Do you know the dimensions of the screen where you present regularly?

Why does it matter?
If you know the dimensions of the screen, you can change the setup in PowerPoint to make best use of screen real estate. It also makes the overall presentation look different (and better).

I presented at a press meet last week where the screen size was 6 feet by 4 feet. I figured this out before I started making my slides. 6 by 4 also happens to be the most common screen size here in India.

PowerPoint allows you three setup choices; 4:3, 16:9 and 16:10. 4:3 is the default choice.

Screen size of 6 by 4 means a ratio of 1.50 (6 divided by 4). 4 by 3 essentially means 1.33 (4 divided by 3). The size closest to 1.50 is 16:10. Hence, if you choose a 16:10 setup the presentation will come out the best. It will look a bit different at first, but trust me it will look very refreshing for your audience. Try out a 16:10 and see the difference.

"Blackberry 10 Unveiled with Abysmal Presentation"

This was the headline of a news article which talked about the launch of Blackberry 10. The reporter criticises Thornsten Heins, the CEO of Blackberry, on two grounds.

One, unable to answer basic questions asked at the launch conference
Two, lack of passion and enthusiasm.

Here is what the article says, "Heins had difficulties answering basic questions during the live presentation yesterday. He struggled in giving an answer to a question on how Blackberry had learned anything from Apple‘s success. To make it worse, his delivery lacked both passion and enthusiasm about his new product, which made the entire presentation painful to watch."

The world is watching and watching carefully. Businesses cannot afford to be lacklustre any more with their presentations. Let your presentation skills not come in way of your business.

You can watch Thornsten Heins talk here:

You will never forget your content...

...if you rehearse your presentation 10 times. If you do rehearse so many times, you will come out as spontaneous and confident. Your audience will like you and you will be able to deliver the presentation without butterflies in your stomach. Try it once. Rehearse your talk 10 times and see the difference it makes. Rehearse it by actually standing and delivering the talk (along with your slides), the way you would do when you 'will be' presenting.