Key Elements of Impactful Presentations

Last night, former President Obama and First Lady Michelle reminded us of the power of compelling storytelling in their speeches at the Democratic National Convention. But what’s the secret behind these moments of excellence? Jon Favreau, Obama’s former director of speechwriting, shared five golden rules that are just as applicable to our business presentations as they are to political speeches. Here are five insights you can apply when delivering your next presentation, whether on stage, in a meeting, or in the boardroom: 1. The story is more important than the words Too often, we focus on the right words, but the real question is, “What story am I telling?” Before writing a speech, Favreau would always begin with a conversation, drawing on Obama’s ability to outline a clear narrative first and build the words around it. Always start with the story you’re trying to convey—it’s the backbone of your message. 2. Keep it simple Long presentations may feel thorough, but they are often forgettable. Favreau emphasized brevity: aim for twenty minutes or less. "A speech about everything is a speech about nothing." Narrow your message down to the essential points. 3. Address counterarguments upfront Don’t wait for the Q&A to address objections. In business, as in politics, it's key to acknowledge opposing views and deal with them during your presentation. When Obama delivered his Health Care Reform Plan, he anticipated objections and tackled them head-on. 4. Empathy is key Knowing your audience isn’t enough. You have to step into their shoes. Obama’s speeches resonated because they were written in a language his audience understood. Whether you're presenting to colleagues, clients, or an entire audience, connect by understanding their challenges and perspectives. 5. Persuasion requires inspiration Logic alone won’t motivate. The best way to connect is through stories that touch the heart. In Obama’s 2008 victory speech, Favreau chose the story of Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old woman who had seen the full spectrum of progress in America. Her story was the perfect reminder that change, though slow, is always possible. Whether you're stepping on stage or presenting in the boardroom, these timeless tips from Obama’s speechwriting playbook can help you connect with your audience, deliver your message effectively, and inspire action. What stories are you sharing in your presentations? #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Empathy #Inspiration

Many amazing presenters fall into the trap of believing their data will speak for itself. But it never does… Our brains aren't spreadsheets, they're story processors. You may understand the importance of your data, but don't assume others do too. The truth is, data alone doesn't persuade…but the impact it has on your audience's lives does. Your job is to tell that story in your presentation. Here are a few steps to help transform your data into a story: 1. Formulate your Data Point of View. Your "DataPOV" is the big idea that all your data supports. It's not a finding; it's a clear recommendation based on what the data is telling you. Instead of "Our turnover rate increased 15% this quarter," your DataPOV might be "We need to invest $200K in management training because exit interviews show poor leadership is causing $1.2M in turnover costs." This becomes the north star for every slide, chart, and talking point. 2. Turn your DataPOV into a narrative arc. Build a complete story structure that moves from "what is" to "what could be." Open with current reality (supported by your data), build tension by showing what's at stake if nothing changes, then resolve with your recommended action. Every data point should advance this narrative, not just exist as isolated information. 3. Know your audience's decision-making role. Tailor your story based on whether your audience is a decision-maker, influencer, or implementer. Executives want clear implications and next steps. Match your storytelling pattern to their role and what you need from them. 4. Humanize your data. Behind every data point is a person with hopes, challenges, and aspirations. Instead of saying "60% of users requested this feature," share how specific individuals are struggling without it. The difference between being heard and being remembered comes down to this simple shift from stats to stories. Next time you're preparing to present data, ask yourself: "Is this just a data dump, or am I guiding my audience toward a new way of thinking?" #DataStorytelling #LeadershipCommunication #CommunicationSkills

