Customized training to create persuasive PowerPoint presentations that effectively communicate your message

Have you identified presentation skills as a key development area for your team? If so, it’s probably not because they are nervous and stumbling over themselves when they speak. More likely it’s because their slides and delivery are cluttered, confusing and unclear, perhaps even boring… and as a result, their message is not nearly as effective as it could be.

So a traditional public speaking course and a runthrough on the basics of PowerPoint is NOT going to solve the problem.

What is going to solve the problem is a training session that:

• Is highly customized to the type of presentations your team makes
• Features practical ideas they can apply immediately
• Won’t take them out of the office for days
• Is cost effective.

My one-day workshop does just that.

“Dave helped give my sales team a new perspective on how to deliver effective business presentations. He is a true expert in the field and is a very strong communicator.”
Vic Klassen, Sales Management, Toronto, ON

My customized one-day training workshops provide practical ideas that participants say changed the way they look at presentations forever. Presenting effectively is more than just PowerPoint. These workshops integrate proven communication principles with specific techniques to create persuasive PowerPoint presentations that get the message across effectively.

The workshops cover key areas such as presentation structure, slide design, creating persuasive visuals, handouts and delivery. This is much more than a technical course would cover and it is more practical than the typical presentation skills or public speaking courses. You get a strategic perspective on effective presenting along with practical ways to use PowerPoint to inform and persuade. To see a full list of topics that you can choose from, click here.

The specific topics for each workshop are decided upon after you and I discuss the types of presentations your team is doing and the areas where you see a need for improvement. I review some of the existing presentations to uncover other areas that we should include. This ensures that the day is spent only on topics of greatest impact to your team. No filler or general discussion that wastes their valuable time.

“If you want to use PowerPoint as a powerful communications tool, get Dave's advice. He knows how to tell a story with a presentation and create the "ah ha!" moments with visuals, and how to share those insights in a very helpful way with clients.” 
Debra Silimeo, VP, Communications Consulting Firm, Washington, DC

Every workshop also includes custom slide makeovers of some of the slides the participants are currently using in their presentations. This is usually the single most impactful part of the day. The participants get to see the ideas we have talked about applied to their own slides. Once they see the positive impact of the ideas demonstrated in their own presentations, they commit to putting the ideas in action.

While this is not a technical course, I include brief technical demonstrations when necessary to demonstrate a technique or idea I have just shared.  I can also include more technical demonstrations during a discussion period or as a specific portion of the session dedicated to that topic. The goal is to show them the few things they need to know in order to use the ideas when they get back to their desk. If you are looking for a PowerPoint basics or 101 level course, this is not the workshop for you.

My name is Dave Paradi and I am one of North America’s acknowledged experts in the presentation community. I am the author or co-author of five books and my book, The Visual Slide Revolution, was named as one of the Top 10 Business Books of 2008 by Canada’s leading national business newspaper. I have presented keynotes at two Presentation Summit conferences, I have spoken all over North America and I consulted on a presentation used to brief one of President Obama’s cabinet ministers. You won’t be hearing from a techie who has never walked in your shoes. I make my living presenting, so you know my ideas are based on real-world experience and I demonstrate them in how I present. Click here to watch a 13 minute video that shows you my presentation style during a live session.

The ideas are also backed up by academic research. These aren’t just ideas I thought up. I am an adjunct faculty member at Rush University, I have read the academic research and I have presented at two conferences of Business Communications professors. I also do my own research that has been published in major newspapers and other authors books. My articles are regularly on the reading list for college and university courses. There is a solid foundation behind what I present, so you are assured that it is not just theory and pie-in-the-sky thinking.

“We had Dave come in for a day of training. He was able to customize the training to what was requested and did a great job. Dave has a way of breaking things down and making everything doable. His teaching is incredibly practical. He is connected to the latest thinking, resources and leaders in the world of presentations.”
Donna Sparkes, CBC, Toronto, ON

In addition to my books, I have written more than 100 articles. I have produced over 250 issues of my bi-weekly tips newsletter that is sent to over 8,200 people around the world. My slide makeover videos have been viewed over 80,000 times on my YouTube channel and Brainshark site. I have a deep well of knowledge and experience to draw upon, so I can respond to the questions or situations that come up.

I ensure that your team will be able to apply the ideas I share by presenting with only plain vanilla PowerPoint. I don’t use any add-ins or plug-ins so that everything the participants see me do, they can do as well. I don’t use Photoshop or image software to create the visuals. I know your team won’t have any extra software other than PowerPoint for their presentations and I want them to see the incredible hidden power they already have with the software they use every day. And if you have an existing template, we’ll show how to make the most of it so the participants see that we can create persuasive PowerPoint visuals while adhering to the corporate design standards.

