Improving IR Slides with AI: Learning from Zen-Nihon's Approach to Building 'Effective' Financial Results Presentation Materials

This article is an introduction to a personal initiative exploring how AI can improve financial results presentation materials when fed with the data. The target companies were selected at random, and the AI was tasked with creating output based on information disclosed for IR purposes.
Please excuse any shortcomings, such as layout issues.

IR materials shape the dialogue between companies and investors. Among them, financial results slides are essential tools for conveying the core of a company's business model and strategy accurately and concisely.

However, many materials consist merely of lists of tables and figures, making it difficult for the reader to grasp 'what the strengths are and where the growth potential lies.'

This time, we focus on Zen-Nihon Co., Ltd., which handles rent debt guarantees. We will compare their conventional financial materials with slides improved by AI to analyze how information was transformed into a 'more effective format.'

For IR personnel and individual investors, this should provide hints on improving materials to visualize corporate value.

Chapter 1: What is Zen-Nihon? Decoding the Rent Debt Guarantee Business Model

Before diving into the main topic, let's organize the positioning and business model of Zen-Nihon.

The company has achieved growth centered on the niche yet stable market of 'rent debt guarantees,' building a revenue structure based on the 'continuous profitability' and 'accumulation of customer base' characteristic of stock-type businesses.

In this chapter, we will confirm the foundation for reading IR materials, including Zen-Nihon's business model, the key KPIs that serve as the source of its revenue, and the utilization of synergies in its group strategy.

1. What is the Rent Debt Guarantee Business?

Rent debt guarantee is a mechanism where a guarantee company makes payments on behalf of a tenant if they fall behind on rent.

In this rent debt guarantee industry, Zen-Nihon is one of the industry leaders, boasting 54,123 partner company locations (as of the fiscal year ending March 2025), and has established the No. 1 position in terms of partner locations among the four listed companies.

A feature of this model is that it is a continuous guarantee fee linked to monthly rent, which serves as the primary revenue source, making it a stock-type model. Although there is a burden of screening and administrative tasks at the start of the contract, the structure generates stable revenue over the subsequent period.

2. Revenue Structure: Stock Revenue + Flow Revenue

Zen-Nihon's IR slides (after improvement) illustrate the following model.

In fact, the figures for the fiscal year ending March 2025 are as follows.

These figures indicate that both the stable revenue based on contract holders (stock) and the growth engine from new contracts (flow) are functioning effectively.

3. Zen-Nihon Differentiates Through Creditworthiness and Screening Capability

In the field of rent guarantees, 'assessing delinquency risk' and 'execution capability for collection' are the foundations of the business. In this regard, Zen-Nihon maintains the following high standards.

Supporting such screening and collection accuracy is the business alliance with the MUFG Group. Zen-Nihon is a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and it aims to balance risk management and convenience through joint development of corporate screening engines and utilization of credit payment infrastructure.

4. Synergies with the MUFG Group and External Partnerships

As emphasized in their IR materials, the company has built the following five synergies through its partnership with MUFG:

• Expansion of the customer base through referrals from MUFG clients

• Improved credibility through the use of credit settlement infrastructure

• Joint development of corporate screening engines (in collaboration with MUFG Factors)

• Operational efficiency (utilizing MUFG know-how)

• Accelerated partnerships with regional banks (utilizing MUFG's regional bank network)

By presenting these in slides that link 'strategy' with 'execution details', the company provides a very useful summary for investors.

5. Potential for growth by addressing social issues (the elderly, solitary deaths, etc.)

Furthermore, the company also addresses guarantee needs for 'single elderly residents.' Models that incorporate social issues into business, such as attaching solitary death insurance and monitoring services using power usage data, can be said to have high affinity with a medium- to long-term ESG perspective.

Summary

• ✅ Zen-Horen achieves stable growth with a stock + flow type rent debt guarantee model

• ✅ Aims to improve creditworthiness, screening capabilities, and operational efficiency through a capital and business alliance with MUFG

• ✅ Holds the industry's No. 1 position in both the number of contracts held and the number of agreement locations

• ✅ Adaptability to social issues, such as support for the elderly, is also a key to medium-term growth

Introduction to the next chapter

Zen-Horen has a clear business model and growth strategy, and maintains high-level figures in its KPIs as well.

