Category: Presentation

10 Gimmicks to Start Your Presentation Strong

business

presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jan 31, 2017

Your first few minutes onstage is an opportunity to capture your audience’s attention. If you want your listeners to be all ears when you start talking, prove from the outset that your presentation is worth their time. Your opening remarks will set the tone of your talk, so you should make them as gripping as possible.Don’t waste your introduction on platitudes and pleasantries. There are better ways to form first impressions and establish a connection with the audience.

1. Kick off with a dramatic pause.

Silence makes people apprehensive. That’s why it’s a powerful tool to start a presentation. Before you deliver your speech, take a moment to pause and amble around the stage while keeping a confident stance. Even the audience members who are busy with their gadgets won’t be able to resist the dramatic pull of the moment you’ve created. A whole minute or two of silence will draw all eyes on you.[sg-blog-modules module=three]

2. Appeal to the audience’s imagination.

Take your audience to a different space and time. Introduce a “what if” scenario that they can delve into and explore. The power of imagination will reel them in and make them a willing audience to your presentation.For better effects, use props and visual aids such as videos or an informational design Try a gimmick that has never been done before. Take one of Bill Gates’s TED Talks, for example. While introducing his talk about malaria, he released a scourge of mosquitoes from a jar. The mosquitoes were, of course, malaria-free, but Gates didn’t tell the audience that until after a minute or so.

3. Drop a series of rhetorical questions.

If you want your audience to participate in your presentation, ask rhetorical questions that stimulate the mind. They may not engage with you physically, but they’ll be with you mentally, pondering over your questions and framing their own answers.

4. Relay your message through storytelling.

The human brain is hardwired to love stories. If you have an interesting narrative to tell, share it. You’ll establish a stronger connection with your audience if you do so. The vulnerability is a powerful tool if you use it to communicate a message.

5. Turn heads with a contrarian statement.

One of the easiest ways to grab an audience’s attention is by contradicting a universally accepted concept. Whether your listeners agree with you or not, they’ll be at the edge of their seats to hear what you have to say, no matter how unconventional it may be. Just make sure that the statement you make offends nobody.

6. Underline a shared pain point.

If there’s a common problem you share with the audience, express it. You can win their sympathy and make yourself relatable by doing so. Your presentation will be more relevant if you can address something that the audience is concerned about.For example, everyone can relate to the frustration of creating website passwords. There seems to be no end to the list of requirements needed: the number of characters, the types of characters, the capitalization of letters, the inclusion of numbers, and so on. Discussing a topic like this captures your audience’s interest because you’re shedding light to a common issue they think is unique to them. You’re uniting the audience and bringing them to a common ground where your sentiments and theirs are one.

7. Promise something irresistible.

What do great presentations have in common? They all leave something for the audience. It doesn’t matter if it’s an idea, a tangible object, a lingering feeling, or a solution to a pressing issue. As long as it’s something that the audience finds useful, it can increase the value of your presentation.

8. Use multimedia to catch attention.

Words can make an impact, but videos and graphics often send a clearer message when used properly. If you’re unsure about how multimedia can complement your talk, use a multimedia presentation PowerPoint service that will do all the work for you. That way, your slides will not only look professional but also engaging.

9. Break the ice with a joke.

Popular opinion will claim that jokes are a good way to kickstart a presentation, but professional speakers should know better. Strictly speaking, it’s your sense of humor that elicits smiles and chuckles from the audience. It’s the humor, not the joke, that lightens up the atmosphere. So the more you can make the audience crack up and feel at ease without forcing a joke, the better.

10. Add a twist to an old saying.

Quotations are a common way to start a speech, but you can make yours stronger by tweaking it a bit. A cliché will sound fresher if you add your own take to it. For example, you can say, “To err is human, and to forgive is simply an acknowledgement of the error.”Of course, this will only work in a casual and laid-back presentation. If you’re opting for a more serious delivery, you can use proverbs or references to historical events instead.Coming up with an exciting presentation grabber is a task that takes time, effort, and talent. If you do it right, it pays off in the end.

Creating an Effective Financial Presentation

business

financial presentation

presentation

presentation design

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jan 29, 2017

An effective financial presentation is key for communicating important data, whether it’s for investors, board members, or internal teams. The goal is to present complex financial information in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. An impactful financial presentation not only makes the data easy to understand but also helps the audience grasp key insights and make informed decisions.Here are steps and best practices for creating an effective financial presentation.

1. Define the Purpose and Key Message

Before diving into data, it’s essential to define the purpose of your presentation. Whether you’re giving a quarterly earnings report, pitching a new investment, or reviewing financial performance, having a clear objective will help you focus your content and message.

