In today’s fast-paced world, presentations have become an integral part life for many trainers. But it’s not just in the training room that we see the use (and abuse) of PowerPoint: from business meetings to academic lectures, we are bombarded with slides and charts on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many of these presentations are dull and over-long, leaving audiences feeling disengaged and bored. This phenomenon has become so widespread that it has earned its own nickname: Death by PowerPoint. 

Death by PowerPoint refers to the monotony that often characterises training, and other presentations, that are filled with slides, charts, and bullet points. These presentations are usually delivered in a robotic and uninspired manner, lacking any sort of enthusiasm or creativity. As a result, audiences are left feeling disengaged and bored, making it difficult for the presenter to effectively convey their message. 

There are several reasons why Death by PowerPoint has become so prevalent. Firstly, many presenters rely on slides as a crutch, using them to compensate for a lack of preparation or public speaking skills. Secondly, many presenters are not trained in design and aesthetics, resulting in slides that are cluttered, confusing, and unappealing to the eye. Finally, many presenters are simply unaware of the impact that their presentations are having on their audience, leading to a lack of engagement and interaction. 

To avoid Death by PowerPoint, it is important to remember that a presentation is not just about the slides; it’s about the message you are trying to convey. Here are some tips to help you create engaging and effective presentations:

1. Keep it simple: Avoid cluttered slides and stick to a minimalistic design. Use images and graphics to help illustrate your message and keep text to a minimum.

2. Engage your audience: Encourage interaction and engagement by asking questions, inviting feedback, and using humour to break up the monotony.

3. Preparation is key: Take the time to prepare and rehearse your presentation, and ensure that your content is well-organised and easy to follow.

4. Show passion: Show your enthusiasm for the topic, and let your personality shine through. This will help to captivate your audience and keep them engaged.

Death by PowerPoint is a common problem, but one that can be easily avoided. Our Introduction to Training course will help your team to create training sessions that actually work, so book your place today.