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With all the recent emphasis on the design of your PowerPoints (Keynote for the Mac), it’s time to revisit the fact that your visuals are NOT your presentation. You and your Point of View are the centerpiece. I think that the emphasis on PowerPoints (we’ll call them PP for brevity) is because 2008 WAS a great year for great design with the publication of Garr Reynolds’ book “Presentation Zen” and Nancy Duarte’s “slide:ology” (both still best sellers on Amazon.) Make no mistake that having powerful and visual support materials is critical to your impact. But it’s still your impact – it’s not a PP.
Keep in mind that we’re talking here about in-person presentations, not PP ‘decks’ that are designed to be used as a written report. Also, many major conferences think ‘decks’ when they ask their speakers to send in their PowerPoints in advance. Why? They are NOT their presentation! (This just happened to me, and I did it because the client IS the client. But it misses the point of the experience.)
Unfortunately we find that in about 95% of the cases for most speakers in business today their PP’s are the centerpiece of their message. They create their content around their PP’s, rather than figuring out what they want to say, and then using PP’s, (and videos, and exercises, and SHARP’s, etc.) to SUPPORT their presentation.
When it comes to persuasive impact in our communications, it is not through technology, but only with it. YOU are always the centerpiece of your presentation, and no graphically dazzling slide should ever replace you. Nor Twitter stream for that matter.
With all the advances in technology, we must continuously emphasize the critical importance of human confidence in the delivery as well as in the tools of delivery – the primary tool being yourself. With greater “high tech” we need a corresponding increase in “high touch.” Think of using videos – embed them in your PPs. And experiment with a live Twitter stream – this can be distracting in a more formal speech but is great for tech/breakout/collaborative sessions. And remember that with this advanced technology and the many more options available for visual support, your confidence and control as the centerpiece has to be even more skilled.
Think of Steve Jobs and why his presentations are so powerful. (He led our Top Ten Communicators of 2005 list, even before the famous iPhone announcement, and was on the list most years since.) While he uses elegantly simple slides and perfectly timed and executed demos, he remains the center of the presentation. Often, (as at the top of the screen here) he will completely clear the screen (using a black slide – that’s the way to do it) to keep the audience’s attention on his energy, on his enthusiasm, and on his words. Not the PowerPoint’s. (Or Keynote’s in this case.)
Remembering that you are the presentation, develop visuals that enhance your point of view. After all, visuals are important:
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Cicero
A 500% average increase in retention occurs when visuals are used in a presentation
83% of what we know is learned by seeing and observing
For your own personal and visual impact, see yourself on video. And
when you get to support, for great tips on presentation design, check
out Garr Reynold’s blog Presentation Zen and Nancy Duarte’s blog slide:ology.
Always keep in mind that you are your most important visual aid.
Train yourself first so that you have a confidence that never quits in
the face of new technology. And then add great design.
Yesterday was a lazy Saturday morning, and I was checking my iPhone in bed. There was a Twitter from Nancy Duarte Tweeting that she was speaking at the Apple Store in San Francisco, so I turned to my wife, Dru Scott Decker, and said, "Want to go?" This would be a chance for me to see Nancy, show the power of Twitter (which I'm still experimenting with), and also use my new Flip Video that was still in it's box! And Dru, also a best selling author who loves Nancy's book Slide:ology said "Yes – love to."
Nancy Duarte at Apple Store
So the Flip Video came out – and it works great for a very small (iPod size) video camera of adequate quality that you can immediately edit and put up on YouTube. Here's an example – my first shot.
And Nancy was great – overcoming a lot of background noise and distractions at a busy downtown Apple Store. Here is Nancy with her first key point, on the importance of Telling Great Stories.
She had terrific slides of course, but even moreso was her great content (Dru took some notes as I was busy with Flip Video):
Tell Great Stories – she illustrated with visuals that ALSO told the great stories by themselves.
Reach Beyond Projection – a presentation can be slides – projected, but she told also of the many other varieties, from decks (the written) to on the web, to PDA plus devices – where you can interact, collaborate, and view. In other words, the world of presentation is a new world.
Create a Profound Experience – unusual was a chart of visual storytelling that looked for the conflict and resolution. Nancy said to identify those points in a preso where you want people to be conflicted, for conflict generates emotion generates action.
