July 21st, 2010 | Author: admin
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A recent article in The New York Times focused on the military's excessive use of PowerPoint as a means of communication. From my own experience, I can attest the truth that the success of staff in the armed forces or acquire skills PowerPoint or die trying. In fact what the slide has reached a singular distinctive military culture of making it a target for creative humor.
However, there is a serious side to the issue. I can remember a world without PowerPoint or any another easy way to make visual aids. Yes, I remember Harvard Graphics, but I said easy. What is now called slides are usually made with markers on a sheet of acetate (plastic). Although senior management of companies did not make their own slides that still use them. Fortunately, today we have tools wonderful to help us produce an endless rain of things, all with beautiful graphics format and charming. Now everyone can make beautiful visuals. Constantly! Al Apparently, regardless of what it is costing to do so!
Think of the last meeting or seminar you attended. There was plenty of slides yet kinds of things about them? The entire presentation was written in small print suitable for an eye exam? How long do you think was the presenter for slides? How much of what you see remember?
PowerPoint, like many things, is best when used sparingly. You can reinforce or supplement presentation, but when used as a central element of the presentation, it loses its effectiveness. Many studies indicate that everyone has a particular method effective learning. Some learn best by reading, some for listening, and many do. When using visual aids to improve their appearance, are more likely to stimulate more than one mode of learning. Also, a good visual aid will help keep your audience's attention. Poor visuals will have exactly the effect otherwise.
Here are some tips for better visuals. I have included a bullet for each sub to show how I put it in a visual aid.
- Use words sparingly. Short bullets with the main points only. If the bullet extends to two lines may be too long. Like the latter.
- Bullets short. Main items only!
- Be careful with graphics. If you use a table, probably the only thing on the slide, without explanation. That is what you are for!
- Graphics and graphics to get their own slide
- Do not use transitions. I know some software engineer smart long time creating clever transitions (how to change the slides), but do not do much for your presentation. They also tend to slow, especially if the team is a bit slow.
- No transitions!
- Be careful with the colors, especially red and yellow. Yellow is equivalent invisible ink! Red has some very unusual properties. It can appear as any of a million different colors, including pink and if it gets the right tone can actually dance around the screen.
- Do not use yellow or red
Observe how each stands on its own bullet while reinforcing the narrative of what I say. My audience is not focused on the slide instead of listening to me.
Get "How to Lead Meetings Your People Won't Hate And Might Even Want to Attend!" at http://www.planleadexcel.com/Products/copyminibooks.html.
Bob Mason is a speaker, trainer, and author of "Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works." He founded RLM Planning and Leadership to help develop great leaders. See what he can do for you at http://www.planleadexcel.com.
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