I gave a presentation last night on a passionate topic of mine – improving the Detroit region.
But as I got back into the office this morning, I thought about what I consider the GREAT presentations and presenters (FYI, I’m totally not there yet).
The difference? If you listen to the audio alone, they didn’t need the slides to convey their point. If you just listen, the story is there, almost like sitting around a campfire – and there isn’t a reliance on the slides as a crutch. The slides are simply there to help you take notes on the big points.
If I had a dollar for all the presos I sat through where there was a new slide for every single sentence, I’d be rich. It’s a sure harbinger of boredom, as well as having no ability for group input.
You might think you’re important because you’re presenting in front of a group. In fact, you’re a servant of that group. It’s your responsibility, for taking up the time and attention of that group, to deliver real value. To answer questions. The last person I want speaking at a conference or training is the divebomber who dashes in five minutes before and is gone before the crowd can ask a question.
If your presentation can’t stand up to questions, you need to question your presentation.
I’ll leave you with a parting thought, having taped or attended easily over a thousand presentations over the last decade:
Be a salesperson first, and the only product that will be moving will be the danish at the back of the room, because nobody will be listening. Be a storyteller first, and your presentation will connect.