I talk on a lot of different stages to a lot of very different groups of people. Over the years, I've adopted three practices that I think are fundamental to making a keynote memorable. 1️⃣ Do Your Homework. Before every talk, I study up on the event and its audience. I ask a lot of questions of the planners about their theme and goals. I get detailed information about the audience - who will be attending, their backgrounds, where they are in their careers, what issues are top of mind for them. And I read up on the organization itself, learning the names of key players and adjusting my slides and talking points to speak to industry trends. This ensures my keynotes feel personalized, relevant, and valuable to the people listening. 2️⃣ Keep It Personal and Punchy. Most of my talks start with a personal story. I think audiences need to feel connected to a speaker first, before they can connect to that speaker's content. Then, throughout my presentation, I make sure my slides are punchy, visually bold, light on text, and big on impact. I share key points in easy-to-digest bites, peppering in compelling quotes, fascinating case studies or research statistics, simple tips or lists, and emotive video clips. These tactics help to keep the energy high throughout the hour. 3️⃣ Share a Moment of Magic. My presentations always include something unexpected—a surprising activity, a sleight of hand, or an interactive exercise. I call these "moments of magic" that break the audience out of the mundane, repetitive, talking head experiences of a typical conference day. And I invest a lot of time in conceiving new ways to add that magic element. These moments make your presentation refreshing and memorable. I have met many people years after they saw me speak, and they will tell me how much they remember a specific quote or activity that I did with the audience. I believe these three practices can turn keynotes from just "a speech" into an impactful experience. And a great experience will leave a lasting impression long after an event is over. #KeynoteSpeaker #Events #ThoughtLeadership #PersonalConnection #AudienceConnection #KeynoteSpeakerEvents #Connections #KeynoteLearnings #Lessons #Growth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Events

A small tragedy new communicators never see coming: Even right after they walk off stage, no one can tell you their main point. Why? It's not always because... → The idea wasn't strong enough → The delivery wasn't confident enough → The speaker wasn't prepared enough It's often something much more subtle. Ready for why main points get missed? → It’s the presentation. The speaker shared their big idea... but with the exact same... ❌ build-up ❌ energy ❌ explanation they used for all their other SUB-points. The food showed up, but it was plated so poorly that people didn't even realize it was the main course. Your big idea needs to be treated like... → the BIG idea. You have to pay special attention to how you serve it up. BEFORE you share it, you need... ✅ Some hype ✅ Some build-up ✅ Some verbal cues AFTER you hit it, you need... ✅ Immediate examples ✅ Metaphors to illustrate it ✅ A case study to prove it Here’s a four-step framework I teach my clients (and use myself, delivering 70-80 talks per year): 1️⃣ Use a Differentiation Phrase → Set up a contrast that adds clarity. ✔️ For years, I thought (x), but... ✔️ Most of you probably think (x), but... ✔️ You may have heard people say (x), but... 2️⃣ Use a Drum-Roll Phrase → Cue your audience that the big idea is coming. ✔️ Here's the reason I'm on this stage today. ✔️ If you only hear one thing from me today, it's this: ✔️ What the last 10 years have convinced me of is this... 3️⃣ Drop the Big Idea → Make sure it's clear and punchy. ✔️ Now I know [Big Idea]. ✔️ I firmly believe [Big Idea]. ✔️ I've come to understand that [Big Idea]. 4️⃣ Drive It Home → Immediately follow up your big idea with a concrete way to drive it home. ✔️ Story: Here's how this plays out... ✔️ Case Study: Here's a real-life example... ✔️ Metaphor: The easiest way to understand this is to think of it like a... Try it in your next big talk. You’ve got this!

Creating effective PowerPoint presentations is an essential skill for administrative professionals. Here are some tips to help you create compelling and professional presentations: 1. Plan Your Presentation Outline Your Content: You can start with a clear presentation outline. Determine the main points you want to cover and the order in which you will present them. Set Clear Objectives: Know what you want to achieve with your presentation. This will guide your content and design choices. 2. Design with Clarity and Simplicity Use Consistent Themes: Choose a professional theme and stick with it throughout the presentation. This creates a cohesive look. Limit Text on Slides: Aim for a maximum of 6 bullet points per slide, with no more than six words per bullet point. This keeps slides easy to read and visually appealing. High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images and graphics. Avoid pixelated or stretched images. Readable Fonts: Use sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri. Ensure the font size is large enough to be read from the back of the room (minimum 24pt for body text). 3. Master the Tools Shortcuts and Tools: Learn keyboard shortcuts for quicker editing. Use tools like SmartArt to create diagrams and infographics. Templates and Slide Masters: Use PowerPoint templates and slide masters to maintain consistency across your presentation. This saves time and ensures uniformity. 4. Effective Use of Data Charts and Graphs: Present data using charts and graphs. Choose the correct type of chart for your data (e.g., pie charts for proportions, line charts for trends). Simplify Data: Don’t overload slides with too much data. Highlight key points and trends. 5. Visual Hierarchy Highlight Important Information: Use font size, bold text, and colors to emphasize key points. Whitespace: Use whitespace to avoid clutter and make slides easier to read. 6. Practice Delivery Rehearse: Practice delivering your presentation multiple times. This helps you become familiar with the content and timing. Feedback: Get feedback from colleagues and make necessary adjustments. 7. Technical Preparedness Check Equipment: Ensure all equipment (projector, computer, etc.) is working before your presentation. Backup: Always have a backup of your presentation on a USB drive or in the cloud. 8. Know Your Audience Tailor Content: Adapt your presentation content and style to suit your audience's knowledge level and interests. Engagement Strategies: Consider how to engage different types of audiences, such as executives, clients, or colleagues. 9. Review and Edit Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors. Ensure all information is accurate. Consistency: Review the presentation for consistency in fonts, colors, and slide layouts.

