Making PowerPoint Slides Avoiding the Pitfalls of Bad Slides Tips to be CoveredOutlinesSlide StructureFontsColourBackgroundGraphsSpelling and GrammarConclusionsQuestions Outline Make your 1st or 2nd slide an outline of your presentation Ex: previous slideFollow the order of your outline for the rest of the presentationOnly place main points on the outline slide Ex: Use the titles of each slide as main points Slide Structure – GoodUse 1-2 slides per minute of your presentationWrite in point form, not complete sentencesInclude 4-5 points per slideAvoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only Slide Structure - BadThis page contains too many words for a presentation slide. It is not written in point form, making it difficult both for your audience to read and for you to present each point. Although there are exactly the same number of points on this slide as the previous slide, it looks much more complicated. In short, your audience will spend too much time trying to read this paragraph instead of listening to you. Slide Structure – GoodShow one point at a time: Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying Will prevent audience from reading ahead Will help you keep your presentation focused Slide Structure - BadDo not use distracting animation Do not go overboard with the animation Be consistent with the animation that you use Fonts - GoodUse at least an 18-point fontUse different size fonts for main points and secondary points this font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the title font is 36-pointUse a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial Fonts - BadIf you use a small font, your audience won’t be able to read what you have written CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ Don’t use a complicated font Colour - GoodUse a colour of font that contrasts sharply with the background Ex: blue font on white backgroundUse colour to reinforce the logic of your structure Ex: light blue title and dark blue textUse colour to emphasize a point But only use this occasionally Colour - BadUsing a font colour that does not contrast with the background colour is hard to read Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying.Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary Using a different colour for secondary points is also unnecessaryTrying to be creative can also be bad Background - GoodUse backgrounds such as this one that are attractive but simple Use backgrounds which are light Use the same background consistently throughout your presentation Background – BadAvoid backgrounds that are distracting or difficult to read fromAlways be consistent with the background that you use Graphs - GoodUse graphs rather than just charts and words Data in graphs is easier to comprehend & retain than is raw data Trends are easier to visualize in graph form Always title your graphs Graphs - Bad GoodJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril Blue Balls Red ...

1. Making PowerPoint Slides
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Bad Slides
Tips to be CoveredOutlinesSlide
StructureFontsColourBackgroundGraphsSpelling and
GrammarConclusionsQuestions
Outline Make your 1st or 2nd slide an outline of your
presentation
Ex: previous slideFollow the order of your outline for the rest
of the presentationOnly place main points on the outline slide
Ex: Use the titles of each slide as main points
Slide Structure – GoodUse 1-2 slides per minute of your
presentationWrite in point form, not complete sentencesInclude
4-5 points per slideAvoid wordiness: use key words and phrases
only

2. Slide Structure - BadThis page contains too many words for a
presentation slide. It is not written in point form, making it
difficult both for your audience to read and for you to present
each point. Although there are exactly the same number of
points on this slide as the previous slide, it looks much more
complicated. In short, your audience will spend too much time
trying to read this paragraph instead of listening to you.
Slide Structure – GoodShow one point at a time:
Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying
Will prevent audience from reading ahead
Will help you keep your presentation focused
Slide Structure - BadDo not use distracting animation
Do not go overboard with the animation
Be consistent with the animation that you use
Fonts - GoodUse at least an 18-point fontUse different size
fonts for main points and secondary points
this font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-pointUse a standard font like Times New Roman
or Arial
Fonts - BadIf you use a small font, your audience won’t be able
to read what you have written

3. CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT
TO READ
Don’t use a complicated font
Colour - GoodUse a colour of font that contrasts sharply with
the background
Ex: blue font on white backgroundUse colour to reinforce the
logic of your structure
Ex: light blue title and dark blue textUse colour to emphasize a
point
But only use this occasionally
Colour - BadUsing a font colour that does not contrast with the
background colour is hard to read Using colour for decoration is
distracting and annoying.Using a different colour for each point
is unnecessary
Using a different colour for secondary points is also
unnecessaryTrying to be creative can also be bad
Background - GoodUse backgrounds such as this one that are
attractive but simple
Use backgrounds which are light
Use the same background consistently throughout your
presentation
Background – BadAvoid backgrounds that are distracting or
difficult to read fromAlways be consistent with the background