However, how this 'inherent quality' is conveyed changes significantly depending on how the materials are presented. In fact, while the conventional IR materials were rich in information, they made it difficult for investors to see the important 'structure' and 'connection to strategy.'

In the next chapter, we will identify the issues in the financial results presentation materials before improvement and explain in detail why they were 'difficult to understand.'

Chapter 2: Issues with Current Financial Materials and the True Nature of 'Difficulty in Understanding'

Zen-Horen's business model has a sense of stability and room for growth, but whether that is being effectively communicated to investors is another matter.

In particular, conventional financial results presentation materials (in PDF format) were composed mainly of numbers and text, and while they were rich in information, they could hardly be called 'structurally understandable materials'.

In this chapter, we will identify typical IR issues found in conventional materials and unravel why they are 'difficult to convey' to investors from the perspective of basic design in IR materials.

1. Lack of 'structural understanding' that cannot be conveyed by a mere list of numbers

The most common misconception in financial results presentation materials is the assumption that 'if there is a lot of data, it will be understood.' Even in Zen-Horen's conventional materials, while financial and non-financial KPIs such as sales, operating profit, number of contracts, number of branches, and screening indicators were covered, it was not explicitly stated 'how they are connected'.

For example, even if the following figures are shown:

• Net Sales: 25.66 billion yen (+4.7% year-on-year)

• Operating Profit: 2.55 billion yen (+14.5% year-on-year)

• Number of contracts held: 1.949 million (+0.7% year-on-year)

What investors really want to know are the causal relationships and background such as 'Why did operating profit grow?' and 'Is that growth sustainable?' If this is not visualized, the material remains merely a 'report,' and the strategy and reproducibility are left to the reader.

2. The business model is not illustrated

Zen-Horen's revenue model has a simple yet powerful structure of stock x unit price + flow. However, there was no page in the conventional materials that illustrated this model. The only hints were the parallel listing of indicators such as 'number of contracts held,' 'contract unit price,' and 'number of branches'.

▼ Typical structure before improvement:

• Trend of number of contracts in table format (in ten thousands)

• Increase in the number of contract branches

• Individual indicators such as digitization rate and collection rate

However, this does not show the 'big picture' or the 'mechanism of growth.' Just by having a diagram like the one below, the level of investor understanding should change significantly.

Revenue = Contracts Held x ARPU + New Contracts (= Growth Engine)
Accumulation of contracts held (stock revenue), optimization of ARPU (unit price)

An IR material without illustrations is like a building where 'the parts are laid out but there is no blueprint'.

3. KPI trends are 'fragmented,' making it difficult to grasp the trend

In IR, it is important to demonstrate the 'quality' and 'sustainability' of KPIs. However, in conventional materials, the effects of introducing Z-WEB 2.0 and metrics like electronic application rates and contract rates are limited to year-on-year comparisons, lacking trend presentations over a 3- to 5-year span.

For example, the materials state that there have been improvements in electronic contract rates as follows.

However, this table is buried in the body text and has not been graphed. Without a visual presentation of trends, it becomes difficult for investors to intuitively understand 'what has changed' or 'whether competitive advantage is increasing'.

4. The relationship between segments, strategies, and KPIs is ambiguous

In conventional slides, growth strategies such as MUFG collaboration, elderly strategy, regional bank partnerships, and business guarantees are scattered across different pages, and which KPIs or profitability metrics each strategy influences are not connected.

For example, even if it is stated that 'business guarantees have high profitability,' it was not shown how that relates to an increase in operating profit margin.

▼ Examples of issues:

By distilling these into a single matrix or strategy map, it becomes clear at a glance 'what the company's strengths are and where it intends to grow'.

Summary

• ✅ Conventional materials, even if rich in KPIs and numerical data, make it difficult to see the 'structure' or 'relationships'

• ✅ Business models and profit structures are not illustrated, making them time-consuming to understand

• ✅ KPI growth trends are fragmented, and their connection to strategy cannot be read

• ✅ The contribution and progress status of each growth strategy are not organized

Introduction to the next chapter

Conventional financial results materials lacked the 'design' necessary to effectively communicate.

