PPT - Powerful Presentation Techniques

PPT Shortcuts

Periodically, I'd like to share some PowerPoint shortcuts to help you improve your productivity with the software. 

Here are a couple for today -

1. CTRL M - Insert a new slide
2. CTRL Z - Undo an action

Mindmapping Survey Released

Chuck Frey at Innovation Tools and the Mind Mapping Software blog has released a survey on the utilization and value of mind mapping software.  There were over 500 responses to the survey. 

72.6% of respondents were using MindManager, a software program that we've referenced earlier on this blog.  Also of interest to PPT readers is that when asked "What applications are you currently using mind mappping software for", respondents replied with the following:

• 58% - responded preparing presentations (one of the higher categories)
• 45% - writing
• 31% - training/education

When asked the single biggest benefit they had experienced from using mind mapping software, relevant responses included:

• 8% - visualize information relationships
• 9% - get better organized
• 43% - clarity of thinking

The survey results found that on average mind mapping software increases executive productivity by 20%.  It also found that the reason respondents found that mind mapping was lagging in adoption was that people didn't know about it.

Aloha Wiki! - New Article on Wisconsin Technology Network

Interested in keeping up with some of the latest Web 2.0 techniques?

If so, you'll be interested to read the article that I wrote on wikis - "Joining the Wiki Waki World" that was just published on Wisconsin Technology Network. 

  Paul J Gibler
  the Web Chef

PowerPoint Mobile Presentation Tools

In an earlier posting, I referenced Steve Rubel's (MicroPersuasion) review of ZappTek's iPresentIT, a tool for use with your iPod.  Techworld author Mike Elgan has an article "PowerPoint from the Gadget in Your Pocket" that discusses PowerPoint delivery via your iPod, Blackberry or Treo.  He states that the three key factors to consider and address to be successful in using these tools for mobile presentations are:

1. conversion of PowerPoint slides
2. displaying the converted slides
3. connecting the gadget to a projector

He provides a listing of software and tools for each of these devices.  For the iPod he references the following software to convert and display your sides:

• iPresentIT, the package referenced by Steve Rubel
• ThinkFree Office 3 Show, iPod Edition
• Using iPodSync to synchronize your iPod with your Outlook and then using their free download PowerPoint Exporter to convert PPT slides into .jpegs

To connect your iPod to a projector he suggests the Monster iTV link.

Has anyone had any experience using any of these tools and if so how useful have you found them?

Quotes worth sharing

boredom is your fault
Originally uploaded by irrelephant.

"Someone's boring me. I think it's me."

Dylan Thomas

________________________________________

Are your presentations creating this feeling? Give them a REnewal by rethinking, re-doing, re-energizing, replacing, reimagining, refreshing....

Photo Sharing Sites

Take a look at my post on the Web Chef's e-Bytes about photo sharing site YouREP including links to comparison tables on different photo sharing services.  These services could be of use to presenters looking to inventory their images.

Guy Kawaski 10 - 20 - 30 PPT Rule

10 Slides 20 Minutes 30 Point Typeface

PowerPoint Presentations on iPods

Steve Rubel at Micropersuasion has an interesting post about downloading your PowerPoint presentations into your iPod.  He reviews a tool from ZappTek called iPresentIT  Steve reports that the tool works well with the iPod. 

Given the difficulties I've had with photo uploading, movie and vlog viewing on my relatively new 20GB iPod, I'm not ready to eliminate my laptop and/or a back-up flash drive for my presentations on the road.

Has anyone had experience using an iPod for delivering their presentations?

Mindmapping - Part II

A special thanks to Hobie Swan at MindJet for his earlier comments on PPT about mind mapping for presentations and for providing me with a copy of their software, MindManager Pro 6.  I'll be testing the software out over the next few weeks and reporting on how it works for creating presentations.  My initial impressions are very positive in that the software appears to be very easy and intuitive to use and provides a way to structure and easily re-structure your presentation in an organized fashion.

Mindjet has published various useful case studies including one discussing how Professor Jerry Kang at UCLA has utilized MindManager software to create and deliver classroom lectures.  They also have webinars addressing how the software is being used and a library of maps that have been created.

As a supplement and alternative to the the BPP - Beyond Bullet Points technique, mind mapping could be quite powerful in creating presentations.

Take a moment to remember - 9/11 Memorial

9/11 Memorial
Originally uploaded by todd098.

It is only fitting to remember the horrors of 9/11 today with a striking image of the twin towers at the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Green Bay, WI. Take a moment in your busy days to remember the deaths, destruction and continuing turmoil that has resulted from this horrendous event.