The Hidden Edge

I couldn’t possibly do any better justice to the don’ts of PowerPoint than Don McMillan in his 5 minute comedy After Death by PowerPoint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLpjrHzgSRM 

However, sometimes I think we learn more from what is done well rather than what is done badly. 

I guess you can use PowerPoint for lots of different reasons and so for the purpose of this Blog I am referencing its use as a prop to support a presentation.  I am, of course, using the term ‘prop’ in a theatrical sense rather than a staff or crutch.  Anyone who needs to use PowerPoint as an autocue should, perhaps, not be presenting at all. 

Presentations are story telling for a purpose.  Without wishing to generalise too much, the purpose tends to be about communicating a message which needs to be understood by the audience.   

We prefer to learn in different ways:  audio, visual and kinaesthetic; tell me, show me, let me think about it!  The presentation in itself neatly caters for the auditory learners; visual learners can be nicely stimulated by visual connections if properly supported with PowerPoint graphics.  If you are really clever you can integrate exploratory ideas in the slides that will engage the kinaesthetic learner too.  These learners like to explore, reflect, and internally debate a point.  The key factor is that it is you who is pivotal to the presentation and PowerPoint really needs to be supporting what you are saying.  So you must only let it do what you can’t do with the spoken word. 

Top tips to consider when compiling your first draft! 

• Do not use a Microsoft template.  It is too tempting to fill the slides with words.
• Plan not to use bullet points at all!  Instead illustrate what you would say with a picture but not clip art.  Pah!
• Check out Google Images or Flickr – there are stacks of pictures that are copyright free to help you illustrate your points.
• People buy into emotion and justify with fact – choose images that convey emotions.
• If you must use words in a presentation then consider the five words per line and five lines per slide rule.
• Use the largest font size you can and make it bold – the smallest font size should be no less than 18.
• If you are scanning images in from another source please bear in mind the point above.  What you can see on your computer screen is not how it will look once projected.
• Use the deepest contrast of colours.  It is easier to read dark words on a light background than it is the other way around.
• Use different fonts according to the subject matter, each font can convey its own message (kinaesthetic learners will love you!)
• You can frame text for emphasis and/or readability.
• As a rule of thumb use no more than 30 slides per hour of presentation.  That equates to two minutes of explanation per slide.
• The above can be extended for those who have humorous slides that need no explanation and are there to break a sequence.
• Keep to one concept only per slide.
• Use graphs, organisational charts, graphics, pie charts but keep them simple.
• You can also include blank slides when the emphasis of the presentation requires the audience to focus on you the speaker.
• Use animation and sound sparingly – the attention should be on you, the presenter.
• In the West we read left to right; top to bottom so if you use slide animation consider that.  It is easier to assimilate if you follow the same format.
• You may wish to refer to a video to illustrate a point – YouTube can be fab for that. 

Here’s how you can embed one into your PowerPoint presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yzUxNbi1h4

When you have put together your PowerPoint slides, ruthlessly edit by asking yourself what the audience will learn from each slide and whether it adds anything to the value of your presentation.  If it does add value leave it in – if it doesn’t scrap that slide. 

PS extra top tips! 

• Design is important and critical in terms of getting the message across.
• If you need to use a script then use the notes section available.
• When you move onto the next slide give the audience a moment to assimilate the new material – if you speak at the same time you will be competing with your prop.  Give the audience time for their curiosity to be satisfied with the concept of the new material.  The amount of time you need to give depends on the complexity of the material on the slide.  I say keep it simple; one concept per slide!
• Actively collaborate with the PowerPoint presentation using pointer options: 

Please do add your own top tips on how to make good use of PowerPoint during presentations.

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Congratulations!  If you are reading this then you have already taken the decision to apply for an award.  There are two key elements you need to consider before you write your award entry - content and style.  Hopefully the following tips will help you put together an award winning entry.

1.  Get Cracking:

It is not often you are given the chance to legitimately promote your business and generate free publicity; encourage and praise your team and potentially win the prestigious award and the potential prize money. What have you got to lose?

2.  Choose appropriate award category:

Choose all the categories you think you could compete in. Remember, not all categories are as well represented as others. The questions within each category are straightforward.  Consider compelling examples, testimonials or measurements that endorse and support your achievements.

