Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication

Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication

by Tom Bunzel
Released September 2006
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780321423443

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Book description

Solving the PowerPoint Predicament

Using Digital Media for Effective Communication

Don’t Just Present: Inspire!

Everyone uses PowerPoint, but how effective is your presentation at meeting the goals you’ve outlined? A great presentation is more than just a slideshow–it’s about using PowerPoint to its maximum potential to get your message across to your audience. That’s the PowerPoint Predicament. Tom Bunzel reveals how to conceive, plan, develop, and deliver truly effective business, academic, and inspirational communications, not just PowerPoint slideshows. Discover how to motivate your audience by:

  • Getting beyond bullet points to tell a story that touches your audience at the deepest levels

  • Mastering proven principles of effective communication

  • Planning, organizing, and designing every presentation for maximum impact

  • Making sure every word, image, effect, and slide exists for a good reason

  • Creating charts and diagrams that instantly make your point

  • Using animation, navigation, video, and audio to drive home your message, not distract from it

  • Avoiding mistakes that lead to boring presentations: no more “death by PowerPoint”

  • Building Web and self-running kiosk presentations that really work

  • Leveraging the rest of Microsoft Office to create even better presentations

  • Using third-party add-ons to communicate with PowerPoint even more effectively: video capture, flowcharting, DVD authoring, rehearsal, and more

    • When you present, you’re on the line: your credibility, your career, your future as a leader. Use your software and imagination to its full potential–with this book!

    Covers PowerPoint 2007, 2003, XP, 2000, 99, and 97– for Windows or Mac PowerPoint users

    Tom Bunzel is a leading presentation expert. He has appeared on Tech TV’s “Call for Help,” was a featured speaker at InfoComm and PowerPoint LIVE, and has served as a technology coach for companies ranging from Iomega to the Neuroscience Education Institute, where he provided personal PowerPoint instruction to physicians. He offers live seminars via streaming media, and he has been published in Presentations Magazine. His books include Sams Teach Yourself PowerPoint 2003 in 24 Hours and Digital Video on the PC. He updated the Visual QuickStart Guide to PowerPoint 2002/2001 for Windows and Mac.

    The book companion CD-ROM contains numerous PowerPoint presentations and other examples from the book, two sample chapters from Cliff Atkinson’s Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire, and trial software from Instant Effects (OfficeFX), Serious Magic (Ovation and Vlog It!), and TechSmith (Camtasia and Snag It).

    Developing a compelling PowerPoint presentation involves much more than mastering one program. It involves integrating different programs, third party tools, and hardware resources to convey a message that has been skillfully crafted. From blogs to podcasts to the rise of amateur digital photography and videography, there's ample evidence to the passion among the public for communicating effectively. You crave not a how-to manual but a frame of reference for telling your stories effectively, both in front of a group, online, and across multiple digital platforms and media.

    Solving the PowerPoint Predicament will walk your through three fundamental steps: (1) honing (and sticking to!) a compelling message, mastering and applying appropriate technologies, (3) integrating technology with verbal delivery skills needed for a successful presentation. This book really gives you everything you need to deliver a successful presentation that people will remember.

