The Reading of the PowerPoint

by Dwayne Phillips

As crazy as it sounds, high-level, recognized expert, professionals still read their PowerPoint to the audience.

I watch a lot of presentations. Not just a weekly briefing by someone who has relatively little experience on the job and making presentations. I watch presentations of research work. The presenters are experts, have years of experience, give presentations to international audiences, AND THEY READ THEIR POWERPOINT TO THE AUDIENCE!

Will wonders never cease? (or is it ever cease??)

The audience can read. The audience is reading. And the presenter is reading, too.

Seth Godin has an excellent video series on how to use PowerPoint and handouts and such when making presentations (see udemy.com). There are many other such series all over the Internet. Find one that makes sense to you.

Tell stories. Move people. Send a memo when that is enough. People know how to read. Let them read when reading is appropriate.

Please.