IT Communication Assignment: Ineffective Presentations

Provide an example of a presentation you viewed but felt was ineffective (the presentation could have been a TV commercial, a speech, an instructor’s lecture, or another type of presentation). What would have made the presentation more powerful? What are some key elements you will consider when designing a presentation to give in front of a future boss or manager?

Being in the military, I cannot even begin to imagine how many classes and presentations that I have witnessed and were ineffective; I think a lot of the problem is forced creativity. The most effective presentations, especially ones that include visual concepts, are the ones where the author has had a passion or desire to complete the project. I compare it musicians and artists; they started making art and music because it was something they loved and enjoyed. However this quickly becomes a job more than a passion. While in the military, you are often forced to give a class or a presentation that not only you have given hundreds of times, you have witnessed others give hundreds of times. The thing that could have made the presentation more effective is some passion from the speaker.

If I were incorporate key elements when designing a presentation to give in front of a future boss or manager, not only would I incorporate the appropriate visual elements for the type of presentation, I would inject a little life and passion into my presentation. No one, whether a CEO or a mail clerk, wants to see a presentation given by someone who talks like Ben Stein.