How Much Do You Hate PowerPoint?

If you're like a political group in Switzerland, you would ban PowerPoint forever. The Anti-PowerPoint Party (APPP) views PowerPoint "as a representative of all presentation software" (and clearly, pure evil). With rough calculations, the group claims that PowerPoint destroys 2.1 billion Swiss Francs each year and potentially 110 billion Euros; however, the group says that "the average number of participants may be umpteen times higher" (whatever "umpteen" is).

Of course, this isn't the first cry for help in the Days of PowerPoint. Many of us have been subjected to "death by PowerPoint" and have welcomed scathing articles such as the New York Times piece, "We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint."

But one might ask: why not just improve how we use the software rather than throw out the tool entirely?

Discussion Starters:

• As a viewer of PowerPoint presentations, what frustrates you? How have you seen people misuse the software?
• What alternatives do you see for PowerPoint? What other ways can you engage an audience and help them visualize information?

Local Chamber of Commerce CEO Hides to Avoid Questions

The Story

Taking a page from former Alberta Health Services CEO's approach to media interviews, Dick Fleming avoided a reporter's questions by hiding in a hallway. Fleming, the president and CEO of a local Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis, refused to respond to repeated questions about his compensation package.  

Discussion Starters

• In this article, we hear only one side of the story -- the reporter's perspective. However, based on this information, do you think the reporter's line of questioning is reasonable or not?
• Now consider the situation from Fleming's perspective. What justification does he have for avoiding this line of questioning?
• What are the consequences of the way Fleming handled the situation? How does this reflect on the Chamber of Commerce and on Fleming personally?

Assignment Ideas

• Write an email to Fleming recommending a different way for him to address similar situations in the future.
• Research possible responses for Fleming about his salary and bonuses. In other words, try to understand his perspective about the reporter's inquiry. With this information, role play a media interview with a partner in class. Try to address the reporter's questions more directly.

RIM CEO Stops Media Interview on Tough Question

The Story

If you don't like the question, just stop the interview. That seems to be the approach taken by Research in Motion (RIM) CEO Mike Lazaridis during a BBC interview. When the interviewer asked Lazaridis about BlackBerry security issues in India, Lazaridis seemed angry and said, "That's just not fair" and "Turn that off." He stopped the interview abruptly.

Discussion Starters

• A Yahoo! News article refers to the incident as "a textbook case on how not to act during an on-camera interview." What is your reaction to the video? Do you think the BBC reporter crossed a line with his questionning? Did Lazaridis act in RIM's best interest? 
• How could Lazaridis have handled the situation differently? 

Assignment Ideas

• In small groups, analyze the BBC interviewer's line of questionning. Given Lazaridis' reaction, how well do you think he handled the situation? 
• In pairs, role play the interview. As Lazaridis, try to address the interviewer's questions differently. What can you say that might show RIM in a better light?

Steve Jobs Makes a Surprise Appearance to Unveil the iPad2

The Story

Although on medical leave, Steve Jobs impressed audiences with a surprise presentation about the new iPad2. With his usual engaging, conversational style, Jobs unveils the second-generation iPad, which is thinner than the iPhone 4.

Discussion Starters

• Watch the (edited) video of Jobs, above. What principles of oral presentation does he use effectively? What, if anything, would you improve about the presentation?
• James Post, a management professor at Boston University, referred to Jobs' appearance as an important "symbolic endorsement." However, he also believes, "His appearance takes the story away from the product... It's exactly the wrong thing in terms of introducing something new." What do you think about Post's assessment?

Assignment Ideas

• Practice an upcoming presentation using a conversational style. Try to mimick Jobs' style, and then adapt it to your own.
• Change Jobs' presentation to a more formal one. Imagine that you are unveiling the iPad2 to a different audience, who prefers more traditional visuals, such as a PowerPoint presentation. Create presentation slides to complement Jobs' main points.
  

