Comments on: Four Reasons to Ditch Powerpoint in Your Next Presentation

By: Sam Van Eman

Sam Van Eman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 02:30:27 +0000

Brad, I found this today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/world/27powerpoint.html?hp

By: Dr. DJ

Dr. DJ — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:24:50 +0000

I instruct college level students in Biology and still “dance” around the entire room and actually use the blackboard as well as occasionally using the computer projector for a picture or 2…..multi media, from memory including chalk dust! The students love it!

By: Sam Van Eman

Sam Van Eman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:38:44 +0000

Once when I first started talking about advertising I nearly had a conniption when technical failure prevented me from using PP. Not a big deal if I could have had the material in mind, but most of it was print ads and embedded TV commercials.

“Have you see the one where the bird…”

For smaller groups I take a back-up folder with me just in case. I don’t know what I’d do if computer failure happened in a large group.

In this way, PP (etc.) is sort of a crutch for me. I have to use it.

By: Sam Van Eman

Sam Van Eman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:26:59 +0000

Haha.

By: Sunrise Sister

Sunrise Sister — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:50:49 +0000

I’ve retired from the corporate world but have seen enough powerpoints in my life to know your points are valid and most convincing – preparing with powerpoint may be excellent homework but facing your audience with no crutches can really be a deal maker – nice post!

By: Andrew Turner

Andrew Turner — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:25:51 +0000

I read an article in a Canadian national paper yesterday regarding folks ditching their Crackberry in favor of little notebooks. Seems like a great idea, to me. I wonder if in the next few years we’re going to see a trend back towards books and “hard copy” as a response to the soulessness of computers; like the slow food movement.

Your article brought me back to elementary school and the teacher squeaking away on the paper board with a permanent marker. Some of them were pretty good at drawing out their lessons; it definitely left a positive impression on me (and I hated elementary school).

By: Cindy Hanson

Cindy Hanson — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:24:08 +0000

“well, it simply causes people to think you are much smarter than you really are. I liked that part of public speaking very much.”
This made me giggle… love it!

I also enjoy powerpoint, but definately see your point here. Powerpoint can be crutch. Good things to think about!

I love public speaking… because of how I can make others feel… I enjoy the thrill of pumping up the spirit, a little different than the avenue you are used too, but I suppose in the office world motivation is part of it all??

By: laura

laura — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:51:05 +0000

I remember first feeling the power of the public platform when in high school. I ran for student body secretary and knocked their socks off. It felt good to know people related to what I said. Have done a little speaking over the years, but not much lately. That may change soon, so this is good advice.

Nothing worse than a presentation that simply consists of the presenter reading his slides. Ugh! I like the sound of your lessons learned. Sounds like those little diddies promote more community.

Great post, and very practical.

By: shrinkingthecamel

shrinkingthecamel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:16:54 +0000

Glynn, you are not alone, I’m sure. PowerPoint is definitely getting overdone. It was time for me to break from it! But I must admit I was dependent, too. Mostly to help me in organizing my thoughts.

By: shrinkingthecamel

shrinkingthecamel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:15:51 +0000

Leon, you sound like an expert. More than me, anyway. I always try to reduce the text as much as possible, and use the slides to help with the flow of the presentation, mostly. But it’s easy to slide into the slideuments, as you call them. That term along will certainly shame me from ever coming close to that.