Not everyone loves PowerPoint. Not everyone knows where to start. Everyone loves loading the presentation with as much information as possible in the greatest number of slides. Everyone on your team creates presentations with an inconsistent look and feel. The client doesn’t love it and you don’t know how to fix it. I feel your pain. What if you can train your team to design their own presentations? What if you can give them the tools and hands on practice to simplify content and create great design? I’ll tell you what you’d have – you’d have a confident team that can succeed on their own and design presentations that WOW the client every time. If you are interested in training your team to create their own presentations, that’s where I come in. At your office, I’ll teach basic design principles, show your team how to simplify content, and then  do a training workshop with hands on practice, and provide virtual support after the workshop. If you want to empower your team, let’s talk before your next presentation.

Action words, or verbs, are the powerhouses of your presentation. They don't just convey information—they inspire, motivate, and drive your audience to act. When used effectively, action words can transform a bland presentation into a compelling call to action.   Why do action words matter? Action words capture attention and maintain interest. They make your goals and instructions clear and straightforward. Strong verbs encourage your audience to take immediate steps.   When you’re using action words, Start with a strong opening : Begin your presentation with an action word to set the tone. Example: " Discover how our new strategy can transform your business operations." Be direct and clear: Use action words to give clear instructions and expectations. Example: " Implement these techniques to boost your productivity." Focus on outcomes : Highlight the benefits and results of acting. Example: " Achieve your goals faster with our innovative tools." Use action words throughout: Use them not just in your opening and closing, but throughout your presentation to maintain momentum. Example: " Explore the possibilities and accelerate your growth."   Try these out to get started - implement, explore, transform, accelerate, achieve, discover, expand, initiate, elevate, engage, streamline (everyone’s favorite buzzword!) Remember, if it’s an action you want, start with action words. By incorporating powerful verbs into your presentations, you can engage your audience, clarify your message, and drive the desired actions. So, the next time you prepare a presentation, let action words be your guide to success so your audience will take action. If you need any help, let's talk before your next presentation.

During presentations, approximately 60% of attendees admit to multitasking, such as checking emails or using their phones, according to a survey by Prezi and Harris Poll.   Which is why it's important to make your presentation engaging to keep the audience's full attention. How do you do that? Your slides are not scripts.   If you're going to read what's on the screen, just send the presentation in an email and cancel the session. Everyone can read what you're saying.  See or listen?  Your audience can either look at your screen or listen to you, they can't do both. Choose how you want to impact your audience.  Don't overuse animation. Animation should be used sparingly and selectively so it has the right impact. Too much animation distracts your audience and you lose your message. Take breaks.  Don't talk longer than 10 minutes at a time without a break, Q&A or activity. Don't give your audience enough time to find something else to do.  Audience participation.  Play a game, break up the audience into groups, change activities, have them come up to the microphone and share something.  If they're busy and engaged, they won't multitask.  With the right speaking skills + a compelling presentation,  you will capture your audience's attention and make a memorable impact.  If you need help, let's talk before your next presentation.

I heard this my whole life, and I drive my kids crazy with the same question. Always have a plan. Listen, I love Sundays, like anyone else, but I also run my own business. This means always balancing work and family, even on the weekends. So, when I’m not engaging with clients, I spend my Sunday mornings planning and ask myself: “What do I want to accomplish this week?” Here’s what I do in an hour: 1.     LINKEDIN (30 min) Comment on other people’s posts to increase engagement and reach Read the articles I’ve saved during the week about presentation design for tips Craft the week’s posts, I post 2x a week on the same days and times Identify people I want to reach out to and follow up with on Monday 2.     DEVELOP SKILLS (30 min) Practice new designs Play with a new portfolio idea Try out the videos I saved on Instagram about presentation design 3.     CALENDAR (15 min) Work calendar What needs to be done before a project deadline What prep do I need to do before a meeting Who do I need to follow up with Personal calendar: block the time needed between meetings 4.     CLIENTS/PROJECTS (15 min) Review my list of recent conversations with potential clients Identify who to follow up with to move to the next stage Schedule when I’ll follow up again, decide which ones may not materialize I review my weekly and monthly goals and consider which activities will help me reach them.  These activities help me approach the upcoming week with confidence and a clear plan for building the business. Although setting short- and long-term goals is essential, I find that focusing on weekly goals and creating a structured plan makes the tasks feel more manageable and achievable.

