PresentationZen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (Voices That Matter)

A library is a great place to check out books. Not only can you check them out to read, you can check them out before you eventually buy. Such is the case for me with Presentation Zen 2nd Edition revised and updated by Garr Reynolds. I read the 1st edition as a checked out book from the library a few years ago. I had been to a conference and had been amazed by the presentations. Instead of death by power point, I became a visual learner. Even more I became an engaged advocate. I wanted to begin to learn how to create presentations that brought people to life and action. I am in the resurrection business. I can't tell you the specific differences between edition 1 and edition 2 except there seemed to be a bit more depth and mroe examples. While I love Garr's own insights, I appreciate his willingness to include others. Guy Kuwasaki writes or presents the perfect foreword or perhaps now its forepicture of Presentation Zen. Seth Godin. Nancy Duarte and others along with Garr gives the best practices / best picture view of presentations. Garr's insights are simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Most importantly he taught me to think through first the message i want to share and the response I seek, even before I look for the pictures I want to show. And when picture time comes, rule of thumb is no more than 6 words per slide. Once you embrace this rule, it makes it tough to watch presentations with more than 16 words per slide and not muttering under your breath, "Death by Powerpoint". I give Presentation Zen 5 out of 5 stars. Garr provided a great introduction and overall process to developing presentations. It's a guide I return to again and again.

When my colleagues and I share our most valuable book list Presentation Zen is always the first book I mention. Before I read Presentation Zen I was in bullet point hell and now I am able to capture the attention of my audience by using thoughtful visual learning techniques and clean design. The majority of busy professionals suffer from the term Linda Stone coined "Continuous Partial Attention." Those who design and present professionally it's critical to capture and hold the attention of an audience quickly or else you will have wasted their time. I often think of Garr's quote after leaving a very "less than splendid" presentation: " I wanted my hour back." For those who are still creating the standard bullet point presentations you are damaging your credibility. Period. For those who are serious about creating professional presentations that will give you and your audience the results you are seeking Presentation Zen 2nd Edition is simply a "must buy."

I liked this book. The author brought in this book very good tips about how to build an outstanding presentation. After you read this book you will be ashame of your former presentations. Believe me. After I read the book, I redesigned a presentation I had and the improvement was astonishing. However I felt the author could bring more practical examples. One recommendation is: this book is not about public speaking, only about making presentation. Don't buy it if you expect to learn only about public speaking. Another recommendation is: look for Mr. Reynolds videos on Youtube. He gives many tips he wrote in the book.

Since another reviewer has done such a beautiful job, I won't repeat his comments, other than to say "Ditto!" What a wonderful resource for ideas, tools, and inspiration. After a ten-year hiatus, I am moving from private practice to focusing on courses, workshops, and seminars. Realizing my presentation skills were rusty, after reading Naked Design in one sitting, I came back and immediately purchased Presentation Zen (2nd Ed). as with N/D, I couldn't put it down until the last page. Presentation Zen gives marvelous guidance for creating truly effective and memorable presentations. As I am developing the 2012 programs, every time I open the book to clarify a point, find myself re-reading whole chapters again, and again, and picking up on another delightful nuance each time. Originally purchased the Kindle version but, as with Naked Design, decided to get the hard copy because it is one I will want to keep at hand for a long time. Worth every penny -- and much more!

Excellent reminder of standard presentation techniques from design to delivery as well as incorporating creativity that you may feel you just don't have. Many great examples and visuals. The author introduces a few new ways of looking at the way you approach and design presentations. Highly recommend if you are in a profession where presentations are part of your norm. No matter your experience level you will gain from this book.

I did not want to buy this book due to Zen, which I did not know in details (neither today) but as one day suddenly made a for a kindle version there was no way back. That was one of my best click in the last year. Now I understand what is the difference between a document and a slide-show. Why PP or Keynote is not getting a good and useful tool, but rather forcing us to make mistakes, turning our ideas into a boring presentation. Anyway instead of an explanation you should read this book. Everyone should read who speaks to smaller or bigger audience... Have a good time with that!

