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Peter H
Insightful Problem Solver, Consultant, Trainer, Facilitator and High School Principal--How can I help you today?
If you've ever said, "That was a great presentation!" tell us why.
Have you ever gone to a great conference session, keynote address or professional development meeting that blew you away? What was it? What made it so powerful? Was it the presenter, the content, a special insight or meaningful activity? Do you prefer straightforward presentations, or do you like interactive exercises and activities?
Good Answers (3)
Joy F
you'll profit with process improvement
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Such thorough knowledge of the topic that Q&A was filled with value. For one meeting, the speaker I scheduled was unable to make it and sent a substitute, a very shy young woman who had never done a presentation before. The group was mostly active and retired military men. When she started to speak (the topic was public key encryption) people could barely hear her but what they could hear was impressive. They carried their chairs from along two sides of a table and made a horseshoe shaped group around her. An hour after the end of the meeting, she was still answering technical questions in amazing detail. The audience felt it was one of the best presentations they had attended. By the time the restaurant chased us out, the young woman was completely comfortable with the audience. It was a great presentation for the audience and for the speaker.
Another presenter who blew me away was the Toastmasters 1994 World Champion of Public Speaking, Morgan McArthur from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Dynamic, humorous, inspiring and a delightful entertainer who dazzled us with a trash can full of props. Memorable!
Neither of those were interactive but interactive is my preference for conference sessions and workshops, where people are close to paralyzed by sequential sessions. I made a conference session on effective communication interactive and included a kid's game just for the fun of it. One fellow left in a loud explosion of insults, mostly based on the fact that the audience was adults, not children. More than 200 people stayed, so I take that to mean that interactive works well for most people.
For technical presentations, I'm in favor of clear, concise, complete, correct content that doesn't take more than 15 minutes and allows time for Q&A that the audience WANTS to hear about in detail.
Usually people in the business world are really busy, and the last thing they enoy is attending a meeting, unless it will truly help with their job. I enjoy short and straight to the point presentations. I also like when the powerpoint presentation is printed out for each attendee. I usually take notes in the margins and have something tangeable to take back to the office for reference. I want to be able to see the presentation and also her it. If it is a large meeting set up several screens. Keep the meeting upbeat and an interacting demo with the audience always helps. You can use props as long as they are tactful. Snacks are also a great idea.
Why do most people switch off their brains and decide structured powerpoints are the key? I have a short attention span, so I really want the message and not someone else's braindump.
Narratives and theatrics go a long way, there are just so many ways to be creative and I've seen people lay out a single phrase that could change perceptions and influence an entire room in way that a polished presentations backed up with all the relevent facts could not.
It just seems to be more about perception, and a nice story even if not entirely relevant... well just how much do we remember from presentations anyway? Keeping it short and engaging works best for me.
More Answers (10)
George A
Anger Management/executive Coaching for Physicians
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Yes. The training was essentially train the trainer. The subject matter was on Clinical Supervision for Licensure.
The presenter used a combination of Power Point, DVD with demonstration and participant interaction.
He introduced a new way of training which was exciting. I quickly stole and borrowed everything I could and have made it work for me.
George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF
Links:
James M
Enterprise Architect
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The presenter didn't use bullets...
Steven B
Senior Financial Analyst ● SunGard Data Systems - Financial Systems ● "Mother Teresa of Networking" ●
I like interactive and those that are STAND out from the rest...
Doug H
Creative and Fun Strategic Leader with expertise in financial management, customer service, and inspiring teams
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It was usually a great presenter--enthusiastic, organized and clear. The content has not always been the part that was great.
I think interactive presentations are the most memorable when it fits the topic.
Robert D
Consultancy Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision), IT management,interim management, problem diagnosis, freelance
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A great presentation should be oriented towards the audience. No superfluous details, but to the point. Complicated concepts should be explained using metaphores. Not too much text, not all the details should be included.
The slides should also contain some schematic overviews of the material covered.
And most of all, the person presenting it all must be enthusiastic about his subject, convinced that what he says is really important and interesting. He should tell a story and not just read what is on the slides.
And I like handouts, to take a few notes.
Andrew C
Regional Director of Sales at Achieve Global Singapore
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Great presentations are based on good presenters first and then good presentations (visuals, slides, charts etc).
Good presenters don't read the visuals. They look at the audience one at a time (they make eye contact). They are calm. They have no bad presenter habits (jumping around, fiddling with items in their hands/ pockets). They speak clearly without ums and ah's
Good visuals allow the presenter to speak logically about their subject
Andrew C also suggests this expert on this topic:
Peter M
Principle/Creative Director, ZOOM.7 INC Meeting and Events Producers
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It's always about the presenter. A great speaker can overcome tragic speaker support, but the greatest PPT in the world isn't going to save the day for a mediocre presenter.
While it depends on the audience, the venue and the subject matter, in general some degree of interaction is a great choice. Find a way to keep the audience engaged. There are many ways to do that from subtle to overt.
While a presentation is a synthesis of all elements, it is always the personal power of the speaker that makes or breaks a presentation. I have a photograph of Lincoln giving the Gettysburg address. It was another time and place but as a user/creator of modern presentation technology it is humbling to see that such a celebrated event was in such a primitive setting.
Jaideep K
GM - IT
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Firstly my take on your last question regarding preferring straightforward presentations or interactive exercises and activities – it totally depends on the subject in question on which the presentation is being performed.
A great presentation has to be a combination of – a crisp content, duration, sequence, consistency of design, powerful presenter with a perfect start/end and having knowledge of where to emphasize and where to let it go simply, more pictorial/bullets and less content, perfect design (jazzy or simple depending on the matter and subject), suitably fit for the audience (a high level presentation meant for top management presented in front of junior officers will have no or least meaning/purpose. A perfect place, seating, sound effect, lighting in the conference room/hall etc. too play a vital role in the success of a good presentation. Also prefer to give handouts in advance so that it can be referred to during the presentation by each of the attendee.
Rosie B
Director, Marketing Strat & Research at Advocate Health Care
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In the world of hospitals, there are a lot of things that are accepted that would be unfathomable to other service providers/hospitality providers, such as continuing to build "waiting rooms" instead of improving processes so that people don't have to wait for care - you get the idea.
So we had a presentation given to all management from a health care insider who essentially mocked all of the failings of the medical world - all of which have very serious consequences - and he did it with wry humor and a pleasant Southern accent. He spoke of these industry absudities but got us on his side by acknowledging these universal truths in a way that didn't put anyone on the defensive and made everyone feel extremely positive about doing the tough work required to make enormous cultural changes.
He did use video clips that were powerful, but through his humor and pleasant style, he really was just outstanding at making topics that normally might leave people defensive and threatened (if you run operations, for instance) and instead left them feeling unified and positive. Kind of like how some people feel leaving their church after a service. Just great and ready to deal with the world.