Dru Scott also bought a few more copies of Slide:ology. That deserved an iPhone picture.
The Flip Video was OK, but the quality isn't great when you have poor sound and a screen as background. For a longer and higher quality view of Nancy, you might try this interview.
Other tidbits:
Nancy said to use high quality images – they evoke credibility, and Duarte Design spends over $150,000 a year on images!
Nancy Duarte and Garr Reynolds have changed the process of creating and presenting in less than a year with their influence, blogs, and particularly their wonderful and complimentary books Slide:ology and Presentation Zen. Both books are in the top 100 at Amazon already. Amazing.
Twitter, Tribes (also in the top 100 at Amazon) and Technology are changing the face of communicating. (At least task and relationship communicating – nothing will ever replace 'face to face'…)
The video revolution continues. Flip Video costs $179 and enables anyone to immediately shoot and edit and be able to use videos in their PowerPoints, blog posts, YouTube or devices. And video is the BEST way to capture emotion to influence to action in a very short time.
Presentation Zen is a new book by Garr Reynolds that should be read by any business presenter, leader, politician, professional… well, by everybody. It’s that good.
This is an outstanding book for YOU for three primary reasons:
1. It is brilliantly written and designed 2. It is a concept book that is about life as well as presenting your ideas 3. It is also a how-to book, and one we will be giving out to our key clients
This year’s List of Top Communicators highlights the best (and worst) from business, politics, entertainment and sports. Take a look to see how communications skills helped make or break these notable individuals.
THE BEST
1. Gov. Mike Huckabee – What but for communicating would get a presidential candidate so far so fast?
A few months ago Huckabee was almost an unknown. Now he is a front runner for the Republican Presidential nomination, and probably the fastest rise ever from relative obscurity to the cover of the weekly newsmagazines. Governor Huckabee is open in style, authentic, natural and amazingly great at thinking (and speaking) on his feet. He tells stories, and connects with people. (See more detail here.) Powerful tools when you have to build trust and credibility visually, quickly and mostly through TV. And powerful tools for a leader. Although he has a conservative constituency, they alone could not get him this far this fast. It is his communicating.
2. Dr. Mehmet Oz – He became "America’s Doctor" in one short year, because of his communications (and Oprah of course.)
He is a unique personality, fast eyes, crisp words forcefully put – when he talks about alcohol he says hangover with a hard G. The communication experience he delivers is a man of the people – trusted by the people. He makes a good case for Dress & Appearance – always in surgical scrubs when on Oprah. He is able to synthesize complex health/medical discussions into something tangible – he talks at our level. Add to that straightforward and down to earth advice, funny and real – you have a real (and media) superstar.
3. Al Gore – even if he hadn’t won the Academy Award, Al Gore would get the communicator’s comeback of the year award.
In a few short years he transformed himself as a speaker by becoming open vs closed, vulnerable vs. distant, fluid vs. stiff. He worked at it, and even though he did not ‘invent the internet,’ he did invent ‘global warming.’ Or his film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ gave it the exposure to get in the popular vernacular. But it was Gore himself as narrator of the film who did the job (with a little help from our friends at Duarte Design (see Best Communicators #9 for the importance of visual support in communicating.) Some people think Al Gore deserves the Presidency. I don’t know about that, but he does deserve his many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and a top communicator of the year. Who would have thunk it?
4. Ben Zander - this great musical conductor is not only brilliant, he is one of the most sought after speakers on the ‘circuit.’
Contrary to popular belief, there really is no ’speaking circuit,’ as groups and organizations hire speakers very independently. But if there was one, Ben Zander would be the darling. He speaks on leadership, teamwork and creativity in an original style, yet he is a world-renown musician and conductor. A master at creativity
- he expresses himself with reckless abandon – and makes the case as well as anyone that communication rides energy. As one audience member said, "Trying to describe what Ben Zander does in front of a large audience is like trying to capture the essence of electricity – it crackles, it sparks…"
5. Maria Bartiromo – recent controversy aside, Maria Bartiromo is one of the most articulate, attractive and animated TV commentators around.
