Pay attention to sequence and numbers. The social science literature is full of interesting (and sometimes contradictory) findings about how sequence and numbers affect pitches. Here are two general rules that are backed by sound evidence. (I’ve included a link to the research papers themselves for those who want to dig deeper.) Go first if you’re the incumbent, last if you’re the challenger. In competitive sales presentations, where a series of sellers make their pitches one after another, the market leader is most likely to get selected if it presents first, according to Virginia Tech
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