Standing out as a speaker is difficult…or is it? Sometimes, you can use something ordinary to make an extraordinary set of PowerPoint slides. Have you ever tried using an index card? Think of of the possibilities.
You can even make a matching handout by printing out a handout on an index card. They will remember it…and you.
It was a very hot day.
The room was not air conditioned.
The audience was made up of very important people.
My team consisted of four speakers. Each of us was given about 20 minutes to speak. I deliberately went last. As the other speakers were speaking I was looking at the audience. Some were on the verge of failing off their chairs because they were dozing off. Some were looking at their watches. None were paying much attention to the speakers. And then it was my turn to speak.
A colleague was switching PowerPoint files when I told him to shut the projector off.
I started by telling them that I was going to summarize what I was going to say in two minutes or less and provide a handout with the details. Everyone perked up. I spoke. I stopped. I gave out the handout.
Several people told me that mine was the best presentation of the day.
Sometimes, you have to adjust your presentation to the day. Sometimes, your worst presentation (according to the speaking gods) can turn out to be your best presentation.
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