A PowerPoint won't solve business problems by itself, but it can help kickstart problem-solving in different ways: Express complex ideas, strategies, or problems concisely.  Visual elements such as charts, graphs, and diagrams can help stakeholders quickly understand the issue and its implications. Present a strategic plan  - breaking down the steps needed to tackle specific business problems. It helps in mapping out goals, objectives, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Make data-driven decisions  - you can highlight trends, correlations, and root causes, making it easier to discuss potential solutions. Train staff   - on new processes, strategies, or tools that are needed to solve business problems. Engaging your audience  - boost morale and motivation by showing a clear path forward, celebrating wins, and highlighting opportunities. Benchmarks to track progress over time  - regular updates can show what's working and what needs adjustment, keeping everyone aligned and focused.   If you're looking to elevate your presentations to solve problems and drive results, I'd love to chat.

In the high-stakes world of professional speaking, one deck can make or break an entire opportunity. This is a story of transformation, precision, and the power of strategic design. Just days before a critical keynote, a speaker found herself in a panic, the stakes were high. With 200+ expectant audience members waiting, she needed a presentation that would not just inform, but inspire. Enter the presentation design hero. Working against a razor-thin five-day timeline, I dove deep into the project. This wasn't just about slides—it was about crafting a compelling narrative. By strategically restructuring the content, here's what I did: Removed slides that were too technical for a keynote Removed slides that would take too long Created a cohesive storytelling arc Balanced slide content with speaker notes Developed a bold, attention-grabbing visual design The result? A stunning deck completed in just 2.5 days, giving the speaker three full days to practice and perfect her delivery. More than just a visual makeover, this was about restoring confidence. The speaker now had a presentation that matched her expertise—one that would captivate her audience and reinforce the trust placed in her by the organizing body. Some challenges require more than technical skills—they demand a nuanced understanding of storytelling, design, and human psychology. This was one of those moments. The takeaway? In professional communication, your deck is your first impression. Make it count.

Shape your message like a bonsai - trim away everything that doesn't serve the form. Like a master gardener pruning a bonsai tree, creating clear communication requires both artistry and precision. Each cut must serve a purpose, revealing the true form beneath. Today, I'll share three essential rules to help you 'word-diet' your way to clarity in your communications. Rule 1: The Twin Branch Principle (Reduce Redundancies) Just as a bonsai artist wouldn't keep two branches growing in the same direction, your writing shouldn't say the same thing twice. For example, Before: "Next quarter results for Q2 are available online" After: "Q2 results are online" The pruned version maintains all essential information while eliminating redundant growth. "Next quarter" and "Q2" were competing for the same space – by choosing the more precise option, we create a cleaner line. Rule 2: The Essential Form (Clarity Over Complexity) A bonsai's beauty lies not in the quantity of its branches, but in the power of its form. Similarly, your message should strip away to its core meaning. For example: "Critical Repair Parts & Products Where and When You Need Them" becomes simply "Repairs" The longer version tries to explain every feature and benefit. But like a well-shaped bonsai, the single word "Repairs" contains all the necessary meaning. The details can live in your supporting materials, like roots hidden beneath the soil. Rule 3: The Vital Numbers (Use Data That Matters) Every leaf on a bonsai must earn its place. The same goes for your data. Instead of overwhelming your audience with context they don't need, showcase the numbers that tell the story: For example, rather than saying "Two-thirds of college students change their major at least once," lead with the stark simplicity of "66% Change Majors" This number becomes your focal point – like the dramatic angle of a bonsai's trunk. It captures attention and invites questions, allowing you to elaborate only when your audience is engaged. The Art of Knowing When to Stop Remember Einstein's wisdom: "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." Like a bonsai master who knows exactly when to put down the shears, effective communication requires judgment. Cut too little, and your message remains hidden in the chaos. Cut too much, and you risk losing essential meaning. The goal isn't to reduce every message to its smallest possible form, but to find that perfect balance where clarity and impact reach their peak. When you achieve this, your communication becomes like a perfectly shaped bonsai – nothing to add, nothing to take away, just pure impact. Practice these three rules, and watch your messages transform from overgrown tangles into precision instruments of communication. Download your one page Word-Dieting Tips Need help cutting back? Let's talk before your next presentation.

