p1

p1 is the basis of the presentation. It is the data, the story, the message that the presenter wishes to deliver to the audience. This section covers blog posts that address any part of the construction of p1; taking the “what” of the data and converting it into a “so what” for the particular audience. In particular, this covers audience needs, the value of a single, identifiable message, an elevator pitch, the arc of the story and development of sparklines.

The cornerstone articles on p1 are below but please surf through the links to gain a deeper understanding of why p1 (the story) is the basis of your presentation and must be the starting point in construction.

1.Hysteron proteron – the place to start with a presentation is the message.

2. It is not acceptable or valuable to just talk, you must have a message.

3. The aim and objective of a presentation are not the same thing.

4. The best presentations are planned analog. Shut the laptop and be creative.

5. Consider principally “why” you are presenting, not what to present.

p1 posts

Why are you presenting?

The most important question a presenter should address is “Why am I presenting?” The answer has nothing to do with your status, your previous presentations or your knowledge and everything…

less is more

Less is more. Again

Less is more. “Clean, uncluttered lines” is a design motif that appeals aesthetically. The same should be applied to the story (p1). More words, more facts, more explanation does not make…

acronyms rarely seem effective

Acronyms rarely seem effective.

There are many effective and helpful tricks to maximising the impact of a presentation including the use of memes, themes, aliteration, analogy, allegory, rhetoric and repetition. Acronyms are a regularly…

on memes and themes

On memes and themes and analogies

When choosing to using a meme, theme or image in a presentation make sure that it is appropriate and easily understood for your audience. Improving the engagement and memorability of…

credit where credit is due

Credit where credit is due.

In a previous post I recalled my sadness of hearing a colleague say “what he suggests is interesting, but I wouldn’t do it for an important presentation.” He was expressing…

the race has finished

er…thank you?

A sentence without the final word is. A journey without reaching the destination is just. Sadly many presentations simply reach a point where the presenter says, “thank you” and it…

Cinderella got married

Every great presentation has a message, one single message. The common failing in many presentations is they are simply a pile of data, a ramble or lists, not a message.…

  • It’s .pptx not .docx

    A common mistake in attempting to deliver a…

  • Delete your slides

    I received a question via Twitter about #presentationskills…

  • Design affects function

    Simple design changes in the supportive media  make…

  • Never say, “I’m sorry.”

    There is no place in a presentation for…

  • Something they will always remember

    My drive is for presentations to be remembered,…

  • Spare some time guv?

    We look past them, we try to avoid…

  • It’s a presentation not a…

    Take your phone out and have a look…

  • Plan analogue

    A major step forward in improving presentations is…

  • What are you talking about?

    Seriously, what are you talking about? If you…

  • What sort of a presenter are you?

    The quality of a presentation is the product…