Learn Keynote Presentations From Our Geek Gods

As I started Internet in high school, and studied Information Technology in college, Mr. Bill Gates and Mr. Steve Jobs are always the shinning stars across my IT voyage. Their speeches in recent years are definitely impressive: Windows 98 to Windows Live, iMac to iPhone, CES to MacWorld, etc. The technology has changed dramatically, but they keynoted as usual years by years. Early this month, Bill announced his final resignation from Microsoft in CES, and Steve announced his new gadget MacBook Air from Apple in MacWorld. I believe that most people have watched the shows. And with the memories of these geek titans’ last presentations, we can compare the visuals as well as help us improve our own visuals.

I am not attempting to be glib or sarcastic anyway, but actually you’ll be easy to find Bill is not such a good presenter more than a uncle neighborhood with fortune, while Steve often makes artful and effective presentations as he wants in contrasts. I generally agree with Carmine Gallo’s idea “Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs” (read it at http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732.htm), which indicates 10 elements to enhance your presentations:

1. Set the theme;
2. Demonstrate enthusiasm;
3. Provide an outline;
4. Make numbers meaningful;
5. Try for an unforgettable moment;
6. Create visual slides;
7. Give ‘em a show;
8. Don’t sweat the small stuff;
9. Sell the benefit;
10. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Everyone can try these techniques and they could be really helpful if you need to make a business presentation successfully. Besides, you cannot forget a key tenet of a presentation other than just dazzling the audience all the time: simplicity. Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with minimum means, and every presentation has its own rhythm with presenter for distinct occasions.

More Bill’s presentations on Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/events/executives/billgates.mspx

More Steve’s presentations on Apple:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/guide/appleevents/

William Peterson
Presentation Veteran