3.  Answer the questions:

Answer each question in full, the more details and benefits to your business, the more your application will stand out with the judges. Don’t assume that information that you may have included in a previous answer will be recalled, repeat specific details to a question, especially if you are applying for more than one award. 

3.  Boast - don’t be modest! 

Your positive opening words are crucial to the content.  Begin with the end.  This is the hook which will encourage those judging to delve deeper.  So don’t ramble; get to the point, every word should count. Be proud of what you have done, this is one time when it is absolutely right to boast.   

4.  Give specific examples: 

The judges are looking for clear examples of how you have improved your business so wherever possible substantiate your claims with figures.  Remember that the judges may not have any past experience of your industry, avoid technical jargon.  Judges need to be able to understand easily your industry, product or market from the information you have included. 

5.  Proof read:

Even if you have used spell check, first read your application out loud.  You will identify spelling and grammatical errors as well as check for clarity, rhythm and pace.  Then get someone else outside your organisation to proof read your application for clarity, spelling and grammatical errors. It’s very difficult to spot your own mistakes especially if you have already done several drafts.

Don’t forget to post it – if you don’t enter you can’t win.  Good luck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4C3CmmGUQk&mode=related&search==

A move away from the content of the last few Blogs on to a more light hearted, nay flippant, look at Chicken Soup.  There are umpteen books under the auspices of Chicken Soup for the Soul of which I have but one - Chicken Soup for the Soul in Business.  For other versions please see http://www.chickensoup.com/   

The underlying concept of these best sellers is that there are some great stories that give comfort that things will be all right in the end. Each book is a collection of stories that overcomes adversity or tragedy and gives one a feeling of contentment.  Just as chicken soup does in real life!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_soup   

And if you are still not sure have a listen to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpJdP7NEJ0  

Of course, you may be just a little sceptical about the powers of Chicken Soup and perhaps justifiably; if it is lace with too much sugar.  The overwhelming chicken soup sentiment can turn if it is not careful into what is now known as Glurge.  http://www.snopes.com/glurge/glurge.asp 

My preference is for Heinz Tomato Soup.  I vote that you can do no better and I strongly recommend it to all men!  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/07/28/scisoup128.xml    If you enjoy reading my Blogs, then click on comments then RSS and you will receive and update as an when I post a new Blog.

This You Tube link is quite a long one so I have placed it at the front of this Blog.  It’s the sort of music that you will be able to read and listen to at the same time … that is, if you don’t get mesmerised by the visual graphics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWAMhLyn58 

I have been threatening to write this Blog for three weeks!  But I have been putting it off!  Actually it is not the link to a slightly depressing subject matter, rather the fact that I live in the moment.  Let me explain! 

Three weeks ago, Mark Pitcher challenged us to write our epitaph.  What would we like to be said about us at our funeral?  He asserted that this would really put our visions and goals into perspective.  Fired up with his enthusiasm I set about writing my own …………. 

The trouble is, that I am not unhappy with my life.  I love where I live, who I share my life with, I love what I do for a living and I have no regrets.  I live now to my max and whatever comes my way that challenges my fancy then that’s what I’ll do.  This makes it really difficult to say, for example, that I travelled the world or lived in the Outback or climbed Mount Everest or any other equivalent as this is not what does it for me!  I do love to ski but negotiating black runs doesn’t do it for me either as I am more the serious social skier.  Hic! 

However, I do have that book or three that I am planning to write; and one day I would like to see it (or them) published.  This is something that I have been challenged with since I met a guy called Alan Taylor, who started at Debenhams Guildford at the same time as I, back in September 1980.  He was writing a fictional fantasy not dissimilar to Gormenghast.  In fact he introduced me to Peake, Tolkein and Donaldson’s work, for which I will always be truly grateful. 

And so … “she lived each moment for the moment, everything had to be done now or not at all.  She learnt loads from others and relished in that.  Her greatest accolade is not what she achieved but the number of people she touched with her enthusiasm and encouragement.  She did, of course, have her best seller – for a while.  This touched many others.   

She will be remembered in her adopted town of Weymouth quite fondly as a staunch business advocate for Southwest Dorset and Lady Town Mayor.  Latterly she undertook the Wanderer’s role for the Dorset Echo, a position that had not been filled since the late Stiv departed.  She and she loved that role. Hic!”

Tell us; how would you like your epitaph to read?