Have you ever noticed how some speakers seem to own the room effortlessly? While natural charisma plays a role, there's often a secret weapon at work: thoughtfully designed presentations. Strong visual design doesn't just make your slides look pretty—it fundamentally transforms how you present, sell, and inspire. The Psychology Behind Design Confidence When you walk into a presentation with slides you're genuinely proud of, something remarkable happens. Your posture straightens. Your voice carries stronger. You find yourself making more eye contact instead of turning to read your own slides. This isn't coincidence—it's the confidence that comes from knowing your visual support is working for  you, not against you. "The greatest presenters aren't necessarily the most knowledgeable—they're the most prepared and confident," says presentation expert Nancy Duarte. And preparation includes creating slides that actively enhance your message rather than distracting from it. How Great Design Transforms Your Selling Power In sales presentations, your slides are making impressions on multiple levels: Visual credibility : Professional design signals competence before you say a word Message reinforcement : Strong visuals ensure key benefits stick in memory Emotional connection : The right imagery creates feeling where words alone can't When your design elements instantly communicate quality, your product or service inherits that perceived value. Sloppy, cluttered slides subconsciously suggest disorganized thinking and questionable attention to detail—exactly what you don't want associated with your offering. From Information to Inspiration The most powerful presentations don't just inform—they inspire action. When your design elements work in harmony with your spoken message, you create a multi-sensory experience that engages audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Think about TED Talks that moved you. Notice how their presentations rarely contain bullet points or text-heavy slides. Instead, they use powerful imagery, simple graphics, and minimal text to amplify the speaker's message without competing with it. Four Practical Design Tips That Build Presenter Confidence 1. Embrace the Power of Simplicity Practical Tip : For each slide, identify ONE key message. Then ask: "What's the simplest way to visualize this?" Remove everything that doesn't directly support that core message. Why it builds confidence: When your slides contain only essential elements, you're never competing with your own visuals for audience attention. You can speak more naturally knowing your slides complement rather than duplicate your words. 2. Create a Consistent Visual System Practical Tip : Develop a simple color palette (2-3 primary colors), select 2 complementary fonts (one for headlines, one for body text), and establish consistent placement for recurring elements like headers and page numbers. Why it builds confidence: Visual consistency eliminates decision fatigue during creation and provides a professional framework that elevates even simple content. When every element feels intentional and polished, you project that same intentionality. 3. Use High-Quality Images That Evoke Emotion Practical Tip : Replace generic stock photos with authentic images that create genuine emotional connection. One powerful, full-bleed image with minimal text often creates more impact than multiple smaller images. Why it builds confidence: Emotional imagery creates memorable moments in your presentation, giving you natural places to pause, make eye contact, and let important points resonate. These strategic pauses feel natural when supported by impactful visuals. 4. Design for Audience Understanding, Not Speaker Convenience Practical Tip : For each slide, ask: "If I wasn't there to explain this, would it still make sense?" Then refine until the answer is yes. Why it builds confidence: When your slides are intuitively understandable, you're free to focus on delivery and connecting with your audience rather than explaining confusing visuals. This clarity gives you confidence that your message will land exactly as intended. The Virtuous Cycle of Design and Confidence The relationship between great design and presenter confidence creates a powerful positive feedback loop. Better design leads to more confident delivery, which improves audience reception, which further boosts your confidence for future presentations. The next time you prepare for an important presentation, remember: investing time in thoughtful design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating the conditions for your own success. When you walk into that room with visuals you're proud of, you bring with you the quiet confidence that comes from knowing every element has been crafted to support your message. And that confidence? It's absolutely contagious. If you need help with your next presentation, let's talk.