If you want your next presentation to inform, engage, and stick, this is the framework you need….. One of my best reads (A summary) Fact: AI slide generators won’t save you. Powerful slides aren’t about automation. Slides aren’t filler. They’re the frame that holds your message; visually, cognitively, and emotionally. A single slide can speak more powerfully than 10 spoken minutes when done well. ——————————————— ➊ 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 ➜ A slide = one thought. No more. No less. 📌 Break complex ideas into digestible visuals. ➋ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲” ➜ If it takes longer than a minute to explain a slide… 📌 It’s doing too much. Cut or split it. ➌ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 ➜ “Results” isn’t a heading. 📌 Try: “This method increases accuracy by 37%.” ➍ 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 ➜ If you won’t speak to it, delete it. 📌 Every extra label is cognitive noise. ➎ 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 ➜ Add references as you build, not at the end. 📌 A polished slide acknowledges others. ➏ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 ➜ Visuals aren’t decoration; they’re delivery tools. 📌 Avoid text-only slides. Always. ➐ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 ➜ 6 elements max. 📌 Use white space, bold selectively, and avoid clutter. ➑ 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 ➜ If they hear nothing, can they still see the takeaway? 📌 Assume your viewer is half-tuned in and still make an impact. ➒ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 = 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 ➜ Your transitions reveal your thinking. 📌 Practicing reveals which slides don’t flow. ➓ 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 ➜ PDFs > animations. Backup slides > failed videos. 📌 Assume something will break and prepare for it. ——————————————— 📍Your slides are not your script. They’re not your paper. They’re your audience’s window into your idea. Make every second of their attention count. 💬 Which slide mistake are you guilty of and ready to fix? ♻️ Repost to help someone transform their next research talk. 📄 Reference: Naegle, K. M. (2021). Ten simple rules for effective presentation slides. PLOS Computational Biology, 17(12): e1009554. #PresentationTips #SlideDesign #AcademicCommunication

Things more exciting than most tech presentations: Reading error logs Filing expense reports Completing annual mandatory training I know because I'm guilty. I've put entire rooms to sleep. Multiple times. In multiple companies. With multiple topics. I used to blame: Complex tech topics Dense subject matter Post-lunch time slots But here's what changed everything... 5 presentation tips that will (actually) save you from my mistakes - courtesy of my friend Christopher Chin: 1/ Speak to Their Needs, Not Your Wants. Don't just talk about what interests you. Focus on their priorities. Address their pain points. That's how you make content stick. (Your expertise means nothing until they care) 2/ Slides Support, You Lead Your slides aren't the presentation. You are. Build your story first. Add visuals later. Keep them simple. Make them reinforce, not replace. (If your slides can present without you, why are you there?) 3/ Start with a Bang First 60 seconds are critical. Hook them early. Intrigue them. Surprise them. Make them lean in. No slow warm-ups. (Lose them here, lose them forever) 4/ Think Conversation, Not Presentation One-way talks kill attention. Add polls throughout. Mix in Q&A sessions. Make it interactive. Turn monologue into dialogue. (Every 10 minutes of pure talking costs you at least 20% of your audience) 5/ Finish Strong with Action Great presentations drive change. End with clear next steps. Make the path forward obvious. Tell them exactly what to do next. (No action = no impact) The secret? Great presentations aren't about talent. They're about technique. Learn the technique. Master the room. Who else has cleared a room with a presentation? 😴 Do give my good friend Christopher a follow to become a more effective communicator.

