I used to find giving powerpoint presentations a nightmare. I never quite felt that I had mastered the art of reducing the information I wanted to present into a collection of slides, and standing next to a screen talking people through them. I was used to giving sales presentations, but had not always done so with the powerpoint programme, as my sales pitches were more practical, focusing on demonstrations of the product itself. I realised that until I felt really confident with the program I would struggle to make really effective sales pitches. For that reason, I decided to take a course in powerpoint design.
I looked online to see which companies offered this service, and was happy to see there were quite a few, in particular, Eyeful Presentations, which offers a variety of packages to help people and companies develop their powerpoint skills. My company funded the course, and it was quite pleasant to have a few days out of the office. I was amazed by some of the techniques I learnt, as I really had not been aware previously of the potential of powerpoint as a visual and aural communication device. I had never thought of putting moving images into my presentations, but I realised that this is the kind of tool that will really make clients sit up and listen to pitches.
The company also advised me directly on how to improve one of my existing presentations, one which previously had been rather boring. I almost thought that once when I was delivering it, the client was beginning to nod off. The improvements I was able to make at the powerpoint design course really revitalized my tired old presentation, and the next time I delivered it, not only was the content markedly better, but because I was so confident that I had finally created a good presentation, my delivery was certainlybetter.
I approach sales presentations from a completely different perspective now. When I am given a brief, my improved knowledge of powerpoint design allows me to think far more creatively about how I can use the tools that powerpoint offers to properly communicate my pitch. I think my clients are grateful as well – there are certainly those who dread being in the audience for powerpoint presentations, and I feel that I am able to pleasantly surprise them by delivering a presentation that doesn’t make them want to turn around and walk straight out of the room!
Please click http://www.eyefulpresentations.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.