Chapter5:Using Graphics & Powerpoint for a Leadership Edge

Leader need to know how and when to use graphics. It is not Graphics improve presentation and documents but also Powerpoint is a effective tool for business presenter in nowadays.Leaders need to know how and when to use graphics. Graphics improve presentations and documents, particularly if the material is primarily quantitative, structural, or so complicated that it can be illustrated more efficiently and more effectively with a visual aid than with words alone. Graphics will contribute to the success of your oral and written communication.Leaders use visuals that are integral to the communication of their intended meanings and not ones simply added for show. When selected appropriately and designed carefully, graphics embody and carry the meanings that create your message.Graphics should never be gratuitous; they should always be purposeful. They should add to the content of the presentation or the document. For presentations, in particular, graphics should supplement the content and never detract from it. They are not meant to replace the speaker. Graphics should serve the following purposes:
Reinforce the message.
Provide a road map to the structure of a presentation.
Illustrate relationships and concepts visually.
Support assertions.
Emphasize important ideas.
Maintain and enhance interest.
For data charts to add to your presentation or document you first need to clarify your message and then you can determine the type and content of the graph that will add to, support, or explain that message best.Text slides are the staple for most presentations and, in fact, are often overused. The goal with any text chart is to make it as readable as possible and to make sure that it contains meaningful content. Achieving both of these objectives is not always easy because to ensure legibility you must minimize the words, which means every word must count.The following guidelines apply to all data and text charts:
Keep charts simple but meaningful. Effective leaders keep their graphics simple enough for their audience to understand easily, yet they also know that the graphics still need to communicate something.
Include only one main message per chart or slide. If you have too many messages, you risk losing your audience.
Make sure your chart title captures the “so what?” The title on the chart should clearly announce your main message or provide adequate information for interpreting the graph.
The right colors and fonts can make a difference in how effective your presentation is. Selection should focus on colors and fonts that show up best when a presentation is projected.