Earnings calls, no matter what you think of them, offer you a platform to shape your story. The key to a successful earnings call is meticulous research, thorough preparation, and a precisely crafted script. Within the initial three minutes, it's imperative for the CEO to briskly navigate through the key quarterly achievements, categorized by theme, while also shedding light on the progress of long-term strategies and goals.

It’s impossible to anticipate all the questions that may be asked during an investor presentation, nondeal roadshow or on an earnings call despite your best efforts at preparation and due diligence. When investors ask about specific lines on the balance sheet and you can’t make a direct and factual response, it’s absolutely ok to say “Sorry, I don’t know.”