Corporate Training Magazine

Making the Most of Multimedia
Vol 2 Issue 2- Mar 2006

By Danielle Kragan

Engagement is essential to the success of any event, meeting or presentation. Whether you're leading a weekly departmental meeting or conducting a multi-million dollar sales pitch to a prospective client, the goal is the same‹to motivate people to action. However, as time demands in the workplace have increased, there has been a correlating decrease in attention span. Everyone has so much to do that they're quick to tune out unless you do something to capture their attention. Multimedia is one facet that can reinforce your message by capturing people's interest and even allowing them to interact.

Snazzy flipcharts and overhead slides were once the tools of choice, but with the advent of technology these have given way to PowerPoint presentations, streaming video and even live webcasting. These tools bring a new dimension of audience interaction by incorporating color, sound and video to engage audiences at multiple sense levels. This, instead of displaying a pre-prepared flipchart sheet (or worse yet, having to turn your back on your audience while you write your points while they watch and wait). And imagine how dynamic your sales pitch can become when you can bring the company president or CEO with you via live video.

However, it's important to remember that the role of multimedia usage is to enhance the presentation, not to be the presentation. Some presenters get carried away in how heavily they use the technology. In many cases, people go overboard in their use of multimedia tools. Remember that just because you have the capability doesn't mean you have to use it all.

Ask yourself, "What value does the technology add to the content?" If the slideshow has no value apart from its content, neither does the technology. Just because the 'bells and whistles' are available doesn't mean you should use all of them. Rather than providing any additional value, it becomes a distraction to the message you're trying to present. You need to evaluate and select the ones that will enhance and leave the rest behind.

Nikki Hallensworth is an Ontario-based communications consultant.