A Death by PowerPoint story from Karen Carleton

Story from Karen Carleton, MEd, MS

http://ca.linkedin.com/in/karencarleton

I was with a consulting company and some hunting outfitters were giving presentations to natural resources board to back up their claims disputing government research that animal populations were dwindling, to maintain their businesses and livelihood (or delay closure of their businesses).

One guy (a crazed rogue outfitter who wasn’t even a local resident) had 45 mins for a presentation and read from 14 point font on 300+ slides (based on questionable sources/research I might add), with a poor font/background contrast, for over 2 hours!! Death by PowerPoint exactly! He ruined the whole meeting agenda, and was already disliked my several people (including the board) to begin with.

In the end a PPT I prepared with visuals, minimal transitions, about 30 slides, given by the pleasant, well-spoken daughter of one of the outfitters was successful in delaying the (initallly proposed) immediate closure of their industry. I had also coached her and developed speaking notes in advance. Being empathic, mindful of learning preference differences, and respecting the audience’s time and attention, are all key to avoiding Death By PowerPoint.

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