Feature Article
How PowerPoint Can Kill Your Presentation
Submitted by Marie Antaya, Eclectic Communications
Visuals are important to a presentation because they allow you to emphasise the main points to your audience both orally and visually. And using PowerPoint as a presentation tool can do that for you; however, misusing the tool can also kill your presentation. Consider these five comments your audience might say if you use PowerPoint as an ineffective presentation tool.
I could have just requested a copy of the slides.
You are the presentation – not your PowerPoint slides. Use the slides to support your main points and avoid using them to repeat verbatim what you are saying. Support what you say by including key words or phrases, charts and graphs, tables, illustrations, and pictures in your slides.
I came here to listen to a presentation not read one.
Make cue cards for yourself; don’t put them up on the slides. When there is too much text, your audience will stop listening and just read. The focus will not be on you, but rather on the text on your slides. People remember visuals over words.
I don’t understand how this relates to the presentation.
Make sure you have a clear objective for your presentation and ensure that each slide says something related to that objective. Take the time to plan your presentation by identifying your main points, planning and researching your information, organizing the content, and preparing an outline. As you are creating your presentation, use your outline to stay focused on your objective. You will then be less likely to have irrelevant information in your PowerPoint presentation.
I can’t focus on the slide, it’s just too busy.
Design a standard look for your slides. Create a simple template that contains the colours and design elements you will use. The billboard test is a great way to ensure you’ve created an effective slide. Ask yourself – if this slide were a billboard, could people understand it while they drove by?
There is just too much to remember. I can’t retain anything.
Remember that when it comes to creating PowerPoint slides, less is more. Don’t overwhelm your audience with too much information. Focus on 3-5 main points throughout your presentation and your audience will most likely remember what you said. When designing a PowerPoint presentation, follow the 10-20-30 rule – no more than 10 slides, no more than 20 minutes, and no less than 30 size font.
Volunteer Manitoba will be hosting Leading Successful Presentations on September 15th, facilitated by Marie Antaya of Eclectic Communications. For more information or to register, click here.
This article was submitted by Eclectic Communications. If you'd like to order a custom training session with a consultant from Eclectic Communications through Volunteer Manitoba, contact Erik Butenschon at 477-5180 ext 222.
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Related Resources
Resources Related to Effective Presentations
Books on this topic available at Volunteer Manitoba’s Resource Centre
50 tips for speaking like a pro. By Terry L. Paulson. Menlo Park, CA : Crisp Publications, Inc., 1999. 100 p.
Call no. 808.5 PAU 1990
The author shares time-tested (and audience-tested) tips and practical suggestions he has learned as a speaker, along with insights from some of the best speakers in the world.
Effective presentation skills. By Steve Mandel. Los Altos, CA : Crisp Publications, Inc., 1987. 60 p.
Call no. 808.5 MAN
The cover indicates that this book is “a practical guide for better speaking” and contains “proven techniques for more confident, enthusiastic, and persuasive presentations.”
Speaking with confidence : a guide for public speakers. By Wanda Vassallo. Cincinnati, OH : 1990. 176 p.
Call no. 808.5 VAS
The tips in this book prepare a reader to address a group of virtually any size. Included are checklists, instructive forms, and a section on conducting meetings.
Special report : 28 ways to improve your public speaking. Sioux City, IA : Stevenson, Inc., 2011. 2 p.
Call no. 808.5 SPE
“Whether a presentation to a board of directors, an address to major donors or a lecture to professional colleagues, public speaking has become an indispensable aspect of nonprofit leadership. This special report offers 28 ways to polish your presenting skills – and take the dread out of the podium and the microphone.”
Online Resources
Free Management Library - Guidance on public speaking and presentations
http://managementhelp.org/communicationsskills/public-speaking.htm
Retrieved August 17, 2011
Topics on this site include Guidelines for Public Speaking and Presentations, Five Things You Must Do in the First Five Minutes, How to Handle Undesirable Behaviors in Presentations or Training: Use the Intervention Escalator Additional Perspectives on Presentation Skills (Public Speaking)
Presentation-Pointers.com
http://www.presentation-pointers.com/index.asp?
Retrieved August 17, 2011
Follow the links to numerous articles on all aspects of public speaking and presentations.