I have worked with organizations in many different industries and people in many different roles. I’ve worked in sectors such as financial services, distribution, construction, manufacturing, non-profit, government, travel, academic and others. Participants have been analysts, managers, executives, engineers, sales professionals, marketing professionals, and support staff. You can see a full client list here. I am comfortable with the unique challenges you face in your presentations because I have seen so many perspectives and situations. And since I have helped people make more effective PowerPoint presentations when they are presenting in-person, via the web or by e-mail, I have the experience to discuss any delivery vehicle with the group.

My background enables me to understand a wide variety of presentation topics, such as technical, financial, sales, operational and organizational. I have a strong technical background, with a degree in Chemical Engineering and over 25 years of applying technology to solve business problems. My extensive business background includes an MBA, over 8 years of work in the operations and industry committees of the mutual fund industry, and more than 12 years of running my own company. I am not a graphic designer, I am a business professional who understands the demands placed on business presenters today. No matter what the topic of your presentations, I will be able to understand them and give advice on how to make them more effective.  Read this page to make sure I am the right expert to help your team.

I ensure that participants are able to implement the ideas by providing a detailed handout before I speak. This handout contains almost every slide I use so that they are not spending time copying down everything I say. They have the space and time to capture how they will apply the ideas to their own presentations. By the end of the day, they have an action plan to take back to the office of how they will improve their presentations.

“I was able to think of situations where every point would be used in my job. I have never been to a session such as this where I am able to use such a high percentage of the content.”
Denise D., Change Agent, Engineering Company

"Numerous fundamental presentation approaches, rules, etc., along with insightful technical guidance for utilizing PowerPoint."
Dave M., Director of Finance

I also offer web based resources for the participants to use. My online Color Contrast Calculator helps them select colors that will be easily seen when projected. The Font Size table makes it easy to select the correct size of font based on the room size and screen size. I’ve even created a special site that they can access over a mobile device that gives them quick solutions to 26 of the most common problems they may run into when out presenting. I also offer numerous "how-to" video tutorials on using PowerPoint and links to the best tutorials from PowerPoint experts. Add on my newsletter, blog, and slide makeover videos on YouTube or Brainshark, and your team will have a continuing stream of new ideas that will help them after the workshop day is done.

You can take the learning even deeper and make it continue longer by providing some of my learning resources for each participant. This is completely optional, but organizations who have done this see participants leave with tools that help them remember what they learned and take the knowledge further. It also allows you to eliminate the excuse of “I couldn’t remember what he said” as a reason why someone has not made positive changes to their presentations. We can talk about this when we discuss your session.

“The KWICK method will help me develop and deliver concise and persuasive presentations in less time with fewer revisions.”
Denny S., Specialist - Design Engineering

"The important principles were very clearly presented; lots of practical ideas on how to use different techniques."
Judy W., Manager, Financial Reporting

You need this training to be cost effective, so I have a very simple fee structure. There is a flat fee for me to be with your group for the day. There are no per person charges, so you can gather up to 25 of the team members who would benefit from these ideas and know your cost is the same. If you compare this to the cost of sending staff to public training sessions, you’ll find a great cost savings. And with a customized workshop, the focus is on exactly what they need for their presentations. Public workshops deal with general topics that are not tailored to the specific type of presentations your team delivers.

If you haven’t already noticed, I live in Canada. This may be a concern if you are in the U.S., but you don’t need to worry. I hold an E-1 visa that gives me full access to deliver workshops with no issues at the border and no letters or forms for you to fill out. I am familiar with the forms your accounting department will ask for, like the W-8BEN, so I’ll make sure that this is smooth and easy for you. I know you want the least hassles possible, so I’ve done the work to make sure that booking a workshop is simple and easy.

“I will now use PowerPoint for visuals rather than a data dump.”
Ian G., CFO

"The presentation structure and sequence section was the most useful. I will develop better presentations that are more focused and leave a message behind."
Theresa D., Supervisor, Engineering

This is not a technical training class, so the participants don’t need to bring a laptop and you only need to reserve a regular training or meeting room. If your team is geographically spread out and you’d like this training delivered via the web in short modules, let me know and we will design a customized solution for you.

Next Step? E-mail me to let me know this is what you are looking for and we’ll set up a call to discuss the details. Or you can call me at 905-510-4911 (Eastern Time zone). I look forward to speaking with you and helping your team create persuasive PowerPoint presentations that effectively communicate their message.