Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (Voices That Matter)

by: Garr Reynolds

Published by: New Riders (a Pearson Education Imprint)

Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, C|PAE-Speakers Hall of Fame

Are your presentations simple, but powerful? Does the visual support that you use – either PowerPoint or Keynote – really grab people’s attention? Or is your presentation another “death by PowerPoint”? In a nutshell this is the purpose of Presentation Zen – to help the reader create and deliver simple (which is what Zen stands for – simplicity) but powerful presentations.

To do so the author covers a variety of subjects that the reader at first glance might say, “I already know that.” Preparation, design, delivery – haven’t we all heard those things? But consider what he says:

“Audiences are so used to death-by-PowerPoint that they’ve seemingly learned to see it as normal – even if not ideal. However, if you are different – if you exceed expectations and show them that you have thought about them, done your homework and know your material, and demonstrated through your actions how much you appreciate being there and that you are there for them – chances are you’ll make an impact and a difference, even if it’s just in the smallest of ways. There can be great meaning in even these small connections.”

Reynolds combines the right brain aptitudes of design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning with left-brain aptitudes of logic and organization to help you – the presenter have an impact beyond what you might have imagined.

Armchair Interviews says: Excellent resource if you give presentations and care about the audience.