© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Enhancing Presentations with Slides and Other Visuals

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Planning Presentation Visuals Improve quality and impact Improve audience learning Improve your professional image

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Selecting Visual Aids Overhead transparencies Electronic presentations Chalkboards and whiteboards Flip charts Other visual combinations

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Verifying Your Design Plans Ensure that visuals will help your audience understand your message Make words and visuals work together Double-check cultural assumptions Prefer simplicity and accuracy Use your time wisely

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Creating Effective Slides Writing content Modifying graphics Selecting design Being consistent Adding animation

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Writing Readable Content Select a central idea Limit the content Write short phrases Use parallel grammar Prefer the active voice Use short informative titles

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Modifying Graphics for Slides Reduce details Avoid repetition Shorten numbers Limit data Highlight key points Adjust size and design

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Selecting Design Elements Color schemes Background designs and artwork Fonts and type styles

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Achieving Consistency Slide master feature –Color choices –Font styles –Design elements Layout templates –Bulleted lists –Charts –Graphics

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Animation and Special Effects Functional animation Transitions and builds Hyperlinks and action buttons Multimedia elements

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Completing Slides and Support Materials Readable Simple and consistent Audience centered Clear and focused Concise and grammatical Fully operational

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Enhancing Your Presentation Title slides Agenda and program details Navigation slides –Moving blueprints –Bumper slides Running headers or footers

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Creating Effective Handouts Complex charts or diagrams Technical papers Magazine articles Case studies Lists of websites Copies of presentation slides

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Practicing Your Delivery Present naturally Check equipment Track your time Speak clearly Introduce slides Anticipate questions Anticipate objections Check message clarity

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Online Presentations Advantages –Global reach –Cost savings –Convenience Disadvantages –Limited feedback –Technology issues –Training issues

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Online Presentation Tips Send preview materials Keep content simple Get frequent feedback Consider the audience

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter Online Presentation Tips Fine-tune the presentation Ensure compatibility and connectivity Consider using a moderator Engage the audience frequently