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

Elevator pitch

In business there is a concept of the “elevator pitch.” Effectively, if you happened to get into a lift with a potential customer, could you deliver your pitch within the…

You’re boring me.

Seriously, I’ve heard this all before. You need a presentation on your cv You’ve asked the boss who said, “please review my last x cases of” something not very interesting.…

Creativity

“Could you give us a talk, about 30 minutes?” “Sure,” you reply, “no problem.” The facts are clear. The nature of the audience will affect the precise message to be…

Edward Tufte makes me feel guilty.

I’m currently reading “Beautiful Evidence” by Edward Tufte, a giant of critical thinking and a commenter on data and presentation, amongst many, many other things. In the introduction is a…

  • Give the message early

    Give the message early in a talk so…

  • lists of facts

    Lists of facts do not make a good…

  • Be succinct

    Be succinct. A great presentation has a single,…

  • Good analogy- guest post

    A good analogy can make or break a…

  • Effective communication

    The purpose of a presentation is effective communication….

  • Lessons from The Sensei (4) creativity

    In the 4th of a series of Lessons…

  • Lessons from The Sensei (3) beginner’s mind

    Do it the way you’ve always done it….

  • Lessons from The Sensei (2) Turn off the computer

    Continuing the series of thoughts I learned from…

  • Lessons from the Sensei (i) effective visual message

    I was privileged to spend time recently with…

  • Why are you presenting?

    The most important question a presenter should address…