A pie chart is better than a data table to show proportions in data. This makeover takes it the next step to show how a proportional diagram can be more effective than a pie chart in some situations. Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Author: Dave Paradi
Dave Paradi has over twenty-two years of experience delivering customized training workshops to help business professionals improve their presentations. He has written ten books and over 600 articles on the topic of effective presentations and his ideas have appeared in publications around the world. His focus is on helping corporate professionals visually communicate the messages in their data so they don't overwhelm and confuse executives. Dave is one of fewer than ten people in North America recognized by Microsoft with the Most Valuable Professional Award for his contributions to the Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams communities. His articles and videos on virtual presenting have been viewed over 4.8 million times and liked over 17,000 times on YouTube.
Revealing details in levels; Slide Makeover #72
Too often presenters overwhelm audiences with details using a spreadsheet copied on to a slide. This makeover shows how you can reveal details in levels so the audience can follow your message easier. Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Using tables in PowerPoint; Slide Makeover #71
A table is a good way to organize information into rows and columns. Unfortunately, the default appearance and behaviour of tables in PowerPoint does not make them as effective as they could be. This makeover shows a default table improved so the message can be communicated more effectively. Click to watch the video on YouTube…
The Globe and Mail Feb 22, 2011
Dave’s tip on how to use visuals instead of text slides was featured in The Globe And Mail here (Feb 22, 2011).
Using proportional diagrams (example from Pres. Obama SOTU); Slide Makeover #70
In the recent State of the Union address, President Obama used some visuals in the enhanced broadcast on the web. One of those visuals was a proportional diagram. This makeover shows how you can use a proportional diagram effectively on a slide. Click to watch the video on YouTube
Demonstrating calculations; Slide Makeover #69
It is a good idea to use calculations to back up or prove the points you are making. This makeover shows how a slide overloaded with text explanations of the calculations can become more effective. Click to watch the video on on Brainshark (corporate viewers) Click to watch the video on YouTube (home viewers)
Distracting background images (uses slide from Gov Cuomo); Slide Makeover #68
Using an image as the background for your slide might seem like a way to increase the visual appeal of your slides, but it can actually distract the audience from your message. This makeover takes a slide used by NY Gov Cuomo and shows how the message could stand out more without an image background.…
When the appeal of a full-screen photo is the wrong approach; Slide Makeover #67
We are being told to use more visuals on our slides and it is a better approach than walls of text. But if you are tempted to use a full-screen photo just because it looks cool, consider the advice from this makeover that shows how a simple visual can communicate more effectively in some cases.…
The downside of SmartArt; Slide Makeover #66
SmartArt is supposed to make creating visuals easy, but too often presenters use it without considering whether the pre-made diagram is effectively communicating their message. This makeover shows an example of how a SmartArt diagram can be replaced with a more effective simple visual. Click here to watch video on Brainshark (corporate viewers) Click here…
Using a common denominator for comparisons; Slide Makeover #65
If you want your audience to understand a comparison of two or more values, you must make it easy for them to see the difference without having to do calculations in their head. This makeover shows how to use a common denominator to make the comparison easy to understand. Click here to watch the video…