The power to the projector, making sure it's powered up, the power to the power strip, the video connection -- those are things the organizer should take care of. The number 1 tip to prevent those snags -- as well as the screen resolution issue -- is to come to the venue at least 15 mins, maybe even half an hour ahead of time, way before you're introduced to the audience, to check the tech details.
Second, a piece of paper to cover the screen is messy, and so 20th century. All projectors I've worked with have a button on the remote to either freeze or blank the screen.
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I've organized my share of meetings, from a group of 10 people to about 50, and I make sure my presenters don't run into any trouble.
Sorry, have to disagree. Every problem is the presenter's problem. Yes, getting there early helps in detecting the problem, but doesn't actually solve it. These tips still come in handy.
If it's your presentation, it's your problem. And you better know how to fix it. And as for checking it 30 minutes ahead of time...yeah, so what? Several times in my career I've seen presenters do that successfully, only to cry out to the audience looking for a tech when it doesn't work live.
Good article, Calvin. I'm checking out your site. Thanks.
Take care,
Robert
Good article, Calvin. I'm checking out your site. Thanks.
Take care,
Robert
if one of those problems exist then your entire presentation is a no go. No power to the socket? What can you do if that socket has been disconnect for a reason? Panic?
It is the presenters job to present. Period. That presenter should have his/her own fallback strategy (handouts, printed A1 flip charts etc;) to ensure they aren't accused of bad planning.
A presenter should be able to present regardless of the problems they encounter. If they are unable to do that, they have failed.
It is the presenters job to present. Period. That presenter should have his/her own fallback strategy (handouts, printed A1 flip charts etc;) to ensure they aren't accused of bad planning.
A presenter should be able to present regardless of the problems they encounter. If they are unable to do that, they have failed.
Be prepared, especially for contingencies. Calvin, don't get me wrong, I thought your tips were helpful, but most of them fall into the equipment failure category, which should be solved before you go up the stage. Or did I take your opening too literally? That was your lead: that you're introduced, then go up the stage to discover all those tech snags. They should've been looked at before you go up the stage.
I have written a polite note or telephoned 2 weeks (if possible) beforehand to ensure that the presentation suite is how I need it to be. That means asking if power is present, is the projector ceiling mounted or sat on a desk (important for image inversion), is it connected by DVI or SVGA and so on.
There is a responsibility for the presenter to ensure the necessary resources are available and for the person benefiting from the presentation to allocate the correct resources.
I have my projector with me anyway so even if the bulb goes, I have a backup. My important presentations are heavily summarised and printed on a A1 flip-chart, also in the car. If push comes to shove and my presentation is in a room networked and with netmeeting installed, then that is a good fallback if all else fails.
Turning up with plenty of time to check and test is sensible. Of that there can be no doubt. But the responsibility to ensure the presentation runs smoothly does not rest on one side of the fence or the other.
If a presenter can only present in one type of environment and is as inflexible as his/her resources might be, then perhaps that presenter needs to look at whether they need to learn to be more adaptive.
There is a responsibility for the presenter to ensure the necessary resources are available and for the person benefiting from the presentation to allocate the correct resources.
I have my projector with me anyway so even if the bulb goes, I have a backup. My important presentations are heavily summarised and printed on a A1 flip-chart, also in the car. If push comes to shove and my presentation is in a room networked and with netmeeting installed, then that is a good fallback if all else fails.
Turning up with plenty of time to check and test is sensible. Of that there can be no doubt. But the responsibility to ensure the presentation runs smoothly does not rest on one side of the fence or the other.
If a presenter can only present in one type of environment and is as inflexible as his/her resources might be, then perhaps that presenter needs to look at whether they need to learn to be more adaptive.
Thanks, I appreciate your comments, and I agree with them. However, is it possible you're attacking a straw man? Nowhere do I suggest that a speaker should deliberately wait until the moment of presentation to fix problems. Lol I wrote the opening as I did merely for dramatic effect, and I apologize if you took me literally.
Even when we do arrive early, and find problems, wouldn't these suggestions help? Also, I agree with you that a presenter needs to be flexible. However, before giving up and going to plan B, don't these suggestions have at least some value in trying to resolve a problem?