Presentation Skills Checklist
http://www.go2itech.org/HTML/TT06/toolkit/delivery/print/EffectiveComm/PresentSkillsChecklist.doc
Retrieved August 17, 2011
Although this checklist is designed for the evaluation of presenters, it provides a handy summary of points that speakers should consider when preparing for a presentation.
The Quotations Page
http://www.quotationspage.com/
Retrieved August 17, 2011
This is the oldest quotation site on the Web, established in 1994. The site contains over 26,000
quotations online from over 3,100 authors, and more are added daily. In addition, the Forums page provides answers to your questions about quotations.
Tom G. Palmer’s Public Speaking Checklist
http://tomgpalmer.com/2004/11/02/public-speaking-checklist/
August 17, 2011
More than just a checklist, the author provides numerous practical suggestions on how to prepare for and deliver a successful speech.
Volunteer Manitoba’s Resource Centre has all of the information you need on the non-profit sector. Please call the Resource Centre Coordinator at 477-5180, ext. 223 or email for more information. Click on this link to search the Resource Centre for books, reports, DVDs or videos.
Did You Know?
Volunteer Manitoba Now Offering Volunteer Program Audits and Evaluations
Volunteer Manitoba is excited to announce that we will now be offering Volunteer Program Audits and Volunteer Program Evaluations. If you are interested in improving your volunteer program, consider having your program audited or evaluated. The following is information on both options.
Volunteer Program Audit
Discover your program’s strengths and how you can operate more efficiently. Audits can be conducted for organizations that have new, intermediate or established programs and will take approximately two weeks. Data is collected through an interview with the Volunteer Manager, online questionnaires and document review. The following areas are covered:
Organizational Culture: Board support and recognition of volunteer involvement, review of policies and procedures and staff willingness to work with volunteers.
Current Programming: Current volunteer roles, risk management, job descriptions, recruitment strategies, screening processes, record management, orientation and training, volunteer performance management and volunteer recognition.
The audit will conclude by positioning the existing volunteer program on a four point rubric and include a point form summary of existing processes. Point form recommendations will be made in if necessary. The Evaluator will meet with the Executive Director and/or Volunteer Manager to discuss the findings and implications.
3 Reasons to Consider a Program Audit
*Maximize efficiency
*Set goals for further development
*Ensure department practices are in line with current legislation
Rates:
Not-for-Profit…………..$350.00
Government/For-profit…………….$500.00
Volunteer Program Evaluations
The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of your organization’s existing volunteer program and to help maximize your potential for volunteer engagement. Based on the Canada Code for Volunteer Involvement, evaluations take approximately one month to complete and include an assessment of organizational culture and current programming. Data is collected through interviews, online questionnaires and document review. The following areas are covered:
- Organizational Culture: Board support and recognition of volunteer involvement, review of policies and procedures and staff willingness to work with volunteers.
- Current Programming: Current volunteer roles , risk management analysis of existing positions, job descriptions, recruitment strategies, screening processes, record management, orientation and training, volunteer performance management and volunteer recognition.
Outcome
A written summary of findings takes sector trends into account and highlights your program’s strengths and weaknesses. Each area is scored and discussed and the evaluation concludes with a set of recommendations for further developments and program design. The Evaluator will meet with the Volunteer Manager and Executive Director to discuss the results and is available for follow-up consultation.
5 Great Reasons to Consider an Evaluation of your Volunteer Program or Department
- *Assess the impact of your role as Volunteer Manager
- *Find out how your organization measures up against the Canada Code
- *Implement best practices
- *Advocate for your volunteer programs
- *Increase volunteer retention by knowing how to facilitate the best volunteer experience
Not-for-Profit……………………$2,500
Government/For-Profit………………………$3,500
Testimonials:
"We’ve recently completed a Volunteer Program Evaluation at our agency. Having Volunteer Manitoba conduct this was extremely beneficial and insightful for us as an agency and for our volunteer program. The Evaluation provided helpful insights into what we are doing right, where our program can be strengthened, and recommendations on how to implement changes that will maximize our volunteer program and create meaningful opportunities for volunteers and provide volunteer support within the agency." - Chad Smith, Executive Director, Rainbow Resource Centre
“As a newly-hired volunteer coordinator at a non-profit organization, the Volunteer Program Evaluation came at a perfect time between staff turnover in the position. The report clearly provides me with an indication of areas of improvement in our volunteer program and what established processes are solid. The feedback and follow-up from the Volunteer Manitoba auditor has offered invaluable insights into how our program can grow and better engage volunteers and staff to provide our programs and support our mandate.” - Stacy Dorion, Volunteer/Programming Coordinator, Rainbow Resource Centre
To order, or for more information on Volunteer Program Audits and Evaluations, please contact Noreen Mian, Volunteer Referral Manager, at 477-5180 ext 230, or noreen.mian@volunteermanitoba.ca
Custom Contracts at Volunteer Manitoba
Flexible Delivery: Where you want it...When you want it.
