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First, a short overview. Most remotes have two components: the remote itself that you hold in your hand and the receiver that plugs into your computer. Most remotes come with software that lets you apply spotlights and do all sorts of special effects. Other features include a timer in which you can program abreak. The screen shows a countdown image so people know when to comeback from the break or lunch. Some remotes even have a built-in laser pointer.Be careful how many fancy features you use. In a business presentation, using all these features in front of upper management may make them wonder how you spend your time.
Remotes have two technologies: RF (wireless radio frequency) and IR (infrared). With an RF device you don't have to point it at the receiver that is attached to the laptop. With the infrared device, you have to aim the mouse at the receiver. For this reason, you may not want an infrared device. You have enough to do during a presentation besides being sure to point your remote toward the receiver. Besides, you then stand in front of people aiming the remote and looking at the receiver. This is not a very professional image to portray. Infrared seems to be unreliable in some fluorescent lighting. So that leaves you with choosing a wireless radio frequency remote mouse. But you cannot use an RF mouse in hospital settings. It can interfere with heart monitors.
Tips for Choosing a Remote
Here are some tips when considering what type of remote to buy. When you go shopping, check out these features. Better yet, find someone who has a remote, try it, and if you like it, buy that one.
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Most people use a laser pointer incorrectly. They move the dot much too quickly on the screen. They shine it into the audience. It is an art to use a laser pointer correctly. If you don't need one, don't use it. If you do need one, practice using it. Leave it on one spot on the slide. Move it very slowly to another spot. Turn it off when done. Also, don't get carried away and use it to point to text.
There are many fancy remotes coming out on the market. They have features such as being able to use it in another room one hundred feet away. Again, the key to an effective presentation is connecting to your audience and speaking to them. Be sure that whatever remote you use doesn't distract you from that task.
Tips for Presenting
Use a Blank Slide. Put a blank slide at the end of the presentation so you don't jump out of the PowerPoint slide show view. Better yet, blank out the screen by hitting the "b" key while in slide show view.
Match the Technology to the Message. Don't let the technology overshadow the message. Also, be sure that the presenter's personality can match the slides the audience is seeing. We have seen very high-tech slides matched with a monotone presenter. Consequently, juxtapositioned next to the slides, the presenter looked and sounded worse than usual.
Create a Shortcut Icon. Place a shortcut icon to the presentation on the desktop. This makes it easier and more professional when you start. This is especially important when you are doing one-on-one presentations. You boot up the laptop and then just click the shortcut icon. You appear in charge and ready to go.
Hire the Nitpicker. Find someone to look over your slides for inconsistencies and spelling errors. This is impossible to do when you fix your slides the night before a presentation. You are tired and tend to miss errors. It is embarrassing when audience members pick up errors.
Practice the Shortcuts. Be sure you know how to go back to a slide if you need to when answering a question. Usually you just type in the slide's number and hit enter. This means you need a hard copy so you can see the slide's number.
Use the Custom Show Feature. In PowerPoint go to Slide Show>Custom Shows. You can create a show within a presentation. For example, you can take six slides of a twenty-slide presentation and make a mini-presentation. This can be useful if you don't know how much time you'll get to present. You have your long version and your short version. You can also print a custom show.
When you take time to carry out the suggestions above, you will be prepared for all types of contingencies. You will look more professional and gain credibility with your audience. Now what do you need to do on the day of your presentation?
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