Test Driving Your PowerPoint Presentations

It goes without saying that your PowerPoint presentation should be written and designed with your audience in mind. For example, a scientific presentation complete extracts from the European Journal of Endocrinology may work in a room filled with scientists. However, oftentimes, your audience consists of a mix of people with varying backgrounds or a different slant to their expertise. In other words, those individuals more focused on the business end of things may find this presentation very dry. Or even worse, it may go over their head completely. So what can be done in these situations? One solution is writing and designing multiple versions of the presentation that are customized to each audience. However, that can be costly. Another solution is to gear the PowerPoint to a broader audience. To use the same example, perhaps the scientific excerpts could be paraphrased, so that they are understood by all. Or maybe the scientific charts could be simplified and then a link to the original scientific paper could be supplied (for added substantiation and credibility). So lets say you’ve prepared your PowerPoint making sure that it was not overly technical, nor overly simplistic. Would you think you’re ready to present? Well, no, not without test driving it first. What does that mean? You should take the time to assemble a select group representing a cross section of your audience and going through a dry run. Consider this as somewhat of a “focus group” for your presentation. If the material is “over someone’s head” or stated too simplistically, this is when you will get the constructive feedback you need to make necessary adjustments. If you take the extra steps to perfect your PowerPoint now, you will improve your chances for success when the big day of your presentation arrives.