I really don’t like PowerPoint. I find it the least effective way to communicate information to an intended audience. I rank telepathy as more effective.
For some reason, none that I can fathom, a lot of lobbyists like taking 62 page slide decks to meetings with politicians and civil servants. They then plod page by page through the slide deck. They don’t look up through their slides and miss the obvious indications that the life blood is being sucked out of the meeting.
The use has been blamed for pitiful performance, including not winning wars (see here).
Barbara Minto in her classic “The Minto Pyramid Principle” (3rd edition) has given me hope that PowerPoint, used well, is a means to enhance communication and not smoother it.
Recommendations
She makes the following recommendations in Chapter 11:.
- Text sides contain only the most significant idea, properly grouped and summarised, and stated as briefly as possible
- Supported by clear exhibits – charts, tables, diagrams
- Reflect well through out storyboard and script
- Ideal Mix of visual and words – 90%-10%.
90%: Charts, tables diagrams
10%: Text
5. Write a script to accompany the text slide. You can bind the text of the script on facing page. This is outline form and omits transitions.
What to show
- Present and support one idea at a time
- Use statement not captions
- Keep the text brief
- Use simple words and numbers
- Make the type size readable – 32 font
- Design the slides to be interesting to look at
I look forward to seeing a slide deck that meets Minto’s ideal.