4. that you use
Graphs - GoodUse graphs rather than just charts and words
Data in graphs is easier to comprehend & retain than is raw data
Trends are easier to visualize in graph form
Always title your graphs
Graphs - Bad
GoodJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril
Blue Balls
Red Balls
Items Sold in First Quarter of 2002
20.4
30.6
27.4
38.6
90
34.6
20.4
31.6
BadJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril
Blue Balls
Red Balls
20.4
30.6
27.4
38.6
90

5. 34.6
20.4
31.6
Sheet1JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilBlue Balls20.427.49020.4Red
Balls30.638.634.631.6
Sheet2
Sheet3
Graphs - Good
GoodJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril
Blue Balls
Red Balls
Items Sold in First Quarter of 2002
20.4
30.6
27.4
38.6
90
34.6
20.4
31.6
Sheet1JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilBlue Balls20.427.49020.4Red
Balls30.638.634.631.6
Sheet2
Sheet3
Graphs - Bad
GoodJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril
Blue Balls

6. Red Balls
Items Sold in First Quarter of 2002
20.4
30.6
27.4
38.6
90
34.6
20.4
31.6
BadJanuaryJanuaryFebruaryFebruaryMarchMarchAprilApril
Blue Balls
Red Balls
20.4
30.6
27.4
38.6
90
34.6
20.4
31.6
Sheet1JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilBlue Balls20.427.49020.4Red
Balls30.638.634.631.6
Sheet2
Sheet3
Graphs - BadMinor gridlines are unnecessaryFont is too
smallColours are illogicalTitle is missingShading is distracting
Spelling and GrammarProof your slides for:
speling mistakes

7. the use of of repeated words
grammatical errors you might have make
If English is not your first language, please have someone else
check your presentation!
ConclusionUse an effective and strong closing
Your audience is likely to remember your last words
Use a conclusion slide to:
Summarize the main points of your presentation
Suggest future avenues of research
Questions??End your presentation with a simple question slide
to:
Invite your audience to ask questions
Provide a visual aid during question period
Avoid ending a presentation abruptly
JanuaryFebruaryMarch April
Blue Balls20.427.49020.4
Red Balls30.638.634.631.6
Items Sold in First Quarter of 2002
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70

8. 80
90
100
JanuaryFebruaryMarch April
Blue Balls
Red Balls
20.4
27.4
90
20.4
30.6
38.6
34.6
31.6
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
JanuaryFebruaryMarch April
Blue Balls
Red Balls
Sheet1Free Trade Area (FTA) Project OutlineGrade Assessment
FactorsQuality of researchQuality of PresentationQuality of
InterpretationHeadings and sub-headings for major sections of
the FTA ProfileDepth: salience & diversity of cited
sourcesInformation: Precision & Accuracy of Data Originality
of sources explored & relied onFluency: of text and illustrative
materialLogic: balance/emphasis placed on report's

