Randall Blum gives a seminar on the proper uses and abuses of PowerPoint in professional presentations. He discusses PowerPoint history, benefits, drawbacks, audience expectations, and basic rules. Blum emphasizes keeping presentations simple, visual, and focused on the presenter. Key tips include using one idea per slide, simple formatting, and avoiding distracting transitions or sounds. The goal is for PowerPoint to enhance the presentation while maintaining focus on the presenter's message and delivery.

1. Randall Blum Presentations – Seminar #6
“PowerPoint Uses, Abuses & Excuses”

2. Announcements
Lecture #7: “Visual, Vocal & Verbal”
Labs #7: Group Internal Sales Presentations

3. Review
Delivery –Style & Personality
- Poise
- Charisma
- Energy
Style & Personality Traits
Stages of Style Development
Audience Awareness
Audience Adjusting Techniques

4. Seminar #6
“PowerPoint Uses, Abuses & Excuses”

5. What Is The #1 Goal Of Using PowerPoint In
A Professional Presentation?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Professional ‘Look’
2. Visual Quality
3. Content Roadmap
4. Presentation of Graphs/Charts
5. ‘Board Room’ Credibility
6. All of the Above

6. Which Of The Following Should NOT Be
Utilized In A PowerPoint Presentation?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Complete Sentences
2. Punctuation
3. Abbreviations
4. Complex Words
5. Paragraphs
6. All Of The Above

7. “PowerPoint Transitions That Fly, Crawl,
Slide & Spin Add Variety And Appeal”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

8. Which Of The Following Is True
Regarding ‘Sound Affects’?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. They Should Be Used With Transitions
2. They Are Great On Laptop Presentations
3. They Are Highly Desired Attention-Getters
4. They Are Not Necessary With Videos
5. All Of The Above
6. None Of The Above

9. “A Presenter Should Always Maintain Control
Of The PowerPoint Remote”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

10. ‘Contemporization’ Refers To Which Of The
Following Benefits of PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Ability To Personalize To A Group
2. Ability To Update To Current Information
3. Ability To Utilize The Latest Visuals
4. Ability To Show Internet Video Content
5. All Of The Above
6. None Of The Above

11. “PowerPoint Should Be Stunningly Visual
Yet Minimalistic”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

12. The ‘4x4’ Rule Refers To Which
Basic Rule Of PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Single Slide Layout
2. Theme Selection
3. Font Size
4. Slide Variety
5. Transition Speed
6. None Of The Above

13. Which Of The Following Should
NOT Be Used With PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Remotes
2. Lasers
3. Tape Recorders
4. Elmo
5. Props
6. All OfTheAbove

14. “An Organized Presenter Gives A PowerPoint
Copy To Audience Before The Presentation”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

15. PowerPoint Uses, Abuses & Excuses
I. History
II. Benefits & Drawbacks
III. Audience Expectations
IV. Presentation Goals
V. Medium Maximization
VI. Basic Rules
VII. Tips & Tragedies
VIII. Other Visual Aids

16. I. History
Created By Microsoft
Runs on Microsoft Windows/Mac OS X
Initial Version: “Presenter” in 1987
Patent Cost: $14 million
Annual Sales: $26.8 million
Upgraded Version: PowerPoint 97 (Visual Basic)
Latest Version: PowerPoint 2010 (Clipboard)
Apple Creation: Keynote

17. II. Benefits & Drawbacks
Benefits
Most Recognized
Presenter Confidence
Audience Involvement
Visual Quality
New Slide Engagement
Drawbacks
Overused
Presenter Reliance
Too Much Reading
‘Bells & Whistles”
Stagnant & Boring

18. Benefits & Drawbacks
Benefits
Charts/Graphs
Interesting
Customization
Contemporization
Retention
Drawbacks
Charts/Graphs
Competes With Presenter
Seldom
Seldom
60/20

19. III. Audience Expectations
Concise, Clear, Precise
Interesting Content
Participatory
Value-Added
Reinforcement
Memorable
Simple
Presenter-Focus

20. IV. Two Simple Goals
Organizational Roadmap
Visual Impact

21. V. Medium Maximization
Keep Focus On The Speaker...Always!
Avoid Competing With Technology
Maintain ‘The Heart’ Of The Presentation
Design Organization Magic
It’s Just A Tool So ‘Less Is More’

22. Medium Maximization
Create Imagery On The Screen
Refrain From ‘Bells & Whistles’
Customize Whenever Possible
Ask Yourself: “Is This Necessary?”
“Words Are Not Visuals…They Are Simply Words”

23. VI. Basic Rules
Organization
Content
Layout
Visual
Text & Type
Graphs, Charts, Diagrams
Transitions
Sound Affects

25. Organization
Simple
Clear
Consistent

26. Organization
1st Slide – ‘Title’
2nd Slide – ‘Power Of Three’
3-22 Slides – ‘Content’
23rd Slide – ‘Summary’
24th Slide – ‘Contact Information’

27. Content
One Idea Per Slide
Headline At Top
‘Phrase’ Not ‘Sentence’
Simple Words & White Space
‘Glance’ Not ‘Read’

28. Content
“Simplicity Is The Ultimate Sophistication”
-Steve Jobs
“PowerPoint Should Be Stunningly Visual And Minimalistic”
-Bill Gates

29. Content
• Describe each bullet
point with extreme detail
and clarity to the point
where they can get as
much from reading the
slide as they can from
listening to you speak.
• Use A LOT Of Words
• Put Several Topics On
Each Slide
• Abbr.
• Use Blank Space
• Utilize Outline Formats
• Avoid Paragraphs, Complete
Sentences
• Use Sharp
Content

30. Layout
Do’s…
Center Headline
Outline Format
4x4 Format
Logo
Don'ts…
Paragraphs
Sentences
Punctuation
Abbreviations

31. Slide Layout
Slides Have Focal Points – Capture-Simple.
Utilize Outline Formats.
4 x 4 – Four Bullet Points; Four Words Per Bullet.
Use Sharp Contrast.
Insert Company Logo.
Use Blank Space.
Avoid Paragraphs, Complete Sentences, Punctuation!!!
Left Side/Right Side Layout Punctuation (Bad/Good).

