Episode 51: PowerPoint tips every facilitator needs to know with Thomas Krafft
Our guest today knows that in every poor presentation, there is a brilliant presentation waiting to be unleashed.
A wizard of PowerPoint design and presentation physicality, Thomas comes with a deep understanding built from dedicating years to the art of presenting. Fun is his primary weapon and he uses it to break down all walls of nervousness and doubt.
As a member of Toastmasters since 2008, Thomas Krafft from Presentation Boss has given hundreds of speeches, facilitated many workshops and also been the Master of Ceremony for small groups, to hundreds of people.
Thomas and Kate from Presentation Boss are also offering an incredible tool for listeners of the First Time Facilitator audience: PowerPoint tips that every facilitator needs to know.
In this episode you’ll learn:
Why people struggle with using Powerpoint (and why you shouldn’t blame the software for ‘Death by powerpoint’)
Tips and tricks on designing PowerPoint preparations (Hint: Less, is more)
Why you need to consider all of the elements on stage, and whether they're attracting, or detracting from your presentation
Questions to consider while creating PowerPoint slides
Keys to develop your confidence as first-time facilitator
About our guest: Thomas Krafft
Thomas Krafft is the presentation strategy guy and PowerPoint wizard. He does not know a life without public speaking, having spent his entire adult life (plus some) speaking to various audiences.
Fun is his primary weapon, though he comes armed with deep presentation knowledge and understanding built from years dedicated to presentation skills, PowerPoint design and coaching others to improve their skills.
He is a speaker, an MC and co-founder of Presentation Boss; a presentation skills coaching business.
Thomas has spent countless hours specialising in effective design and use of PowerPoint. He needs no excuse to share his passion around the software and champions its proper use to enhance your next presentation. He knows that in every poor presentation is a brilliant presentation - whether it's a talk, keynote or workshop.
Presentation Boss hosts training workshops for corporate teams and groups, provides one-on-one consultation and provide keynote speakers to events.
Fun facts about Thomas:
He is a licensed pilot.
He has a deep fascination for shipwrecks. Deeper than is socially acceptable.
He's tall. 6’6’’. Yes, really. Yes, the weather is lovely up there. No, he doesn’t play basketball. really. Yes, the weather is lovely up there. No, he doesn’t play basketball.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
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Quotes of the show:
“Death by PowerPoint is a user-error; it's not the software's problem. It's doing exactly what it’s told to do.”
“That's what PowerPoints for: we are visual creatures and PowerPoint is a visual tool.”
The slides need to complement what is that you're saying. You need to make your communication more efficient.”
“When you're designing those slides and reviewing those slides and rehearsing, ask yourself all the time- ‘what can I remove from this slide and it still makes sense in the context of my presentation?’”
“Everything that happens on a stage is either attracting or detracting. So it needs to not detract from your presentation and distract from what it is that you're saying.”
“Whatever the presentation is, be at workshop or a main stage presentation or a meeting at work, is that the slides come after the script.”
To me, it's all about communication. It’s all about the art of taking an idea that's inside my head and transferring it inside your head. And I love being able to do that and especially when you're helping people to do something.”
“I always have the goal of people leaving the room is to think about what we spoke about today and try it.”