As a student of the presentation game, I’ve watched a lot of presentations in my life. After a while, you can quickly get a sense of those that know what they’re doing, and those that struggle a bit. Unfortunately, recently I joined the ranks of the “struggle a bit” crowd, and if it can happen to me, it can certainly happen to you. The problem? Not leaving well enough alone.
It started harmlessly enough; I was creating a presentation for a charity event. I put just enough creative touches into the presentation to make it interesting, without taking away from the presentation itself. Then I did something I don’t recommend others do: I kept picking at it.
It began with a few extra sound effects. After all, putting a couple of sound effects into a presentation isn’t exactly going to ruin the presentation! Besides, it made me laugh, and if it made me laugh, I knew it was going to make my audience laugh.
Then I began to insert small bits within the presentation, designed to involve the audience. I had a couple strategically placed, and I thought they would create magical moments. Since they looked so good, I put in more – a lot more. I figured they would just strengthen the presentation.
Finally, the flood gates opened and I incorporated video, I inserted multiple presentation fonts, templates, transitions, and other presentation gimmicks. (I mean special effects.) I even found a 20 foot ladder, which I covered with fabric and strategically placed so I could dramatically climb it and continue my presentation towering above my audience. Yes, I was going to take this audience to a place they had never been to before! I had a fever, and that fever was called, “More-Is-Better-Itus.”
Why do so many of us believe that the more we put into a presentation, the better the presentation will be? Are we using the sound, video, templates, transitions, fonts, and gimmicks to build a better presentation? Or could we just be using them as a crutch? It’s a strange irony because the more stuff we put into a presentation, the weaker the presentation becomes. The reason for this is simple: The stuff ultimately gets in the way of the actual content.
That’s exactly what occurred in the presentation I delivered recently. I was consumed by a bad case of “More-Is-Better-Itus.” I threw everything but the kitchen sink at an audience, and my reward was a confused, detached audience that seemed frequently distracted and unable to focus on the content of the presentation. Someone was distracting them, and that someone was me.
The next time you have a presentation that looks sharp and ready to go, please heed my advice: Don’t listen to that voice in your head that wants to keep adding more. You may be getting a little bored with this presentation as you’re practicing it over and over, but that audience you are going to address has never heard it before! Leave the stuff out, and remember these wise words… Leave Well Enough Alone!
Bob..thank you for sharing..you’re right..many times a direct straight forward professional presentation is much more effective than adding a lot of fluff..this also goes with communication with your team..found your article entertaining and freshingly open to even your own vunerabilities..you’re a class act! Stephen
Bob – another gem. You are so right – often the best meals are created from simple recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Rob that rings so true.
When I worked for Accenture years ago the tech partners had to explain to a bunch of potential clients what artificial intelligence and object oriented code was. All attempts at developing a lecture by the tech people failed. Partners were frantic! What they developed was too dry, boring, too many details and concepts. My team was called in to help.
We figured out that we needed to make the abstract concrete. All we ended up doing was create a game in which each participant became parts of an AI system. Very quickly, thu role play, the main concepts became clear to all. Fun, interactive, highly participatory and visual. Simple is oftentimes better.
I especially like your last point that while you may have done this preso dozens of times before, the audience will usually have seen it only once. I run the programming for the Institute for Excellence in Sales & BD (where you’ve spoken!) and I can assure you that people during business hours are wanting great CONTENT. How do to a better job, how to make more sales, how to grow a business. Humor in a business preso is helpful, but actionable CONTENT is king.
Rob – I can’t remember the exact quote……..
“To err is human…..(and something)…is Divine! Maybe you, or one of your followers can fill in the missing blanks!
I love your humilty – and willingness to admit your human ‘frailties’! That’s one of your qualities – that makes you so lovable to us!
As I’ve said before in previous commentary……
The old IBM adage: The “KISS Formula!
…”Keep It Simple, Stupid”!
….LOVE IT!!!
JM
“C.T.”
Rob!
What is it about our insecurity that gets us wanting to do more?
I’ll never forget sitting at a stoplight in my first car at the young age of 16. I was driving a decades old Jeep Cherokee and next to me was a brand new Porsche. I started revving my engine in hopes of seeing a show. The cross traffic light went yellow and I waited in anticipation for my green. As I threw my clutch out and burst off the scene in first gear, my racing partner sat still at the starting line. I sped down the street and watched him calmly enter the intersection at a normal speed in my rear view mirror.
The lesson was huge that day: the Porsche driver taught me how fast his car was by refusing to prove it to me! It was already enough.
How often do we weaken our brand by trying to prove our points that have already been made? I aspire to be like the usual you and leave it alone when it is already perfect.
Thanks for the reminder!
Nic