9. elementsConformity to bibliographic practices eg.
APAAwareness: demonstrates how elements revealed in report
combine Insights:interpretation of the information - opps for
business, trends discerned.Summation: Sections 1) & 5)
supported by inform't'n presented4) Trade Policy and
Globalisation Posture√√√√√a) Contribution to FTAA and
other Hemispheric trade Negotiations:√√√√√√i) Main
envelopes of concern√√√√√√(1) Agricultural
subsidies√√√√√√(2) Intellectual Property√√√√√√(3) Market
Access√√√√√√(4) Extra-territorial application of 1st world
standards√√√√√√(a) Labour codes√√√√√√(b)
Phytosanitary√√√√√√(c) Health√√√√√√(d) Child
labour√√√√√√(e) Minimum wage√√√√√√(f) Industrial
compliances√√√√√√(g) Other non-tariff barriers (NTBs)
√√√√√√ii) Common position of bloc√√√√√√(1) Positions of
individual members√√√√√√iii) Extra-bloc negotiating
alliances √√√√√√(1) Operational√√√√√√(2) Foreseen or
anticipated √√√√√√
Sheet2
Sheet3
Guide and Template for Leader Profile
615-630 Leadership Profile
You will identify a leader you admire and research her or his
biography and recent successes. Your research should include
an interview transcript.
You will also research the leader’s organization or company for
its mission and recent accomplishments.
Then you will complete a set of short-answer essays. Details of
each essay’s factors are in a list at the end of this document.
Aim to use all of the essay factors listed in the guide in your
Leader Profile document. You are encouraged to consider the
use of the Template which begins on page 5.
Due Date: See LEO Assignment link
Assignment Points Earned: See LEO Assignment link

10. Getting Started:
1. Make a list of leaders you admire. Consider exploring the
CEOs of Xerox, Nissan, Yahoo, General Motors, Northrup
Grumann, Costco, or Pepsico or the recent recognition
(promotion) of the 4-Star General of the Navy, Michelle
Howard. While you do not have to research these people, they
are a head start on locating leaders who easily explain aspects
of their philosophy and successes.
As one of your resources for research of the leader: You will
want to find an interview from the leader you have selected to
profile.
Finding an interview with your leader: Try
· UMUC Library and these search terms: “Interviews with
CEOs”
· Adam Bryant’s Weekly Corner Office Column in the New
York Times: http://projects.nytimes.com/corner-office
· Google the leader’s name and the term “interview”
2. Select your leader.
3. Identify the leader’s company or organization and research
its mission, goals and recent activities. Use company or
organization websites. Review articles or media stories about
the company. Make notes.
To write this essay, first think about Northouse chapters
assigned earlier
· Chapter 7 on Path-Goal Approach to Leading
· Chapter 10 on Servant Leadership
· Chapter 11 on Authentic Leadership
In addition to a careful review of Northouse Chapter 7, choose
either Servant Leadership (Chapter 10) or Authentic Leadership
(Chapter 11) to use as important theory for analysis of your
leader’s successes. If, for whatever reason, you do not believe
that these Northouse Chapters help you examine your leader
effectively, then search the Table of Contents of Northouse to
find a 2nd model (chapter) you want to use. You are to use two
(2) models of leadership, with one model being the Path-Goal

11. Theory, for your analysis.
Short Answer Essay Topics:
There are five (5) essays. Answering each one is worth up to 20
points. Pay attention to writing thoughtfully and clearly.
Most essays below have more than one (1) part. Make certain
you copy and paste the essay as given below into your
document. You may use the Template at the end of this
document to make your effort more accurate.
Specific Essay Topics begin here:
1_Identify your leader and his or her current position.
Summarize the leader’s early life and education (2 paragraphs).
Then write a 3rd paragraph answering this question: What are
two (2) events earlier in life, which may have set the stage for
his or her leadership success, based on your research/analysis?
2_What qualities of leadership seem to appear more recently in
your leader’s career path? Consider promotions, areas of new
responsibility, evidence of trust by those around him or her,
expressed comments from your leader about his or her attitude
towards others, including respect. (1 or more paragraphs)
3_Examine and then summarize your leader’s current
organization. Pay attention to its mission and if published on a
website, identify the corporate values of the organization.
Highlight recent developments in the organization. (1 or more
paragraphs)
In a 2nd-3rd paragraph use your judgment and research into
your leader’s strengths to describe or explain the reasons the
leader is a good fit for the organization at this time (1-2
paragraphs)
4_Return to your notes on the factors of leading found within
Path-Goal Theory (Northouse, 2013, chapter 7. Explain the
primary factors which make up this theory. (1 paragraph)
Compare your leader’s approach to path-goal theory. What
factors of his or her leadership seem to align or fit to this

