Alternatives to PowerPoint – What You Should Do As a Business Leader

Is PowerPoint the best way to communicate your business ideas?  That’s a big question.

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

Jeff Bezos, PowerPoint and Amazon

Many companies are moving away from using PowerPoint as a presentation tool as they find it leads to poor results.  For example read what Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon says in a letter to shareholders when he addresses the question of PowerPoint and shares what they do at Amazon.

If you find you waste time when you write a presentation, then this is worth reading.

Surprisingly, at the most senior level, Amazon has banned PowerPoint.  Instead they use memos.  Here’s a short extract from the 2018 shareholder letter:

Perfect Handstands

A close friend recently decided to learn to do a perfect free-standing handstand. No leaning against a wall. Not for just a few seconds. Instagram good. She decided to start her journey by taking a handstand workshop at her yoga studio. She then practised for a while but wasn’t getting the results she wanted. So, she hired a handstand coach. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but evidently this is an actual thing that exists.

In the very first lesson, the coach gave her some wonderful advice. “Most people,” he said, “think that if they work hard, they should be able to master a handstand in about two weeks. The reality is that it takes about six months of daily practice. If you think you should be able to do it in two weeks, you’re just going to end up quitting.” Unrealistic beliefs on scope – often hidden and undiscussed – kill high standards. To achieve high standards yourself or as part of a team, you need to form and proactively communicate realistic beliefs about how hard something is going to be – something this coach understood well.

Six-Page Narratives

We don’t do PowerPoint (or any other slide-oriented) presentations at Amazon. Instead, we write narratively structured six-page memos. We silently read one at the beginning of each meeting in a kind of “study hall.” Not surprisingly, the quality of these memos varies widely. Some have the clarity of angels singing. They are brilliant and thoughtful and set up the meeting for high-quality discussion. Sometimes they come in at the other end of the spectrum.

In the handstand example, it’s pretty straightforward to recognize high standards. It wouldn’t be difficult to lay out in detail the requirements of a well-executed handstand, and then you’re either doing it or you’re not. The writing example is very different. The difference between a great memo and an average one is much squishier. It would be extremely hard to write down the detailed requirements that make up a great memo. Nevertheless, I find that much of the time, readers react to great memos very similarly. They know it when they see it. The standard is there, and it is real, even if it’s not easily describable.

Here’s what we’ve figured out. Often, when a memo isn’t great, it’s not the writer’s inability to recognize the high standard, but instead a wrong expectation on scope: they mistakenly believe a high-standards, six-page memo can be written in one or two days or even a few hours, when really it might take a week or more! They’re trying to perfect a handstand in just two weeks, and we’re not coaching them right. The great memos are written and re-written, shared with colleagues who are asked to improve the work, set aside for a couple of days, and then edited again with a fresh mind. They simply can’t be done in a day or two. The key point here is that you can improve results through the simple act of teaching scope – that a great memo probably should take a week or more.

Skill

Beyond recognizing the standard and having realistic expectations on scope, how about skill? Surely to write a world-class memo, you have to be an extremely skilled writer? Is it another required element? In my view, not so much, at least not for the individual in the context of teams. The football coach doesn’t need to be able to throw, and a film director doesn’t need to be able to act. But they both do need to recognize high standards for those things and teach realistic expectations on scope. Even in the example of writing a six-page memo, that’s

teamwork. Someone on the team needs to have the skill, but it doesn’t have to be you. (As a side note, by tradition at Amazon, authors’ names never appear on the memos – the memo is from the whole team.)

Benefits of High Standards

Building a culture of high standards is well worth the effort, and there are many benefits. Naturally and most obviously, you’re going to build better products and services for customers – this would be reason enough! Perhaps a little less obvious: people are drawn to high standards – they help with recruiting and retention. More subtle: a culture of high standards is protective of all the “invisible” but crucial work that goes on in every company. I’m talking about the work that no one sees. The work that gets done when no one is watching. In a high standards culture, doing that work well is its own reward – it’s part of what it means to be a professional.

And finally, high standards are fun! Once you’ve tasted high standards, there’s no going back.

So, the four elements of high standards as we see it: they are teachable, they are domain specific, you must recognize them, and you must explicitly coach realistic scope. For us, these work at all levels of detail. Everything from writing memos to whole new, clean-sheet business initiatives. We hope they help you too.

You can read the full text of the shareholder letter here.

