Welcome to the first edition of PowerPresentations, The Presentation Team's monthly e-newsletter featuring tips and pointers of importance to today's busy business presenter.

Each issue will contain info about how to organize, develop and present more effectively. We'll also feature AV tools and software to make your presentation experience more effective. We welcome your comments and suggestions, and encourage you to share this newsletter with your friends or colleagues.

In this Issue

• Company News: Remote presentation development...new templates and products...AV alliances.
• PowerPointers: Design your presentation right...right from the start.
• Speaking Tips: Tips and tricks on enhancing your presentation experience.
• Success Stories: Financial consultant Harry Pappas Jr. shines at conference with dynamic presentation.

Company News
Remote presentation development...New templates and products...AV alliances.

From New York to California, Australia to Europe...clients love the Presentation Team's Remote Access Development (RAD) strategy. Thanks to Internet technology, clients can easily preview their custom presentations online...and consult with developers to make revisions on the fly. From concept to completion, clients say this new working model is convenient, fast, and fun.

What's the number one search item that brings visitors to the Presentation Team's website? Templates! In response to high demand for quality background images, The Presentation Team has partnered with four leading developers of custom templates. These templates and background images are giving our clients' presentations an instant facelift...and a competitive edge. Check out the new templates at www.presentationteam.com/Templates.

In our ongoing quest to be America's Presentation Experts, The Presentation Team has partnered with International Audio Visual. Now, customers can buy or rent high-end AV equipment at low-end costs. Rentals, sales...and staging...this new alliance allows both companies to enhance their offerings to their respective clients.

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PowerPointers
Design your presentation right...Right from the start
By Kevin Lerner, Executive Director of The Presentation Team

Starting a presentation is a little like pushing a car uphill. But with the proper planning and forethought, presentation design can be a breeze. These helpful pointers can help save time and frustration the next time you need to present.

• Know your deadlines: Before starting your presentation, it's important to have an idea of how much work is involved in developing the presentation...and how much time it will take. Set benchmarks and goals throughout the development period. Aim to finish the presentation a day ahead of schedule.
• Design for your Audience: Always look at your presentation through the eyes of your audience. It may be the coolest thing you've ever designed, but will it fit with the company's brand or image? Are the colors appropriate? Consider your audience's age and gender. Is the presentation formal or informal?
• Know your Presentation Venue and Output Medium: Are you presenting in a large auditorium or in a small group? Will your presentation be shown on paper, 35mm slides, or laptop-based? These questions are vital to help determine the appropriate fonts, sizing, and spacing. Try to preview the presentation venue beforehand to get a better idea of how your show will look.
• Sizzle can fizzle: Sometimes, too much flash can ruin a presentation. Don't go overboard with wild transitions and screen effects. The focus is on the message, not the medium.

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Speaking Tips
Avoiding monotone mumble
By Beverly Cohen, Communications Specialist of The Presentation Team

What went wrong?! Why was the audience inattentive? Walking out? Sleeping? The speech was well written and pertinent to the audience. It had a clear purpose and a perfect blend of wisdom and humor. The visuals were on target, too. They were colorful, concise, and supportive of the presentation. Maybe the presenter is suffering from Monotone Mumble.

I went to a seminar recently, and listened to three presenters speak on a truly interesting subject. 30 seconds into Speaker #2, my mind started wandering and I totally lost interest. When Speaker #3 took the podium, I was back on target, attentive and involved in the message. What was different? I couldn't hear Speaker #2! His voice was soft, causing me to strain to hear him. He mumbled his words so his message was lost. Other times he spoke so fast that his words bumped into each other, making them unintelligible. He had Monotone Mumble! These 4 easy tips can help you avoid Monotone Mumble:

• Open your mouth. Keep your jaw and lips loose.
• Vary your rate and volume
• Make an audio tape and listen objectively
• Have a buddy stand in different places in the room where you will be delivering your presentation and listen to you speak.

Remember, your presentation is worthless if your message cannot be heard.

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Success Stories
Financial consultant Harry Pappas Jr. shines at conference with dynamic presentation.

Financial consultant, author and motivational millionaire Harry Pappas Jr. recently addressed a convention of financial planners sponsored by Prudential Securities. His hourlong speech was complemented by a dynamic PowerPoint presentation...developed remotely by The Presentation Team. The presentation combined video, animation, and high-impact visuals on the subject of "How to build and service a thriving business." Pappas shared later that The Presentation Team "exceeded my expectations and created a presentation that blew everyone away!"

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Coming in June

Speaking Tips: Working with visuals
PowerPointers: 5 tips for better visuals

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