8 November 2007

How to make a dynamic presentation

By Jim Pinto

You go to a meeting. Everyone has arrived. The lights dim, and the presentation begins. The presenter keeps showing slide after slide. Some in the back row actually doze off, while many others’ minds drift off. They are all being “slideswiped.”

We have all heard the advice about how to make a presentation: “Tell what you’re going to tell them; then tell them; and then tell them what you told them.” That almost gives you a license to be boring. Forget it.

I like to use a PowerPoint as cue cards that my audience can follow with me. Stick with short, brief points, so they do not spend time reading the slide instead of paying attention to what I am saying. It is nice to have some pictures and diagrams to show, but do not overdo it. PowerPoint has many cute features—things sliding back and forth, the next slide spinning in from space, etc. Do not overdo it. Keep it simple.

Especially when you are giving a marketing or sales presentation, take some lessons from Steve Jobs. His iPhone introduction had five lessons for making a superb pitch:

1. Build tension—generate drama and a couple of surprises
2. Stick to one theme per slide—one slide, one key point
3. Add pizzazz to your delivery—vary your speed and tone
4. Practice—do not wing it, rehearse your presentation
5. Be honest and show enthusiasm—loosen up, have fun

You know what? Steve Jobs is far more engaging today as a presenter than he was many years ago because he worked at it. We all have room to improve our presentations. Develop your own special style.

And practice, practice, practice.

Related links:

• PowerPoint Presentations: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:
  http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/Handouts/powerpoint.htm
• Steve Jobs’ Greatest Presentation:
  http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2007/sb2007076_474371.htm
• The Seven Deadly Sins of PowerPoint Presentations:
  http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/marketing/a/7sinsofppt.htm

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points, at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.