Presentations in Action: 80 Memorable Presentation Lessons from the Masters

by Jerry Weissman

World-renowned presentation coach Jerry Weissman has spent 20 years helping top executives succeed in the most important business presentations of their lives, and he’s learned the best way to get his message across is to show his techniques in action. Weissman does just that in Presentations in 80 Memorable Presentation Lessons from the Masters . He teaches how to make spectacularly successful presentations by showing exactly how great presenters have done it. Weissman dives into his library of outstanding presentations, sharing examples from current events, politics, science, art, music, literature, cinema, media, sports, and even the military. His compelling examples don’t just demonstrate what’s universal about effective human they also reveal powerful ways to solve the specific challenges presenters encounter most often. This book’s five sections focus on each element of the outstanding contemporary Mastering the art of telling your story; Designing PowerPoint slides that work brilliantly; Delivery How to make actions speak louder than words; Q& How to handle tough questions; How to put it all together. From clarifying “What’s in it for you?” to crafting better elevator pitches, improving flow to using anecdotes, Presentation in Action is packed with solutions–and packed with inspiration, too!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Self Help, Leadership

188 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2011

About the author

Jerry Weissman is a leading corporate presentations coach. His private client list reads like a who's who of the world's best companies, including the top brass at Yahoo!, Intel, Intuit, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Dolby Labs and many others. He is the founder of Suasive, Inc.

Reviews

[Paul Goble · Rating 5 out of 5]

80 two-page case studies in effective communication and persuasion. The content isn't just about communication basics--it offers practical tips for implementing proven techniques in spoken presentations, PowerPoint slides, and emails. For example, it suggests specific phrases to include ("What's in it for you?") that force you into effective communication patterns.

Don't expect deep new insights from this book. Instead, expect practical tips to help you apply what you've already heard many times before. Nevertheless, there is some surprising (and to me, on-target) advice. For example, we are told not to focus on eliminating unwords ("um," "er," "ah") from our speech, both because such mannerisms have been shown to be not very harmful--or even beneficial--and because the way to eliminate them is to focus positively on preparation and on using appropriate pauses.

This book stands above most of its peers in the "short case studies for business leaders" genre. Supporting information is well-researched and footnoted appropriately. The author frankly acknowledges when oft-quoted advice is unsupported or apocryphal. The text is very up-to-date; for example, it includes a brief analysis of President Obama's speech patterns before and after his election. Includes an index.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would be useful as a very first introduction to presentations; the citeable examples backing up everypoint does distinguish it from many books in such category.

Personally did not feel that I learnt much more that what I knew already.
The very good takeaway was to stand-at-parade-rest vs holding the fig-leaf position.

[Denise Hoecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short chapters that break everything down

[Jim Holscher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eminently usable. The author doesn't waste time which doesn't waste yours. I think if more books were written this way more people with time squeezed schedules would read more.

[Tie Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy book that offers practical advice for giving presentations.

1. Localize your content (e.g., interest fact about the city/county you've been invited to speak, what happened on this day).

2. WIIFY (What's in it for you). This is a benefit statement. When preparing your presentation ask yourself, "Why am I telling the audience this?" and "What does it mean for them?"

3. Remember Mark Twain's adage on brevity. Twain's publisher sent him the following telegram: "Need 2-page short story in 2 days." Twain responded, "No can do 2 pages in 2 days. Can do 30 pages in 2 days. Need 30 days to do 2 pages." Moral: brevity takes time.

4. Augment your presentation/story with example, analogies, anecdotes, evidence, current data, and customized content.

5. Begin with the end in mind - i.e., your goal or call to action. Build your presentation with information to support that goal.

[Rosbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories on stories, preparation and delivery.

[Stacia Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative with interesting back-up stories in short chapters. The perfect format!

[Joan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot actually. It was easy to read and he followed his own advice about how to give presentations with the way he wrote it. Less is More, Transitions, etc. The reason I only gave it three stars is because there was really nothing new. It is all common sense but as he points out, very few people seem to follow the advice and take the easy way out. I am going to be giving a presentation soon and this book has reinforced in me that I'll be ok with PRACTICE!

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the emphasis on pausing and silence. But the analogies were often forced, and there wasn't all that much unique content in the book.

[Elizabeth-anne Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great teaching tool. It's a quick way to review what you know with references to the thinkers behind each point and real life examples that can be repeated in class.

[Chris Eagle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of these lessons aren't very good. Barely worth reading.

[Terrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. I enjoyed the way the chapters were broken up. lots of practical advice.

[Ariadna73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this set of advice. A very good book to prepare presentations and job interviews.