Volunteer Manitoba is able to deliver workshops to your organization at a time and place convenient to you with content developed to address your unique training needs. There are over 35 topics that are categorized in the following areas: Board Development, Organization Management, Volunteer Management. Our fees are extremely reasonable and are usually less expensive than sending a group of staff to our regularly scheduled workshops. Plus, you get to choose the topic, time, and place!
To discuss your training needs and our delivery options contact: Erik Butenschon, Manager, Training Department at (204) 477-5180 ext. 222, toll free: 1-888-922-4545, email to erik.butenschon@volunteermanitoba.ca.
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Special Events
Special Events Happening at Volunteer Manitoba this Spring
Our Fall Training Calendar begins soon, and we're excited to deliver several new topics once again. Some of the highlights from the early portion of our calendar are:
7th Annual Funder's Forum
Friday, September 9th, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to present our 7th annual Funder’s Forum! The event will be held at the Delta Hotel and include breakfast, presentations from prominent funding organizations, an inspiring keynote address on fundraising by Carolyn Basha of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, networking opportunities, and a trade booth area.
Confirmed Presenting Funders are:
· Local Investment Towards Employment (LITE)
· Urban Aboriginal Strategy
· Investors Group
· Jubilee Fund
· Sport Manitoba
· Royal Bank
Each presenting funder will give an overview of their funding, grants, and sponsorships they have available, what types of programs and projects they generally fund, tips on the application process, what their requirements are, and more!
The registration fee is only $45. Click here for more information or to register. The registration deadline for this event is September 2nd.
Leading Successful Presentations
Thursday, September 15th, 1pm - 4pm
Effective presentation skills give us the ability to convey facts and information in a clear, concise and engaging way. Developing your skills to present will allow you to communicate your message as well as focus on your audience’s needs. This workshop will enhance your ability to plan and deliver a well-structured and polished presentation – an ability that can affect your image and success as well as that of your organization. For more information or to register, click here.
Introduction to Effective Proposal Writing
Wednesday, September 21st, 9am - 4pm
If your organization has a great idea for a project, but requires concept development, planning and financing, then this workshop is for you. Writing an award winning grant proposal is certainly important, but there are other factors to consider before you write the proposal, and after you submit the funding application. This workshop covers a variety of topics that will turn your project from that great idea to a firm reality. Click here for more information or to register.
Succession Planning Through Leadership Activities
Monday, September 26th, 4pm - 7pm
Succession Planning or Continuity Management provides the board with effective methods of enlisting and retaining effective board members. The board must determine what skills and expertise it needs and how to recruit people with these skills. Learn how to involve executive members as a “Leadership Team” who provides professional development that encourages active involvement and retention of board members. Click here for more information or to register.
Strategic Planning
Wednesday, September 28th, 1pm - 4pm
A well-developed action-oriented strategy is a valuable asset for any organization that wants to succeed. Strategic planning is a process you can use to clarify and communicate your organization’s purpose and direction. It involves a step-by-step review of where your organization is today, where it wants to go, how it will get there, who will do the work required, and what resources are needed. Join us for this session with Mike Fernandes of StrategyMakers Consulting Inc. to learn the basics of strategic planning and how you can develop an action-oriented strategy for your organization. Click here to register or for more information.
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Announcements
Leadership Winnipeg Recruiting for 2011-2012 Class
Leadership Winnpeg has begun recruiting for its 2011-2012 class. The program consists of 10 sessions or Learning Days, plus a class project. The day-long sessions, held once a month, are hosted in the community.
