Presentation Theory
On average, bullet-point slides yield a 15-20% recall of information after just five minutes. Yet most presentations are given in the same, ineffectual, way. It is possible to use PowerPoint to communicate effectively, but only by using the tool in a more considered way.
Effective presentations are about clear communication. To present well, we need to understand when and why to use visual aids, what audiences are looking for, and how to make our messages stick. Presentations work well when slides and presenter work together - seamlessly delivering the right information, at the right time, to captivate the audience.
Latest in Presentation Theory
Sales Presentations and Marketing Messages
2nd July - Many presenters don't distinguish between marketing and sales messages. This can undermine sales presentations, and make marketing ineffective.
The Right Visuals
25th June - The last in a series of four episodes of the Killer Presentation Series, this edition focuses on how using the right visuals makes your presentation engaging and memorable.
The Right Structure
23rd June - Third in the Killer Presentation Series, this edition focuses on how to structure your presentation to maximise your chance of success in a sales presentation.
The Right Message
16th June - Second in a series of four episodes of the Killer Presentation Series, this edition focuses on finding the right messages for your presentation.
Why Present?
13th June - First in a series of four episodes of the Killer Presentation Series, this edition looks at why you need to use a presentation.
The Art of Visualisation
4th June - Use pictures, diagrams, graphs, together with animation, to deliver an effective visual presentation.
Brilliant Presentation
8th May - Richard Hall's book Brilliant Presentations contains some great material, but one comes away with a feeling of having read much and gained little.
Minard's Napoleon Graph
1st May - Revisualised - Minard's Graph of Napoleon's March into Russia in 1812
Selling to Beat the Recession
29th April - For those companies brave enough to invest in sales during a downturn, a recession can offer the best opportunity to gain market share.
Pitch Presentations and RFP Submissions
29th April - Should your pitch presentation act as a summary of your bid response?
Synthetic vs Analytical Presentation Structures
29th April - Should presentations start with premises and build to a conclusion? Or do effective presentations start with the conclusion and then work backwards?
Pitching to Win
12th April - David Kean’s short guide to winning new business pitches is written primarily for those in advertising and marketing, but is relevant to all.
Say it with Presentations
9th March - Say it with Presentations by Gene Zelazny sets out the McKinsey approach to writing, designing, and delivering presentations.
Advanced Presentations by Design
9th February - Advanced Presentations by Design by Andrew Abela recommends using printed handouts for certain types of presentation. But is this right?
Clear and to the Point
9th February - Stephen Kosslyn lists eight principles for constructing a presentation that takes advantage of the insights of psychology into perception, memory, and cognition.
The Back of the Napkin
9th January - Visualisation – presenting complex ideas visually – is hard. Dan Roam's Back of the Napkin presents a framework for visual thinking
Presentation Theory
- Presentation Objectives
- Bullet Points Don’t Work
- Presentation Structure
- Visualisation
- Presentation Messages
- Killer Presentations
- Presentation Book Reviews
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