In mid-December, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe recruited The Presentation Team to conduct a 90-minute seminar on effective presentations.  Audience members praised the lively and informative program, which focused on content development, graphics, and effective delivery.  Presentation Team executives plan to market the seminar to businesses and other organizations in 2003.  For information, please visit www.presentationteam.com/news/seminar.

It's a brand new year with a bold new vision for The Presentation Team.  Over the next 12 months the firm plans to strengthen its offerings in custom presentation services, as well as increase its product line of graphical templates, presentation software, audio/visual equipment, and books.  Additionally, a new resources section will be added to the website, providing a comprehensive listing of presentation related products, organizations, and resources of value to presenters.  To get your presentation-related organization listed for free in the resource section, email resources@presentationteam.com.  The PowerPresentations Seminar will also be an asset to companies looking to learn effective presentation strategies.  Keep checking back for other exciting initiatives in 2003!

Presentations Magazine, a nationally distributed publication focused on Technology and Techniques for Effective Communications has contracted Presentation Team president Kevin Lerner as a freelance columnist.  Kevin's first article showcased techniques used to transform an ordinary presentation into a dynamic visual work of art.  Kevin's "Before and After" column will appear several times throughout 2003, and other strategic activities between the publication and Presentation Team are being explored.

If you were one of the lucky recipients of a holiday card from The Presentation Team this year, you're holding a very pricey greeting.  The 80 cards the firm mailed cost approximately $8 each!  How?  The kitsch cards had a colorful front cover featuring holiday images printed on colorful translucent plastic.  On the very first test print through the company's laser printer, the card melted on the fuser unit.  After the smoke cleared (literally), it was clear that the printer was destroyed.  The cards were subsequently printed on an ink jet printer and the new $600 laser printer brought the cost of each card to around $8.00 each. 

S M O K E D !

Digital Juice 2.0 for PowerPoint, the popular collection of graphics and templates is now on 50% off its normal price and is on sale for just $169. The new DVD version (also available on 24 CD-ROMs) contains over 50,000 images...all at your fingertips, helping your to overcome the biggest obstacle to creativity: lack of time. Digital Juice for PowerPoint is easy to use and includes graphics in multiple formats & resolutions. It's powerful, affordable, and fun to use. Find out more...or order now.

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>

PERIL

PEARL

Pauses

Filler words such as umm, ahhh, or you know are vocal irritants and give the impression that you're not familiar with your material.

Use pauses to keep your audience involved. Silence can add suspense, drama, or impact when used at key moments. Pause before you make an important point, to give your audience a chance to absorb what you have to say and  before the punch line of a joke.

Eye contact

Lack of eye contact translates into dishonesty.  Shifty eyes that dart rapidly through the audience convey nervousness.

With a small group, make eye contact with each person. In a large group, select a person in each corner to look at while you are talking.  Maintain eye contact for a complete thought or sentence before moving your eyes to another person.

Action

Excessive movements such as hand flailing, pacing back and forth, or swaying conveys nervousness.

Lack of action creates the perception of fear which results in a stiff and boring presentation.

Use actions that are natural. Use your hands and body appropriately. Step out to the audience and away from the lectern. Move a few steps sideways to indicate transitions in your text.

Rate

A slow speaking rate results in wandering minds that are waiting for you to make your point. Your audience loses interest and possibly even falls asleep.

A pace that is constantly rapid can tire the audience. It makes it difficult to keep track of what you're saying.

Variety adds interest. Vary your rate.  Speeding up shows excitement and enthusiasm and keeps your audience attentive. Use pauses skillfully.

Loudness

Speaking too loudly alienates the audience by creating a perception that you are angry with them.

If your volume is too soft, the audience will need to strain to hear you and lose interest.

Vary your volume. It adds interest and keeps your voice from becoming dull or predictable.

Coming in February
PowerPointers:  Learn to think like a graphic designer
Speaking Tips:  Creating Business Theater

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