Editor's Corner Excerpted from the December 2003 Newsletter Keep Them Fresh If you're looking for a way to keep your presentations fresh, here's an idea: use your daily newspaper. There's always something in the paper that relates to the point you're making; there may even be something directly related to your subject. Indirectly, news items often have a message within that points up the need for common sense (or the expression of it), or the benefits of planning, or goal setting, or vigilance. Read for the point, not just the facts. Directly, they may speak to your subject with facts, research, examples, personal application of your subject. These may be used to open your presentation: "I read a story about ______________ in today's paper perhaps you saw it." Briefly describe the item and what it made you think of in regard to your subject. The description may act as your bridge to the thesis statement: "So today I'm going to tell you 3 reasons we need to be alert to this ourselves." Or it might be used to illustrate one of your points. Current events help make your connection to the audience, and they act as visual verbals--a way to help them listen to and remember your point. It's one of many ways to keep presentations fresh and interesting. Why not try it next time? Dear Teach "Because the mining industry is about as popular with the general public as dinnertime marketing calls, it needs a gentle way to remind people how much mining touches their daily lives and that miners are human beings first and miners second. Yes, even miners want to be loved and appreciated. "The day you spent with members of the Women's Mining Coalition gave us skills and approaches for constructing and delivering our important message of how mining benefits Americans. And I've found that your techniques and principles work across the entire spectrum of speaking needs." Leta Collord, Women's Mining Coalition, Elko, Nevada Using PowerPoint What is the right way to use PowerPoint? As little as possible. That is, use only what you need to make your point. When you're faced with preparing a presentation, try to stay focused on the idea that whatever visuals you use need to be there for a purpose: they're there to give the audience an "aha;" to make it easier for them to understand and remember your point; to allow you to use fewer words to accomplish your purpose. Remember to plan your presentation before thinking about the appropriate slides. One of our subscribers, Don Wilkins, reminded me I should be telling you that if you don't subscribe to Presentations Magazine, you should. He's noticed a change in emphasis in the magazine that makes it a stronger tool for presenters. The November issue had another article dealing with PowerPoint use, that again suggests we should consider using appropriate graphics to make the point rather than bullets. And that bullet points distort and diminish the significance of the intended message. Graphics used to help the audience get the point aren't cute; they're practical. Using them to be cute will almost always backfire. The right way to use PowerPoint is whatever way will make it most likely your audience will do what you want them to do. Quotes to Make You Better If I only had a little humility, I'd be perfect. --Ted Turner A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. --Sir Winston Churchill Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more. --Mark Twain Performance is potential minus interference. -- Larry Wilson Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them. --Lady Bird Johnson Instinct is the nose of the mind. --Madame de Girardin Just when you think you've graduated from the school of experience, someone thinks up a new course. --Mary H. Waldrip Sharing what you have is more important than what you have. --Albert M. Wells

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