Using technology and strategy to make presentations that stand out

In the age of Zoom calls and Microsoft Teams meetings, businesses are arguably relying more than ever on presentations to make their point, showcase their brand and ultimately enhance their market share. 3Cube Property Solutions considers some of the ways that technology has made it possible to create memorable presentations. We also take a look at content strategy and how to make good presentation slides.

How technology is helping executives create good presentations

A presentation given in 2022 is likely to look remarkably different from one given ten years ago - and this is thanks to digital developments that have taken place. An international presentation studio, Ozgun Ozpinar, has provided an outline of what has become possible. For example, thanks to hologram technology, you can now show a product or design in 360 degrees on a horizontal surface. At this stage, holographic technology is somewhat restricted to previously designed 3D objects.

Thanks to virtual reality - a computer-simulated environment experienced through special glasses - people can get to know your products through an immersive experience rather than simply listening to you talk about them. Similarly, augmented reality can bring your presentations to life by incorporating digital objects into a physical environment viewed through a screen.

As well as making presentations more memorable, technology and digital tools have served to make data being presented more accurate. Thanks to real-time data visualisation software - also sometimes referred to as dashboarding software - presentations can include data that's pulled from various sources and regularly updated so that you can be confident that the data you are presenting is accurate up to the minute.

Top presentation techniques and content strategies

Content Editor from Prezi, Naba Ahmed, states that a strong presentation relies on the same elements that make a story come to life. She points out that when someone enters a Zoom call and is immediately met with a shared screen, they start to lose focus before the meeting has even started. In an age where the volume of video calls that the average executive participates in is leading to exhaustion, presenters must be strategic in keeping their audience's attention.

Ahmed suggests using three storytelling elements: creativity, authenticity and relevance. Creativity involves thinking outside the box for a way to draw your audience in. Authenticity is about sharing personal experiences and anecdotes to help your audience connect to what you are saying.  Relevance involves creating your presentation around a story. By constantly bringing the topic back to a story that you began with, you will help your listeners stay engaged.

How to make good presentation slides

Slides form part of most presentations - whether they be made on PowerPoint or a different tool. There are various ways you can make slides both interesting and professional.

1. Don't overload your slides. Rather have more slides with less information on each. A good rule of thumb is to present one idea per slide.
2. When presenting information in slides, make use of bullet points, graphs and images as much as possible. Stay away from having slabs of text on a slide.
3. Where possible, add graphic elements to bulleted lists. For example, this could mean having coloured blocks behind each point with picture icons taking the place of plain bullets.
4. As the old saying goes, a picture says a thousand words.  Include pictures or visual elements in your slides as often as possible.
5. Ensure that your presentation looks cohesive and professional. Every slide should have your company's logo in the same place. Make sure that the same font has been used throughout your presentation.

How you present your message - and your business - is key to success in any industry. Make sure your business has premises that reflect what you do in the best way possible. For assistance with finding the right premises for your business in Gauteng, contact 3Cube Property Solutions today.