and more direct wins the day. It’s no surprise that analysts are asking for more brevity. Here’s what I recommend to streamline both your presentation, and your call:
- 1. Benchmark with peers
Often, we don’t cut things until we see that “less is more” is already working elsewhere. Analysts are comparing you to others. Check out your peers’ earnings calls and materials—you’ll likely see they’re getting it done with brevity.
2. Rethink your flow (and elevate it)
The best place to cut slides is by revisiting the structure of your earnings presentation. As you streamline, use this chance to reset the narrative. Reference our earnings framework to not just cut volume but enhance messaging (e.g., balancing strategy with financials and guiding the narrative rather than leaving the analysts guessing).
3. Go after low-hanging fruit
- • Avoid repeated messaging (no need for the CEO and CFO to cover the same points).
- • Reduce handoffs between presenters (fewer transitions make for smoother calls).
- • Un-busy your slides. E.g., focus on main KPIs—do you really need 10 years of data, or is 3-5 enough? Swap dense tables for visual charts that offer brevity and clarity. (See a before-and-after example.)
4. Add some, cut some
Trimming once won’t last—make conciseness a habit. As new issues or opp’ties arise, it’s tempting to add more content. That’s fine, but always ask: “Can we move older things to the appendix or cut it entirely?” This mindset will help you keep the deck sharp and concise.
OUTKREATE helps public company IROs transform their Investor Presentations by enhancing narrative, content, and design—rooted in what truly matters.
If your perception study points to long earnings calls or overly detailed presentations, let’s connect and streamline your message for a sharper, more effective delivery.
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