Every day, I see great presentations and presentations which miss the mark. And it’s not determined by level: I’ve seen great presentations by junior people and poor ones from very senior people.

So I want to share some observations which might help you. But before I go there….

My pet peeves: tiny font (don’t go less than 12). Huge font. Lack of consistency in format from page to page. No page numbers. Cute pictures or drawings. Too many words: don’t write like you speak. Write like a lawyer. Clear and concise. If you use acronyms, spell it out in parentheses the first time you use it. Spell check (no typos). No weird colors. When using numbers be crystal clear on how they are being calculated. No clear conclusion page (e.g. next steps)…the deck just seems to end mid story. Simple is a hundred times more difficult, but it’s a hundred times more effective.

Hints:

• Always look at the prior presentations you’ve made on the subject when writing your next one. It’s strange, but a lot of people don’t. It’s part of the story you’re telling. Beware of putting slides they have already seen in front of them again: it looks like there’s been no progress.
• What are the one or two key messages you want the audience to remember? Is it that everything is going well? Is it that we have some risk? Make sure you know what those key messages are and that you say them In the beginning, in the middle, and at the end.
• Be clear about what you want your audience to do with the information. Do you need a decision? Are you just informing them? Many times, people present without being clear what it is they need or want from the audience.
• Send your presentations to your boss ahead of time. No one in your reporting line (boss or subordinate) should be surprised by what’s being presented.
• When presentations are going badly, stop them. I once sat in on a presentation where the most senior person was getting more and more angry. The presenter kept trying to make his point. I finally intervened and said “David, it looks like we have some more work to do. Let us come back to you with a redraft.”  Sometimes you have to cut your losses.
• Tell the audience what’s interesting about the work being done….something that they wouldn’t normally know….that is usually the one thing they will remember. What are the insights you have to share?
• Thank the people who have contributed to the work/success of what you’re presenting. That one thing usually goes a long way to building teamwork. Saying “I” all the time will grate on some folks.
• Be cautious about re-purposing presentations. It’s rare that the same deck does the job for all situations.
• Give feedback to others if you were in the audience. Presenters usually know if it went well or not…but they may not always know why.