Why You Should Consider Not Using Slides When Presenting

1. Why should I consider avoiding slides in my presentations?

Avoiding slides in presentations can be beneficial because:

• Engagement: Relying solely on slides can lead to disengagement if they become a focal point rather than the speaker.
• Flexibility: Without slides, you can adapt your message and presentation style based on audience reactions and feedback.
• Personal Connection: Focusing on direct interaction can enhance your connection with the audience, making your presentation more memorable.
• Creativity: Non-slide formats can foster more creative and dynamic presentations that stand out.

2. What are the potential drawbacks of using slides?

Potential drawbacks include:

• Over-reliance on Visuals: Slides can distract from the speaker’s message if they contain too much text or data.
• Technical Issues: Problems with equipment or file compatibility can disrupt the presentation.
• Passive Viewing: Audiences may become passive listeners rather than active participants when focusing on slides.
• Repetition: Repeatedly using slides can lead to monotonous presentations and audience fatigue.

3. What are some effective alternatives to using PowerPoint slides?

Effective alternatives include:

• Storytelling: Focus on delivering your message through compelling narratives and personal anecdotes.
• Interactive Presentations: Engage your audience with activities, Q&A sessions, or live demonstrations.
• Visual Aids: Use physical props, whiteboards, or flip charts to support your points.
• Speakers’ Notes: Rely on a well-prepared script or bullet points to guide your presentation without visual aids.

4. How can storytelling enhance a presentation without slides?

Storytelling enhances presentations by:

• Creating Emotional Connections: Engaging narratives can resonate with the audience on a personal level.
• Maintaining Interest: Stories can captivate attention and keep the audience invested in your message.
• Simplifying Complex Ideas: Narratives can help make complex concepts more relatable and easier to understand.
• Encouraging Engagement: Stories can prompt audience participation and interaction.

5. What are the benefits of using interactive elements instead of slides?

Interactive elements provide benefits such as:

• Increased Engagement: Activities and discussions keep the audience actively involved.
• Immediate Feedback: You can gauge audience reactions and adjust your content accordingly.
• Enhanced Learning: Hands-on or interactive experiences can improve retention and understanding.
• Dynamic Presentations: Interactive elements create a more varied and stimulating presentation experience.

6. How can I effectively use physical props or visual aids?

To effectively use physical props or visual aids:

• Ensure Relevance: Use props that directly support and enhance your key points.
• Keep it Simple: Avoid cluttering your presentation with too many props; choose a few powerful items.
• Integrate Naturally: Incorporate props into your narrative seamlessly rather than as separate elements.
• Engage with the Audience: Use props to interact with the audience and illustrate points clearly.

7. What are the advantages of using a whiteboard or flip chart?

Advantages include:

• Real-Time Customization: You can adapt content dynamically based on audience feedback.
• Enhanced Interaction: Engaging with the whiteboard or flip chart encourages audience involvement.
• Clarity: Drawing or writing key points can help clarify complex ideas.
• Flexibility: Allows for spontaneous additions or modifications during the presentation.

8. How can I prepare for a presentation without slides?

To prepare:

• Outline Key Points: Develop a clear structure and main points to cover.
• Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery and confidence.
• Prepare Visual Aids: If using physical props or whiteboards, plan how and when to use them.
• Anticipate Questions: Prepare for potential audience questions and interactions.

9. What are some common challenges when presenting without slides?

Challenges include:

• Maintaining Structure: Without slides, you need to ensure a clear and logical flow of your content.
• Engaging the Audience: It can be challenging to keep the audience focused without visual aids.
• Tracking Time: Managing time effectively can be more difficult without slide cues.
• Visual Impact: You may need to find alternative ways to make your presentation visually engaging.

10. How can I address technical issues if I’m not using slides?

To address technical issues:

• Prepare Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with all equipment and materials in advance.
• Have Backup Plans: Prepare alternative methods or props in case of technical problems.
• Practice Flexibility: Be ready to adapt your presentation if unexpected issues arise.
• Communicate Clearly: Inform the audience of any changes or adjustments if issues occur.

11. When might slides still be an appropriate choice for a presentation?

Slides might still be appropriate when:

• Complex Information: When you need to present detailed data or multiple complex points visually.
• Formal Settings: In more traditional or formal settings where slides are expected.
• Large Audiences: When visual aids help ensure that key points are visible and understood by everyone.
• Supplementary Visuals: To complement your spoken message with additional visual support.

Learn to Present without PowerPoint

If you want to improve your business report writing skills or create a compelling pitch deck – or at least get the best business presentation coaching, then call us. 

We’d be delighted to help you become better at presenting your ideas.  When we work with business leaders we have a favourite phrase:  Leaders Don’t Do PowerPoint.  Learn what you can do as a leader to look impressive when you present.

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“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

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For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

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Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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