******************************************************************* Dave Paradi's PowerPoint Tip     Issue #165 August 5, 2008 Published & Copyright by Dave Paradi of ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com Circulation over 8,400 ******************************************************************* Please forward this newsletter to executives and professionals who want to create PowerPoint presentations that sell their ideas, products or services more effectively.  If this newsletter has been sent to you by a friend, sign up to get your own copy at http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/newsletter.htm . ******************************************************************* In this issue: Reminder: New Slide Makeover Video Podcast available Will you join The Visual Slide Revolution? PowerPoint Tip - Using a Venn Diagram Best of the Blog - Why you should attend PowerPoint Live  Dave's Travel Schedule ******************************************************************* Reminder: New Slide Makeover Video Podcast available A new Slide Makeover Video Podcast based on the ideas in "The Visual Slide Revolution" is available for your viewing through the iTunes Store or online. This video podcast shows the transformation of a typical training slide and suggests a technique for adding detail to your file and handouts without overloading your slides.  If you have already subscribed through iTunes or another podcatcher, the new podcast should be automatically downloaded when you next run the program. To subscribe via the iTunes Store or watch online, go to http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/podcasts/index.htm .  Forward the link to others who could benefit by seeing this slide makeover. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Will you join The Visual Slide Revolution? Are you a presenter who wants to transform the overloaded text slides you are using into persuasive visuals?  Don't know how to start?  The solution you have been waiting for is here.  I've just released my latest book, The Visual Slide Revolution, and it explains my five-step KWICK method that I use to create persuasive presentations for my clients.  Read chapter 2 and order your copy at http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/vsr.htm . ------------------------------------------------------------------- PowerPoint Tip: Using a Venn Diagram One of the types of visuals that I review in my workshops is the Venn diagram.  These diagrams were created in 1881 by John Venn as a way to represent relationships in the branch of mathematics known as set theory.  The basic Venn diagram used in presentations shows two partially overlapping shapes, usually circles or ovals, and text to show what belongs to only one shape and what is common to both shapes.  Why might you want to use it in your presentation?  Here are two situations where it helps clearly explain your point. The first is when you are trying to show an overlapping relationship.  It could be amongst roles, departments or product features.  The key message is to show how some elements of each individual role/department/product are unique and some are the same as the other role/department/product.  The Venn diagram makes these distinctions visually clear for your audience. A second situation is when you are showing the intersection of ideas.  A common example right now is to show one circle that represents efficiency and profitability and the other circle represents environmental responsibility.  There are elements that are unique to each, but the intersection is where many organizations are trying to position themselves so that they can meet their objectives in a way that also contributes to the health of the environment. A Venn diagram is one of the built-in diagrams in PowerPoint, but I find it usually better to create my own using shapes and text.  By creating my own, I dictate the size and position of each shape, the degree of overlap and where the explanatory text goes.  By creating each element on its own, I also enable the ability to animate each element so when I show the diagram, I can explain each element individually. Some tips when creating Venn diagrams from my experience: build the diagram in the order you want it to appear so the overlapping looks the way you want it to; use semi-transparent shapes so that the audience sees the overlap clearly; use text boxes instead of adding text to the shapes to give yourself more flexibility; and build the diagram using animation so you can explain each element properly. If you haven't used a Venn diagram to show an overlapping or intersecting relationship, I suggest you sketch it out and see how it can be helpful.  If you need some more detailed instruction on how to create a Venn diagram in PowerPoint, check out the videos at http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/ppthowtovideos.htm . ------------------------------------------------------------------- Best of the Blog - Why you should attend PowerPoint Live Coming up September 21-24 in San Diego is the only user’s conference for PowerPoint, called PowerPoint Live.  I'll be speaking on the Wednesday morning on how you need to design presentations differently when delivering them over the web instead of in person. I wanted to spend a few moments today explaining why I think you, or someone from your organization, should seriously consider attending this meeting. - There is a limit of 200 attendees, meaning that you will get to make personal connections with similar professionals and won't feel like cattle being herded from one session to the next.  Those connections allow you to continue sharing ideas and getting support after the conference finishes. - The sessions are very practical, so you leave with ideas you can implement immediately to improve your presentations. - There is an on-site help desk where the top PowerPoint people in the world sit and freely dispense advice and solutions to your toughest challenges.  You can gather a list of the biggest problems you and your colleagues face and get them all answered here.  Think of how much time that would save. - This is one of the premier gathering places for presentation designers, so you will see and hear the latest and freshest ideas from the top people in the business, like Nancy Duarte, whose firm does Al Gore’s Academy Award winning presentation, and Julie Terberg, whose innovative use of the animation features rival professional videographers. - The focus of the conference is the use of the tool to improve communication, not a technical focus.  While Microsoft reps are there, including the head of the development team, your focus will be practical, not technical, and communication, not features based. If you design and deliver presentations regularly, this is a valuable development opportunity.  If you have people in your Marketing, Communications, or Sales department who develop presentations for others, they will come back armed with new ideas that everyone can benefit from. You can check out all the details at www.PowerPointLive.com, including the entire schedule of sessions, detailed outlines of the content of each session and the social activities to build those networks that provide the ongoing sharing of ideas. I hope to see you there! Other recent blog posts at http://pptideas.blogspot.com : How do you feel when you get ripped off? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave's Travel Schedule I work with business presenters who want to transform their overloaded text slides into persuasive presentations that effectively sell ideas, products and services to decision-makers. My research based PowerPoint Presentation Effectiveness System helps my clients achieve greater productivity and deliver presentations that close more sales.  You can save money by booking me to speak to your organization or conference when I am close to your area for other clients.  Here's where I will be in the next few months: July 28 - August 5 - New York, NY (NSA Convention Aug 2-5) open to the public, register at http://www.mynsa.org/newyork August 12 - Toronto, ON August 22 - Toronto, ON September 5-6 - Kansas City, MO September 21-24 - San Diego, CA for PowerPoint Live, register at http://www.powerpointlive.com September 26 - Cincinnati, OH October 15 - Toronto, ON October 16 - Toronto, ON November 5-7 - Savannah, GA November 30-December 2 - CAPS Convention in Toronto, ON February 21-23, 2009 - Chicago, IL April 23, 2009 - Toronto, ON IAPA post-conference workshop open to the public, details coming in the fall May 8-9, 2009 - Chicago, IL E-mail me at Dave@ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com to discuss how my Think Outside The Slide(tm) sessions can help your organization be more productive and improve communication throughout the organization. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Policy: I will never sell or distribute your e-mail or information to anyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Need articles for your newsletter?  Check out my many articles at: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the books, e-books and other learning tools at: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/resources.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to read back issues of this newsletter, click on the following link to go to the Archives: http://www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com/archives.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft, PowerPoint, Windows and other terms are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.  Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.  All books, products and seminars are independent publications and are not affiliated with, nor have they been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.