029: presentation basics

There are several types of presentations, and the best practices for each type are different, so it is important to understand the type of presentation you are creating.  In this episode, we are going to specifically focus on how to create a presentation for a meeting.
 
First, you need to determine if you are putting together a presentation or a reference document.

True or False:
1. Does your presentation regurgitate information that is already available in another type of document, such as Excel or Word?
2. Are you tempted to say ‘I know this slide is an eye chart’?
 
If you answered true to both of the above, you are creating a reference document. A reference document is not intended to be engaging—it is intended to be available for reference.
 
But, if what you have is not reference material, then you can start planning for your presentation. First, you need to determine the objective you are trying to accomplish. What is the objective from your perspective? What is the objective from the participant’s perspective?  Why are you having the meeting and why did you invite the people that you did?
 
Thinking through this will help you with defining the objective of your meeting.
 
Next, you should start to think about the Content of the meeting. What is the content that needs to be covered in the meeting? Are you introducing a problem that needs to be solved? A new product or idea? A new initiative?

Thinking through this will help you with defining what material needs to be covered in your meeting. You can think of this as a meeting agenda if it helps.

Now that you are clear on your objective and agenda, you can start working on the presentation.

Follow these guidelines for an engaging presentation:
1. Less is more—everything you are going to say in the meeting does not need to be on the slide. This isn’t a reference document – you will be presenting the information verbally – which is more engaging.
2. Connect the dots for your audience – use pictures, a flow chart, a graph
3. Stories always help
4. Don’t rely on the slides only—demonstrate in the system, show reference material, etc

Spending a little time on your presentation will help set you apart.