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Welcome to Episode 4 of SLICERadio! Helping you slice through the noise, and to better connect with the people most important to your business. According to SLICE host Michael Taylor: “We all need two things to be successful in this world: 1. other people and 2. The ability to connect with them.” SLICE is about helping you nail #2 by communicating with power and clarity anywhere you need to make things happen.
In Episode 4, we learn how to make a powerpoint presentation not suck like a typical powerpoint. Our biggest mistake? We tend to think like a powerpoint when delivering a presentation (think bullet points), and that’s NOT how we actually communicate to people. With this discussion, we learn how to lead…not read…
Notes and discussion guide from Episode 4:
1. Powerpoints aren’t going anywhere soon, so how can we take a tool that is not naturally intuitive in effectively communicating with people, how can we make it better?
2. Don’t think of powerpoint as a software tool. Think of it as a blank canvas…
3. Stop thinking about bullet points and piling on content to your deck. Instead, think about how you want to connect with people… Think about flow…
4. “Everything language is…powerpoint denies.”
5. Don’t think like a powerpoint. Is that how you actually communicate to people?
6. Stop using bumpers and fenders…
7. This should be a visual aide…
8. If you vomit words on to a slide, you forfeit your expertise. You are reading, not leading.
9. Finally, time for the “Weasel Word of the Week!”
About your co-host, Michael Taylor:
Michael Taylor learned a few big things from his 20 years of simplifying heinously complicated businesses…so he started SimpleMind, a strategic marketing firm that helps companies with complex offerings translate their value.
Michael led strategic marketing teams for over 100 companies growing his award winning marketing agency to serving fortune 500 clients in 12 cities and 6 countries until selling an equity stake of his company to a large consulting company in 2005.
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This series is made possible by:
SimpleMind helps companies and leaders convey complex ideas with force and clarity. The harder your offerings are to explain, understand, or sell, the more value we bring.
We are communication experts, designers, facilitators, writers and digital specialists. We’ll help you deliver your story and ideas with force consistently, in your sales presentations, through your website, through social channels, and in your electronic and print materials.
Over 100 of the world’s top companies have relied on SimpleMind to energize customers, new markets, and teams through improved communications.
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He is a former marketing strategist, national political operative, and lobbyist.
Todd has published five books, writes a business + lifestyle column, is a distance runner, and lives in Chicago with his wife Stephanie + family.
Excellent points! Powerpoint can harm you or help you. Get your point across with images that connect to the audience.