Wolverine – man with adamantium claws – what does he know about presentations? Arguably, nothing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing . . . or seven from him regarding your presentation policies. Whether or not you’ve purchased your tickets to see “X-Men: Origins,” you’ll be interested to see what he’s inspired below.
1. Seek Revenge
Wolverine is a big fan of revenge. So take revenge upon all of those awful presentations you’ve endured. Make yours a good one. Just because your colleagues have failed to innovate doesn’t mean that you should fall into the black hole of abysmal presentations also.
2. When in Doubt, Destroy It
No mutant ever got ahead by playing nice. Don’t be afraid to break the rules. When planning your presentation, think about new ways to push the corporate template envelope by using new editing software like Prezi to create something truly innovative. Out of the old template rubble will rise something fresh and fascinating!
3. Enlisting Your Fellow Outcasts
The comic is called “X-Men,” not “X-Man.” Even super-heroes can’t save the world alone, so don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues for help. Of course, you want to avoid inviting too many cooks into the kitchen, but soliciting feedback after you’ve drafted your presentation is always helpful. You might be a presentation super-hero, but you are surrounded by others who have super-powers that are just as useful.
4. Activate your Powers
And use those powers for good. Understand your presentation strengths and use them to your advantage. If you’re funny, incorporate humor. If you’re artistic, focus on slide design. Making the most of your talents will help make your presentation memorable and uniquely yours.
5. Show Your Claws
Okay, so maybe you don’t have your own set of bone-fused adamantium claws, but you can still make a fierce impression by beginning your presentation with something surprising. Wake your audience up in a way that will encourage them to take you seriously. Although one might laugh at Wolverine’s oddly manicured facial hair at first, once those claws come out, it’s down to business.
6. Controlling the Mutants
We all know mutants can’t be controlled, but you can somewhat control how your audience thinks if you presentation structure is strong. If your storyline is clear and easily understood, your audience will follow you effortlessly and come to the conclusion you want them to reach. Better yet, they’ll think it was their own idea!
7. Prepare for the Sequel . . . or Prequel . . . Whatever
Your presentation doesn’t end when the lights come up. If you’ve been truly engaging, you’ll have left your audience wanting more. Always leave time for questions and comments after every presentation. Anticipating potential questions beforehand will also help you better prepare for the discussion.
