Solving the PowerPoint Predicament Using Digital Media for Effective Communication

An integrated approach to PowerPoint from an industry expert - powerful, high-tech presentations delivered effectively!

Tom Bunzel specializes in knowing what presenters need and how to make technology work. He has appeared on Tech TV’s Call for Help and has been a featured speaker at InfoComm and PowerPoint LIVE, as well as working as a “technology coach” for companies including Iomega, Community Vision, and the Neuroscience Education Institute.

 

Tom Bunzel has written a number of books, the latest being Teach Yourself PowerPoint 2003 in 24 Hours and Easy Digital Music for Que Publishing. Tom Bunzel’s other books are Easy Creating CDs and DVDs, How to Use Ulead DVD Workshop, Digital Video on the PC, and the update to Peachpit Press’ Visual QuickStart Guide to PowerPoint 2002/2001. He was a contributing editor to Presentations Magazine and writes a weekly column as the Office Reference Guide for InformIT.com.

 

As an instructor for Learning Tree International, Bunzel has taught several courses: “Integrating Microsoft Office” and “Creating Interactive Websites–Hands On.” He has worked with many speakers, including helping Gregg Ketter of KTTV-TV with his motivational, customer service, and sales speeches, and he trained the principals of MTA Films and Todd Yamada, D.D.S., in PowerPoint and multimedia production. Bunzel has also lectured at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Communicate (a multimedia facility), and at the San Diego Computer Expo.

 

Tom can be reached through his website (www.professorppt.com).

 

Preface Preface What Is the PowerPoint Predicament? Several years ago, I attended a networking breakfast where several entrepreneurs were pitching their start-up companies to a panel of venture capitalists. It was set up as a competition, and one of the entrants didn't show up, so the moderator asked if anyone in the audience had a concept they wanted to present. At the time I was on the "board" of an Internet start-up (like everyone else I knew in the technology arena) hoping to get funded. I volunteered, and without any notes or preparation, I spoke for five minutes and ended up winning the competition. Afterward, several colleagues congratulated me (I won a T-shirt--no funding), and several said, more or less, you were great, but imagine if you'd been able to prepare with PowerPoint (they knew my specialty)--you would have been even better. As I reflected at the time, I suggested that the opposite was the case. I realized that my adrenaline rush at putting myself in that position, and my realization of the need to focus and really communicate my message along with my passion for the project, resulted in a connection to the audience I may not have achieved if I'd merely presented a slide show. Now, several years later, having been exposed to many more polished and exemplary speakers who use electronic presentations effectively--and many others who don't--I realize that at the time I also might have been tempted to simply throw up some slides and depend upon them to tell a story. From that point on, I decided that I would always examine the subject matter through the eyes of a seasoned presenter, structure my talk accordingly, and only use PowerPoint to dramatize the most compelling aspects of my project. I would have a reason for every slide I put up, and I would use the technology for good rather than for evil. At all costs, I would do whatever I could to avoid "death by PowerPoint" because using this ubiquitous program can have the opposite effect of what you intend--instead of galvanizing an audience and helping to convey a message, a series of dull slides can put your attendees into a trance. When I appeared on Tech TV, I was asked if that's PowerPoint's fault. Obviously, it isn't--it's mainly the fault of those who use PowerPoint badly. If PowerPoint has a fatal flaw, it's that it's just too seductive and easy. I often get asked what the heck there is to actually teach in terms of using PowerPoint. Can't anybody click in the placeholders and fill up slides with titles and bullets? The answer is in this book. The secret to using PowerPoint effectively is twofold: You must realize that creating a PowerPoint slide show is not the same as creating apresentation. Creating a PowerPoint file is deceptively easy--it's just a matter of clicking in the right places and creating a set of slides that may even look fairly nice. But we all know the results of presenting a disorganized, poorly conceived slide show--it can have serious consequences. We could lose a sale or account, fail to inform or inspire, and perhaps even lose our credibility before our colleagues and associates. Even if the show is self-running (for a kiosk, video, or commercial break--an animation technique we'll cover in Chapter 4), it had better be more than just a bunch of slides. It must tell a story, deliver a message, or serve a purpose. In using technology to communicate more effectively, every instance must have with araison d'etre--the French term for "a reason for being." Polished speakers know this. It may be why "soft skills&qu