How to Do It:

  • Identify Key Takeaways: Decide on 2–3 key messages or takeaways for your audience. For example, are you highlighting profitability growth, cost-cutting measures, or the impact of market trends?
  • Tailor Content to the Audience: Understand your audience’s knowledge level and interests. For example, executives may want big-picture financial insights, while a finance team might need more detailed data and metrics.

Example:

In a quarterly earnings presentation for investors, your key messages might focus on revenue growth, profitability, and future outlook, with charts and numbers supporting each point.

2. Start with an Executive Summary

An executive summary at the beginning of your presentation helps set the stage for what you’ll cover. It allows your audience to quickly understand the context and key findings before diving into detailed financial data.

How to Do It:

  • Summarize Key Points: Provide a brief overview of the presentation’s objectives and key financial metrics (revenue, net income, cash flow, etc.).
  • Highlight Major Insights: Identify any trends, changes, or standout metrics that will be discussed in more detail later in the presentation.

Example:

For an earnings report, the executive summary might highlight total revenue, year-over-year growth, and net profit, as well as an upcoming product launch that will impact the next quarter.

3. Use Visuals to Simplify Complex Data

Financial presentations often contain large volumes of data that can be difficult to digest. Well-designed visuals help simplify and clarify this information, making it easier for the audience to follow and interpret.

How to Do It:

  • Use Charts and Graphs: Visual aids like bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs are ideal for comparing financial metrics over time, displaying proportions, or showing trends.
  • Limit Data Per Slide: Avoid cramming too much data onto a single slide. Focus on one key metric or insight per slide to maintain clarity.
  • Highlight Key Figures: Use bold colors, callouts, or icons to emphasize important numbers or insights. This draws attention to the most critical points.

Example:

In a revenue performance slide, use a line graph to show revenue growth over the past five years, with key years or quarters highlighted to illustrate significant growth or decline.

4. Provide Context for the Numbers

Numbers alone don’t tell the full story. It’s important to provide context around the financial data to explain what it means, why it matters, and how it impacts your company’s performance or strategy.

How to Do It:

  • Explain the “Why”: For every key metric, explain why it’s important and what factors are driving the results. For instance, if operating expenses increased, highlight what led to the change (e.g., investments in R&D, marketing).
  • Compare with Benchmarks: Provide comparisons to past performance, industry benchmarks, or competitor metrics to give the audience a sense of relative performance.
  • Use Trends: Where possible, show trends over time (monthly, quarterly, annually) to illustrate how performance has evolved.

Example:

If you’re reporting an increase in gross margin, explain that it’s due to improvements in production efficiency or changes in product pricing strategies. Compare the current margin to last year’s margin and industry averages.

5. Highlight Key Financial Metrics

While financial presentations include a lot of data, certain metrics are especially important depending on your audience. Highlighting key performance indicators (KPIs) ensures that the most relevant numbers are given the attention they deserve.

Key Metrics to Include:

  • Revenue and Profitability: Show total revenue, net income, gross margin, and profit margins.
  • Cash Flow: Include cash flow statements, particularly focusing on operational, investing, and financing cash flows.
  • Cost Structure: Break down operating expenses, COGS (cost of goods sold), and major cost categories.
  • Liquidity and Solvency: Show metrics like working capital, current ratio, and debt-to-equity ratio to give insights into financial stability.
  • Growth Metrics: Highlight year-over-year (YoY) growth rates for revenue, earnings, and other financial metrics.

Example:

In an investor presentation, dedicate slides to key metrics like revenue growth, operating margin, and return on investment (ROI), with charts and explanations of any major fluctuations.

6. Address Risks and Opportunities

Every financial presentation should address potential risks and opportunities that could impact future performance. By providing a balanced view, you help your audience make informed decisions and show that you’re aware of factors that may affect future outcomes.

How to Do It:

  • Identify Risks: Highlight potential risks such as market volatility, regulatory changes, or operational challenges. Quantify the potential financial impact where possible.
  • Explore Opportunities: Share opportunities for growth, such as new markets, product launches, cost-cutting initiatives, or strategic investments. Support these opportunities with data or projections.
  • Provide Mitigation Plans: For each risk, outline how your company plans to mitigate the potential impact. Similarly, explain how you plan to capitalize on the identified opportunities.

Example:

In a financial forecast presentation, you might highlight economic risks such as inflation or rising material costs, while also discussing opportunities like expanding into a new geographic market or launching a new product line.

