Presentations and Props
SteveIf you are like most professionals when you have a client, prospect, conference, or even an internal presentation to prepare, you start thinking about the tools you will bring to the show even more than the content and insight you are meant to be delivering. 
Jimmy 'The Greek' Snyder
Admit it, when you first hear about the venue or room that your treatise is to be delivered from, your mind starts processing questions like:
1. Is there a projection screen?
2. Do I need to bring my own laptop?
3. How is the audio? Will they be able to hear me in the back?
4. How about wifi? There had better be wifi or all bets are off.
And so on.
Unless you are presenting some incredibly complex material, chances are you'll walk into the room armed with more than you really need to make your points. In fact, the 47 powerpoint slides (yes, even the cool ones that have nothing on them but one large black and white image and one big word like 'Strategy' or 'Impact') may not even be necessary.
The 'show' is meant to be you, not the props (apologies to Carrot Top).
The Greek understood this. Take a look at the image on the right. Sure he had his prop as well, the seriously cool 'Pro Football Analysis' chart, but he is clearly the star of the show, and the focus of attention. Admittedly, the 'turtleneck/big gold medallion' look certainly helps, but the Greek definitely seems to strike the right balance between presenter and prop.
I imagine the Greek breaking down that week's big game, running through his analysis of each team's strengths and weaknesses, all leading up to the payoff, the recommendation of what team to place your bet on (of course factoring in the point spread).
The fact that his entire set of presentation materials is open and on display the entire talk doesn't matter. The audience has to pay attention because the conclusion, ('take the Eagles and lay the seven'), is not displayed, you have to listen to the talk to get to the payoff.
A good approach I think, a single chart/slide/drawing on the whiteboard, then just talk from that point on. I am going to try that in my next presentation, I just need to shop for a big gold medallion.
What do you think, could you present 'Greek' style?
Reader Comments (3)
A unique comparison, I fear, Steve. When The Greek talked, people were going to make money for themselves! At any other meeting, it's money for their companies. Care to compare those attention factors?
And you need the WiFi for your own preso, or so the audience can tweet about it? Is this the modern equivalent of if no one hears a tree falling in the woods, does it make any noise? If no one tweets about a speaker, has he said anything? I think not. There are all those other carbon forms around.
Good read here Steve. Agree that often the first thought in developing your message/pitch/etc is...I need a slide deck...who has a cool one I saw recently I can reuse...how is that going to flow...Rather then just asking "what the heck do I want to get across?" I personally hate PPT. I have been using a storyboarding tool (free on the web at http://www.prezi.com) from Prezi as a way to layout a framework of my message - even if I really don't use it in the final delivery. Fewer slides = Better Message.
You should check out some of the writing of Professor Ewdard Tufte, particularly the aptly titled Wired piece called "PowerPoint Is Evil" at http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/ppt2.html
@Bill - I once wondered if the event or talk isn't live tweeted, live blogged, or live streamed, then did it really happen?
@Richard - Thanks for those tips, I have messed around a bit with Prezi, but have not actually delivered a talk using one yet. Very innovative tool I agree. I have read some of Tufte's work, I will definitely check out the Wired piece as well.