Prior to the first session, each participant completes an Insights Discovery profile, used to assign participants to project teams. The project for 2011-2012 is to research, write and publish a book, profiling Winnipeg’s community leaders. Project objectives are to:
- * Learn to work as a team with new people, who bring different skills and styles to the table
- * Develop and strengthen personal comfort levels and communication skills in approaching, meeting with and interviewing high-profile people in the community
- * Develop project and time management, organizational and leadership skills
- * Learn first-hand from community leaders what makes a good leader and what skills are required
- * Network with and develop contacts in the community
Each Learning Day focuses on a theme (i.e. - a City with a Rich Heritage, a City that Cares) and includes tours and guest speakers, plus an opportunity to interact with those speakers. In addition, a portion of the day is devoted to leadership development – providing the tools that will enhance the participant’s communication, facilitation, collaboration and time management skills.
The program is primarily learning by experiencing as opposed to textbook-based learning.
Cost: $1,000 (subsidy available)
Registration deadline: Sept. 7, 2011
For further information or to apply, contact:
Wendy Stephenson
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
944-3317
wstephenson@winnipeg-chamber.com
CCEDNet Gathering
The Canadian Community Economic Development Network will be holding its annual Gathering October 21st at St. John's High School. The theme this year is "Enoug, For All, Forever". Over five hundred delegates, including community organizations, government, students and social entrepreneurs will come together to examine ways to reduce poverty and build stronger communities in Manitoba.
Here are some reasons to attend the 2011 Gathering: A great opportunity for networking and connecting with people from a variety of sectors; Learn about and celebrate the success of CED initiatives across the province; Choose from a wide range of workshop topics and themes; Learn some helpful hints for building capacity and engaging your community; A delicious lunch and snacks will be catered by a variety of social enterprises from across the city!
Stay up-to-date on Gathering information at
www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/gathering2011
Student Recruitment
It’s that time of year again! Each year, Volunteer Manitoba hosts Student Recruitment to give non-profit organizations the opportunity to promote their organization’s services and recruit student volunteers at each of the post-secondary institutions in Winnipeg.
This year’s events are being held at:
University of Winnipeg on Tuesday, Sept. 20 & Wednesday, 21 (10am-2pm)
University of Manitoba on Tuesday, September 27 & Wednesday, September 28 (10am-2pm)
Red River College – Notre Dame Location on Thursday, October 13 (11am-2pm)
Collège Universitaire du Saint-Boniface – Wed. January 11 & Thus. January 12, 2012 (10am-2pm)
Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development (CAHRD)- Thursday, January 5, 2012 (9am-2pm)
For more information or to register, please contact Delores Jansen at delores.jansen@volunteermanitoba.ca
Introducing Philip Wolfart
Volunteering Manitoba would like to introduce and welcome Philip Wolfart, the new manager of Contact Community Information. Philip began his tenure this August and has been a perfect fit to the Volunteer Manitoba family. Philip joins us from the University of Manitoba where he was a reference librarian with specialized responsibilities for the faculty, staff, and students of the Faculty of Social Work and Distance Education Students. Prior to that he worked as a Senior Information Officer at Community Information Toronto, and as a Reference Librarian for a law firm and for a lobbying agency there. He is a native of Winnipeg.
MAVA News
(Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administration)
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Do you work with volunteers?
If so, consider joining the Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA), a professional association uniting individuals involved in the administration of volunteer services and programs. This dynamic group includes members who are Managers of Volunteer Resources, Executive Directors, Recreation Professionals as well as those who work in government and the not-for-profit sector.
As a MAVA member, you will have access to:
- Reduced rates for professional development
- Reduced rate for a Canadian Association of Volunteer Administration (CAVR) membership
- Job postings
- Access to the MAVA membership list
- Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
- A provincial voice for Volunteer Administration
For more information or to join visit www.mavamanitoba.ca or email mavamanitoba@gmail.com
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook and Twitter Pages
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook page now has over 425 community minded people on board! If you are interested in a convenient place to network, share ideas or information on the not-for-profit sector, or stay tuned to special events and workshops, sign up by clicking the links!
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