Why Presentations Matter
A presentation is not just slides. What else is it?
It’s you...your voice, presence, and message!
Too many slides with tiny text is called…?
Death by PowerPoint.
A boring list of facts becomes powerful if told as a ___.
Story.
The #1 question every audience is asking is…?
“Why should I care?”
Name one delivery skill we’ll practice this semester.
Voice, body language, or eye contact.
Why do poor presentations cost companies money?
They waste time, confuse people, and kill good ideas.
What happens when you read every bullet word-for-word?
You lose the audience. They can read faster than you speak.
Which is more memorable, data or story?
A story (with data to support it).
True or False: Presentations are about the presenter first.
False. They’re about the audience first.
What does “presence” mean in presentations?
Confidence, energy, and connection with the room.
In this course, presentations are called a “superpower.” Why?
Because good communication can change decisions and careers.
Name one “design crime” that makes slides painful.
Too much text, ugly clipart, crazy colors, unreadable fonts, etc.
Pixar’s formula “Once upon a time…” is an example of what?
Story structure.
What is an “elevator pitch”?
Explaining your idea in 30 seconds or less.
Nervous before a presentation? What’s normal?
Butterflies, everyone feels them.
What business skill do employers say is more valuable than GPA?
Communication skills.
True or False: More slides = more impact.
False, less is often more.
What is the “Hero” in a business story?
The audience or customer, not the presenter.
What’s one way to lose your audience fast?
Using jargon, boring them, ignoring their needs, etc.
What’s stronger: reading slides or speaking naturally?
Speaking naturally, like you care.
Finish this: “Without communication… ___.”
Example: Nothing moves forward...ideas die.
What’s the 3-second rule for slides?
The audience should “get it” in three seconds.
Why do great presenters use contrast (what is vs. what could be)?
To create tension and keep the audience engaged.
Why is empathy a presentation skill?
You need to understand the audience’s view to connect with them.
Why do we call this course “training for leaders”?
Because leaders persuade, inspire, and move people through communication.