7. Simplify the Language

Not all of your audience will be financial experts, so it’s important to present financial data using simple, straightforward language. Avoid jargon and technical terms unless your audience is familiar with them, and ensure that your message is easy to understand.

How to Do It:

  • Explain Financial Terms: If you need to use terms like EBITDA, leverage, or net income, provide simple definitions or explanations.
  • Use Plain Language: Avoid overcomplicating the narrative. Focus on what the numbers mean rather than just listing metrics.
  • Be Concise: Keep explanations brief and to the point. Use bullet points to break down information into digestible parts.

Example:

Instead of saying, “Our EBITDA margin increased due to improved SG&A efficiencies,” you could say, “Our earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation increased because we reduced selling, general, and administrative costs.”

8. End with a Clear Conclusion and Call to Action

Conclude your financial presentation by summarizing key points, providing actionable insights, and outlining the next steps. A strong conclusion reinforces your main messages and leaves your audience with a clear understanding of the actions needed moving forward.

How to Do It:

  • Summarize Key Findings: Recap the most important metrics and takeaways, such as financial health, growth potential, or areas that need improvement.
  • Provide Actionable Recommendations: If applicable, offer suggestions or action points for how to address challenges or capitalize on opportunities.
  • Include a Call to Action: Encourage your audience to take the next step, whether it’s approving a budget, making an investment decision, or scheduling a follow-up meeting.

Example:

At the end of an investment pitch, conclude by summarizing your company’s strong financial performance, highlighting upcoming growth opportunities, and providing a clear CTA such as “We encourage you to schedule a meeting to discuss investment opportunities.”

Final Thoughts

An effective financial presentation is not just about presenting data—it’s about telling a clear, compelling story backed by numbers. By defining your key message, simplifying complex data, using visuals, and providing context, you can deliver a financial presentation that engages your audience and drives action. Always keep your audience in mind, and tailor your content, language, and visuals to ensure your presentation is clear, insightful, and actionable.

The Importance of Eye Contact During Presentations

eye contact

Powerpoint

presentation

presentation science

presentation tips

Jan 22, 2017

Eye contact is one of the most powerful non-verbal communication tools in a presentation. It helps establish a connection with your audience, builds trust, and boosts your confidence as a speaker. Here’s why eye contact is essential and how to master it during presentations.

1. Builds Trust and Credibility

When you make eye contact with your audience, you show sincerity and openness, which helps establish trust. People are more likely to believe and engage with speakers who look them in the eye.Why It’s Important:

  • Establishes Trust: Eye contact conveys honesty and confidence, making the audience more receptive to your message.
  • Increases Credibility: Maintaining eye contact with different audience members throughout your presentation makes you appear more credible and authoritative.

How to Do It:

  • Practice making eye contact with individuals for a few seconds before moving to another person in the audience.
  • Avoid staring at just one person or section of the room; make an effort to scan the audience evenly.

2. Engages the Audience

Eye contact makes your audience feel included and valued, increasing their engagement. When you connect with people visually, they are more likely to stay focused on what you’re saying.Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps Attention: Audience members are more likely to pay attention when they feel directly involved in the conversation.
  • Increases Interaction: Eye contact creates a two-way communication flow, encouraging audience participation and feedback.

How to Do It:

  • Look at different sections of the audience throughout your presentation, as though you’re having a conversation with them.
  • Use eye contact to emphasize key points and gauge reactions from the audience.

3. Boosts Speaker Confidence

Maintaining eye contact can make you feel more confident and in control during your presentation. When you see positive reactions from the audience, it reinforces your performance and helps you stay focused.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Confidence: Seeing audience members respond to your message can make you feel more confident and reduce nervousness.
  • Creates Focus: Eye contact helps you stay grounded and present, preventing distractions or wandering thoughts.

How to Do It:

  • Practice in front of a mirror or with a small audience to become more comfortable making eye contact.
  • Start by making brief eye contact, then gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.

4. Helps Gauge Audience Reactions

Eye contact allows you to read your audience’s non-verbal cues. You can assess whether they are engaged, confused, or bored, and adjust your presentation style accordingly.Why It’s Important:

  • Adapts Your Delivery: By observing audience reactions, you can gauge whether your message is resonating and make adjustments on the fly.
  • Improves Engagement: If you notice that your audience is disengaged, you can use eye contact to regain their attention and refocus their interest.

How to Do It:

  • Look for signs of confusion or disengagement, such as blank stares or fidgeting, and adjust your tone, pace, or content to re-engage the audience.
  • Use eye contact to acknowledge positive audience responses, such as nodding or smiling.

