Better Presentations

If you have ever sat in a meeting where someone was droning on about a subject, and doing a powerpoint with about a thousand different bullet points, you begin to understand the concept of "Death by Powerpoint".  And having done a few presentations like that myself, I know how much work goes into that process, and it is discouraging that so often your work has such a limited result.

Postman and Weingarten, in the old book Teaching as a Subversive Activity said once that "All learning is reflected by behavior change", so if people's behavior doesn't change after you make your presentation, you just wasted everyone's time!

A great book to read is Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds, he really has some great ideas about engaging emotions to get people interested before just pumping them full of factoids. He thinks that Steve Jobs, of Apple Computer, is one of the best presenters ever, and his techniques use simple, but powerful photos that grab your brain, and he will then speak on his preferred subject for several minutes at a time, of course, a subject that involves the photo in question.

For instance, I found some great photos on a website called www.bigstockphoto.com, one of which was an aerial view of an apple orchard, where all the trees were greening up, but one beautiful tree was fully blossomed out. Great, impactful photo. If I am talking to dentists, I will put that photo up, and just ask the question :"Did you ever wonder why in every town, there seems to be one or two dental offices that have really taken off, and why some still haven't bloomed?" It can be a very powerful image. That is, I think, what Garr Reynolds was talking about.

Seth Godin has become one  of my favorite writers, he sends out a daily blog and they are often full of great information. Here is one of his blog posts that I think is so good about presentations:

The hierarchy of presentations

A presentation is a precious opportunity. It's a powerful arrangement... one speaker, an attentive audience, all in their seats, all paying attention (at least at first). Don't waste it.

The purpose of a presentation is to change minds. That's the only reason I can think of to spend the time and resources. If your goal isn't to change minds, perhaps you should consider a different approach.

1. The best presentation is no presentation at all. If you can get by with a memo, send a memo. I can read it faster than you can present it and we'll both enjoy it more.
2. The second best presentation is one on one. No slides, no microphone. You look me in the eye and change my mind.
3. Third best? Live and fully interactive.
4. Powerpoint or Keynote, but with no bullets, just emotional pictures and stories.
5. And last best... well, if you really think you can change my mind by using tons of bullets and a droning presentation, I'm skeptical.

A presentation isn't an obligation, it's a privilege.

Technorati Links • Save to del.icio.us (197 saves, tagged: presentation presentations sethgodin) • Digg This! (10 Diggs, 6 comments) • Email this • Stumble It! (2 Reviews) • Subscribe to this feed • Share on Facebook • Twit This!

I really recommend that everyone subscribe to Seth's blog, it is that good!

How often do you present and realize how great a privilege it is to do this?  Some good things to remember the next time you are asked to speak!

Rick