The p cubed value of a presentation is the product of its message (p1), the supportive media (p2) and delivery of that (p3), in the view of the individual audience members. This construct is useful for addressing the construction, delivery and improvement of presentations whether that is a scientific presentation, a keynote speech or a business plan.
The message (p1) is whatever information the presenter wants to share with the audience. This is specific to the needs of the particular audience (not the presenter). The aim of the presentation should reflect the information the presenter wishes to share. The objective is what the presenter hopes the audience will do with that information. The aim is never the same as the objective. There must be a single, identifiable and memorable message. The structure of the presentation should support the processing of information. It is never simply a list of facts.
The supportive media (p2) is designed purely to support the message. It cannot stand alone, that is a document. It should not be read out, that is a script. It should not contain information to be read, retained or referenced, that is a handout. All of these can be provided elsewhere if required. They are never projected.
\The effective delivery (p3) of a presentation is key. It is the responsibility of the presenter. It requires practice, choreography and technical preparation. It should never be using notes or a script. It must always be within 80% of the allotted time. It should finish with a clear call to action. Always summarise after questions.
These are not rules but evidence based, educational practice. If you think or behave otherwise, that is your choice. The reason that presentations fail is that they run contrary to established science. Being unaware of that science does not change that fact. Justifying current behaviours without reference to science does not change that either. Science does not care what you consider “academic”, “serious” or “effective“.
The purpose of this blog is to share ideas about the science of presentations, the reasons why we don’t follow that science and how presentations can change the world if we do follow the science. This is the p cubed approach to presentations.
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