Presentation Hack

The little things can make big impact.

I've spent a bulk of my policing career assigned collaterally to various training units. In 2001, I became a Firearms Instructor...and slowly gained more and more trainer responsibility. I eventually began The Illinois Model as a hobby venture to provide outside consulting to various police departments, organizations, and associations. Part of that is moderating small intimate workshops and giving presentations at large-scale conferences.

Along my journey, I continue to learn lessons on running a classroom and giving lectures and presentations. My Presentation Hack column is my way of sharing these lessons, tricks, and tactics with those of you committed to becoming a better public speaker, trainer, conference presenter, or classroom teacher.

Here are some of the posts in my column:

• Using Analogy - Developing characters and imagery to convey complicated theory and concept.
• Death by Bikablo - When will we get sick of sketchnote stylized graphics? It will happen!
• "Whether you believe it or not..." -- How do you get an audience to argue multiple sides of a complex topic, without it turning into personal attacks? It takes a certain skill, for sure!
• "For those of you who don't know me..." -- Strong introductions are a necessary part of a strong presentation, toast, or speech. Don't overlook it! 
• Language That Divides - Know the language that will draw in your audience...and use it. Also, know the language that will turn off your audience...and avoid it. 
• Giving a Briefing -- Can you give (& receive) a briefing that's been stripped of the insignificant details? Or are you afraid of omitting something from your message? 
• The Allure of "Exposure" - Do you speak at conferences with the long-term hopes of networking and being discovered? Do you take a short-term approach of I work = You pay? 
• Giving Your Audience Digital Links - How can we more easily share cited resources or followup materials with our audiences? Emailed files and thumb drives are a thing of the past!
• Invitation to Debate - How can we better invite our audience into fruitful discussion & debate on complex topics?
• Evidence-Based Slide Design? - There is actually research about designing slides!
• Slides versus Handouts - Projected slides makes terrible handouts. And vice-versa! Also some hints on designing workbooks. 
• Your Last Slide(s) - Making a stronger ending to your presentation is not too hard. Using the right types of slides can help.
• Have Any of You Idiots Not Seen This? - Addressing imbalances in knowledge in the audience.
• The Looping Intro Slideshow - How to better spend those minutes before your presentation as your audience fills the room. I recommend an auto-playing slide deck with a handful of minimalist slides.
• Storytelling, Imagery, and Design Principles...For Academics - Why do academics suck so badly at designing slides and telling stories? 

I hope these lessons help in your journey!

Lou Hayes, Jr.
The Illinois Model