32. Abbreviations/Punctuation
• In pwrpnt, abbrevs. are agrevat. b/c they can
cause confus.
• Stick to full words
• Avoid punctuation!!!

33. Visual
Lighted vs. Darkened Room
Contrast
Backgrounds & Themes
Primary Colors
Consistency

34. Backdrops
Avoid Distracting Backgrounds

35. Backdrops
Avoid Distracting Backgrounds

36. Contrast
Avoid bright words on bright backgrounds

37. Contrast
Avoid dark words on dark backgrounds

38. Text & Type
Consistency
Fonts
Point Size
- Headline: 36-56
- Body: 24-36
Capitalization
Bullets & Numbers
Bold vs. Underline
‘AutoCorrect’

39. Type Size
Consistency
- Headline: 36-56
- Body: 24-36

40. Font
Consistency of type is critical
Utilize Simple Fonts
Titles: 44-66 Points
Bulleted Material: 28-40 Points

41. Graphs, Charts & Diagrams
One Of The Real Benefits
‘Show’ Rather Than ‘Tell’
Instant Comprehension
One Point Per Visual
Clip Art (Google/Yahoo)

42. Graphs

43. Graphs

44. Charts, Diagrams, Maps,
Photographs, Clip Art
 Qualitative Information
 Interesting Or Not Included
 Never Met A Piece Of Clip Art I Liked

45. Transitions
A Definite ‘Bell & Whistle’
Transitions Are For Film Makers
Focus On Message
“Fly, Crawl, Peak, Slide, Spin”

46. Transitions
Good Use… Bad Use
Regular Content
As Gimmick
Distraction
Content ‘Reveal’
Graphs/Charts
Surprises

47. Transitions
Good Use… Bad Use
Regular Content
As Gimmick
Distraction
Content ‘Reveal’
Graphs/Charts
Surprises

48. Transitions
Good Use… Bad Use
Regular Content
As Gimmick
Distraction
Content ‘Reveal’
Graphs/Charts
Surprises

49. Sound Affects
Perfect For Videos
Perfect For Sound-Focused Content
Terrible As Transitions
Terrible For Laptops
Terrible As Gratuitous Attention-Getters
Terrible Most Of the Time!

50. VI. Tips & Tragedies
Content Mastery
Audience Abilities
Proofreading Skill
Control Of Technology
Positioning To Screen

51. Tips & Tragedies
Lighting (You & Screen)
Blank Slides
Remotes & Clickers
Lasers
PowerPoint Copies

52. Tips & Tragedies
‘Talk’ vs. ‘Read’
Graph/Chart Interaction
Personal Notes
Graph/Chart Interaction
Personal Notes

53. VIII. Other Visual Aids
Whiteboards
Chalkboards
Flip Charts
Elmo
Overheads
Videotapes
Audiotapes
Props
Handouts
Graph/Chart Interaction
Personal Notes

54. Summary
PowerPoint Uses, Abuses & Excuses
I. History
II. Benefits & Drawbacks
III. Audience Expectations
IV. Two Presentation Goals
V. Medium Maximization
VI. Basic Rules
VII. Tips & Tragedies
VIII. Other Visual Aids

55. A Final Thought…
“YOU Are The Best Visual…
But If You Force Audiences To Divide Their Attention…
You Will No Longer Be The Best Visual!”

56. What Is The #1 Goal Of Using PowerPoint In
A Professional Presentation?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Professional ‘Look’
2. Visual Quality
3. Content Roadmap
4. Presentation of Graphs/Charts
5. ‘Board Room’ Credibility
6. All of the Above

57. Which Of The Following Should NOT Be
Utilized In A PowerPoint Presentation?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Complete Sentences
2. Punctuation
3. Abbreviations
4. Complex Words
5. Paragraphs
6. All Of The Above

58. “PowerPoint Transitions That Fly, Crawl,
Slide & Spin Add Variety And Appeal”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

59. Which Of The Following Is True
Regarding ‘Sound Affects’?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. They Should Be Used With Transitions
2. They Are Great On Laptop Presentations
3. They Are Highly Desired Attention-Getters
4. They Are Not Necessary With Videos
5. All Of The Above
6. None Of The Above

60. “A Presenter Should Always Maintain Control
Of The PowerPoint Remote”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

61. ‘Contemporization’ Refers To Which Of The
Following Benefits of PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Ability To Personalize To A Group
2. Ability To Update To Current Information
3. Ability To Utilize The Latest Visuals
4. Ability To Show Internet Video Content
5. All Of The Above
6. None Of The Above

62. “PowerPoint Should Be Stunningly Visual
Yet Minimalistic”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

63. The ‘4x4’ Rule Refers To Which
Basic Rule Of PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Single Slide Layout
2. Theme Selection
3. Font Size
4. Slide Variety
5. Transition Speed
6. None Of The Above

64. Which Of The Following Should
NOT Be Used With PowerPoint?
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17% 1. Remotes
2. Lasers
3. Tape Recorders
4. Elmo
5. Props
6. All OfTheAbove

65. “An Organized Presenter Gives A PowerPoint
Copy To Audience Before The Presentation”
50%
50% 1. True
2. False

66. Thank you to YouTube for your contribution to this lecture