Life & Style | Gadgets & Tech
The slidewinder
In five steps we show you how to create a cooler, smarter PowerPoint presentation.
- By Nitin Nair, senior features writer
- Published: 00:08 July 2, 2008
In five steps we show you how to create a cooler, smarter PowerPoint presentation
If you are the DIFC financial analyst mentioned in this magazine's ambitious mission statement, you know how soporific a dull PowerPoint (PPT) presentation can be.
But how can you make sure that every time you step up in your spiffy Armani suit, those around you are not already getting ready for a little power nap?
Now that you have continued reading, you could obviously use a little help in this department. So pay attention. Here are five easy steps to brighten up your presentations. Read this and no one will have to endure another agonising PPT presentation.
The 10-20-30 rule
Guy Kawasaki is a hotshot Silicon Valley venture capitalist, who has had to sit through a zillion PPT presentations by wannabe entrepreneurs trying to make an impression. He formulated the 10-20-30 rule on his website blog.guykawasaki.com.
He says, "A PowerPoint presentation should have ten slides, last no more than twenty minutes, and contain no font smaller than thirty points."
Get there in time
You don't want to stumble into a meeting room full of people waiting for your presentation. And then fumble as you hook up the equipment. And, you haven't even started yet. So always get there well in time. It never hurts.
Don't ever read from the slide
Unless you got your flunkey/assistant/secretary to prepare your snazzy presentation, you should know what's gone into each slide and why it's gone in there.
If you do, then why do you need to read from the slide? Because when you read, you don't look too sure about what's going on.
Spend a little money
PC Magazine thinks Adobe's Ovation software can go a long way in sprucing up your PPT presentations. So if you are willing to spend a little money (approx. Dhs350), get this little software that can turn your PPT slides into dynamic 3D slides. But be warned, the review also warns of how this software can slow down your system.
Be cool
Stop being so stiff, use your hands, gesture, show some emotion. Don't let the audience know you are nervous. Say something funny. If nothing else, you'll impress the one person in the corner wearing a short skirt.
Share this article
More from Gadgets & Tech Gadgets & Tech
More from Life & Style
The defintive men's magazine for the UAE
Popular in Life & Style
-
Horoscopes
Daily Horoscope
Shelly von Strunckel reveals whats in the stars today
Life & Style editor's choice
-
Quiz: Do you know how to look your best?
Take this quiz to work out who you are style-wise and how to look your best
-
Lexus LFA: The new rising star
Lexus rockets the Land of the Rising Sun into the supercar lead with the launch of the LFA
-
Passing expectations
Unwind met five of rugby's finest who are set to strike fear in the hearts of their competitors.
