The document discusses presentation skills and techniques used by Steve Jobs. It summarizes that Jobs focused on saying things in the headline, starting with the audience's problem, and creating an experience to inspire the audience. Jobs also introduced antagonists and heroes, used more visuals than words, grouped things in threes, answered the audience's main question, told stories before showing visuals, used props instead of just slides, avoided bullet points, segmented presentations into 10 minute parts, repeated important points, sold dreams instead of just products, simplified everything, and made presentations clear, actionable and exciting. The document recommends applying Job's standards to make presentations more compelling and memorable.
1. We all have attended presentations. I'm sure you will
agree most were terrible - boring, redundant, and/or
visually offensive. I am guilty of giving a few myself. You
too? To improve my knowledge base and skills, I started
studying the product launches of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple,
Inc. I then began listening and reading Carmine Gallo,
columnist with Businessweek.com. Gallo teaches
presentation skills to top executives. He is also a self-
proclaimed expert on the techniques and genius of Steve
Jobs. I read his book "The Presentation Secrets of Steve
Jobs" and looked over press releases of Apple. I must
admit, I learned the most from watching Steve on
YouTube. What I came to understand caused me to throw
out almost every guideline, format, and template I was
ever given or used. I focus now on his highly developed
6. Introduce an antagonist, a victim, and a hero: "Look at
where the other guys think you want your keyboard; we
know differently."
7. More visuals, less words: "So slim it fits into an inter-office
envelope," Jobs says, and then shows a visual with only
the tablet slipping into an envelope - no text.
8. Group in three's: 3 acts, 3 features. "Life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness," wrote another genius wordsmith
named Jefferson.
9. Answer their #1 question: "Why should I care?" My
thoughts exactly whenever the salesperson starts
throwing gigas, speeds, and pixels my way.
19. Take any less than effective presentation, PowerPoint
deck, or email you've written, and apply the Jobs
standards. It will be more compelling, memorable and
easier to write, guaranteed (another Jobs must, "give
them a guarantee").
20. You will get pushback from others and yourself. Resist at
all costs. You'll have to figure out what to do with your
found time. I'm sure you can handle that.
21. Most important, you'll be heard and invited back because
you will have given your best presentation.