Even when we do arrive early, and find problems, wouldn't these suggestions help? Also, I agree with you that a presenter needs to be flexible. However, before giving up and going to plan B, don't these suggestions have at least some value in trying to resolve a problem?
Your points are as good as gold -- as good as when the presenter explained how Thagomizer came to be.
But as you are no doubt aware, there are those in this world that are happy to blame their own failings on other people.
My own point (although somewhat harsh perhaps) is that within IT and in this instance, presentations, every eventuality must be calculated in. Those that don't are doing nothing more than heading for a fall and the drop can be a long way......
The article was well-written, but (I can hear the flame-throwers warming up) I think more emphasis on what can be done if things go wrong DURING the presentation and not before may have been more appropriate.
Thanks for the article though. It was well-written and articulate but like I said, maybe more emphasis on what to do when things go wrong when you are talking maybe have been a little more helpful.
My own point (although somewhat harsh perhaps) is that within IT and in this instance, presentations, every eventuality must be calculated in. Those that don't are doing nothing more than heading for a fall and the drop can be a long way......
The article was well-written, but (I can hear the flame-throwers warming up) I think more emphasis on what can be done if things go wrong DURING the presentation and not before may have been more appropriate.
Thanks for the article though. It was well-written and articulate but like I said, maybe more emphasis on what to do when things go wrong when you are talking maybe have been a little more helpful.
...it kind of seems like a non-point. I think the article was sweet, Cal, and Kevaburg, maybe your point of a slight shift in focus is valid.
In my experience, mostly as an audience member who is first up to fix it when it fails during a presentation, but also as a secondary presenter in a popular local seminar, if things go wrong, you turn into a Marine: Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
I don't know. I'm tired. *yawn* Interesting discussion, and first one in which I think I've participated.
Loved the article, Cal. Digging your blog.
Hey all, I've got my first solo 1.5-hour seminar on CRM usage at the end of the month.
Can I get some "good luck", my brothers and sisters? LOL
Have a good day, all,
Robert
In my experience, mostly as an audience member who is first up to fix it when it fails during a presentation, but also as a secondary presenter in a popular local seminar, if things go wrong, you turn into a Marine: Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
I don't know. I'm tired. *yawn* Interesting discussion, and first one in which I think I've participated.
Loved the article, Cal. Digging your blog.
Hey all, I've got my first solo 1.5-hour seminar on CRM usage at the end of the month.
Can I get some "good luck", my brothers and sisters? LOL
Have a good day, all,
Robert
Hey thanks lol. I appreciate it. How about I handle this topic for my next article?
I have my own ideas but it is always good to see how others deal with the issues as well!
<quote>
The article was well-written, but (I can hear the flame-throwers warming up) I think more emphasis on what can be done if things go wrong DURING the presentation and not before may have been more appropriate.
</quote>
My point exactly. I do find the tips useful, but for preparing for the presentation and not while you're in the middle of it. What actually threw me off was the article's lead: you're called to the stage, then things go wrong. I'd have preferred to read about things that can go wrong during a presentation and what to do about them.
The article was well-written, but (I can hear the flame-throwers warming up) I think more emphasis on what can be done if things go wrong DURING the presentation and not before may have been more appropriate.
</quote>
My point exactly. I do find the tips useful, but for preparing for the presentation and not while you're in the middle of it. What actually threw me off was the article's lead: you're called to the stage, then things go wrong. I'd have preferred to read about things that can go wrong during a presentation and what to do about them.
Had a presnter turn up with Powerpoint on a floppy recently. Does the computer on which you are running the presentation have a floppy / DVD / USB reader? Does it have compatible software? If using your own laptop, does it interface to the site's Projector / Sound system?
Could'a been any one of removable media types -- USB thumbdrive, CD/DVD, SD (!) card.
You don't need to use a lens cap or a piece of paper in front of the lens to temporarily hide the presentation from the audience (if you using PowerPoint). You can simply press "B" or "W" for a black or a white background, respectively.
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