How To Do PowerPoint

by Carrie Shuchart & Chris Ryan

for their book:

Agenda

1) What is PowerPoint?

2) Principles of Good PowerPoint

3) Principles in Action

What is PowerPoint?

• Most common presentation software

– Projected on screen

– Printed for handouts

• Based on slideshow analogy

Agenda

1) What is PowerPoint?

2) Principles of Good PowerPoint

3) Principles in Action

Principles of Good PowerPoint

1) “Ghost” Your Whole Deck First

a) Draw 9 squares on a blank sheet of paper.

Focuses youon the overallstorylineb) Put 1 big message per slide and

“ghosts” (placeholders) for details

2) Keep It Simple

Whole Deck

Each Slide

• Use clear signposts

• Fewer words = better

• Large enough for the back row

• Modest animations & transitions

– Trackers in corners

– Agenda slides

3) Work In Threes

Government...

• of the people

• by the people

• for the people

• Memorable balance

• Twos and fours work as well

– Don’t be too predictable

Agenda

1) What is PowerPoint?

2) Principles of Good PowerPoint

3) Principles in ActionThis very presentation!

Principles in Action – Ghosting

Actual Ghost of this Deck

• Done with pencil and paper

• Took only a half-hour subway ride

• Prevented “story creep”

Principles in Action – Simple

• Clear signposts throughout

• Few words

Principles in Action – Threes

• Three items on agenda

• Three principles of good PowerPoint

• Three bullets in most places

– Sometimes two

– Not averse to four

Can You Ever Deviate From Plan?

• Of course you can

• Try to anticipate objections beforehand

– Plan your responses and work them into the deck

– Or have “hip-pocket” extra slides ready

• During the presentation, deal with questions as they arise

– Audiences hate waiting till the end

Final Thoughts

• Recap the big takeaways

– Pre-planned

– Also any that came out of the discussion

• Lay out next steps

And Don’t Do This…

Swooshing animations!!!

The entire text word-for-word of what you’re going to say, so you stare at the screen and read it aloud to your audience as if they were five years old.

Clip art unlessyou are a legitimategraphic artist (and you’re probably not).

Crazy transitions!!!

…Do This Instead

Nothing

Find this Helpful?Find More Tips in

Case Studies and Cocktails:This Comprehensive Guide to Surviving Business School includes tips for:

•demystifying the math side of the business school curriculum•managing your life and money while at business school•networking, job applications and interviews

Find out more at www.casestudiesandcocktails.com