October 13, 2008
One Bullet PowerPoint: Presentation Skills
by Terry Gault
When I heard of a $253 million award, based on a "bullet-less" slide presentation, I was convinced. Convinced to take a client's suggestion and read Cliff Atkinson's book "Beyond Bullet Points"
Reporters covering a Vioxx trial in Houston emphasized that the 253 slides used in presenting the case (an equation of $1 million per slide) were the strongest, most convincing component in the multi-million dollar award to the family of a man who died while taking the drug.
A PowerPoint Revolution
Here is Atkinson's revolutionary method:
1. He uses absolutely NO BULLETS.
2. He uses few words, only evocative visual metaphors: an image and title.
3. He suggests NO logo or talking points on the slides, but instead, on the "Notes Master," which can then work as a handout.
4. He provides an outline, easily adaptable, to create your presentation and to fit your time slot, from 15-45 minutes.
5. His process begins with writing a script in a Word table template; the script then transitions to a storyboard by sending it to PowerPoint.
I used his book as a guide in a presentation for a group of Chinese engineers in Silicon Valley . Targeting that specific audience, I used predominantly Asian images. Even at the beginning of the presentation, with the opening slides, I was impressed by the immediate positive audience response. Then at the end: a standing ovation.
My Thoughts
1. The solid, time-tested three-act structure hearkens back to Aristotle and aligns with The Henderson Group's present-day philosophy about the Rule of Three.
2. Visual metaphors are what Power Point does best. Visual metaphors and central themes align with The Henderson Group's philosophy.
3. Crafting a presentation structure is easily done with Atkinson's templates.
Comments on One Bullet PowerPoint: Presentation Skills »
Visual metaphors is a great description for PowerPoint's core functionality. We also stress its value for building charts as the presenter talks. It serves as a very effective point, turn and talk assistant.
Peter
Presentation Skills
I first learned about the "rule of three" when studying Latin at school in England. Two thousand years ago, the Roman orators were big believers in it. It's always stayed with me in my communications career and I continue to be a firm believer in its power.
Thanks for the comments, Suzanne and Peter.
Wow – Latin! How erudite!
I think I got a D in Latin. Now, I wished I'd studied harder.
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Thank you for this. Every manager, Director, VP, Sr VP and above should read this 1-minute post. I cringe when I see so many of these presentations.