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. Acknowledgments
    3. About the Author
    4. Preface
      1. What Is the PowerPoint Predicament?
      2. A Word about Versions
      3. This Book’s Target Audience
      4. Getting Started
    5. 1. Planning an Effective Presentation
      1. Using AutoContent Wizard to Get Started
      2. Planning a Strategy
        1. Putting in the Time
        2. Adding Some Drama
          1. Customer Requirements
          2. Our Roadside Solution
        3. Finding the Message
        4. Establishing Clarity in the Message
        5. Other Research Techniques
        6. Acquiring and Using Web Images
        7. Last-Minute Techniques
      3. Structure and Organization
        1. Finding the Ending
        2. Learning from Hollywood
        3. Enhancing the Three-Act Structure
        4. Words or Pictures?
        5. Mastering the Outline
          1. Our Roadside Solution
        6. Visualizing in Slide Sorter
        7. Using Markers or Bumpers as a Section Roadmap
      4. Crafting a Message for Different Presenters
        1. Do a Needs Assessment
        2. Do an Honest Self-Assessment
        3. Take a Modular Approach
        4. Use a Script or Storyboard
        5. Learn from Professional Coaches
        6. Consider Facilitation
        7. Using a Flexible Presentation Structure
        8. Hyperlinks and Action Settings
        9. Relational Presentation Model
        10. Closing Any Time
        11. Magic of Custom Shows
      5. Creating a Project Folder
      6. Case Study: SuperWhite
        1. Key Questions to Consider
      7. Summary
      8. Resources
        1. Reference Books
    6. 2. Implementing Professional Design Principles
      1. What Designers Think About
      2. Using the PowerPoint Design Templates
      3. Creating a Branded Template
        1. Don’t Fear Space
        2. Analyzing Collateral Materials
        3. Using a Grid System
        4. Positioning a Logo
        5. Using a Branded Color Scheme
      4. Fine-Tuning Color Schemes
      5. Saving Your Design Templates
      6. Understanding the Role of Masters
      7. Final Design Touches
      8. Losing the Extraneous Placeholders
      9. What About Fonts?
      10. Designing for Handouts
      11. Using Third-Party Design Tools
      12. Dramatic 3D Animated Designs with OfficeFX
      13. Looking Ahead: PowerPoint 2007
        1. New Layouts: Setting a Default
        2. Themes and Colors Enhance Design Templates
        3. New Screen Reading Fonts: Calibri and Cambria
        4. Turn Bullets to Graphics Instantly
        5. Use Enhanced Design Effects
      14. Case Study: Creating Design Templates for a Travel Agency
        1. Key Issues to Consider
      15. Summary
      16. Resources
    7. 3. Creating Dynamic Visuals
      1. Using Words as Pictures
      2. Using Pictures Instead of Words
      3. Thinking in Analogies
      4. Image Files v. Clip Organizer
        1. Accessing Images from File Folders
      5. Showing Only Part of a Picture
      6. Creating a Transparent Image
      7. Acquiring a Folder of Images
        1. Connecting to a Digital Camera
      8. Using Multiple Pictures with the Photo Album
        1. Moving Slides Between Multiple Presentations
        2. Using the Slide Finder Feature
      9. Using or Hiding Slide Titles
      10. Digital Cameras and Picture Quality
      11. Comparing Data with Tables and Charts
        1. Using Excel for Tables
        2. PowerPoint or Excel Charts?
        3. Quick and Dirty Excel Charting
        4. Learning from the Zelazny Method
        5. Revising a Chart in PowerPoint
        6. Chart Options: Less Is More
        7. Combining Charts with Imagery
        8. Breaking a Chart into Multiples
      12. Covering Complex Concepts with Diagrams
        1. Using PowerPoint Diagrams
        2. Creating Diagrams with the Drawing Toolbar
        3. Using a Visio Timeline
      13. Case Study: Conceptualizing, Creating, and Animating a Diagram to Tell a Story
        1. Key Issues to Consider
        2. Finding the Analogy
      14. Summary
      15. Resources
        1. Reference Books
        2. Websites with Cool Sample Charts and Diagrams
    8. 4. Secrets of Animation and Navigation
      1. Importance of Timing
        1. Types of Animation in PowerPoint
        2. Breaking Up Your Bullets
        3. Fade In: The Screenplay Technique
        4. Open the Advanced Timeline
        5. Making Images Appear Strategically
        6. Taking Advantage of Transitions
        7. Animating PowerPoint Charts and Diagrams
        8. Animating Static Material
        9. Triggers for Increased Interactivity
        10. Elegant Entrances and Exits
        11. Navigation: Movement of Ideas
        12. Avoiding Ugly Action Buttons
        13. (Re)using Other Presentations
        14. Using Other File Types
        15. Using the Insert Object Command
        16. What About Shockwave Animation?
        17. Use a Hyperlink or Action Setting?
      2. Case Study 1: Introducing a Corporate Team
        1. Key Issues to Consider
        2. Reusing Animations for Important Concepts
      3. Case Study 2: Using a Memorable Metaphor
        1. Formatting an AutoShape with a Background Image
      4. Summary
      5. Resources
        1. Master Animation Websites
    9. 5. Using Video and Audio Effectively
      1. Power of Video as a Metaphor
      2. Acquiring Video
        1. Other Ways to Locate Video
