PowerPoint 103: Top 10 Tools

When producing PowerPoint presentations for clients, these are the tools I’ve come to rely on:

1. A digital recorder. When I start work on a presentation, it’s usually for a client. I like  to interview the client first to establish what messages will be delivered (remember only 3 or 4 key points at most). Having a digital recorder let’s me probe the client and get the information I need without the distraction of writing it all down.

Google. Once you nailed down the key messages, you need to gather the data that will support your arguments. Google is a great place to start your research, but also look at paid services such as Lexis Nexis (for business) or Questia (for academic resources). Another overlooked  resource is your library. In some cities (not Hong Kong!), a library card gives you free online access to thousands of online journals, magazines and newspapers.

OneNote 2007, part of the MS Office family that doesn’t get a lot of attention but is an absolute gem of a program.  Office OneNote 2007 allows you “to gather and organize text, pictures, digital handwriting, audio and video recordings, and more — all in one digital notebook on your computer.”

MS Word, or any other comparable word processor. Word is what I use and it's really the only choice in a corporate environment. Plus, if you buy into the Beyond Bullet Points approach, you’ll be able to make use of the outline template that comes with the book. Start with a general outline and theme, then after you get client approval, begin fleshing out the speech (I will discuss speechwriting in a later post.)

Pencil and plenty of paper. It may be low tech, but as Nancy Duarte points out sketching  is a great way to translate verbal ideas into visual images.

ColorImpact. This interactive color wheel lets you “create beautiful color schemes at the click of a button.”  Almost more than any other element in your presentation, a powerful and compelling color scheme will ensure you’re conveying the appropriate tone: bold or conservative, cool and calm or bright and cheerful.

Tiger Color Transparent Screen Ruler, an invaluable little utility that  helps you keep everything lined up and precise across windows and programs.

Online photo stock libraries. Services such as Dreamstime, Shutterstock and iStock offer thousands of royalty-free and very reasonably priced images. Other services are also available with free photos under Creative Commons licensing. Remember to avoid clichéd situations and try to use images that appear to have been taken by the same photographer.

Adobe Photoshop is the reigning champion of image editors, but it comes with a steep learning curve and high price. Easier, cheaper alternatives are available.

And finally, PPT, or Apple Keynote, the platforms on which you will be creating and showing your presentation. Find inspiration and guidance here and here.