Author Archive: ffolliet

At work I'm a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon. That involves Surgical Oncology, Neonatal Surgery and Trauma. There's also a lot of teaching and mentoring. None of this actually makes me particularly clever. I'm pretty heavily into improving presentations and long for the world to lay down the weapon of bulletpoints and embrace creative and engaging presentations. I lead presentation workshops and am currently working up a book on presentations. I did a wee thing at TEDx Stuttgart in 2014 of which I'm quite proud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFza3W87eDg Outside all of that I struggle to keep fit, cycle a bit and the odd triathlon. I'm a father, singer, laugher, learner, sharer, blogger, thinker, strummer and much more.

Is there anybody out there?

Is there anybody out there? Sometimes, when you’re all alone in the office, staring at the green dot, reciting meaningless text to an unresponsive void as an online presentation, you start to question your life choices. Is there anybody out…
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Buffering

As a mobile device downloads information, it will not display the information until the whole data package is available. This delay is referred to as “buffering”. The human brain is the same. If an image requires more than three seconds…
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Dance on the radio

Dance is a beautiful medium conveying story, emotion, and passion. Radio is ubiquitous, free, and a perfect way to communicate effectively, widely, and efficiently. Dance on the radio does not work, no matter how much we love both. Nothing from…
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Remote control

A remote control is essential for changing slides. It is your responsibility to know how the one in your hand works and its range. Find this out before you take the stage. My best advice is to buy your own…
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Font choice matters

Font choice matters; they change the impact and meaning of your message. You may not be as aware as your audience but that doesn’t change the impact. The particular choice that you make is important; do not simply accept the…
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Screens are not books

Screens are not books. Reading from a screen is not the same as reading from a book. A recent research paper adds to the evidence that a presentation (or its supportive media) should not be viewed as some form of…
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Houston, we’ve had a problem.

On April 13th, 1970, an oxygen tank exploded aboard the Apollo 13 space rocket. This disabled many essential functions of the craft, including electrical power, propulsion, and, critically for the three astronauts, the oxygen supply. Commander Jim Lovell opened the…
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Mobile phones

Mobile phones are a part of our existence. They have real value but can significantly affect presentations. Be aware of these issues in the planning and delivery of presentations. Mobile phones can be used actively within a presentation but most…
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A quotation

volataire and his famous quote

A quotation often serves an elegant and memorable purpose in a presentation. If well know, it strikes with resonance into the memory. If, unknown, its humanity can speak with clarity and emotion. Don’t put it on the screen. Let it speak for itself as you speak it. A quotation is valued if delivered well.

Presentation is not data transfer

The purpose of a presentation is not data transfer. If you believe as though it is, you will be disappointed. This fact should change how presentations are constructed, delivered, and received. Data transfer simply does not work; we cannot broadcast…
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