Final Thoughts

Eye contact is a powerful tool that can enhance your connection with the audience, boost your confidence, and make your presentation more engaging. By mastering eye contact, you can create a more dynamic, effective presentation that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Practice this skill, and watch how it transforms your delivery.

6 Things to Watch Out for During Presentation Q&As

Powerpoint

PowerPoint Design

presentation

Presentation Consultation

presentation q&a

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jan 15, 2017

Handling a Q&A session after a presentation can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s your chance to engage directly with your audience, clarify points, and demonstrate your expertise. However, there are potential pitfalls that could disrupt your flow or cause confusion.Here are six things to watch out for during presentation Q&As:

1. Unclear Questions

Sometimes, audience members may ask questions that are vague or poorly worded, making it difficult to provide a direct answer.What to Watch Out For:

  • Misinterpretation: If the question is unclear, you may end up answering something the audience member didn’t intend to ask.

How to Handle It:

  • Politely ask for clarification: “Could you please rephrase your question?” or “Can you clarify what you mean by [specific word or topic]?”

2. Off-Topic Questions

Occasionally, audience members may ask questions that are unrelated to your presentation, leading the discussion away from your main message.What to Watch Out For:

  • Losing Focus: Answering off-topic questions can waste time and distract the audience from the key points you want to emphasize.

How to Handle It:

  • Acknowledge the question but steer the conversation back: “That’s a great question, but it’s a bit outside today’s topic. I’d be happy to discuss that afterward.”

3. Aggressive or Hostile Questions

Every now and then, someone in the audience may challenge your content or present their question in an antagonistic manner.What to Watch Out For:

  • Escalating Tension: If not handled carefully, hostile questions can escalate and create tension in the room.

How to Handle It:

  • Stay calm and composed: “I understand your concern. Here’s how we approached that issue…” Redirect the conversation back to your presentation’s core message.

4. Questions You Don’t Know the Answer To

No matter how well-prepared you are, it’s possible that you’ll be asked a question that you don’t have the answer to.What to Watch Out For:

  • Appearing Unprepared: Not knowing the answer to a question can make you feel caught off guard.

How to Handle It:

  • Be honest and offer to follow up: “I don’t have that information right now, but I can look into it and get back to you.”

5. Long-Winded Questions

Some audience members may use the Q&A session as an opportunity to share their thoughts at length, turning a question into a monologue.What to Watch Out For:

  • Losing Engagement: Long-winded questions can take up valuable time and lead to a loss of engagement from the rest of the audience.

How to Handle It:

  • Politely interject: “That’s an interesting perspective. To clarify, is your question about [summarize their point]?”

6. Running Out of Time

Q&A sessions can easily run over time if not managed properly, which can frustrate both you and your audience.What to Watch Out For:

  • Overrunning Your Allotted Time: Allowing the session to go over time can disrupt the schedule, especially in formal or time-constrained settings.

How to Handle It:

  • Keep an eye on the clock and manage time accordingly. You can say, “We have time for one more question,” and offer to continue the conversation afterward.

Final Thoughts

Navigating a Q&A session can be tricky, but with the right strategies in place, you can handle unexpected challenges and maintain control of the conversation. Stay calm, engage with your audience thoughtfully, and always steer the discussion back to your key message when necessary.

6 Presentation Techniques You Can Learn from 13-Year-Old Carter Cohen

Carter Cohen

presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Dec 02, 2016

Who said presentations are only for grown-ups? Kids can do them too, and they can do them just as well.Meet thirteen-year-old Carter Cohen, a boy from Coronado, California, who convinced his parents to let him buy a hedgehog by preparing a slide presentation. Complete with the details about his dream pet’s name, home, and medical expenses, Carter’s presentation is something that even professionals and businessmen can learn from. Here are six takeaways from Carter’s simple presentation called, “Everything About Hedgehogs.”

1. Use a minimalistic design that sends a clear message

If your presentation purely consists of text, don’t attempt to dress it up with a myriad of colors. Unnecessary design elements are just that—unnecessary. Two font colors should suffice to make your slides more visually interesting.Just look at how Carter employed the power of simple design on his Google Slide show. He used a striking orange for the headings and a subtle gray for the body of each slide. The result was a neat and comprehensible presentation.

