Welcome
to the June edition of PowerPresentations, The
Presentation Team's monthly e-newsletter featuring tips
and pointers of importance to today's busy business presenter.
Summer is here...and we're turning up the heat with tips on
how to organize, develop and present more effectively. We
welcome your comments and suggestions, and encourage you to
share this newsletter with your friends or colleagues.
In this Issue
Company News: Investments in new software and stock images...Going
global with new accounting system...Studio F alliance means
terrific templates for clients
Investments
in new software and stock images...Going global with new accounting
system... Studio F alliance means terrific templates for clients
Focused
on maintaining a state-of-the-art working environment, The
Presentation Team recently invested in new software and stock
photography discs. These new software packages (Freehand 10,
Adobe After Effects 5, and Photoshop 6) provide the Presentation
Team's developers with many timesaving features and creative
enhancements. The new stock photo discs- containing images
of business, high-tech, industrial and global scenes- offer
a wealth of creative possibilities. "These new packages
give us a creative and competitive edge and help our customers
present a stronger image," explained Executive Director
Kevin Lerner.
In its continuing
effort to "go global through technology," The Presentation
Team recently upgraded its accounting system. The new software
allows the company improved interaction with its clients through
emailed/faxed reports and invoicing. "This makes it easier
for our customers. It gives them convenience, efficiency and
enhances our customer service," shared Operations Director
Rudy Flugel.
Studio F's
strategic relationship with The Presentation Team remains
strong, as the firm releases several new template products. Designed to help presenters quickly
and cost-effectively enhance their presentations, Studio F's
PowerFinish Templates offer strong, dramatic backgrounds to
reinforce a powerful message or soft, moody designs to compliment
a subtle concept. Color choices range from rich jewel tones
to conservative corporate palettes, exciting primaries, textured
neutrals or muted organics. The templates are available for
download through the Presentation Team's web site.
With the
increased prevalence of amateur PowerPoint presentations throughout
the corporate market, The Presentation Team has launched a
unique marketing strategy: send them your best- or worst-
presentation (at least 20 pages) and they'll pick one slide
to enhance and improve...absolutely free. The Free
Facelift Service is aimed at companies which have existing
PowerPoint presentations but are considering an enhancement.
"We want to showcase our value, efficiency, creativity
and customer service with this challenge that we can
improve any standard PowerPoint presentation," explained
Executive Director Kevin Lerner. <Details>
Capitalizing
on the high demand for custom templates, The Presentation
Team has developed a Custom Template Design Package. For just
$695, clients can now get three original variations of
Title Masters and Body Masters for PowerPoint. The service
also includes up to two hours of presentation consultation.
Often incorporating existing photography and branding elements,
the service is touted as a cost-effective way for companies-
especially startups- to quickly and professionally transform
their existing presentations. <Details>
PowerPointers The
Psychology of Color in Your Presentation By
Kevin Lerner, Executive Director of The Presentation Team
When used
correctly, color can help audience members sort our the various
elements of a slide. But its power goes beyond mere clarification.
To some extent the colors your choose for your visuals guide
the emotional response of your audience.
RED
Red
should be handled with care. Red is one of the most
influential colors in your software palette -- but it
also carries negative cultural attachments, so use it
carefully. Red is also a great color for conveying passion.
Or talking about the competition. Do not use Red in
financial information or tables and charts.
GREEN
Green
stimulates interaction. It's a friendly color that's
great for warmth and emotion. Green is commonly used
for trainers, educators, and others whose presentations
are intended to generate discussion. It’s also
a great color for environmental and earth-oriented discussions.
BLUE
Blue
is one of the most common background colors. It's calming
and conservative, which is why it's very popular with
business presenters, as well as for for trainers. Studies
have shown that blue has the power to slow our breathing
and pulse rates.
BLACK
Don't
forget your basic black. Often overlooked, black is
a background color with useful psychological undertones.
Its neutrality makes it a good backdrop for financial
information. Black connotes finality and also works
well as a transitional color which is why the fade to
black transition is powerful, as it gives the impression
of starting fresh.
clash
fuzzy
Remember
that most eyes aren't perfect. Because color perception
deficiencies are common, certain color combinations
-- including red/green, brown/green, blue/black and
blue/purple -- should be avoided.
We
perceive dark colors as being "heavier" than
light ones, so graphic elements that are arranged from
darkest to lightest are the easiest for the eyes to
scan. On charts, it's best to arrange colors from dark
to light.
Speaking
Tips
Working with Visuals By
Beverly Cohen, Communications Specialist of The Presentation
Team
What's
the most important visual in any presentation? If you said
the speaker, you already recognize the importance of interacting
intelligently with your props. There are several basic but
easily mastered techniques that will add impact to your presentation
whatever medium you use.
Visuals
are worthless if they can't be seen
Make sure that there are no
obstacles between any member of the audience and the visual
Stand to the side and use a
pointer
Check the light to be sure there
is no glare
Visuals
support or complement your speech
Display only key words, not
your entire speech
Elaborate and add detail as
you speak
Paraphrase the information rather
than reading it to the audience
Talk
to your audience, not the visual
Maintain eye contact
Use a remote, a monitor, or
a mirror on the lectern/podium
Know your material so thoroughly
that only a glance will remind you of the message
Using visuals
skillfully can give you a significant edge over your competition.
Whether you use a computer, transparencies, a slide projector,
videos, flip charts, white board, or a combination of media,
the way you interact with your visuals will determine the
effectiveness of your presentation.
For
its 2001 Shareholders' Meeting last month, Republic
Services turned to The Presentation Team to develop
a dynamic 30 minute PowerPoint presentation. The presentation,
delivered by Chairman Wayne Huizenga, featured colorfully
flowing visual elements, and was a welcome departure
from previous years' more simplistic versions.
Will
Flower, Vice President of Communications shared later
that, "I was impressed with the final product and
the speed at which your team created material for our
review. I am especially grateful for the advice and
counsel that you provided as we prepared for the meeting."