📖💡#UnforgettablePresence Insight of the Week: Why is it that subpar business presentations have become an accepted norm? As keynote speaker and founder Richard Mulholland shared with me, if your punctuality was as poor as the average presentation, you’d be fired on the spot. In my latest conversation with Rich Mulholland, a presentation expert and one of my awesome mentors, we dug deep into what makes or breaks a presentation. But — what makes a presentation bad isn’t what you might automatically think. He emphasized that the key to a memorable presentation isn’t just beautiful slides. Tools like Canva have certainly made it easier to create visually stunning content, but that’s not enough. The core issue lies in the structure and content. According to Rich, a presentation needs three critical components: ✅ Good Content – Content that resonates with your audience. ✅ Proper Structure – A framework that makes your message digestible. ✅ Compelling Visuals – Slides that enhance, not overshadow, your message. Rich’s Action Framework is a powerful tool to structure your presentations effectively: 1️⃣ Give them a reason to care If your audience doesn't care about your topic, they won’t listen. 2️⃣ Give them a reason to believe Establish credibility. Why should they trust you? 3️⃣ Tell them what they need to know  Focus on three big takeaways. 4️⃣ Tell them what they need to do Your call to action. What’s the next step? At the end of the day, delivering a great presentation is about making your audience remember your message and, most importantly, inspiring them to take action. 💬 What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to creating presentations? What are some subpar presentation norms that get on your nerves? 😂 How do you ensure your message sticks with your audience? Share your thoughts below! (I share more about how to turn presentations into your superpower in Chapter 7 of my upcoming book.) ************** Do you feel like you’re doing everything right but struggling to reach the next level in your career? In my upcoming book 𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, I share my personal strategies and lessons from top business leaders to help you build the presence needed to thrive in your career. Sign up for updates and bonuses: lorraineklee.com/book #UnforgettablePresenceBook #BookInsights #UnforgettablePresence

My CPO left our product review meeting confused because of my ONE mistake. I didn't know the importance of storytelling. Despite spending weeks preparing the strategy, roadmap, and potential impact - 5 minutes into the meeting I could see my audience wasn't impressed. My confidence took a nosedive but that day taught me the most impactful lesson of my career: Understand how your audience wants to be spoken to. Since then, whether preparing presentations for roadmap walkthroughs, initiative kick-offs, promotions, or interviews, I craft a story around these 3 core questions: ↳ What is the decision to be made? ↳ What does my audience care for? ↳ What is the specific ask? And I highly recommend following these 3 steps to make your mark: ↳ Before presenting: Understand your audience and what matters to them. Engage in 1:1 conversations before the meeting to learn about their concerns and objections. ↳ While presenting: - Share your ask briefly. - Outline the problem in one sentence. - Present the TL;DR version of the solution, highlighting the business impact before/after your solution – save the details for later. - Showcase the impact of your solution on the target customer's life (behavior, usage, adoption, churn, etc.). ↳ Closing your presentation: - Recap the problem and your proposed solution. Repeat your ask. Make every word and minute count. Storytelling may seem underrated but it absolutely isn't. ---- If you found this post helpful, re-share it so it can benefit more PMs. Follow Bosky Mukherjee, Product Coach for more stories and tech career insights! 😊 #productmanager #productmanagement #womeninproduct #storytelling

Communicating complex data insights to stakeholders who may not have a technical background is crucial for the success of any data science project. Here are some personal tips that I've learned over the years while working in consulting: 1. Know Your Audience: Understand who your audience is and what they care about. Tailor your presentation to address their specific concerns and interests. Use language and examples that are relevant and easily understandable to them. 2. Simplify the Message: Distill your findings into clear, concise messages. Avoid jargon and technical terms that may confuse your audience. Focus on the key insights and their implications rather than the intricate details of your analysis. 3. Use Visuals Wisely: Leverage charts, graphs, and infographics to convey your data visually. Visuals can help illustrate trends and patterns more effectively than numbers alone. Ensure your visuals are simple, clean, and directly support your key points. 4. Tell a Story: Frame your data within a narrative that guides your audience through the insights. Start with the problem, present your analysis, and conclude with actionable recommendations. Storytelling helps make the data more relatable and memorable. 5. Highlight the Impact: Explain the real-world impact of your findings. How do they affect the business or the problem at hand? Stakeholders are more likely to engage with your presentation if they understand the tangible benefits of your insights. 6. Practice Active Listening: Encourage questions and feedback from your audience. Listen actively and be prepared to explain or reframe your points as needed. This shows respect for their perspective and helps ensure they fully grasp your message. Share your tips or experiences in presenting data science projects in the comments below! Let’s learn from each other. 🌟 #DataScience #PresentationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #TechToNonTech #StakeholderEngagement #DataVisualization