Creating Unforgettable PowerPoint Presentations by Ning C S de Guzman, FCMC Principal Consultant, De Guzman Associates © Ning C S de Guzman 2009

Objective: to show you how to transform average presentations into unforgettable ones.

The sequence of this presentation

The Situation: Audiences want a compelling presentation.

1. Audiences like information that is

2. Audiences want to be inspired

3. Audiences want to be entertained Simple language Inter-active Relaxing Stress-free Picturesque Not too long Easy to remember No brainer

The Complication: What audiences experience Bored NO WOW! Unimpressed Dissatisfied Lost Confused Distracted

Why?

1. The problem with content

A. What is the objective?

B. At every seminar, audiences are subjected to an overdose of information.

C. Complaints about language

D. Questionable logic

2. Complaints about presentation form

A. Hard-to-read text

B. The problem with slide design

Other problems with slide design

C. The problem with charts Requires a lot of explanation Too detailed Difficult to interpret Wrong type

D. The problem with slide transitions

3. The problem with delivery

This is what happens when slides are not reviewed before the presentation.

The Question: How can a presenter create an unforgettable PowerPoint presentation?

SO, WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

It’s all about changing focus. From: what you want to tell To: what your audience wants to know Be audience-centric.

The solution Know your subject. Know your audience. Know your objective. Organise your materials. Rehearse and be prepared for contingencies.

Know your subject.

Know your audience.

Know your objective.

Organise your materials.

Rehearse and be prepared for contingencies.

Solution Step 1: Know your subject. Don’t let your slides do the talking!

Solution Step 2: Know your audience.

Solution Step 3: Define your objective. Inform Ask approval Teach Inspire Entertain Persuade

Solution Step 4: Organise your material.

A. Start a story outline with a mindmap.

Convey action in your presentation title. Managing in a downturn! Control your destiny! Overcome resistance to change!

Support your central message with evidence.

B. Plan the flow of your content. 1 2 3 4 5 Situation Problem Implication Analysis Solution Execution Blueprint

C. Follow the key concepts in slide design.

1. Let the headline tell the story. Before…

Let the headline tell the story. After…

2. Keep bullet points short. Before…

Keep bullet points short. After…

3. Make your charts understandable.

Choose the right type chart.

Draw attention to what you want the audience to remember. Lead them. Before:

Draw attention to what you want the audience to remember. After:

Sometimes, text is more effective than a chart. Before:

Sometimes, text is more effective than a chart. After: Attendees spent $21 per person per event.

4. Choose the right visual. Before:

The Tipping Point? After 20% 20%

Use images to appeal to emotion. Before:

After

5. Use the right slide background. Before:

Use the right slide background. After:

6. Use plenty of “white space”. Before:

Use plenty of “white space”. After: The 6 Key Points about the Federal Budget Crisis

When can you present in B&W ? Detailed information is easier to read in black and white. But don’t call it a presentation. Call it a book, manual, guide or schedule.

Solution Step 5: Rehearse and be prepared for contingencies. What can go wrong?

What can go wrong?

Final Words: When all you’ve got is a hammer, every problem starts looking like a nail.

Use the right software for the right job.

In the end, it’s not about PowerPoint. It’s all about audience connectivity. The best speakers do not need PowerPoint to connect with their audience. But for many speakers like you…

This is only the beginning of your journey to creating unforgettable PowerPoint presentations. There are more tips and techniques to learn.

To guide you in your journey, bring these books along with you.

RECAP: Objective: to show you how to transform average presentations into unforgettable ones.

Take up the challenge. Be audience-centric. [email_address]