How to Avoid Death-by-Powerpoint

Description

Our focus here is on making Presentations memorable as well as effective.  We play with various ways of exchanging PowerPoint for the true power of participants’ own physical and vocal presence - in other words, enabling them to discover what it really means to ‘be present’ in their ‘present…/…ation’.

There are numerous variations of format for this.

1. In a series of 15-minute sessions, we work with a small group in which each person delivers a sample 2-3 minutes, and then receives feedback and coaching on small changes for the remainder of the slot. The emphasis is on selecting non-verbal traits that will transform the effectiveness of their message. The rest of the group observe and learn from each other.

2. Or we can deliver some ‘top tips’ to a larger group on the most important elements to pay attention to - perhaps with one or two individuals willing to try these out in practice in front of the group. This version would suit a 30-60 minute slot.

3. We can add in more interactive elements, either in a 90-minute slot or as standalone 15 mins, in which we get syndicate groups of participants to sketch 3 examples of PowerPoint slides on a flipchart (stick figures and scribbles for written words are fine) that don't work well, and 3 that do work well. We then share their ideas in plenary.

4. And/or we can provide a variety of everyday objects or utensils (battery, seive, juggling balls, picture frame, garden trowel...) and ask participants to choose one and use it to as a metaphor for describing some aspect of their work, in pairs ("when my battery is low, I need to recharge by getting 5 minutes of fresh air... " "My job is to sift through my team's input in order to ensure that our project is made up of the finest ingredients...")

5. Or we can demonstrate a simple format for structuring presentations to a group of up to 8, in a 30-minute slot. We talk through its structure and style, finally sending attendees away to try applying it to their own 2-minute presentation on a given subject (e.g. 'Something I'd like to change about the way we work in this office.' Could be the type of coffee - or a whole reshuffling of roles!). Later in the day, we reconvene for them to deliver these, giving feedback on each in a 90-minute session.

Benefits

Individual attention is given to each participant, and everyone learns from the masterclass style. They are encouraged to try out surprising opening and closing lines, relevant stories, and vivid examples - even to introduce props or music: whatever they wouldn't normally have the courage or opportunity (or imagination?) to experiment with.

The feedback from their peers is very often enthusiastic enough to encourage them to try these things for real! And they leave with a whole new perspective on the power of their own presence, and the need to demote PowerPoint to its rightful place: as a visual aid, not a barrage of words, words, words.