2. Present the cons alongside the pros of your pitch

Your audience will naturally expect to hear good words from your pitch. The pros are, after all, the point of the presentation.Still, you should state the cons to gain your audience’s trust. It doesn’t matter what angle you’re coming from. If you really want to hit a home run with the audience, don’t hide any vital information from them. If they need to know it, let them hear it.Carter did the same on his presentation. He let his parents know exactly what they’d be getting themselves into once they agree to allow him to buy his own hedgehog. He gave an estimation of expenses to prepare his parents for the possible hassle that getting a pet may bring.

3. Lead your audience carefully to your point

Wise presenters don’t assume that their audience understand them from the get-go. If you want to get your message across, guide your audience throughout the presentation.When giving away something that’s not common knowledge, make sure to couple it with explanations—but do so without sounding condescending. Be the right kind of informative and courteous—the same way Carter was. Carter explained everything that might concern his parents, and he did it with the natural grace of a child.

4. Use interesting titles and headings as kickstarters

There are a few easy ways to write compelling titles and headings for presentations. Carter used interrogative headings in some slides before proceeding to his rationales.For most, starting with intriguing questions is the way to go when opening discussions.Interrogative titles or headings stimulate the audience to answer the question. It encourages them to dig deeper into the content and read them in a linear manner.Candid headings like “What is Fleece” and “Why I Can’t Wait” make you think of two things. First, Carter’s innocence and wit is adorable and second, that interrogative headings are simple yet thought-provoking.If you’re having trouble typing in your thoughts, start a slide with any of the five W’s, then write your points constructively. Lastly, ask yourself, “Did I answer my question?” This strategy will ease your customers from strenuous thought-processing.

5. Emphasize value over cost

Carter wanted to convince his parents to allow him to purchase a $350 pet. And indeed, there are no better ways to say the words than to write “Why I Want My Ollie” and “Why I Can’t Wait” as headings.He had a ready answer to his own questions when he tried to persuade his parents to allow him to invest his own money into a new pet.Carter had three reasons for getting a hedgehog: 1) it provides a sense of companionship, 2) it will make him more responsible, and 3) it meets his requirements.Additionally, he informed his parents that having a hedgehog will make him a responsible pet owner since it will obligate him to provide his pet with clean shelter, food and company.When convincing people, it’s always important to know the value of their efforts and the resources they will invest.Just like Carter, show what else your audience can get besides owning what they expended on.

6. Express urgency if needed

One principle to follow when effectively influencing and persuading is using scarcity as an edge.Under the subheading “Why I Can’t Wait,” Carter explained that he needed a hedgehog soon, even though his parents asked him to wait until November 5, which was 30 days after his birthday.Scarcity, which is sixth in Dr. Robert Cialdini’s list of principles of persuasion, suggests that the lesser there is of something, the more people will want it.The day Carter wanted to take home his “Ollie” was the time the hedgehogs wouldn’t sell out yet and would receive treatments for mites.Always indicate if there’s a demand for your products. This will be your gauge when convincing an audience to act sooner.Without a doubt, Carter’s parents were impressed by their son’s creative act. How could they say no to a presentation that ends with a “thank you” and an “I love you”? After all, those two statements are among the most powerful in the English language.Did you find the aforementioned lessons helpful, too? Did Carter’s techniques convince you that kids can make compelling presentations just as well as adults? If there’s anything you can learn from this post, it should be this: Never underestimate the power of kids.

Resources:

Porter, Jeremy. “Five Ws and One H: The Secret to Complete News Stories.” Journalistics. August 5, 2010. www.blog.journalistics.com/2010/five-ws-one-hPolanski, Tom. “Dr. Robert Cialdini and 6 Principles of Persuasion.” EBiZine. www.influenceatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/E_Brand_principles.pdf

Black Cats of PowerPoint Presentations

Halloween

Powerpoint

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Oct 30, 2016

Sometimes, in the middle of reviewing a PowerPoint presentation, there comes the anxiety wherein people ask themselves if the slides are enough or overdone. Some even come to a point where they struggle critiquing their work because they spent too much time on it. After so much time and effort, you may wonder if you’ve been efficient or just wasteful.If, at the end of the day, despite all efforts to make a great presentation, it still doesn’t feel right to say it’s a job well done, here are some signs to help you make that call.

Unlucky 7

In rare cases, presentation taboos may be excused when necessary but international speaker and presentation skills expert, John Zimmer, says having too many bullets and texts make no sense when crafting a pitch.According to him, PowerPoint presentations that follow the 1-7-7 rule, or slides that consist one heading, seven bullets, and seven words, promise boredom and apathy on the part of the audience. Same point goes for the 1-6-6 rule.Avoid this by using fewer bullet points. When used sparingly, bullets can be effective to communicate ideas and points because they offer convenience to the audience. Bullets help save more time and space to allocate new information. Too many of them, however, does the opposite of that value.Minimize your use of words. Use communicative graphics and pictures that can replace texts. It’s best to do this in slides that contain messages that you would like your audience to remember.In this case, the 4-by-5 rule might just be right for your presentation. Unless you’re enumerating from a list, then four bullets and five words are ideal to keep your presentation informative and snappy.

