Presentation Design

Presentation design is one of my favorite topics, especially after being through several boring powerpoint sessions! Many presenters I have seen tend to use powerpoint as a Teleprompter than as a visual aid. Presentation skills are quite important, it requires lot of talent to keep the audience awake, especially in a dimly lit conference room J

 

Off late, I have been following several blogs on presentation and here are some of few which might be of interest to you:

·         Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds – He covers all aspects of presentation, not just the design of “slideware”. He authored a wonderful book that has the same name as the blog title(I own a copy of that book, my precious J ), the design of the book itself is commendable, I love the photographs in that book! He also makes very good recommendation of TED talks.

·         Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte – Another great thinker and presenter, also has a book by the same name as the blog title. I just happened to lay my hands on the book today afternoon, was surprised to see a bright red colored book is square shaped!

·         I also recommend Extreme presentation method for general presentation guidelines. He gives a 10 step methodology for preparing a presentation, which has some interesting observations. Of those 10 steps, a presenter has to touch powerpoint only from step 8(whereas most of us start our presentation preparation with powerpoint). He also gives a “squint test” principle for slide layout, which is described as follows:

 “A slide passes the squint test if you can tell, even while squinting at it (so that you cannot read any of the text), the basic idea of the slide.  The way to make a slide pass the squint test is to design it so that the page layout itself reinforces the main message of the slide.  “

 

Of course, if you are looking for some guidelines on presenting Numbers in excel, I recommend “Perceptual edge” by Stephen Few. Of course, don’t forget the guru Edward Tufte, his books are a must in any library!

An interesting meeting!

Last friday, i had a meeting with the Finance controller of our company to discuss something on Costing. He came to know about the PGSEM course that i am pursuing currently and enquired about the course structure, contents etc. Eventually, the meeting turned into a discussion on B-schools, MBA grads and his take on Management studies. He gradually started talking about his experience in previous companies and almost gave a mini lecture on some real life scenarios faced by some Manufacturing companies and in the process gave an awesome insight into Strategy, Marketing and Finance! In this two and half hours meeting, i probably learnt more than what was taught in the last 5 weeks of my coursework! I never imagined him to be so passionate about Management studies.One of the most interesting discussions i have ever had in my life!!

The Importance of being Earnest

Last Sunday, me and Ramya went to watch the play “The Importance of being Earnest”, by Evam group at the Rangashankara. It was wonderful!

 

First, about the place, this was my first visit to Rangashankara. Well, for that matter, this is the first time I am even watching a play live in Bangalore! Rangashankara was built by Arundhati Nag, in memory of her husband Shankar Nag. Built on the models of greek amphitheatre, this place is famous for staging about 300 plays every year and promotion of local talent. I also hear that the auditorium is very strict in their policies, especially the ones related to closing of the entry door once the play starts. Once, even a minister was denied entry as he was late to the play by 5 minutes!

 

I did expect a good crowd for the play, considering the fact that the troupe performing was quite famous in South India and the South Bangalore generally adores such plays. Moreover, this drama had been in CBSE class 8 (or class 9?) English course some years back, so the present 25+ age group junta would definitely remember this wonderful drama by Oscar Wilde! As expected, most of the crowd were spotted with jeans and kurta (Why do theatre enthusiasts/critics always wear jeans and kurta?), with stylish sun glasses and a sling bag, popularly known as “jolna pai” in Tamil. There was a huge queue outside the auditorium, as the doors open only 15 minutes before the play. Also, I was also told that there was a “free seating” policy, which means you get the best place if you are ahead in the queue! Thanks to an elderly gentleman, we got the best seats possible- second row from front, bang in the middle of the row, right across the center of the stage!

 

Now to the play, it was a wonderful performance by the Evam team. The only person I could recognize in the group was the cine artiste Karthik. Karthik is famous (or rather infamous) for having played the role of a Indian version of Ben stiller, well, he loses his girlfriend/fiancee to the hero almost in all cases, such as in “Kanda Naal Mudhal”, “Yaaradi Nee Mohini”, “Alaipayuthey” etc. As expected, he did a good job! The artistes who played the role of Jack Worthing and Lady Bracknell were too good! The face expressions of “Jack Worthing” were awesome! Especially his expressions while giving a reply to Gwendolyn on why he lied in the first place. Is the lady who played the role of “Lady Bracknell” really British? Her accent was perfect! The other lady artistes need a lot of practice I guess. But overall, it was a wonderful performance by Evam team. After the play, there was the usual “Thank the sponsors” and applause for the entire team. There could have been a Cast and crew introduction too, just like what we used to see in Pilani.

 

At the end of the day, we felt good for having spent 400 bucks for a wonderful play! Looking forward to attending more such plays at Rangashankara!

 

 

 

 

Antonym help!

Today afternoon, I was trying to write an email regarding something in which I wanted to use the antonym of the word “Nominate” (or Nomination). Strangely, I couldn’t find an antonym for that word! Do let me know if you come across the antonym for the word “Nominate” or “Nomination”.

 

On similar lines, have you come across any word(s) that do not have antonyms?

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!
Yet another post welcoming the New Year, well, I just give myself another opportunity to get back to the blogging world! Last year had been really good for me, both from professional as well as personal front. Though I wasnt able to achieve everything that I set out to in the first place, I am glad that I made some good progress on certain things. Some of the goals stopped in between, some transformed and some didnt even get started! This year, I am starting off with very few goals, I am sure it will get stretched or transformed as the year progresses. But I am glad that I am starting off with something at least!
Wishing everyone a fun filled New Year! May this year witness peace and prosperity everywhere!

p.s: Just noticed that this is my 200th post in this blog! :)

It happens only in India...

