What makes a good presentation

Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a presentation and once everyone has arrived, the lights are dimmed and the show begins. The presenter clicks the mouse again and again, showing you slide after slide until you can take no more. Exasperated, you shut your eyes and doze off. You have just been slideswiped!

Many presenters and trainers have become addicted to this technology. It's like drugs are to junkies. The more it's used, the harder it is to stop using it. It becomes a crutch. And, there's a price to pay. Audiences tune out, fall asleep and dread wasting time sitting in a room where slideswiping is the norm. Productivity drops, learning doesn't happen and humans disconnect. It seems presenters and trainers have forgotten how important it is to communicate with a group rather than just read to them, and how important it is to connect with an audience rather than just dazzle them with special effects. General Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued the following order to our military bases around the world, "Enough with the bells and whistles, just get to the point." (Wall Street Journal, 4/26/00).

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Death by PowerPoint PowerPoint Poisoning PowerPointless

What is a presentation? Its about YOU communicating!! Get a message across Share your point of view Teach us something new

Communication is the transfer of emotion RIGHT - Emotional LEFT – facts and data

Communication is the transfer of emotion? Pictures, sounds, music YOU! Talk to them You need emotion to help get the point and facts across

Technology should enhance your presentation not deliver it for you!! Back to Basics Did I ask for a PRESENTATION or a display of PowerPoint Techniques??

What are the basics that we are forgetting? Back to Basics Rehearsal Organised Cue cards Don’t Read!!! Involve the audience

What are the basics that we are forgetting? Back to Basics Quality not Quantity If you can’t explain it, don’t put in your presentation WHAT Tha???

What are the basics that we are forgetting? Back to Basics What's the point? Is there a message you are trying to get across? Is there a criteria that you need to follow? Have you answered any questions? Have you shown us something new?

What you don’t want to hear Unfortunately to deliver a really good presentation it takes time, effort and thought You need a plan BEFORE you start – MIND MAPS!!! You will have to speak You have to know what you are talking about

Its all in the delivery! Maintain Eye Contact

Its all in the delivery! Speak with conviction

Its all in the delivery! Involve the Audience - Ask Good Questions

Its all in the delivery! Appropriate Humour

Its all in the delivery! Tell me a story

Its all in the delivery! Don’t Read the slides!!!

Its all in the delivery! Don’t Read the slides!!!

Its all in the delivery! Don’t Read the slides!!!

Its all in the delivery! Pause for Power

Food for Thought Does it have to be PowerPoint???

PowerPoint if you Must – The Design Fit for Purpose – who is the audience?

PowerPoint if you Must – The Design 6 Words per slide MAX!!

PowerPoint if you Must – The Design NO Clip Art!!! Compelling, appropriate, high quality, reinforce, enhance, EMOTION World Poverty

PowerPoint if you Must – The Design No dissolves, animation and transitions. NONE! Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a presentation and once everyone has arrived, the lights are dimmed and the show begins. The presenter clicks the mouse again and again, showing you slide after slide until you can take no more. Exasperated, you shut your eyes and doze off. You have just been slideswiped!

PowerPoint if you Must – The Design Sound effects - NO Compelling, Emotional Music - YES

Have y ou ever been slideswiped? You walk into a p resentation and once everyone has a rrived, the lights are dimmed and the show begins. The presenter clicks the mouse again and again, showing you s lide after slide until you can take no more. Exasperated, you shut your eyes and doze off. You have just been slideswiped!

Many presenters and trainers have become addicted to this technology. It's like drugs are to junkies. The more it's used, the harder it is to stop using it. It becomes a crutch. And, there's a price to pay. Audiences tune out, fall asleep and dread wasting time sitting in a room where slideswiping is the norm. Productivity drops, learning doesn't happen and humans disconnect. It seems presenters and trainers have forgotten how important it is to communicate with a group rather than just read to them, and how important it is to connect with an audience rather than just dazzle them with special effects. General Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued the following order to our military bases around the world, "Enough with the bells and whistles, just get to the point." (Wall Street Journal, 4/26/00).

What to Give the Audience Don’t hand out print-outs of your presentations. Why?

Finally – What are the main messages today? Its about you communicating effectively, not demonstrating PowerPoint skills PowerPoint is not the only answer…….. Death to PowerPoint!!