12. theory? What factors seem to be different than what’s
emphasized in Path Goal? (1-2 paragraphs)
5_Use the 2nd theory you researched (either Servant
Leadership, Chapter 10; or Authentic Leadership, Chapter 11,
or another model of leadership from Northouse) and explain the
primary factors which make up this theory. (1 paragraph)
Compare your leader’s approach to the 2nd model of leadership
from Northouse (selected by you). What factors of his or her
leadership seem to align or fit to this model theory? What
factors seem to be different than what’s emphasized in this
model? (1-2 paragraphs)
Additional information—Best Format
Each short answer essay will also be evaluated for use of the
following:
· Complete sentences
· Correct grammar and punctuation
· Organization of ideas into paragraphs, writing to explain one
(1) idea per paragraph. Make certain that first sentence of the
paragraph identifies the topic of that paragraph. Do NOT rely
on a title or heading to communicate the idea of the paragraph.
· Double-space
· When you use source material ADD a reference listing to the
end of your short-answer essay. Source material includes
course text books, LEO website information and anything else
you review or research to gain ideas.
Scoring: Each essay is worth 20 points. Within points
available, your work will also be evaluated for format (see
bulleted items above).
Course Objectives met by this assignment:
1. Examine, compare and contrast different cultural leadership
styles (through indepth analysis of one leader’s role).

13. 2. Analyze leadership and communication research (using
specific major theories and models).
3. Expand knowledge of leadership effectiveness (analysis of
leader philosophy contributes to understanding).
Template for Leader Profile Assignment
[On the next few pages you have a template, which you may
copy and paste into a new document. This template sets up the
essays and their text.
[You do not have to use the template but it is recommended that
you do. The essay topics are complete. Use of the topics as
written will help you make certain you include all analysis
factors.
[Note: Turnitin for this assignment has been set up to not count
repeated use of the template text as much as possible. You will
not receive a “too-high” turnitin score (one that has a “red” bar
as a result). You will not be asked to re-do parts of the
assignment due to use of the template.
[Please make certain that you delete all comments from the
template that appear in [ ] brackets.]

14. [ Your Name]
Management 615
Fall Semester
Leadership Profile
[Date Submitted]
[Turnitin Score]
1_Identify your leader and his or her current position.
Summarize the leader’s early life and education (2 paragraphs).
Then write a 3rd paragraph answering this question: What are
two (2) events earlier in life, that may have set the stage for his
or her leadership success, based on your research/analysis?
[Remember to review format]
[Add references]
2_What qualities of leadership seem to appear more recently in
your leader’s career path? Consider promotions, areas of new
responsibility, evidence of trust by those around him or her,
expressed comments from your leader about his or her attitude
towards others, including respect. (1 or more paragraphs)
[Remember to review format]
[Add references]
3_Examine and then summarize your leader’s current
organization. Pay attention to its mission and if published on a
website, identify the corporate values of the organization.

15. Highlight recent developments in the organization. (1 or more
paragraphs)
In a 2nd-3rd paragraph use your judgment and research into
your leader’s strengths to describe or explain the reasons the
leader is a good fit for the organization at this time (1-2
paragraphs)
[Remember to review format]
[Add references]
4_Return to your notes on the factors of leading found within
Path-Goal Theory (Northouse, 2013, chapter 7. Explain the
primary factors which make up this theory. (1 paragraph)
Compare your leader’s approach to path-goal theory. What
factors of his or her leadership seem to align or fit to this
theory? What factors seem to be different than what’s
emphasized in Path Goal? (1-2 paragraphs)
[Remember to review format]
[Add references]
5_Use the 2nd theory you researched (either Servant
Leadership, Chapter 10; or Authentic Leadership, Chapter 11,
or another model of leadership from Northouse) and explain the
primary factors which make up this theory. (1 paragraph)
Compare your leader’s approach to the 2nd model of leadership
from Northouse (selected by you). What factors of his or her
leadership seem to align or fit to this model theory? What
factors seem to be different than what’s emphasized in this
model? (1-2 paragraphs)
[Remember to review format]
[Add references]

