How to Make an ERP Pitch Deck [Storytelling + Design]

Mrunalini Dhas | Creative Director, Ink Narrates

4 min read

"We have the product. We have the numbers. But every time we pitch, we lose them halfway through. What are we doing wrong?"

That was the frustration of a founder we worked with last month. Their ERP solution was solid, built to streamline operations, cut costs, and optimize supply chains. But when they met with investors, the nods slowly turned into blank stares.

"Walk me through your deck," I said.

A few minutes in, I saw the problem. The slides were stuffed with technical jargon, process charts that looked like a spider’s web, and revenue projections thrown in without context. There was no narrative, no flow—just a stack of information hoping to make an impression.

"You're not pitching an ERP system. You're pitching a solution to a problem your audience actually cares about," I told them. "Right now, you’re making them work too hard to see the value."

That’s where most ERP pitch decks fail. They assume the audience will connect the dots themselves.

But here’s the reality: they won’t. It’s your job to guide them—to make them feel the problem, see the solution, and trust that you’re the best team to deliver it. And that’s exactly what we’re going to break down in this blog: how to structure an ERP pitch deck that captures attention, keeps people engaged, and most importantly—gets results.

How to Make an ERP Pitch Deck

Start With the Pain, Not the Product

Most ERP pitch decks start with a product overview—big mistake. Nobody cares about your software right away. What they care about is their pain: the inefficiencies draining their resources, the operational chaos they can’t seem to control, the profits slipping through the cracks.

Your first few slides should make them feel that pain. Use real-world scenarios, data points, or even a quick anecdote about how companies in their industry struggle. If you’re pitching investors, make them see the market gap. If you’re pitching clients, make them feel the cost of doing nothing.

Think of this as setting the stage. When you present your ERP system later, it will feel like the natural (and only) solution to a problem they now emotionally connect with.

Tell a Story, Not a Software Manual

ERP systems are inherently complex. But complexity kills engagement. If your deck is a list of features and modules, you’ve already lost. Instead, wrap everything in a narrative.

Let’s say your ERP helps manufacturers reduce waste and improve supply chain efficiency. Instead of throwing a list of features at your audience, tell the story of a company drowning in excess inventory, losing millions, struggling to track real-time data. Show the breaking point—when they realized their outdated systems were costing them too much.

Then, introduce your ERP as the game-changer. Walk them through how it transformed the company, made operations seamless, and ultimately increased profits. A well-crafted before-and-after contrast makes the impact undeniable.

Cut the Clutter, Design for Clarity

If your slides are overloaded with text, graphs, and microscopic numbers, nobody will absorb the message. Your audience is scanning, not studying. The goal of slide design is to reinforce your narrative, not bury it.

Here’s how to fix it:

One idea per slide: If you have three concepts, they need three slides. Don’t cram everything into a single cluttered screen.

Use visuals strategically: Diagrams should be simple and self-explanatory. If it takes more than five seconds to understand, it’s too complicated.

Make data digestible: Instead of dumping a spreadsheet into your deck, highlight one key number that tells the story. Pair it with a short insight that makes it meaningful.

Whitespace is your friend: Let your content breathe. A clean layout makes your message easier to absorb and more visually appealing.

Remember, your slides aren’t a reference manual—they’re a tool to support your spoken pitch. Less is always more.

Show Proof, Not Promises

Saying your ERP "streamlines operations" means nothing. Showing how a real company cut costs by 30% using your software? That’s persuasive. Your deck needs hard proof—case studies, testimonials, or performance metrics that demonstrate real impact.

If you don’t have full case studies yet, use mini-success stories. Instead of saying "Our ERP helps optimize logistics," say, "One of our clients, a retail distributor, used our ERP to reduce shipping delays by 45% in three months." Specifics make your pitch believable.

Investors, especially, want to see traction. Show adoption rates, revenue growth, or partnerships that validate demand. The more concrete your proof, the more confidence you build.

Make the Ask Clear and Compelling

The best pitch decks don’t just inform—they drive action. Whether you’re asking for funding, partnerships, or new clients, make it explicit.

Don’t end with a generic “Thank You” slide. Instead, spell out the next step.

"Join our pilot program and see the impact firsthand."

"We’re raising $5M to scale. Let’s talk about how you can be part of it."

"Let’s book a call to discuss how this fits into your business."

A clear, confident ask signals that you’re serious and ready to move forward.

Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?

If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.