Several years ago at a design conference, I announced my decision to focus my business on PowerPoint design and training. I received many types of reactions, none of them supportive. Some designers laughed at me, saying that they hated PowerPoint so much that they wouldn't take on PowerPoint … [Read more...] about Who are the best PowerPoint designers and trainers?
How can we learn from Michael Bay’s CES blunder?
To say that the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is an electronics and technology trade show is like saying that a 1954 Château Lafite Rothschild is a bottle of wine. It is that and so much more. It is a huge deal and presenters who are introducing new products do whatever it takes to make a great … [Read more...] about How can we learn from Michael Bay’s CES blunder?
What’s the best kind of PowerPoint handout?
PowerPoint makes it easy to create handouts, but the default style is one of the worst things you can give your audience. Here's a better idea. Default PowerPoint handout Here's what the default PowerPoint handout looks like: It seems helpful enough. This kind of handout shows an image of your … [Read more...] about What’s the best kind of PowerPoint handout?
Becoming a better presenter with Toastmasters
Earlier this year, I was presenting a Cheating Death by PowerPoint lecture to a group of students. I had a 45-minute session planned that was chock-full of information I knew they could use. Before I started, I handed out evaluation forms so that I could see how well I did. When I finished, I … [Read more...] about Becoming a better presenter with Toastmasters
Learn PowerPoint design by copying great billboards
Like a PowerPoint slide, billboards must be immediately understandable by an audience that's experiencing numerous distractions. Good billboard design is like good slide design If you've ever driven on Interstate 95 from the Virginia/North Carolina to the South Carolina/Georgia state lines, you've … [Read more...] about Learn PowerPoint design by copying great billboards
The secrets of awesome PowerPoint handouts
PowerPoint handouts help people to remember a presentation. But too often, presenters distribute handouts that are totally useless. Here's how to change that. Traditionally, handouts were printed from the Handout View in PowerPoint and looked like this: This layout allows the audience to … [Read more...] about The secrets of awesome PowerPoint handouts
A sales presentation all about yourself misses the point
How much time do you spend talking about yourself or your company during a sales presentation? Shouldn't you be addressing customer needs instead? Time and time again I see presenters taking a "me-centric" approach to sales presentations. They tell the audience all about themselves and their … [Read more...] about A sales presentation all about yourself misses the point
How to conduct live online polls during a presentation
Show of hands, how many of you engage your audience while you're presenting by asking for a show of hands? If you're doing this already, good for you! According to a recent article, 10 Presentation Techniques You Can (And Should) Copy From Apple's WWDC Keynote, by communications coach and keynote … [Read more...] about How to conduct live online polls during a presentation