However, these issues are common challenges that many companies have been facing in recent years.

So, how should we solve these issues and enhance our ability to engage with investors?

In the next chapter, based on improved IR slides created using AI, we will look specifically at methods for building 'effective IR materials' from the perspectives of information structure, visualization, and strategic alignment.

Chapter 3: Features and Structure of AI-Improved IR Slides

As seen in the previous chapter, conventional IR materials lacked 'design for communication' and 'storytelling'.

In response to these challenges, we utilized AI to significantly upgrade the IR materials.

In this chapter, we will explain in detail the structure of the improved slides and their effects. How do these slides, which incorporate not just numbers but also strategy, structure, and context, help investors understand and transform a company's growth potential into the 'power to communicate'?

1. Illustrating the 'Revenue Model' at the Beginning to Understand the Company's Earning Power at a Glance

The first slide in the improved presentation is one that structurally visualizes Zen-Horen's business model.

Furthermore, below that, the performance of key KPIs (number of contracts, number of locations, ARPU, contract rate, etc.) is shown with diagrams and figures, creating a structure where the entire 'business operation' can be understood in just one slide.

The goal of this diagram is clear.

• Investors can intuitively understand 'what revenue increases in proportion to'

• Growth drivers (stock or flow) can be separated and evaluated

• The consistency of the explanation is enhanced because performance figures and business KPIs are shown in conjunction

By showing the 'company's engine structure' first, it becomes easier to grasp the subsequent slides as 'causal relationships of strategy'.

2. Reorganizing Performance Highlights with a Focus on 'Quality of Growth'

In the pre-improvement materials, only simple year-on-year or plan-versus-actual comparisons of sales and operating profit were listed, but in the improved slides, they are organized as follows:

• Sales and net income reaching record highs (even after deducting tender offer expenses)

• Improvement in operating profit margin (9.1% → 9.9%)

• Factors for reduction in SG&A expenses (DX promotion) supplemented with qualitative comments

• Clarifying the causal relationship between non-financial KPIs and performance, such as the subrogation payment rate after early payment deduction and the progress of the electronic contract rate

This makes it easier to focus not only on the 'quantity of growth' but also on the 'quality of growth'.

3. Visualizing the 'Quality' and 'Competitiveness' of KPIs in One Slide

Next, we should focus on the slide that quantitatively visualizes the results of digital investments such as Z-WEB 2.0.

In addition, data such as '30% reduction in screening time' and 'decrease in subrogation payment rate (0.59% → 0.47%)' are also listed, creating a structure where investors can easily evaluate the source of competitiveness as KPIs.

This is a prime example of designing a story where 'KPIs = proof of competitive advantage,' rather than simply 'listing KPIs.'

4. Diagramming strategic segments to grasp contribution areas at a glance

What is particularly commendable about the Genspark slides is that they integrate five strategies (MUFG collaboration / regional bank partnerships / elderly support / business guarantees / DX strategy) into a single page, and use diagrams to show how each strategy impacts 'profitability and scalability'.

[Improvement Example]
[MUFG] → Creditworthiness, payment infrastructure, screening system
[Regional Bank Collaboration] → Regional expansion, white space development
[Elderly] → Addressing social issues, insurance-linked products
[Business Guarantees] → High unit price, low credit cost
[DX] → Operational efficiency, advanced screening

This allows investors to gain a bird's-eye view of the role and contribution balance of each strategy, and accurately evaluate the appeal of the business portfolio.

5. Clarifying the consistency between the medium-term management plan and financial improvement

In conventional materials, while the gap between sales/profit targets and the current situation was visible, how to bridge it was ambiguous. In the improved slides, it is structured as follows:

• [Numerical Targets] Operating profit 2.55 billion yen → 5.3 billion yen (2025 → 2030, 2.1x)

• [Structural Changes] DX promotion, expansion of business guarantees, strengthening regional bank partnerships

• [Financial Position] Equity ratio 21.8% → 31.6%, reduction of interest-bearing debt (-1.13 billion yen)

• [Shareholder Returns] Progressive dividend policy specified: 35 yen or more per share or dividend payout ratio of 50% or more

In other words, 'goals,' 'strategy,' and 'finance' are consistent as a story, creating a structure that increases investor confidence in execution capability.