This was an excellent read for me. First, it really helped me improve the quality of my presentations visually. The examples were striking and implementable. Second, it was very readable. Simple language, incisive summaries, and good-sized print. Third, the advice on preparing for, structuring, and delivering your presentation was excellent. I've done my first presentation applying these principles and I am delighted with the result. I read Duarte's "Resonate" but for me this was significantly more readable and infinitely more helpful.

Enjoyed the examples and comparisons used. This really gave substance to each of his points. The book goes further then simple presentation ideas, but definitely makes you think of every facet of an opportunity to present. Sometimes a little broader scope then expected but otherwise worth the read.

Dieses Buch bewegt sich glücklicherweise fernab der üblichen Powerpoint-Grütze. Anstatt auf den Werkzeugen (Impress, Powerpoint usw.) herumzureiten, nimmt sich der Autor hier Form der Präsentation an. Ausgehend von Ideen aus der japanischen Ästhetik und dem Zen-Buddhismus, werden die wichtigsten Konzepte erläutert, um eine möglichst einfache, packende Präsentation zu erstellen. Das Buch enthält extrem viele Beispiele von Präsentationen, die der Autor für erwähnenswert hält. Besonders schön aufgezogen sind auch die "Vorher-Nachher"-Vergleiche. Hier kann jeder sehen, wie die Ausdrucksstärke einer Präsentation gewinnen kann, wenn man einige Gestaltungsrichtlinien beherzigt. Besonders gut an diesem Buch gefällt mir, dass keine konkreten Tipps gegeben werden, etwa in der Form "Nur 5-7 Aufzählungspunkte pro Folie". Stattdessen bringt der Autor dem Leser bei, wie man selber die Kerngedanken aus der Präsentation herausarbeiten kann. Insgesamt ist dies sicherlich eines der besten Bücher, um die Kunst des Präsentierens zu erlernen. Wer berufs- oder studienbedingt öfter Präsentation abhalten muss, dem sei dieses Buch ans Herz gelegt. Ein einziger Wermutstropfen, der aber sozusagen systembedingt ist: Das Buch richtet sich nicht notwendigerweise an technische bzw. wissenschaftliche Präsentationen. Dies mag aber, wenn man beispielsweise an Edward Tuftes Abneigung von Powerpoint denkt, seine guten Gründe habe. Wer also für seine Präsentation gar nichts aus dem Buch mitnehmen kann, benutzt vielleicht schlicht und ergreifend das falsche Medium...

I've been following Garr's blog since I was tipped by someone on this book. Finally I set my mind to buy the 2nd edition and wasn't disappointed. However, if you're familiar with presentation books in general and Garr's blog particalary, it's more an in detail confirmation book with a a lot of examples and sound advice. The main challenge remains to bring it into practice, especially if either you've coporate "standards" or worse, when you need to build-up a multi day day long training presentations.

libro dedicato alle presentazioni, come il titolo stesso promette e mantiene. L'autore è celebre per le sue presentazioni essenziali e qui racconta i suoi segreti. Non so se ne possiede di ulteriori da tenersi nella manica, ma già quanto esposto basta e avanza. G. Reynolds parte dall'uccisione di power point - in questo non è unico - e prosegue appunto con l'effetto zen: togliere ogni superfluo e far risaltare i concetti essenziali, Si impara così anche noi ad esprimere un concetto con immagini di classe e testi unici, di sicuro impatto. G. Reynolds si prodiga ad insegnare come costruire una presentazione, partendo da un copione, costruendo una sceneggiatura, raccontando una storia e distinguendosi da tutte le altre presentazioni noiose e interminabili. Per gli addetti "the best choice"

Great read - prefect for those wanting to make impactful presentations.

The book faithfully apply the concepts brought by Zen philosophy applied to public presentations. The book is enjoyable to read, holds the attention and encourages us to continue perfecting the art of public speaking with help of media. Just right!