Better convince: Instigate the PowerPoint revolution!
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In decades, quirks have crept into presentations at all companies that prevent you from perfectly persuading your audience. Hit reset and convince better than all the others.
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Our columnist Marcus Werner is a television presenter and book author and works as a consultant for communication and personal development.
After all, it’s only human that we like to believe what we’ve never heard otherwise:
"Schnapps after a greasy meal promote digestion."
"Presentation slides must summarize in key words what you deliver on the soundtrack."
Both claims are untrue. And both habits make us bad speakers. But now let’s look at the second. For decades we have come to terms with millions and millions of people around the world saying, "Oh no, a presentation!"
Why are lectures with slides so often so unsatisfactory? Answer: because most of the time they are not developed from a consumer point of view, but from a referent point of view. Relevant in the preparation are questions such as:
"Have everything completely in?"
"Do I understand later myself, what I mean with the keywords on the slides??"
"Do all transitions, animations, videos and links also work on the customer’s computer?"
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What falls by the wayside is the question of the goal: what do I want to achieve with the presentation? What do I stand in front of people and talk about?? If the target is not well defined, you can”t target it. No one can prepare an accurate presentation like that.
The goal of a presentation is always: You want to get the most out of what is said convince. You want people to say, "That’s right. I agree. I can understand. Well done" and so on. And with boredom you do not get this clear confession optimally. Why risk going wrong when you can work out a near 100 percent certainty that it will work out? Make it clear:
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1. You are in the center
This principle is not an end in itself for ramp sows. It is proven: Nothing convinces us humans so much, as the points of view of another person presented with passion. Powerpoint is just your tool. You are not the sidekick or helper of PowerPoint, Keynote and the other programs. You are not the friendly face next to the slides. You are the center of competence! Swim free. This point is the biggest chunk. Because that’s part of it:
Avoid the impression that there is already everything on the slide and one can actually read up everything. At worst, people think, "Shut up for a minute, I can’t concentrate." If a brochure with a few charts and bullet points is enough to convey what you want your audience to know, then a brochure is just enough. The famous handout. But then this is not a lecture. But then show notes and read aloud. And for that you are too good for yourself and the time, or?
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Yes, it is too tempting to step into the shadows out of stage fright and divert the attention of the audience away from oneself to the slides that are shining so dominantly on the wall. Or the super-GAU: "You get the presentation at the end also again by mail." Yes, then please wake up when ready. When giving online talks about teams et cetera, you have to worry that people will turn off their cams in rows and go get a coffee.
So: Have the courage to take the reins in your hands. Nothing convinces like you. Enjoy this.
2. Make the audience squirm
No feature film, no series begins with a synopsis looking ahead. Why then should you include a table of contents if it is to remain exciting? Yes, many listeners are curious. And they should remain so until the end of your presentation. Do yourself the favor of not telling your audience in advance in detail what you are about to talk about now. Because then you know: You have everyone on the hook.
Explain the starting point, the question, the challenge. And then take everyone with you on your mental journey into the unknown. No game-breaking content charges in advance. I experience it again and again: If I hold a lecture, often the participants ask: "Do you have an overview of what it will be about now?"I then say: "Let yourselves be surprised." Excitement is not expected at all! Endure the long faces. The applause comes at the end.