Both TEDTalks and Ignite Talk Videos are awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and at times, jaw dropping. But which method of delivery do we prefer? TEDTalks have a significant depth of information but can last for up to 20 minutes, while Ignite’s premise is to limit talks to 15 slides and 5 minutes (albeit the presentations can lack content and flow).
So what’s your preference?
After a great lunch and kick-ass bloody mary at Branded (the bar at The Iron Horse Hotel), my buddy Ty and I headed across the street to Great Lakes Distillery, Milwaukee oldest distillery and makers of Rehorst Vodka.
The tour lasted about 30 minutes–really interesting to learn about the distilling process and how different spirits are made, and that all start clear no matter the kind. The coloration comes from the barrel, infusions, or artificial coloring. I was amazed to learn that the barrels (stored behind a regulation 12 foot fence) are only sealed by the liquid inside and sometimes leak profusely until the wood has time to swell. A nice change from the typical brewery tour–Ty was a good sport, taking some flack for being a Miller guy.
Following the tour is a $3 tasting of vodka, lemon vodka (awesome), gin, absinthe, hibiscus absinthe, and a collection of three brandys…and no, there are no mixers.
DisplayLink is well worth the $2 at the iPad App Store. All I had to do was download the app on the iPad, then download the software on the laptop, and bam–I can use the iPad and laptop like dual monitors. Now I’m wondering if multiple iPads on the same wireless network can be viewing the same notebook desktop at the same time?
Good find, Chuckles!
TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice 2011 named The Iron Horse Hotel in the Top 25 hotels in the country, coming in at #11. The only other hotel in the Midwest to make the Top 25 was the Elysian Hotel in Chicago (#5).
Had an awesome bday at The Yard last year, and got treated to a dinner at Smyth by my mentor Dr. Groh–still waiting for the chance to stay here!
This TEDTalk given by Oxford professor David Christian helps put everything in perspective–a welcome reminder that any agony over, “What should we have for dinner tonight?” is infinitesimally insignificant in the grand scheme of life.
Bill Gates and David Christian have co-founded the Big History Project to reinvigorate interest in the sciences. I wish we had this course when I went to school–one topic that can’t help but get you thinking about life, history, and everything else. The timelines used in Christian’s TEDTalk are available for download (I was able to open these and zoom in/out using a PDF reader…also wondering how Christian created his Prezi-like presentation).
Be sure to check this out before the end of the world on May 21st. :)
Wait…No PowerPoint?!? That’s right. Believe it or not, there was a time when PowerPoint didn’t exist and the world gave presentations without it. If you and PowerPoint cannot come to terms with your irreconcilable differences, perhaps it’s time for you both to take a break and see other platforms…
“Powerpoint Alternatives” Are Not The Answer. How about using Google Presentation or Keynote? Sorry, this does not count as “cutting the cord” from PowerPoint.
In fact, I don’t believe a web-based presentation alternative is the answer either. Web-based platforms for presentations offer interactive chat, audio, group-work features that could be of value during a virtual meeting or webinar. However, everything is still in a slide-based format and capable of achieving the same levels of boredom and staleness as a good-old PPT. That said, go ahead and scratch Zoho Show, 280 Slides, SlideRocket, and ThinkFree Show off the list as well.
Prezi — Rethinking the Computer-Assisted Presentation
Prezi allows you to take the audience on a fly-through journey of your presentation. Zoom out to a birds-eye view of the topic to be discussed, then twist, turn, and zoom-in to highlight details and subtopics.
My opinion of Prezi is very positive. The interface takes a little getting use to, but with 10 minutes of practice, you’ll be able to start creating.
The real skill, however, is mapping out a presentation that is cohesive. It’s tempting to abuse the exciting animation capabilities of Prezi much like we abuse the transitions and spinning entrances/exits of PowerPoint. I found it crucial to outline the entire presentation before beginning work on the Prezi–it was important to see the big picture so that the presentation could be constructed with the big picture and “little picture” in mind throughout.
Your audience will inevitably pay closer attention to a Prezi than a PPT simply due to the flash animation. Also, the ability to communicate knowledge using spacial relationships between items is an exciting ability that linear slide-by-slide presentations lack. Furthermore, viewers will remember your presentation–the Prezi itself, and the content. All the visual learners out there will benefit.
Prezi has a free version and a student/educator free version with a few additional features unlocked. Prezis you create can be given from the web browser, or downloaded as a flash presentation and given from your computer without an internet connection.
Going Cordless (and Projectorless)
How about ditching the laptop and projector altogether? I can guarantee you’ll peak your audience’s interest right away, simply because…*gasp*… you’re not using PowerPoint! Now that you have everyone’s attention, here are few ideas for how to deliver a killer presentation, sans technology.
The Envelope, Please…
Here’s a great way to make your presentation interactive and fun! Plant your six, or seven, or eight key points, quotes, etc. in the audience!
Put each of your major points into a sealed envelope, number the envelopes before the presentation, and distribute to a few members around the room before the presentation begins. It’s more fun if the whole audience doesn’t see you do this–that way, they’ll be more curious when you start calling out audience members.
Ask the audience member to stand, open the envelope, and read the quote, reveal the number, or display the picture inside. Now it’s time for you to explain the significance to the audience before calling on the next envelope to be opened.
Greatest Hits
Perhaps you want to send your audience home with slides, an outline, or other links/resources? If so, make use of all of those old CD cases! Print a “track list” for your presentation, highlighting the most important points you want everyone to remember. Consider adding a case insert to display pictures, longer quotes or statistics. Enclose a data CD with your speech summary, images, links, etc. This is a memorable and useful take-home item for your group, but should be used only for smaller groups to cost of and time for production.
Dual Personalities
If you have a lot of prep and practice time and a scripted speech…and really want to entertain an audience…try delivering your presentation with a dynamic duo. Videotape yourself giving half the speech, with appropriately-timed pauses and acting in between. The video can be played in tandem with the live presentation. The effect is the presentation given by the team of you…and you. This can lend itself to great comedy and quality entertainment, depending on creative you’re feeling and the nature of the audience.
On Display
One popular format for giving a presentation is P-E-P or E-P-E. This stands for Point-Example-Point, or Example-Point-Example. Pick a standard amount of time that each P-E-P grouping is allocated, and for each grouping, pick one related physical item.
In show-and-tell fashion, start with your first item, deliver the first P-E-P, and explain how the item in hand relates to the topic being discussed. Slides are easily forgotten, but visuals will effectively trigger memory of the presentation’s important points.
Whenever possible, use display items that are, in and of themselves, intriguing and unique.
In conclusion, PowerPoint is not the Devil. There is nothing inherently wrong with PPTs, but sadly, they are misused too frequently. Presenters must make a conscious effort to deliver high-quality presentations that engage the audience, and explore new options when PowerPoint is ineffective or inappropriate.
PowerPoint or no PowerPoint…it’s really not about the presentation, it’s about the presenter.
Read this full series, beginning with PowerPointless: An Introduction.
A truly inspiring story about seeing a need, making an idea reality, and changing a life. Check out the websites for the Eyewriter Initiative and Tempt’s blog.
Hilarious parody of Bob Dylan covering Rebecca Black…by Mike Bauer. Also available on iTunes. Almost as good as Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert…an amazing Dylan impression!
This one triggered a legit laugh-out-loud at 0:22. Nice play, O-J.
