April 20, 1987, a company released its first iteration of what would become one of the most popularly used programs. I think if you were to poll a population, there wouldn’t be many who would not have come across this program, whether it be through a keynote presentation, using it themselves, a collection of sales data, maybe a pitch deck or even a video (where it is increasingly being used with youtube to annotate peoples videos.

When it was first released, it was created so engineers had a platform whereby they could communicate with the marketing team. Snatched up by Microsoft this program was bundled in with the Microsoft Family, and it wasn’t long before PowerPoint presentations were being used by the early adopter sales manager, or renegade research exec – eager to present their data and insights in a new flash way….this was the era of optimism as technology took over from the school of old using their acetate slides and projectors.

But something happened…flash forward 20 years,  the words “death by PowerPoint” was whispered around the offices and high rises around the world. This humble program was stuck in a really awkward situation between indispensability and relevance in the modern world. Some figures suggest that this all-conquering presentation software is installed on more than a billion computers worldwide and that there may be up to a staggering 30 million PowerPoint presentations created every day.

We have all been in a presentation or keynote, looking at our watches…looking longingly at the door – thinking of whether to go for sushi or subway for lunch. Each slide bringing you closer to a release.

Key contributors to death by PowerPoint include confusing graphics, slides with too much text and presenters whose idea of a good presentation is to read 40 slides out loud.

I would argue that the inability to see powerpoint as just a tool means that we blame the tool and not the workman. The problem is that we have never truly been taught how to use it. When used properly, with the right resources, directed at the right people – I genuinely believe that we can change worlds.

Key to this premise is education. Where do you learn how to use PowerPoint? Who teaches you? What are their aims? What are your aims? I would argue that with the right teacher / or a mind that is accepting of the idea that Powerpoint can do…can transform this program from a stick to be a flaming sword in your armory.

Start with the opportunity….be the intern again, who is presenting his first presentation – look for impact and connection with your audience. The problem with powerpoint is that people don’t recognize the opportunity. A keynote or presentation is not just delivering of information, it is an opportunity to connect with your client or audience and transform their thinking – powerpoint is a great tool that can help with that, but it doesn’t replace your role in the process. Powerpoint is not an extension of you….it is your wingman – it’s your friend. You shouldn’t be reading from it – but it should support some of the points that you say.

Presentations should be fun – go in there with the goal of changing minds – use PowerPoint to highlight your key points – use it to visualise your data, or communicate a feeling – yes (its like art). If you need any advice on how to do this – or would like to hire us to transform your amazing data/content/stories – flick us an email – we are waiting 😀