‘Death by PowerPoint’ is usually the verdict when a presenter’s spoken words make little impact because there are too many slides, and they distract the audience.
There is another reason why those watching and listening are unable to focus.
It is because they were not given clear indications when to read and when to listen. Those indications must come from the presenter.
At Craft of Communication we teach presenters a theatre-based technique that ensures that their audience always knows where to focus.
Actors learn this. It’s essential in big productions, with a lot of people onstage that everyone knows how to Take and Give Focus.
In the business sector, this theatre skill has four main applications:
- It is the key to a professional PowerPoint technique.
- It ensures good teamwork when more than one speaker is presenting
- It is essential when demonstrating products
- It is useful in managing Q & A sessions, particularly when a presenter has to deal with difficult or negative questions.