There are many simple methods that you can use to help reduce amount of spam coming through to your business. By using these tips, you will not only save yourself time and money, but you will ultimately send a strong message to people send unwanted email.

BEFORE AND AFTER

PP can be used effectively for “befores” and “afters”. If you’re proposing a new greenspace for your complex, perhaps a habitat (which can save your corporation lots of money, BTW), consider photographs.

It works emotionally in other direction as well. The Russians will never forget what Germans did to St. Petersburg and there are plenty of “before” and “after” photos in museums to remind tourists. Did I mention EMOTIONAL IMPACT?

CONCEPT

Photographs and metaphoric graphics (money falling from skies, women leaping over obstacles, scales of justice) are excellent for illustrating concepts. If you use photographs, use best. Sites such as www.comstock.com offer excellent royalty-free photographs. If you are talking about team work, put a picture up there of a crisp photo of a team that appears to be organized, getting along, and positive in attitude. You could call it “suggestive” or “subliminal”.

I give a presentation on innate Strengths, a la StrengthsFinder® profile from Buckingham and Clifton. They have names such as Focus, Activator, Analytic, Strategic, Relator, and Connectedness. I’ve found photographs of people who illustrate these concepts that are pure Eye Candy. They have been well-received. I talk concept, but I let them stare at photograph.

What gets into right brain stays there (see The EQ Foundation Course on my website.) www.gettyimages.com is a great source for images. If you use graphics, use excellent ones. It’s worth paying for them. If you only have 3rd generation graphics, blurred and cheap-looking, you’re better off not using any at all. They make exactly wrong impression, whatever impression you’re trying to make.

GIVE SOME RELIEF

In any presentation it’s good to change style because it wakes your audience up. You can count of many different learning styles in your audience, and it’s good to give each group something. There are different categorizations of learning styles, but consider listening, reading, moving around and touching things, interacting, and creating something.

TWO REASONS WHY IT DOESN’T WORK

When Baby Boomers were in school, they listened to a teacher/lecturer and either looked at him or her, or took notes. For this group, PowerPoint can be “overstimulating.”

Another large group in today’s work place grew up with Sesame Street and treat instructors like a television set, much less PowerPoint. As Ask Expert for ActiveProNews, I’ve received more than one letter from college professors who say students talk, eat, relax and socialize while they try to lecture, as if they were stretched out at home in front of television set. For this group, PowerPoint is way “understimulating.” They don’t give it any respect.

IN SUM, don’t use PowerPoint just because everyone always does. Have a reason.

If you use it, use it judiciously, and well, and use first-class art. Visual images can be as effective as stories, in their impact, and are an emotionally intelligent way to present.

Try varying your presentation and make absolutely sure you could give your whole presentation without PowerPoint. Otherwise you’re faking it, and your audience will know it.

Lastly, here’s a word from someone who’s been in trenches. Another good reason not to automatically rely on PowerPoint is that at least once in your lifetime you'll show up and equipment you need won't be there or won't work.