16. 1
PPT Option (individual) for online 615
Country-Based Cultural Profile: A Power Point Presentation
Due Date: See LEO Assignment Link
Course Points: See LEO Assignment Link
Goal: Research and assemble a PPT that reveals a culturally-
specific profile of a country, tailored to business use. The
target audience for your PPT project is a group of upper-mid-
level managers who must be a part of project management for
work in that country, but who are not yet informed about
culture, and who need to be.
LIST OF PPT TOPICS:
1. History
2. *Location, Size
3. * Language
4. *Economics/Major Business Interests (such as tourism, or
manufacturing, or advanced technology)
5. Political systems (whether or not the country is democratic,
more of a social-democracy; often or presently has a very strong
leader/dictator)
6. *Traditions (Important, interesting history of the people,
festivals, holidays) and Lifestyle (favorite past-times, foods,
social activities
7. National Culture: Expectations of cultural values, based on
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension Research
8.*Comparison of Country Culture to the US culture, using

17. Hofstede
9 *Tips for leading a project in the country. What is most
important to remember about this country’s culture for leading a
project? Research social-business travel etiquette. Consider
related factors of time orientation, negotiation expectations, use
of status/power distance, leveraging competition to add to your
tips.
9.* a Reference List slide. You are expected to use web-based
resources for your research.
THE FACTORS with asterisk* are required. Some factors will
be more important than others. More important topics may take
more than one slide to communicate your research. You will
need to decide whether to include topics without an asterisk.
The business scenario:
Having almost completed Management 615, you are a cultural
expert. In this assignment you will work to research
information to offer an informed presentation about a country
(market for expansion). The project has already been approved.
Your audience for the presentation is company managers, within
the company headquarters. They understand the company
domestic strategy, but are not informed about the local
expansion options in this country, especially its national culture
and how that culture and communication may influence the
project schedule. The group is gathering for a staff retreat to
develop more specific strategy for the launch of the project.
You are to develop the PPT as a centerpiece for briefing
company managers on country-based factors, especially culture
and business etiquette which will expedite project
communication.
It is not your task to a) design or develop a project plan, or b)
analyze the viability of the market.
PPT DESIGN COUNTS towards score
You are expected to be informed about quality of presentation,
when using PPT. You will want to understand clearly what

18. makes for quality slide format. See the attached file of a PPT
from IASTED. IASTED is the International Association of
Science and Technology for Development. Part of their mission
is to support professionals in crossing cultures for advancement
in emerging markets.
Length of PPT: Not more than 20 slides; some topics will need
more than 1 slide.
IMPORTANT: PPT text or words that appear in the “box” of
the slide should be bulleted phrases, not sentences. If you need
to explain some of the slide ideas/phrases further, use the
NOTES section at the bottom of the slide.
PPT tips (some of the important points from the IASTED PPT—
make certain you review all of the information posted in the
PPT Presentation Guide, also found on the LEO assignment
link)
Slide Structure
· Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation
· Write in point or bullet form, not complete sentences
· Include 4-5 points per slide
· Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only
· Add images, graphs and photos for interest and help in
communicating each slide topic
Slide Fonts
· Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points
· Consider 36 point for titles, 28 for main points and 24 for
additional text that must be included in slide “box”
· Use a font without serifs (little tales on the letters, easy to see
on an “a” or “t” Fonts without serifs include Arial, Calibri
· CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT
TO READ
Scoring: The PPT will not need to be submitted to Turnitin.
Presentation of each PPT topic will earn up to 10 points. Points
include format.
To earn more than 10 points credit, you must select a country
that

19. a) Has a Hofstede profile see website link: http://geert-
hofstede.com/countries.html
b) CANNOT be a country you have already reviewed for
Homework 2 (interview) or Midterm (Japan) or be a part of the
US for the expansion market.