Nokia and Microsoft Announce Partnership

The Story

Following Stephen Elop's communication to Nokia employees earlier in the week, he and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced a strategic alliance between Nokia and Microsoft.  Analysts say the deal is bad news for Nokia, which will likely face job losses.  Nokia's stock fell 14% following the news.

 Discussion Starters

• In the press conference video, whose presentation style do you prefer: Elop's (Nokia) or Ballmer's (Microsoft)?  Why?  What principles from Chapter 11 does each speaker use?
• How do both speakers signal new topics?  This is particularly challenging without visuals to cue the audience.  

Assignment Ideas

• Watch the Q&A video.  Write 2-3 additional questions you would like to ask either Elop or Ballmer. 
• Create presentation slides or other visuals for one of the speakers.  How can you complement their presentations with visuals?
• Analyze Elop and Ballmer's Open Letter.  In a memo to your instructor, identify communication strategies used effectively and ineffectively in the letter.  What works well, and what could be improved?

Starbucks Reveals New Logo

The Story

Starbucks has a new logo, its fourth in the company's 40-year history.  The logo drops the name and reflects a simplified design. 

 

Discussion Starters

• How do you like the new logo compared with the previous logos? 
• Read a post by CEO Schultz about the change.  What does he say are the reasons for the new logo?  What other reasons could the company have?
• In what way does the logo accomplish its purpose?  How does it miss?  Watch the video, below, about the logo.  Evaluate this video according to principles in the book about oral presentations.  What works well, and what would you have changed?

Video source.

 Assignment Ideas

• Imagine that you work for Starbucks as a graphic designer.  Create a presentation template in PowerPoint, Prezi, or Google Docs Presentations.  If you're using slides, include at least a title slide, master slide, and one page for the main slides that shows off the new logo. 
• Create a handout that explains the new logo.  Imagine that you're giving a presentation to store managers to explain the change.  You'll give the managers the handout at the end of your presentation to them.

Jets Coach Rex Ryan, "Great Orator"

The Story

The New York Times reports that Rex Ryan, coach for the Jets, is lauded by the team as a "great orator -- part general, part politician, part football coach, a toastmaster at heart." 

WARNING: LOTS OF CURSING! This video isn't for everyone.

Video source.

Discussion Starters

• After watching one of Ryan's speeches, do you agree with the assessment that he is a great orator?  Why or why not? 
• What was the most inspiring speech you have heard?  What did the speaker do or say to motivate you?  In what ways was the speech meaningful for you?

Assignment Ideas

• Watch one of Ryan's speeches.  What from his approach -- other than the cursing! -- could you incorporate into your business presentations?  Identify 3-5 aspects that could work in more professional speeches. 
• Imagine that you're trying to motivate a team of athletes to win an important game.  Identify a scenario (the sport and why the win is important), and then prepare your extemporaneous speech by writing an outline.  Deliver your speech to the class.  After the speech, discuss how you could include some aspects of a motivational speech for athletes into your business presentations.

TSA Video Responds to "Pat Down" Criticism

The Story

Travelers who decline a full-body scan at the airport will be subjected to a "pat-down."  Facing customers' concerns and confrontations at the airport, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole issued a video, "Helpful Hints for Holiday Travelers."

 

 Discussion Starters

• What are your impressions of Pistole's video?  At what point are you most convinced and reassured?  least?  Download the script.
• Before the new procedure was in the news, on October 28, 2010, the TSA had issued this statement: "TSA is in the process of implementing new pat-down procedures at checkpoints nationwide as one of our many layers of security to keep the traveling public safe. Pat-downs are one important tool to help TSA detect hidden and dangerous items such as explosives. Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, among others."  Is this enough for people to understand?  What communication strategy would you have suggested for the TSA?

Assignment Ideas

• Write a script for your own video.  Or, rewrite a few lines from Pistole's video.
• Watch Matt Lauer's video interview of Pistole on the Today Show.  In small groups, discuss how well Pistole responded to the questions.  What strategies for handling questions did he use successfully?
• Rewrite the TSA's November 21 response to the controversy using business writing principles, particularly analyzing your audience and using simple, clear language.