Buckle In!
PowerPoint is a necessary evil. Let’s talk about how to survive a PowerPoint presentation. PowerPoint burst onto the scene in 1987. It launched when PC purchasing increased, and more companies and businesses became computer-savvy. Contrary to popular belief, Bill Gates did not invent PowerPoint. It was created by Robert Gaskins, who originally called it Presenter, under the company Forethought. Who knew he would be responsible for this torturous brain drain?
However, the story gets better. Microsoft got a sweetheart of a deal, paying $14 million for the software. By comparison, Google paid a billion dollars for YouTube. They made it better, of course, and today, we use its stylish features and special effects in our daily business lives. Post-COVID, I doubt it will ever go away.
Jeff’s Going To Present
I recently attended a conference when the “featured presenter” took the stage. Let’s call him “Jeff.” The topic looked interesting. I was ready. A new learning opportunity. After his bio introduction and topic overview, he clicked on slide one. Seated in the front row, I noticed something jarring on the bottom of the slide. It read 2 of 156.
This was the PowerPoint buzz-kill. I was literally stuck in PowerPoint prison, forced to gut out a 156-slide presentation. How he missed that was beyond me. Content aside, it was the longest hour of my life. Have you been there? I turned around and saw the “nodders” and the “bailers” entering a PowerPoint coma or leaving. When Jeff concluded, the next presenter began. Not one break, nor a pause, nor time to stretch. More presenter pain. I had eye strain and a headache, and I was tired and bored.
Between The Speakers
The moderator asked everyone to stand up and stretch: “Before we move on from Jeff’s amazing (long) presentation, let’s all stand up and stretch before our next presentation.” What a simple and brilliant idea. She knew Jeff dragged us through the pit of hell, and so did everyone who decided to leave.
By adding a simple ‘body and mind break,’ everyone in the room had the opportunity to refresh. GREAT IDEA!
That’s what Corporate Calm does.
We come on stage EXACTLY during those intervals. We lead simple and easy techniques to keep your audience focused and energized. Without coffee. Without the need for a Red Bull.
A Lesson Learned
As you build your meeting agenda, remember Jeff. And if Jeff is showing up, we can help with where and when to add that ‘stretching’ value. Corporate Calm helps your audience get through your meetings. I walk on stage, share a story, and take the audience through basic mindfulness and stretching techniques. My rapport creates engagement. It’s simple mind-body stuff. Nothing difficult. No experience is required. Then, I’ll come back at the end to help your audience wind down and prepare for their evening.
What We Do
Audience receptivity is very positive. The approach is well-received. So, we know the grind of PowerPoint and multi-presentation days. I also lead breakout sessions, giving participants a broader overview of how we exhaust our mental energy at a computer each day and forget to care for our bodies. I’ll also lead yoga classes in the morning or evening, with no experience required. Not only that, I care about helping you get through each day. As a result, your teams will be mentally alert, focused, energized, and ready to tackle that next PowerPoint presentation.
I hope this gave you some ideas and solutions for how we at Corporate Calm can help you survive a PowerPoint presentation.