She knows her subject well, and has ridden her stint as financial commentator to a news anchor and respected interviewer on CNBC and nationally. Her distinctive style, with a slight New York accent, powerful voice, and eye communications are even more causative of her rise to fame than her full lips. Even when confronted with recent controversy, her confident communicating enabled her to overcome adverse publicity. She will be around for a long time.
6. Tony Dungy – a quiet style, he speaks softly yet carries a big stick.
He was the first NFL Coach to defeat all other 32 NFL teams. He won a Super Bowl and his Indianapolis Colts are contending again this year. Author of the best selling "Quiet Strength," Tony Dungy is forceful as a person, coach and man. When his son James tragically died in 2005, he spoke up about it, and was vulnerable. When he wanted to put his beliefs up front, he did so with firm conviction. For when he speaks, he is low key but carries a big stick. Big enough to tame the mightiest of football players.
7. Glenn Beck – an unknown except in radio until the last couple of years, Beck is really made for TV.
‘First Brain Friendly’ is a term almost invented for Glenn as he always has a ready smile even amidst strong diatribes. The first communicator to get his own steady hour show on the instant and pop-corny CNN Headline News, he interviews extremely well, is fast on his thinking feet, and is personally vulnerable, which make for great communication attributes.
8. Dr. Jim Dobson -This conservative Christian commentator speaks out on unpopular issues with a force and power of content that belays his soft and humble style.
I heard Dr. Dobson in a speech this year and was amazed at his impact without seemingly raising his voice. He would just be a good ministry leader if he did not shy away from also being an active voice. He embodies our leadership concept of ‘forward lean.’ In this blog account, there are more reasons Dobson excels as a communicator in person, on radio and in print and books.
9. Steve Jobs, Guy Kawasaki, Garr Reynolds - power in supporting visuals.
Photos: Steve Jobs
– Guy Kawasaki
– Garr finishing his new book ‘Presentation Zen’
Here we have three top notch communicators at varying degrees of public impact, but ALL sharing brilliant use of visuals as PowerPoint (or Keynote) support. Steve Jobs was singled out as #1 of the Top Ten two years ago, and could justifiably be so again with his brilliant introduction of the iPhone. Guy Kawasaki was in the Top Ten last year, and deserves it again for consistency of speaking, knowing speaking, and knowing human impact. (And having the biggest blog in the communications arena.) Garr Reynolds is new to the list, but probably is the best at knowing all there is to know about design and PowerPoints, and is just out with his great new book ‘Presentation Zen.’ (See his blog of the same name so you too can use PowerPoint support the way it’s supposed to be used.)
And she probably deserves to be on each year’s Ten Best Communicators list since she is so good, so versatile, and rather than reinventing herself she builds on what she has already created. She isn’t afraid of risking, in communicating and in life. She spoke up sharply and with power when there was scandal in her Foundation, and no doubt will continue to be a role model for great communications because of her energy, vulnerability and consistency.
Continue on for the Ten Worst by clicking the link below…
It was to be an informal event – and in a sense it was. Garr Reynolds had been up for 40 hours traveling from Japan to San Francisco to speak at Stanford, and then immediately came over to Duarte Design headquarters tonight to speak again to a small group of friends. It was like a who’s who of presentations: Nancy and Mark Duarte, Ben and Kelly Decker, Microsoft folks, Slideshare,Ian Griffin of the National Speakers Association – and the publishing and PR people of Peach Pit Press and Eastwick, among the many Duarte designers and others.
One occasion for the gathering was that Garr has finished his book! "Presentation Zen" is out and it’s great. A review will be coming, and more of the experience of this stimulating night with creative presentation people. One interesting point to bloggers, among many insights, was how his blog at Presentation Zen was the start of the community that led to the book.
But I had the feeling that with Garr’s remarks, his new book, and Nancy Duarte’s yet to be published new book as well, and several other factors in the technology world that there will be a new age of presenting.
There just might be a breakthrough so the business world can see the light – it’s not our data we are presenting, it’s experience. It’s not PowerPoint text, it’s design in pictures. It’s not information, it’s influence.
More to come on these exciting developments, a "Presentation Zen" book revue, and highlights of Garr’s remarks.
Garr Reynolds with his first book, presented by Publisher Nancy Aldrich-Ruenzel of Peach Pit Press
A hands-on experience to boost the stickiness of your ideas... and your impact.
