Adding the ‘touch factor’ to your PowerPoint presentation

There’s a reason why – when correctly used – PowerPoint and other presentation software programs are so effective in conveying information. There’s no substitute for its ability to focus attention, mix media and deliver a multi-sensory experience that accords with people’s various learning styles.

Some of us are visual learners. Some of us are auditory learners. PowerPoint can deliver in a big way on both of those fronts.

However, some of us are tactile learners. We learn best through touch, by actually putting our hands on the object of our curiosity and getting to know it through direct contact. PowerPoint isn’t any help with that. But you, the presenter, can most certainly be.

Unfortunately, most presenters don’t even give a thought to factoring in a tactile dimension to their presentation. This is a big missed opportunity.

Though most presentations don’t lend themselves to tactile components, many others do and the opportunities are simply overlooked by nervous, overwhelmed or unimaginative presenters. Let’s consider a few examples.

• Let’s say your information-rich presentation is making the point that China’s rising economic power means the yuan will soon supplant the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.  Give your audience a handout that includes a dollar bill and a yuan. Does it make your empirical argument any stronger? No. Does it intensify your audience’s attention on the subject? Absolutely. Ask them to hold the paper currencies to their nose and smell the difference.
• You’re doing a PowerPoint presentation about the features and benefits of a new water purification system. The least a presenter can do is give audience members a glass of freshly purified water. If the purification system is a personal or miniaturized one, audience members can process the water themselves before drinking.
• Is your presentation about a durable and comfortable new fabric that is going to enhance the clothing industry? Put at least a swatch of the material in audience members’ hands.
• If you have the latest whiz-bang handheld technology, let the people get their hands on it.
• A room full of potential investors will respond better to your claims of having designed revolutionary new packaging if they can actually feel and unwrap the new material or design.

Make your PowerPoint presentation come alive for your audience by engaging the senses.

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