Free modern Powerpoint template for color-based workshops

Often, presenters undermine their own credibility by using visuals that are outdated and boring.

With the influence of TED talks and Pecha Kucha format presentations, using slides as visual support in 2016 means that your audience are expecting rich, interesting, hi-resolution images with a word or phrase that captures the concept or idea the slide is acting as a mental placeholder for.

That’s it.

The rest is up to you as the speaker to cover the detail and story of the slide with the words that you use.

Here’s a free downloadable template designed specifically for training and facilitation professionals who run communication workshops using Jungian-based colour profiling models. (It’s filled with hi-resolution images that capture the concepts covered in a colourtalk. workshop).

Download and enjoy!

colourtalk. | Powerpoint Template for Colour Workshops

3 Lessons from Dan Gilbert on the power of visual representation

Dan Gilbert is a Harvard professor who, among many other things, demonstrates psychological phenomenon in a series of filmed experiments which double as powerful adverts for the financial services provider, Prudential.

Here’s one of the ads which powerfully demonstrates a concept of imagining large numbers in the future – something we, as humans, find hard to do.

Watch it and note down the effectiveness of the contrast between the figure people imagine they will need for retirement, versus what they will actually need.

3 Lessons Dan teaches us about using visual comparisons in presentations:

1. Large numbers are difficult to imagine for an audience, make comparisons to easily imaginable objects or items instead
2. Imagining future needs and states is difficult for an audience, create a relatable story or physical experience that brings the point you are needing to make home
3. Give your audience as much sensory information as possible to be able to get a picture in their minds

If this topic has piqued your interest, take a listen to the Freakonomics Radio podcast that inspired me to include this clip in my training. (It’s my favorite podcast and marvelous!) Dan is interviewed and explains things well. If you’re curious about the ad itself, watch the making of here.

Happy experimenting!

Connecting to the audience: 3 lessons from Barack Obama

Tailoring your message to your audience as far as is accurately predictable is the best kept secret in putting together a compelling presentation.

Barack Obama (and his team) are masters of this.

This talk is given at University of Cape Town, South Africa to a group of students.

The challenge:
Watch the first 7 mins 14 secs and count how many connection devices he uses to build rapport with his audience.
Post your observations below.

Three lessons from Barack on connecting to your audience:

1. Tailor your stories to be relatable to your audience
2. Use their language or language that is familiar to your audience
3. Make geographical or historical references that are meaningful to your audience

Have fun connecting!

Let’s play a game: Metaphor count

The use of metaphors, analogies and visual language are excellent devices to keep your audience engaged and entertained. It is also a way to make an impact and land your point powerfully.

Below,  John Steenhuisen responds at SONA debate 2016 in 7 min 59 secs jam-packed with visual language.

The challenge?
Watch the clip and keep count of how many visual references, analogies and metaphors he uses.
Post your score below.

Your choice of visual language clearly conveys to your audience what the tone and intended atmosphere should be. Therefore, choose your references wisely and make sure they are aligned with your intended objective with your audience.

Three lessons from John when using metaphors and visual language:

1. Be bold in your use of visual language, it pays off
2. Your choice of words and examples set your tone, be sure it is aligned with your intended objective
3. Use as many visual references as you feel comfortable and authentic getting away with

Have fun and start playing :)

3 lessons in language from Parliament, SONA 2016

Key ingredients in a powerful talk are metaphors, proverbs and visual language. Unfortunately, if not used clearly, they can leave a speaker looking uncertain and undermine their credibility.

Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, falls into that trap at SONA debate 2016, South Africa.

It turns out, she is making use of an Ethiopian proverb. However, without that as an opening explanation to anchor some context, the audience is left desperately trying to figure out what she is saying.

What could she have done differently?

An opening like: “As the Etheopian proverb goes – ‘when a cow gives birth to a fire, she licks the fire’ – meaning; once you have started something, however powerful and potentially negative, only its creator can bring it under control. Equally, only the ANC can nurture and grow what is has started, not another party”.

Three lessons from Tina when using a proverb or metaphor:

1. Contextualize your metaphor before beginning
2. Use bold, visual language that is familiar to your audience
3. Clearly state the link in your closing sentences as to how the metaphor is like the idea you are wishing to express

Have you got any further interpretation of Tina’s metaphor to add?

Let’s hear it below.