Welcome to the January/February edition of PowerPresentations, The Presentation Team's monthly e-newsletter featuring tips and pointers of importance to today's busy business presenter. As we enter 2002, there's a feeling of optimism throughout America.  Why not greet this year of opportunity with a great presentation? 

This month's newsletter gives tips and pointers on how to organize, develop and present more effectively.  We welcome your comments and suggestions, and encourage you to share this newsletter with your friends or colleagues.

In this Issue

Company News: Presentation Team officially incorporated...Adam Bricker joins as Director of Sales and Marketing
Specials and Promotions:  Free PowerPoint facelifts and custom Template Design packages
PowerPointers:  Make your presentation shine with stock photos and clip media
Speaking Tips:  In the Beginning: Know Your Location
Success Stories:  Spirit of Caregiving's presentation helps healthcare pros bring compassion to their work.

Company News
Presentation Team officially incorporated … Adam Bricker joins as Director of Sales and Marketing

Like a child leaving home, The Presentation Team left the nest of parent company Creative Multimedia Corporation on January 1st to become its own corporation.  Launched in 1999 as a brand name of Creative Multimedia Corporation, The Presentation Team quickly took on a life of its own as "America's Presentation Experts," attracting 4 times the web traffic as its full-service multimedia parent firm.  Executives, realizing the strategic value of a presentation-specific company, developed an entirely new business model focused on rapid delivery of high-end presentation services and products.  Creative Multimedia, now a division of The Presentation Team, continues to offer an array of multimedia services including CD-ROM development, Internet design, Video production, and Graphic Design.

Pledging to triple sales in 2002, Mr. Adam Bricker enthusiastically joined The Presentation Team in January as Director of Sales and Marketing.  Through his company, Leadz.com, Bricker brings a unique blend of e-marketing and sales experience.  His work will focus on developing new sales channels and enhancing customer service.  Bricker will be working in the position together with strategic partners All Business Production, All Pro Duplication and Star Dreams Studios.

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Specials and Promotions
Free PowerPoint Facelifts...and the $695 Custom Template Design Package

With the increased prevalence of amateur PowerPoint presentations throughout the corporate market,  The Presentation Team has launched a unique marketing strategy: send them your best- or worst- presentation (at least 20 pages) and they'll pick one slide to enhance and improve... absolutely free. The Free Facelift Service is aimed at companies which have existing PowerPoint presentations but are considering an enhancement. "We want to showcase our value, efficiency, creativity and customer service with this challenge that we can improve any standard PowerPoint presentation," explained executive director Kevin Lerner. <Details>

Want your presentation to sizzle without spending a lot?  The Presentation Team's Custom Template Design Package may be the solution. For just $695, clients get 3 uniquely original variations of Title Masters and Body Masters for PowerPoint. The service also includes up to two hours of presentation consultation. Often incorporating existing photography and branding elements, the service is touted as a cost-effective way for companies- especially startups- to quickly and professionally transform their existing presentations. <Details>

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PowerPointers
Make your presentation shine with stock photos and clip media
By Kevin Lerner, Executive Director of The Presentation Team

Let’s face it:  we live in a visual world.  Today's audiences are demanding of a high-impact presentation experience.  So how do you make your presentation shine graphically?  First, it's important to make sure your message is clear and on target.  Before diving into the graphic selection process, focus on the content.  Once you’re comfortable with the flow of the presentation, it's time to get creative.  Finding appropriate graphics for presentations can turn into a full-time job, so plan accordingly. 

PowerPoint comes with a huge clipart collection to get your started.   It's a simple matter of "Insert...Picture....Clip Art."  PowerPoint will import virtually any type of stock media.  You can either cut and paste from Photoshop or Freehand or bring the file in directly by using the Insert menu.

However, PowerPoint’s clipart library, while convenient and versatile, is often regarded as amateurish.  Making your presentation look different from a standard PowerPoint presentation requires outside resources.   Clip media, including photography, vector-based clip art, sounds, music and backgrounds are available- some for free, some for a fee-  to the savvy searcher.  Indeed clip media has become a booming industry brought about by the digital age. 

Basic clip media packages available at most computer supply shops, though more professional packages are available from Publisher's Toolbox.  The Presentation Team's alliance partners StudioF and PresentationPro also provide a solid offering of presentation-related backgrounds and templates. 

Incorporating these images into a photo editing program like Photoshop can provide amazingly compelling graphics.  But, a word of warning:  don't go overboard with clip media!  Too many pictures or sounds can detract from the impact of your message and lessen the presentation's power.  But with the proper planning and research, you'll discover the resources to create a world class presentation.

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Speaking Tips
In the Beginning…Know The Program Format
By Beverly Cohen, Communications Specialist of The Presentation Team

Like a world traveler preparing for a trip to a foreign country, preparing for a successful speaking engagement also takes research and preparation.  Last issue, we discussed the importance of knowing the audience and becoming familiar with the location (the land and its people). This issue, we focus on the importance of working in harmony with the environment.  You can help understand your environment and plan for a successful presentation by asking the right questions…

1.       What time of day is the presentation? The audience receptivity and sitting power is affected when you are speaking.  If it's early in the day, you can be more serious, but if you are scheduled in the late afternoon or evening you will need a more entertaining format.

2.       How long will you speak?  The shorter the speech, the more compact it needs to be.  Long speeches are easier to prepare, but if it is lengthy, more physical activity is required for you to keep the attention of your audience.

3.       Are you the only speaker?  Who are the other speakers?  Will you be the first speaker? The second?  The last?  Allow time between speeches for you to arrange your materials, props, etc.  If you are a "filler"and not the featured speaker, fill the slot with powerful, memorable material.  Be original, enthusiastic and energetic!  Referring in a positive way to the other speakers and their material in your presentation will add dignity to your content and continuity to the entire program.

4.       Who will introduce you?  Write your own introduction if you want certain accomplishments announced.

5.       Will food be served?  Will you be competing with dish clatter?  With people eating?  Will they be hungry and thinking only of their next meal, or is it after dinner and they are a bit drowsy because of the meal?  Gear your pace and content accordingly.  It should be brief, relaxing in content, and have frequent references to the audience.

By knowing the answers to these important questions, you can be assured a smoother and more effective presentation.

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Success Stories
Spirit of CareGiving's presentation helps healthcare pros bring compassion to their work.

With a mission to inspire healthcare professionals to discover the "Spirit of Caregiving," Orlando-based Lant & Associates turned to The Presentation Team to give their powerful message a powerful new look.  Less than 3 weeks later, Lant & Associates’ trainers were conducting their seminars throughout the United States using the Presentation Team’s graphically compelling 120-slide PowerPoint show.  Thomas Lant, the firm's president and CEO shared that audiences have been moved and inspired by the presentation, echoing that, " 'This is the best design work I have seen in a long time!  I love it!  Where did you find these people?'  These are not just words…they are expressions and reactions to the work that you have done on behalf of our organization. They are words from our staff, our printers, and our clients. They are words that I feel are inadequate to express what you have done for our organization."

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