The Scripture

One way to know if something isn’t easy to understand is when you read it repeatedly. There are several reasons why this happens. Usually, it means you’re having an idle moment or your phrases or sentences need to be simplified.When reading, experts say an average person renders 50 – 300 WPM (words per minute). However, when reading technical content, the statistics go down to 50 – 75 WPM.Sometimes, slides look like pages of ancient text, which contain too much information and take more time to read compared to the normal ones. When comprehending a script, use simpler but appropriate words and sentences to lessen the reader’s strain and lag. If you can’t process your messages easily, then how can you expect your readers to do so? Only use words with deeper meaning when necessary.Pause after a certain amount of words to give time for them to absorb everything.Also, speaking from an active voice welcomes a continuous reading process. Use present or passive tenses instead of progressive tenses. They’re easier to read and make ideas seem more simple.Lastly, though it’s advised to keep one thought in one slide, you can opt to break your sentences in the middle and proceed to the next. Maintain the dominance of the white background. It also pays to maintain a breathing room for your eyes.

Magic Decks

When you present a deck with numerous slides in a considerably long time, do you wonder if your audience recall everything?A research conducted in 2012 by cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Carmen Simon, examined how many slides people can remember from a text-only, standalone PowerPoint presentation. After 48 hours, results showed that 1,500 participants remembered an average of four slides out of the presented 20.The study revealed that visuals played a significant role in keeping the slides memorable. It was also found that similar-looking slides are easier to remember. The distinctiveness of every other fifth slide in Simon’s presentation were significant help as well.Marks help remember. Use pictures or designs not only to illustrate, but also to keep slides more interesting and easier to recall. It’s best to use them strategically. Use markings on slides that need more emphasis.

Conclusion

Your deck doesn’t have to be all-telling. You can just make books if that’s the case. A good deck must contain all significant points and ideas for the presenter to collaboratively explain with. In a PowerPoint presentation full of information, points become harder to highlight. Use words sparingly so that your audience would actually pay attention to your content.Be strategic when creating your slides to make them more engaging. When making presentations, discover ways to be more conscious on your creative and communicative processes. It pays to understand your audience’s interests with regards to these aspects.Lastly, know that sometimes, complex solutions only solve basic problems. Before you start with another PowerPoint presentation, invest your time in getting to know more about creating effective presentations. This way, you end up creating your presentation in a lesser hassle pace and with more peace of mind.

Resources:

Zimmer, John. “PowerPoint Math: The 1-6-6 Rule. Manner of Speaking.” Manner of Speaking. www.mannerofspeaking.org/2010/03/04/powerpoint-math-the-1-6-6-ruleSimon, Carmen. “The Results Are In: How Much Do People Really Remember from PowerPoint Presentations?” Brainshark. February 12, 2013.Nelson, Brett. “Do You Read Fast Enough To Be Successful?” Forbes. June 4, 2012 www.forbes.com/sites/brettnelson/2012/06/04/do-you-read-fast-enough-to-be-successful/#5d9d3eca58f7Thomas, Mark. “What Is the Average Reading Speed and the Best Rate of Reading?” Health Guidance. www.healthguidance.org/entry/13263/1/What-Is-the-Average-Reading-Speed-and-the-Best-Rate-of-Reading.html

How to Tell a Better Presentation Story

presentation storytelling

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 14, 2014

As we already know, stories make for powerful presentations. Great stories can capture the emotion and imagination of an audience. Instead of a straightforward report of the facts, stories allow audiences to connect with a message. Stories allow mundane and impersonal data seem more relatable. A presentation story creates a more personal and engaging audience experience.Whether you’re in the boardroom or in a meeting with potential clients, here’s a list of what you’ll need to tell the best presentation story:

The heart of the story

In literature, stories are told to reveal broader themes. While you’re not expected to philosophize abstract themes in your presentation, the story you share should also have a purpose. At its core, it should be more than just a story. Your story should be driven by a rationale that is essential to your story. In other words, it should perfectly illustrate the core of your message.To get there, consider asking  yourself these key questions:

  • What is the significance of this particular story?
  • What is the underlying principle behind your presentation?
  • What is the main point you’re trying to get across?