      3. Playing Video in PowerPoint
        1. Video Window Size
      4. Using Your Own Video
        1. Capture without Firewire
        2. Using Movie Maker
        3. First Video Capture: Travelogue
      5. Troubleshooting Video Problems
        1. Understanding Codecs
      6. Getting Video from a DVD
      7. Using DVD Instead of PowerPoint
        1. Getting Your Slides to DVD
        2. Preserving Features
      8. Using 3D Animation
      9. Working with Audio
        1. Creating a Sound File in Windows
        2. Inserting a Sound as a File
        3. Use an Action Setting to Play a Sound File
        4. Recording Audio within PowerPoint
        5. Using the Record Narration Feature
      10. Using CD Audio for Backgrounds
      11. Case Study: Using a High-Definition Video File
        1. Key Issues to Consider
      12. Summary
      13. Resources
        1. Video Stock Footage Websites
        2. PowerPoint to DVD and Other Helpful Programs
    10. 6. Powerful Presentation Tools
      1. Taking Advantage of Visio’s Intelligent Diagrams
        1. Custom Properties for Visual Databases
        2. Layers for Visual Interactivity
      2. Presenting with Excel Pivot Tables
      3. Making Excel Interactive with Crystal Xcelsius
      4. Using Camtasia Studio 3.0 for PowerPoint Video
      5. Serious Magic Communicator as a Presentation Broadcast Studio
      6. Serious Magic Ovation for PowerPoint Post-Production
      7. Microsoft OneNote as a Presentation Resource Center and Mini-Conferencing Tool
        1. Printing Index Cards
      8. Automating PowerPoint with Macros and Code
        1. Macro Recorder for Presentation Authoring
        2. Customizing Your PowerPoint Environment
        3. Live Buttons for Interactivity
        4. Using VBA and Vox Proxy for Entertainment and Training
        5. Audience Response Systems (ARS)
      9. Using PowerPoint to Report Database Information
      10. Training Scenarios: Keeping Score
      11. Case Study: Awards Ceremony with Digital Images
        1. Key Issues to Consider
      12. Summary
      13. Resources
        1. Screen Capture Utilities for Training
        2. Audience Response Systems
        3. PowerPoint Alternatives and Complementary Tools
    11. 7. The Latest Technologies: Beyond PowerPoint to the Future
      1. Online Presentations: The Fork in the Internet Road
        1. When to Save PowerPoint as a Web Page
        2. When to Post PowerPoint as a PowerPoint File
        3. Microsoft Producer for Video Presentations
        4. Publishing Directly from Producer
        5. Converting to Flash/Shockwave with Camtasia Studio 3.0
      2. Online Auditoriums: The Dynamics of a Successful Web Conference
        1. Using a Dedicated Conference Solution: Citrix® GoToMeeting™
        2. Online Video Solution 1: Broadcasting with Windows Media Encoder
          1. Professional Alternatives
        3. Online Video Solution 2: Skype, VoIP, or Instant Messenger
        4. Online Video Solution 3: Breeze
        5. Using OneNote for a Simple Shared Notes Session
        6. Microsoft SharePoint Services and Groove
      3. Continuing the Presentation Dialog: Podcasting and Video Blogging
      4. Using Serious Magic Vlog It! for a Video Blog
      5. Collecting Data with SMS
      6. Gathering RFID Information
      7. Authoring PowerPoint to DVD
        1. Presenting without a Computer
      8. Case Study: Turning PowerPoint into a DVD
        1. Key Issues to Consider
        2. Organizing Your Video into Titles and Chapters
        3. Creating Interactive Menus
        4. Burning a True Movie DVD
      9. Summary
      10. Resources
        1. Web-Conferencing Programs
        2. DVD Authoring
        3. Package Web Presentations
    12. 8. Delivering a Killer Presentation
      1. You Are the Show
      2. Checklist for Video Practice Sessions
      3. Preparing the Room
      4. Which Computer?
      5. Using the “B” Key to (Re)connect with Your Audience
      6. Dealing with AV Technology
        1. Setting Up a Projector and Laptop
        2. Using a Dual-Monitor Setup
        3. Presenter View
        4. Portable Mice
        5. Mastering Sound and Microphones
      7. Running Your Slide Show
        1. Navigating While You Present
        2. Toggling with Other Programs as You Present
        3. Action Items
      8. Preparing Effective Handouts and Notes
        1. Using Cliff’s Notes
        2. Send to Word
        3. Notes, Tips, and Tricks
          1. The Perils of Using Live Web Content
      9. Moving a Presentation
      10. Disaster Insurance
        1. Backup
        2. Optimizing Performance and Preventing Freezes
        3. Plan B: Stalling with Storytelling
      11. Avoiding PowerPoint: Using Facilitation Skills
        1. Farmers Logic: Debriefing
        2. Flip Charts
        3. Using Visio for Real-Time Interactivity
      12. Gotchas to Avoid
      13. Presentation Checklist
      14. Case Study: Coordinating Presentations at a Large Conference
        1. Key Issues to Consider
        2. Before You Leave
        3. At the Venue
        4. Last-Minute Details
      15. Summary
      16. Resources
        1. Printing and Delivery
        2. Portable Mouse/Remote Controls
        3. PDF Writer

    Product information

    • Title: Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication
    • Author(s): Tom Bunzel
    • Release date: September 2006
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: 9780321423443