beyond bullets

Looking for a few good BBP consultants

Lately I've been receiving more requests from companies and individuals who would like to hire consultants and/or designers who are proficient in the BBP approach. I'm in the process of putting together BBP training and certification programs, but in the meantime, I'm glad to make referrals if I can find a match.  Here's an example of what a very large software and services company is looking for:

We need a BBP and PowerPoint presentation expert who can manage the creation and updating of PowerPoint presentations for an exciting technology company focused on TV delivery and technology. This person would be able to manage all aspects of production, use a marketing-mind to convey technical information in a clear, exciting way as well as hammer the marketing messages we want to get across to our various audiences. Marketing experience and technology experience (or at least communicating about technology) is a must!

Other requests for BBP consultants/designers include:

• A fast-growing social networking technology company in Silicon Valley is looking for someone to help its sales team with solid BBP skills. 
• A large non-profit organization who is looking for help with training presentations.
• A wide range of individuals and groups who would like help with different types of presentations.

Interested in these sorts of opportunities?  Then I'd be glad to hear from you.

Since the BBP Story Template is the primary way of structuring ideas using the methodology, I'd like your responses to be in the BBP format so that I can get a sense of your familiarity and proficiency in the approach.  So to start, all that you need to send is a completed Story Template in a Word document that presents your case of why you would like to be referred to one of these organizations or individuals to help them apply the BBP approach to their presentations.

I'll review the story templates based on the clarity of the stories and language, and if I see a match with what the groups are looking for, I'll get back to you about sending some samples of PowerPoint files next.

Please send your Word documents here by July 24 - I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Seminar recording now online

If you'd like to take a look at the online recording of my May 10  web seminar "Transform Your PowerPoint Beyond Bullet Points", you can view the Windows Media file recording here.  The presentation is an overview of the basics of the BBP approach. The recording quality of the graphics isn't the best, but there's enough there to get a visual idea. Enjoy!

Join me for a no-cost web seminar May 10

If you missed my introductory web seminar last year titled "Transform your PowerPoint Beyond Bullet Points," I'll be presenting the session again at 9am PT on May 10 in association with Microsoft Office Work Essentials and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The seminar covers the basics of the BBP approach and there's no cost to attend, but you have to register first by clicking on the Register link in the left-hand column of this page >

Presentation professional? Take a survey!

Do you create presentations for a living?  Are you interested in finding out more about the profession, and how you relate to it?   The Presentations Council is one of the most active groups within InfoComm, a trade association for the A/V industry. The have been connecting those within the presentations industry with their collaborative blog, Visual Being, and now they are taking a big step to begin to quantify and analyze the industry as a whole.  Below is a writeup that describes the survey - as a bonus, it looks like they're giving away five Amazon gift certificates in a drawing:

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INFOCOMM PRESENTATIONS PROFESSIONAL SURVEY
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How Do You Compare with Your Peers…

• What types of organizations do Presentation Professionals work in?

• What areas of expertise and background do Presentation Professionals have?

• Do you outsource your content development/delivery/overall communication strategy/technology/visual/graphic development, or do you do it in-house?  How often does your organization contract with outside production firms for presentation development?

• What types of challenges do Presentation Professionals experience today, and how concerned are they about these challenges?

Find out by participating in InfoComm International’s Presentations Professional Survey.  This online survey should only take you about 10 minutes to complete.

To thank you for your participation, you will receive the results of this survey by e-mail, once compiled. You will also get three Microsoft PowerPoint or one Corel Presentations master, or one Apple Keynote, all free of charge. In addition, you will have a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon gift certificates.

To be sure your responses are included; please complete this survey by April 28, 2006.

This survey is completely confidential and anonymous. All data will be consolidated with other participants and will not be available to anyone as individual responses.

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To participate, please copy and paste this address into your browser:

http://www.surveypro.com/TakeSurvey?id=18853

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Thank you in advance for your participation.

Questions? Contact marketresearch@infocomm.org.

LA Times runs a feature Beyond Bullets

The LA Times ran a feature story about my work on the front page of the business section yesterday - you can see the online version here.  I thought reporter Claire Hoffman did a great job - she interviewed some of the people who have been using the BBP approach, or who have attended a workshop or talk. It's nice to see an article make it to print that promotes a positive spin on how PowerPoint can be used, rather than the same tired criticisms.  Hopefully this will help to spread the good word about what many of you are doing in your own organizations, and help to transform our PowerPoint cultures into something more concise, clear and meaningful.