Summary

• ✅ Diagramming revenue structures and KPIs to understand the structure of 'earning power' at a glance

• ✅ Articulating the factors behind the numbers (DX effects, cost improvements)

• ✅ Clearly organizing the linkage between non-financial KPIs and growth strategies on a single slide

• ✅ Presenting the medium-term plan, financial health, and dividend strategy in a single story

Introduction to the next chapter

Improving IR materials dramatically changes how numbers and strategies are 'conveyed.' Especially for stock-type models like Zen-Horen, visually showing KPIs and the quality of growth is directly linked to investment decisions.

In the next chapter, we will organize the thinking behind information design in IR slides and delve deeper into why such material improvements are important for future IR, exploring the value for both investors and companies.

Chapter 4: The Evolution of Communication in IR Slides

Financial results presentation materials are not merely 'reports,' but 'dialogue tools' that connect companies with investors. Especially as the base of individual investors expands and the speed at which institutional investors acquire information increases, we have entered an era where 'slide design that communicates at a glance' is directly linked to the appeal of corporate value.

In this chapter, using AI-driven slide improvement as a case study, we will delve into what kind of expressions help investor understanding, and what value this brings to IR departments and corporate strategy departments.

1. From Numerical Values to 'Structure'—Changes in Investor Evaluation Perspectives

Investors in recent years are no longer interested in the 'absolute values of sales and profits,' but are deeply interested in the structure, strategy, and reproducibility that generate them. The following perspectives are particularly emphasized.

To meet these needs, visual design techniques and structural thinking frameworks are required.

2. AI Utilization for Structuring and Visualization

Based on financial results materials and IR information, AI can automatically support the creation of 'visually easy-to-understand slides.'

Main functions and features:

• 📊 Automatic generation of charts and matrices based on financial indicators and KPIs

• 📈 Reconstructing medium-term management plans, strategies, and KPIs on a story basis

• 🎯 Equipped with templates optimized for information organization from an investor's perspective

• ⏱ Significantly reducing work time and improving operational efficiency for the IR department

This offers significant benefits, especially for 'companies with limited IR experience' and 'small to medium-sized listed companies where IR staff are handling material creation as a concurrent role.'

3. 'Design for Communication' is the Essence of IR—The Effects of Slide Improvement

The reasons why slide improvement goes beyond mere 'readability of materials' are as follows.

① Improved investor understanding → Enhanced engagement
→ By conveying the background and structure of numerical values at a glance, the quality of questions and meeting efficiency are improved.

② Secondary use in analyst reports and media articles
→ Clear diagrams and strategy organization make it easier to use for explanations by third parties.

③ Fostering a common understanding between management and the front lines
→ By 'visualizing' the correlation between KPIs and strategies, it contributes to the penetration of company-wide goals.

④ Applicable to the organization of future non-financial information (ESG/human capital)
→ It is also effective as preparation for future integrated reporting.

4. The 'Three Perspectives' Common to Successful IR Materials

The elements of successful IR materials that emerge from Zen-Noh-Ren's improved slides are the following three points.

This slide improvement project revealed that in material creation, 'effective structure and design' is just as important as the accuracy of the content.

Summary

• ✅ We are in an era where investors prioritize the 'relationship between strategy and figures'

• ✅ Genspark is a generative AI tool specialized in the visualization and structuring of IR slides

• ✅ Improving how materials are presented is also effective for engagement, information dissemination, and internal penetration

• ✅ Successful IR materials combine the three elements of 'structure,' 'connectivity,' and 'visual appeal'

Conclusion: IR Maximizes Corporate Value Through the 'Power to Communicate'

The Zen-Noh-Ren case study is not merely a redesign of materials. By incorporating business models, financial indicators, and non-financial KPIs into a set of slides as a story, the company's 'earning power' and 'path to growth' have become clear to investors.

IR materials are not just reports; they are tools to explain future corporate value. And that value is determined not by 'how much information is packed in,' but by 'how easy it is to understand and how convincing it is.'

In an era where the power to communicate becomes a corporate weapon, IR materials are at the forefront of connecting management with the market.