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Title: Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (Voices That Matter)
ISBN: 0321525655
Author:
Garr Reynolds
Publicate Date: 2008-01-04
Publish: 2008-01-04
List Price: $29.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $17.72
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $16.00
Amazon Merchant Price: $19.79
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Presentation Bible
I have discussed this book with a number of colleagues who are teachers and also conference presenters, and we all agree- Presentation Zen is a must-have for anyone who ever has to give a presentation, and the definition of presentation here could be so broad as to include almost any situation where effective communication is the goal.
A few examples of the sorts of useful lessons found in the book:
-in the preparation stage, there is great value in getting started without the aid of presentation software, for even the templates of PowerPoint can have an undue influence on how we organize our message (and who decided that the only way to present textual information is in the form of "Title, Bullet, Bullet" anyway?)
-replacing tired old slide backgrounds with vivid images that bleed off the page brings dynamism, allowing for contrast and making messages memorable
-when determining the text for each slide, less is more. Filling a slide with the speakers' notes only makes for excess `noise' as listeners try to both read and listen at the same time, skills that are not as compatible as it might seem
As a book on presentation should, Presentation Zen makes its points clearly and memorably. While reading it I could hardly wait to revisit my old PowerPoints armed with the simple but powerful techniques I found.
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2: Design 101, Zen Philosophy 301
"Presentation Zen" is written for people tasked to create powerpoint presentations despite the fact that they have no creative talent, no design training, and no money or desire to hire a real designer. It's an all too common fact of business life today.
If this describes you, you'll find the book very helpful. Garr offers good insights on overarching graphic design principles and a Zen philosophy of communicating visually. The reader looking to help develop a mind-set to improve their presentations will find food for thought and action. Taking a holistic approach to presentations, not just the medium of powerpoint, Garr offers well-considered advice that is enough to recommend the book to its target audience.
Further, if you're interested in Zen philosophy, this provides insight into Zen and its relationship to visual design. The mantra of simplicity espoused here is one that can be traced back to art movements of the 1880's, and more specifically the Bauhaus movement in Germany in the 1920's.
However, you may still be hungry after reading Garr's book. Especially if you desire to continue to develop whatever design skills you've discovered while creating powerpoint's. Also, if you are a trained graphic designer, you shouldn't need this book. It reiterates what you should have learned in the first semester of any competent design program. K.I.S.S.
For those wishing to take their design skills to the next level, I would recommend "slide:ology" by Nancy Duarte. This essentially provides a masters' level course in creative design as related to powerpoint presentations.
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3: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Since presentations have become a larger (and more important) part of my professional life and given that they are now targeted at the highest level of my organization, I decided to re-evaluate my skills as well as my approach.
This book has proven to be exactly had I hoped for: a fresh change of perspective.
While it does not contain any new found wisdom, it certainly provides something equally important: simple ideas that make you better, more confident AND that stick to your mind. (Well for some presenters, it might even prove to be a new found wisdom, judging by the dozens of lousy presentations that I have attended in my career).
I should stress though that while simplicity is the core idea in this book, this does not mean that it is targeted to those looking for "quick & dirty" productivity tips.
On the contrary, I have found that I now devote more time in the preparation of a presentation. Because it is now clear to me that editing is the most demanding part of the process.
The book has helped me understand what is important to communicate and what is not.
How to extract the essence of complex ideas and present them in a simple, informative manner that engage the audience, not bore them to death.
If I had to write just a one line comment, this would be that it has made me regard each presentation as an enjoyable creative challenge and not as a mundane task.
It was certainly a joy to read and I really feel that I benefited, not only as a professional but also as a person, since most of us are also expected to convince, to educate and to inspire others, outside the realm of our professional lives.
One final note apart from the content but regarding the book itself: while I have always found Amazon's service to be uber professional and top notch, I was quite disappointed that this particular book arrived at less than perfect condition. Given that the packaging was almost bulletproof (and it contained two other books), this leads me to assume that the cosmetic damages were there prior to its dispatch.
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4: Transforming my Presentations!
I can't quite remember why I ordered this book--but I have been entranced by it! To match the simple beauty of this book, I should be posting an intriguing photo with a poignant quote. Hmm--perhaps it would be that line that goes something like: People will remember not what you made them think but how you made them feel. The picture might be a peaceful beach scene with someone sitting cross-legged with a slight buddha smile, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. Well, all these words underline the message that getting your audience's attention with a sharp image and putting up as few words as possible is the way to transform presentations. I'm hard at work simplifying, eliminating as many bullet poings as possible, and transforming my presentations for maximum emotional content.
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5: JUST BUY IT NOW !!!
This is a must. It is everything you're looking for in a book. It has beautiful insights, explanations, pictures...
For someone who wants to make a difference in his company, this is a MUST.
Above satisfaction guarantee ...
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