Things which made news for more than a week and were covered by media till its 'completion':
1) Shilpa Shetty winning Big Brother, made even more famous by Jade Goody (portrayed as triumph of good over evil)
2) Rahul Mahajan and his sleaze acts in Big Boss
3) Darsheel Saffrey refusing Best child actor award as he wasn't nominated for Best actor award (especially when Aamir Khan was nominated for the same movie)

Things which was in news for a day or two and forgotten very soon by the media:
1) Headlines today reporter Sowmya Viswanathan shot dead by unknown miscreants for unknown reasons
2) 2 year old kid Sonu fell inside the borewell and was brought out dead. Were the folks responsible for that really punished? Or have they come out on bail?
3) An employee of MNC, Soni Jagadish, committed suicide due to some issues with the employers. Was the true reason identified? Were the folks responsible punished?

There are zillion instances like that where media sensationalizes unnecessary issues and doesn't highlight the necessary ones. I remember reading an interview of Dr. Abdul Kalam, where he mentioned about Israeli media. Despite so much calamity and confusion in the country, the first page of the newspaper always used to contain achievements of its citizens, new discoveries in science, technology or agriculture, honor showered on its citizens by foreign countries etc. The front page always used to contain something on positive note! Why doesn't our media highlight the good things happening in the country? Sometime back, one of the lesser known TV channels in India used to cover interesting discoveries that happen in the rural areas; a lot of interesting ideas that originated in the minds of people who had never attended school were discussed and presented. Now i am not sure whether that show is still on! I am sure it must have been replaced with a show covering Page 3 gossip!!

What i read in college...

Today morning, while I was checking my emails, one of my colleagues asked me what an Oscilloscope is. The term sounded very familiar but I couldn't figure out what it was. I was wondering maybe it is something to measure the 'g' value or perhaps where the North Pole is. After sometime, I gave up and referred the ultimate source. When I found what it was, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! I had used Oscilloscope all through my college life, and here I am, 6 years later, struggling to remember what oscilloscope is! I hope my Profs don't read this blog entry :)

Yet Another delightful shopping experience!

I had earlier blogged about Calypso, the music store and their customer service. Last weekend, i again had a "A-ha" moment there! While i was looking for a "Best of Beatles" collection, i had an interesting conversation with the Sales guy there. Here is how the conversation went:

Me (showing the Beatles No.1 collection CD): Hi, I was looking for a good Beatles collection and i spotted this CD. But this doesnt seem to contain "Imagine". Do you have any other Beatles collection that has "Imagine"?

Store guy (with a casual look at the CD cover): No sir, no Beatles CD with contain "Imagine"

Me (with a puzzled look): Why?

Store guy: Because that is a John Lennon single, it wasn't a part of Beatles composition!

Me (with a relieved look): Ah! How did i forget that! Anyway, i am taking this CD.
............
Me (Looking at a G3 CD featuring my favorite guitarist Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen): Do you have the other G3 CD?

Store guy: No Sir, the one featuring Eric Johnson is out of stock.

I was seriously stunned! Had these questions been directed to a Landmark or Music world store guy, i am pretty sure they would say "We will search sir" and find their nearest escape route!

Check out Calypso at Jayanagar 4th block (next to Dosa Camp) for a wonderful shopping experience!

Online, At last!

After nearly 3 weeks of struggle, the broadband line became functional(or rather self-healed) again at my home! During this course, i learnt that
1) BSNL Customer Service center rocks, if you meet them in person. And they really do work from 8 AM to 8 PM every day!!
2) BSNL has a really good portal! Never knew that i can check my billing information online...
3) The 1-800 number for BSNL broadband service never really works! You press 9 for speaking to the operator and you keep waiting forever!

Anyway, feels good to be back online. Will blog more later!

My Hate List

Looks like San, during his India visit, noticed that i was pretty idle and tagged me in his blog :) Thanks San!

It was a really difficult task for me to list the people whom i hate the most. Some of my friends tell me that i try to stay diplomatic in many decision making situations, thereby being "good" to all (or rather, not being bad to some). To be honest, i tend to forget and forgive on too many occasions, as life is too short to be spent worrying. Anyway, with lot of struggle, i ended up with the following hate list:

1. People who waste others time. Be it in office or at home or while shopping, i tend to get irritated if i am being made to wait! I am not ready to buy the argument that Indians are always never punctual. Don't blame the country if you are not punctual!!

2. People who discriminate based on caste. Sadly, this category exists even now, that too among some educated folks! What's the point in being educated if one doesn't even have this basic sense of respect towards every human being? I openly maintain my distance with people who start talking like "He is a Brahmin" or "He is a sudra".

3. People who talk loudly just to make their point! Comeon folks, empty vessels make more noise.

4. "Educated" smokers and drinkers! This category is again an evil, mainly because they continue to do a mistake, even after knowing the ill effects of it.

5. People who waste food, water and Money! Everyday, when i see the food wastage counter in the Office cafeteria, i feel bit upset that so much is getting wasted when millions around the world are suffering from food shortage. If you have lived in a place like Chennai, you would know how it feels when you see water overflowing out of a bucket or leaking out of a water tanker. There are also certain people, who splurge money on unnecessary things, which could have otherwise been spent wisely or saved for future use. Just because they have money now, they waste it unnecessarily.

So that ends my list! I would like to tag Ramya to write her hate list!!