14 Businesses Doing a Great Job at presentation templates

[Kilby Disher]

Most people start making a PowerPoint presentation by opening PowerPoint, but a better way to make a presentation may involve some planning time first before you jump in and get started. The idea of planning a PowerPoint presentation may seem like a waste of time, especially when you know your subject matter well. At the same time, presentation planning can save time and effort, and can result in a superior finished product.

™

How do you plan a PowerPoint presentation? Most people start with an outline. It's a great way to organise your thoughts, identify your major points and eliminate the unnecessary thoughts and words from your presentation. An outline allows you to re-arrange your slides, add and subtract discussion subjects, and think about your presentation without becoming distracted by slide designs, special effects, and color schemes. Outlines can presentation templates be created in Microsoft Word and then imported into PowerPoint, or created directly in the Outline tab in Microsoft PowerPoint. To bring up the Outlining toolbar in PowerPoint 2003 choose View - Toolbars-Outlining. You can promote or demote topics by choosing the relevant green arrow at the top of the Outling toolbar.

Cliff Atkinson, author of Beyond Bullet Points offers a novel approach to creating PowerPoint presentations. Atkinson starts with a storyboard, under the assumption that your slide presentation is going to tell a story. He offers tips and resources for telling your story and making a compelling slide presentation. He also offers online support to assist you with transforming creative ideas into a working presentation.

Some readers will not be comfortable with Atkinsons' approach to presentation-making, but his approach is interesting and will help you create a visually distinct presentation. The book is a worthwhile read if you're looking for some inspiration for an upcoming presentation.

You're sitting at your desk, the deadline is up, you have to get your PowerPoint done. What is the first thing you do? If you're like the majority, you'll start IN PowerPoint. Big mistake!

The problem by starting in PowerPoint is that you think linear. It destroys your creativity and keeps you from seeing the big picture of your presentation.

So what's the solution?

It's simple: Get away from the screen!

Software and tools distract us from what's important; font size, animations, colors, shadings, they're all secondary. First, you need to get your story right. So, close down PowerPoint, grab a paper and pen, and start drawing your slideshow in hand.

Not only do we avoid distractions, but when you start drawing in hand you will naturally connect to the right side of your brain and stimulate your creativity. It enables you to think beyond the possibilities in PowerPoint, so you can:

* See the big picture

* Think outside the box

* Make your story primary

Once you are away from the screen, allow yourself to consider the possibilities.

Give yourself time to think about the impossible. You need to be away from distractions to think this over.

Ask: What can I do which will make a difference?

Make creative connections and begin to see things from another viewpoint.

Work at being original.

Ask tough questions.

Elevate our aspirations.

Do yourself a favor and draw your next presentation in hand before you open up PowerPoint. Trust me, you'll be surprised by the result.