No PowerPoint? Use This Presentation Structure To Command Attention

The Only Communication And Presentation Structure You’ll Need To Make People Sit Up And Listen.

Execs are moving away from PowerPoint to aid decision making. If you have to present your case, often called a one-page memo, WITH NO SLIDES - here's how.?

I stopped using traditional PowerPoint, bullets and words, four years ago. My team and I agreed that we'd write short papers instead. We got sick of trying to have the best designed sixty slide presentation. Each slide prepared more like a word document than a presentation aid; which of course, we would would read word for word.?This, whilst attendees would grab their pillow and go to sleep.??It got worse during Covid, screen sharing becoming the signal to turn off cameras and use ‘teams’ to chat to pals, occasionally getting caught out as the ‘eye rolling emoji was sent to ‘everyone!’???

Our new approach meant we would start every meeting by asking everyone in the room if they’d read the paper, and if they had questions.?If they didn’t we’d politely reschedule.?After-all, we couldn’t present it, it was a paper, you know, for reading.?Soon everyone started to read the paper.??

One critic claimed that no-one reads papers, and we ‘should go back to PowerPoint.’?We disagreed. Daily, more, organisations are following suit.?The current list includes behemoths such as Apple, Amazon & GSK.?

Why are some stopping the use of PowerPoint??

1. Studies show that we retain 15% less information when the message is provided via a PowerPoint heavy presentation.?
2. Another study showed that neither short nor long term memory is influenced by PowerPoint.?
3. And this one, which you’ll never guess, is that when a presenter speaks to the slides, we get bored and experience a lapse in memory (there are hours of my life I’ll never get back).?But at least no-one does?this?anymore. ???

But the biggie - according to Edward Tufte, named as the world’s foremost expert on information design is, ‘PowerPoint, encourages users to rely on bulleted lists’, which he calls ‘a faux analytical technique’, ‘that’ he says, ‘dodges the speakers responsibility to tie their information together.’?His rant continues stating, ‘PowerPoint induces stupidity and makes your organisation dumber.’?Jeff Bezos agrees, his view is that the ‘6-page’ memo which starts by describing the customer problem, aids decision making because presenters are forced to think and write about the problem coherently.'

Audiences don’t like PowerPoint either.?At one meeting I attended recently the boss got so bored, that to hurry it up, she started to call out ‘next slide please.’??Eventually she couldn’t stand it, and ended proceedings by requesting the ‘last slide please.’?

But, we do need structure in our presentations

There’s an upside though. PPT does provide structure.?It gives the presenter a road map, albeit at times a winding one on the road to no-where.?But structure does matter. Seemingly, we receive and process well-structured information better than unstructured messages.?You only have to go see the mess that was the film ‘Tenent’ to understand this.?(ok, that was a cheap shot, I left the movie halfway through.?My friends exclaiming that with no ‘romantic comedy’ sub-plot I was never going to get it.

Think structure doesn’t matter? Try ‘the two little pigs’, ‘One blind mouse’, ‘The famous four.’ A play in two parts. It matters. Still don’t believe me? Read out your phone number using a different structure to normal. Feels weird eh (you're trying it aren't you?). Then, there’s a second element that’s important within the structure, it’s the power of story-telling.???

We started telling stories via cave drawings, (minus the handouts) and it has continued ever since.?Advertisers love a good story. Have you given money to charity recently. Did you noticed they didn’t just say ‘10,000 goats every year, trip and break their ankle, we need more goat hospitals.’?They told you a very poignant story about Jeremy the goat, an aspiring mountain climber, career cut short, due to the time it took it took to get him to get to the goat hospital, miles away, in the next village.?

The final element of the no PowerPoint presentation is the importance of making your point.??Winston Churchill said, if you want me to talk for a day, then I’ll need a few mins to prepare for that speech.?But, if you want me to talk for a few minutes, then I’ll need at least a day.?Most people get this badly wrong.?

You now have three big problems to contend with 1) structuring your presentation so that the audience doesn’t get bored, 2) weaving in-some stories so that they remember you and cry for the right reasons. 3) Make clear points.?

I have some good news.?I spent ten years of my life once a week on a Wednesday night, with the Dale Carnegie Organisation, getting coached and helping others to communicate, persuade and present in 2-5 minute chunks WITHOUT a single slide in sight.?Boring Berties transformed into Alluring Alberts, Faux Pas Fiona became Fantastic Fi.??

Also, you should know that I came third place in the world impromptu speaking championships.?An embarrassment for my family as I tripped over a word and lost out on the coveted ‘silver tongue’ trophy.?I got a small plastic medal instead; I’m still not allowed to do eulogies at funerals.?And there was my year in stand-up.?One hour of rehearsal for every min of performance. Structurally my presentation was perfect, just the jokes that were missing.?My point is I just may be able to help you.?

I’ve put together THE best communication structure I was taught, It’s brilliant. You can use it to build a 5 min rally cry, a 50 minute town hall or a 5 day workshop.?

It can be used to present your one-page or six page memo, or just to make a point in your meetings. You can weave in a story, or even to change a point of view or belief.?It’s all in this neatly packaged into this five min video presentation, with an example video to follow underneath the first.?

Want the PDF, presentation planner? which I know you will, comment ‘No PowerPoint’ and I’ll get you a copy faster than you can say ‘last slide please.’

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