7 Rules for Great PPT Presentations

Having an understanding of what makes for an awful PowerPoint presentation can make it intimidating to create your own. Who wants to be the creator of one of those presentations?
In our consulting work at McCulley/Cuppan, we've sat through, created, and helped others create many presentations (including ones to FDA and other regulatory agencies), so we have some experience with good and bad PPT. Here's a list of rules we've developed over the years for designing effective presentations:

1. Adopt your audience's mind--it's always about them, not you
When you are the subject matter expert and have done lots of research, you may feel compelled to share it all in the PPT slides. Avoid this. Instead, focus on what your audience is most interested in. (Your knowledge will come through in the way you discuss the topic and answer questions.)
2. Clarify your intentions
How will you proceed with the presentation? Will there be a Q&A session? If so, when? Let your audience know upfront how much time you will take and the basic outline of how the time will be spent.
3. Simplify, simplify, simplify
Simpler is always better. Simple design, simple text. As Hans Hofmann said nearly 100 yers ago: "To simplify, eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can speak."
4. Embrace limitations and practice restraint--know when to stop
Once again, all of your knowledge does not need to be demonstrated in this one presentation. Respect the time and concentration limits of your audience.
5. Do like the pros do--script, storyboard, create
Planning is the key to effective presentations. Work with the end in mind even before you build the first slide and the content of your presentation will be more compelling.
6. Think communication not decoration
PowerPoint is a tool to help you convey knowledge; keep the slide design simple so the focus stays on the content.
7. All presentations are storytelling, so become a master storyteller
Learn from the master storytellers around you, people whose presentations you've enjoyed attending. If you don't have any nearby, learn from well-respected presenters such as Garr Reynolds, Steve Jobs and Guy Kawasaki. Tell a tale that engages the audience and makes them want to listen and learn from you.  

 

Originally published on our Knowledge Management blog