Nobody really wants information presented to them. In fact, there may not be a more painful experience than having bullet points read to you during a PowerPoint presentation.

And the only thing worse than that is a presentation without a clear point – why should we listen or care?

We all want clarity and meaning. This means getting to the point – a good one – with relevance and applicability.

Bill Jensen

Bill Jensen is the author of Simplicity: The New Competitive Advantage and writes about how to make better presentations and how “the hardest work is figuring out what to do in a world of infinite choices” and because “making the complex clear always makes people work smarter.” He calls himself “a simpleton.”

His Ultimate Ten-Page Presentation is a guide to keeping presentations short and meaningful. He recommends using stories, questions, and details that promote interaction and discussion.

Here’s the formula he recommends:

Slide 1 – Title – Absolute Clarity:  “By the end of this presentation you will be able to…”

Slide 2 – Summary – Know, Feel, Do:  “Everything I have to tell you on one page…”

Slides 3-9 – Details and Discussion – The Case:  Details behind the one-pager.

Slide 10 – Do – Next Steps:  “Here’s what we need from you in order to succeed…”

What if you can’t do it in 10 pages or less? You’re probably not ready to present. Supporting details are good, but save the pivot tables and flowcharts in an appendix in case you need them.

And don’t forget to recommend what you want people to do as a direct result of your presentation. Even when people are empowered and motivated, they need direction.

Great presentations grab attention and draw the audience in. The best ones engage, educate, and spark action.

Have a great week.