The more you understand the key takeaway, the better you can deliver your presentation story.

The main players

Stories can’t move forward without a central character. The character is responsible for setting the narrative into motion. It is also the character that determines what kind of story will unfold. Most importantly, it’s with the character that the audience connects with emotionally.It may seem odd to name a protagonist for your presentation story, but even the most mundane stories have its main players. It could be your customer. It could be someone who perfectly represents the demographic you’re targeting. You could even be the character of your own presentation story, especially if you want to talk about an experience that’s central to your key takeaway.

The structure

Beginning, middle, end. Whether it’s an epic hero’s journey, or a murder mystery riddled with flashbacks, all stories are anchored by this basic structure. As such, the same should be true for your presentation story.According to Fast.co‘s Aaron Ordendorff, the problem is that we often start our presentations at the very middle of the story. We don’t take the time to develop the narrative and provide proper context. At the same time, there is also very little discussion of the resolution and what should come next.To structure your presentation story properly, start with the basics:

  • Beginning – While you’re not expected to give every detail of your presentation, you do need to provide the audience with sufficient context to understand your message. Begin your presentation story be introducing your character and the problem they’re facing.
  • Middle – Once you’ve provided enough background information, you can begin to detail the purpose of your presentation and how that relates to the conflict your character is facing.
  • End – After discussing the bulk of what makes your presentation, end the story by providing a resolution that reinforces your key message

Reference

Orendorff, Aaron. “Bring Your Presentations To Life With These 5 Storytelling Components.” Fast Company. September 15, 2014. Accessed October 14, 2014. Featured Image: Death to the Stock Photo

Business Presentations: Give Your Audience a Memorable Experience

business presentations

presentation tips

Oct 13, 2014

When you think of business presentations, the first images that come to mind are probably bleak. After all, you’ve had to sit through your fair share of monotonous meetings and discussions. You’ve had to squint your eyes in order to read the lengthy paragraphs projected on the screen. You’ve had to stop yourself from falling asleep in a darkened room. You’ve had to patiently wait for the speaker to get to the point.Despite all these negative scenarios, there are still occasions when you were able to watch a memorable business presentation. The slides were concise and well-designed, the points quickly and clearly made. In particular, they all have a few characteristics in common.Take note of the following and apply them to your business presentations as well:

Authentic

Business presentations are often devoid of any emotion. Presenters believe that they need to focus on the hard facts. While data is important in building your credibility, your presentation will need a more “human” element in order to create a connection. This doesn’t mean that you have to move your colleagues to tears. One way to make your business presentations memorable is by creating a more authentic experience. Instead of drowning your audience in a sea of spreadsheets, try to focus on telling a story instead.

Meticulous

A lot of business presentations also suffer from information overload. Without a clear goal, presenters tend to detail too much of their content and end up sharing things that may be unnecessary or repetitive. They end up confusing their audience even more. To solve this dilemma, you will need to identify your main objective and meticulously curate your content. Make sure each slide and sentence contribute to driving home your main point. If you have data to present, include only the ones that are most important to your message. You should also prepare a loose script to keep your speech on the right track.

Visually Stimulating

More than having concise slides, business presentations also need to be visually stimulating. As we’ve mentioned in the earlier scenario, too often presenters commit PowerPoint mistakes that overshadow their core message. Aside from carefully picking and choosing which content to include, presenters all so need to make PowerPoint decks that speak to the visual senses of the audience. A striking color palette, plus the use of high-quality images can make a huge difference in your slide design.

Compelling

The impact of a business presentation also rests on the power of delivery. For people to listen, you will need to create an engaging and compelling atmosphere. When you face an audience, you must demand their attention through the way you speak and carry yourself. Speak clearly and loudly. Exuding confidence in your words is one of the key ways to build credibility. You should also be mindful of your body language. Avoid gestures that make you seem closed off or aloof. Featured Image: Sebastiaan ter Burg via Flickr

How to Prepare for an Interview Presentation

interview presentations

presentation tips

Presentations

Oct 08, 2014

First impressions are extremely important, especially in the world of business. Whether you’re a fresh graduate looking to score your first job, or an experienced employee looking to land your big break, interview presentations are among those crucial moments. Recruiters often request an interview presentation to test your ability to communicate in a clear and confident manner. In doing so, you’re expected to do more than just talk about your experience and qualifications. When you’re given an opportunity to present to potential employers, you’ll need to show the best version of yourself.An interview presentation is a rare chance to showcase your personality, capability, and professionalism. In order to leave the best impression, you will have to bravely face your interviewers and knock them off their feet.To help in that task, here are some tips you can use to guide your interview presentation:

1.) Ask the right questions 

Before starting your preparations, gather crucial details asking the hiring manager some key questions. Find out as much as you can about the topic you will be presenting on, and determine the technical requirements of your presentation. Most importantly, you should also ask about the people expected to sit in your audience. The audience will be the most crucial part of your interview presentation. They will be the ones to determine whether or not you’re fit for the role you’re eyeing. If you can, try to find the answer to these questions:

  • What is their professional background?
  • What is their knowledge or level of expertise?
  • What roles do they play in the company?
  • What questions might they ask based on their expertise?

