How do you prepare PowerPoint?

In her article Necessary Tasks You May Want to Delegate, Alicia Smith writes,

"Why be a Microsoft guru, mastering each and every one of their products? Instead, delegate the preparation of your presentations. It is far easier to critique the finished product produced by someone skilled with the software than to try to create it from scratch."

In many cases, I have to agree. It is usually easier to edit than it is to write. And criticizing is easier than creating.

But do-it-yourself or delegation are not the only two options for presentation prep.

For example, co-creation and collaboration is my preferred style.

When I prepare a PowerPoint presentation for someone else, I like to begin by clarifying roles. Who will act as the project manager, the writer, the designer, the speech coach, the subject matter expert, the presenter, the audience?

And of course, identifying roles is just the start. The project leader also works with the client on defining presentation goals, responsibilities, content, style, and project milestones.

What’s your preferred approach for the process of presentation preparation: delegation, do-it-yourself, collaboration… or something else? Take the online survey below: you'll see instant results!

¶ 7/09/2006 01:45:00 PM