February 2016

Dear Readers,

Today's world is fast-paced and changes constantly but what has stood out is innovation - whether it is the latest app, a new technology that changes how we think, an out-of-the box thinker, or an approach that makes us more innovative. It is at the heart of success and that can be measured in so many ways including in the presentations we create, design and deliver.

Are you willing to play the "What if" game to see how innovative you can become? Then, join us Wednesday, February 24th at 11 am PT/2 pm ET for an interactive and engaging webinar on how to approach presentations in a way an innovative genius would. Mitchell Rigie and Keith Harmeyer, authors of the best-selling book, SmartStorming: The Game-Changing Process for Generation Bigger, Better Ideas, will show us how to use out-of-the-box thinking and six idea-inspiring steps to get your ideas started out right and then apply it to presentation design and delivery. Plus we will have a fun, interactive "Idea Sprint" during the session where you could win an autographed copy of their book.

In looking for presentation industry innovators, I discovered Yancey Unequivocally, the co-founder of the award-winning agency, Empowered Presentations! She shared how innovation of the heart was one of the reasons they are where are they are today.

Enjoy.

Sharyn

Sharyn Fitzpatrick, Editor

Email me: sfitzpatrick@presentationxpert.com

Innovation from the Heart: Delivering Powerful Visuals with Great Content

by Sharyn Fitzpatrick

Each issue, we are planning on introducing you to a member of our subscriber community or a resource we think you should know about. For our inaugural column, we interviewed Yancey Unequivocally, co-founder and president, Empowered Presentations!. From their portfolio and successes, you see how they use innovation from the heart to deliver the best, most impactful creative for their clients. Plus they have lots of free resources on their site.

Five Ways for Your Presentation to Stand Out

by Mike Parkinson, CPP AMPM Fellow

When was the last time you saw a memorable presentation that raised your eyebrows? Most presentations look and sound similar. So, how do you differentiate? The secret is to do things that are obviously helpful. The following are five proven ways to ensure your presentations stand out and rise to the top:

How Ideation Figures into Presentations - It Starts with an Idea

by Nolan Haims, Microsoft PowerPoint MVP

If there's one thing drives me crazy, it's seeing people putting together and designing a presentation before they even know what they're trying to say. Often, this cart-before-the-horse approach is the result of laziness and simply not wanting to outline a story first. But I also see cases where presenters are literally trying to generate business ideas and solutions at the same time they're deciding what font color to use.

[Webinar Sneak Peek] "How to Approach Presentation Design Like an Innovative Thinking Genius"

by Keith Harmeyer and Mitchell Rigie, authors - SmartStorming

Do you have your game on? Are you innovative? Are you an out-of-box thinker? Everyone wants ideas! In fact, all great work starts with an idea, and presentations are no exception. And the more innovative the idea, the more exceptional the end product will be. So when it's time to sit down and tackle your next presentation, why not approach it the way an innovative thinking genius would? Sure, honing your craft and mastering your tools is important. But before you start applying the newest techniques, tricks and hacks, take a few minutes to go through these 6 idea-inspiring steps. You're certain to have greater success.