2.) Develop well-structured content

Once you’ve set a clear direction for your presentation, you can start building a strong foundation. Plan your presentation following a structure that connects your ideas in a logical and compelling manner. Research has proven that a specific, story-driven structure is effective in eliciting powerful emotional response. However, you can also go for a more traditional structure: a fascinating introduction, an engrossing in-depth discussion, ending with an insightful conclusion.

3.) Work on your visuals 

If the presentation calls for it, you should also spend time building an effective PowerPoint deck. Visuals have the power to make your arguments more memorable and compelling. Use your PowerPoint deck to highlight the main points in your speech. Emphasize the most important parts by using images and illustrations.

4.) Plan what you’re going to wear 

Another thing to keep in mind is the importance of appearance. Like it or not, first impressions are largely formed based on physical characteristics. In an interview presentation, there is absolutely no excuse for careless grooming. Take the time to plan your outfit accordingly. Again, it will help if you do some research to learn more about company culture. This will help you determine the dress code that’s appropriate for the occasion.

5.) Practice your presentation skills

Lastly, take the time to rehearse your entire presentation. As the old adage says, “practice makes perfect.” Try to practice in the same way that a concert pianist would. Focus on specific parts of your presentation. Practice how to deliver each passage and how you plan to move around the stage. Rehearse your presentation in clusters until you get everything right.

The stakes are high for an interview presentation, and it’s normal to feel nervous going into a room of potential employers. Think of it as an opportunity to flaunt your skills and show that you’re the perfect person for the job.

Featured Image: Alex France via Flickr

How to Prepare PowerPoint Presentations in Half the Time

powerpoint presentations

Powerpoint tips

presentation tips

Oct 07, 2014

We’re living in a fast-paced world where we constantly have to juggle several different things at a given time. This seems especially true in the world of business. During our working hours, we always have a long list of tasks to accomplish by the end of the day. Most of the time, those tasks include preparing PowerPoint presentations.We all know how important it is to design engaging and effective PowerPoint decks. The problem is that we often don’t get enough time to do that. With a fast-approaching deadline, it’s hard to build slides that are sure to be memorable. Most of the time, we’d rather settle for easy solutions like PowerPoint templates. If you’re in a similar situation, here are some tips and tricks to create PowerPoint decks in half the time:

1. Have a battle plan

As history tells us, never go to battle without a full proof plan. In the same way, you will need to create a plan before starting work on your PowerPoint presentation. Consult your schedule and see how much time you have to prepare your presentation. Work on your free time and split your tasks accordingly. For example, if you have three days to finish a pitch deck, you can designate three hours each day to focus on your task.

2. Re-purpose the resources you have

Ask yourself if you really need to work from scratch. Most of the time, you probably have a few documents and some old presentations that cover the topic you need to present about. Be resourceful and use everything you have to make things easier for you. You can re-purpose slides you made in the past and use them as a template. Find something that you’ve had a lot more time to work on, then simply edit to match the topic you’re delivering.

3. Perfection is an aimless quest

Don’t pursue perfection until you’re done with the entire PowerPoint deck. When you have little time to accomplish a task, there’s not much room for ironing out details. It’s more important that you have a complete presentation to show, than a perfect but half-done slideshow.

4. Learn to prioritize

Accomplish your PowerPoint deck by tackling one task at a time. Prioritize your to-do list: start with creating the structure of your presentation, figuring out the content, until finally working on your design. Make sure you have a solid foundation before you build anything else.

5. Ask for feedback

You might be the presenter at the end of the day, but no project can be done alone. Mine your wealth of relevant connections, or the other departments and teams in your company for help and feedback on the deck you’re working on. Knowing what to improve on at once is a good way to cut back on the extra time.

It might be a stressful few days, but you can finish a PowerPoint  deck in half the time if you learn to prioritize and plan accordingly. Organize your workload and make sure you follow a specific process.

Featured Image: mao_lini via Flickr