The New York times recently posted an image of an overly-complex diagram to illustrate the point that PowerPoint is an effective communications medium. This deck is a slide makeover, demonstrating an effective way to introduce this diagram and use it to drive an effective decision-making meeting

1. Spaghetti slide makeover Bruce R. Gabrielle Author, Speaking PowerPoint April 2010

2. StrategyThere are four critical elements we need to focus on to win in Afghanistan Coalition support Afghanistan government Support from Afghan citizens Insurgent supporters

3. Coalition support affects the resources available to us ANSF tactical Provides tactical and strategic support to U.S. ground forces. Reports to the Secretary of State and the Vice President’s office. Provides funding and logistics to ensure armed forces are battle-ready. ANSF institutional Provides policy and legal support to armed forces, both domestically and internationally. Oversees budget and regulator relationships. Coalition capacities & priorities We are dependent on our coalition relations and their willingness to provide ground troops, supplies and political support to war efforts Coalition domestic support Coalition countries are also sensitive to their own local populaces and the support for the war effort. Domestic support results in increased willingness to provide capacities and priorities.

4. Afghanistan government must support local war activities Overall government capacity The Afghan government is currently composed of a de facto board of local regulators and elected officials. However, the needs of the country outstrip the available oversight and this creates problems with logistics and crime control. Central government The Afghan government is currently composed of a de facto board of local regulators and elected officials. However, the needs of the country outstrip the available oversight and this creates problems with logistics and crime control. Tribal governance The Afghan government is currently composed of a de facto board of local regulators and elected officials. However, the needs of the country outstrip the available oversight and this creates problems with logistics and crime control.

5. Support from Afghancitizens will ensure our troops can act effectively Population conditions & beliefs Local health, economic, political and environment conditions affect Afghan citizenry willingness to support foreign forces and their efforts. U.S. efforts should be focused on maintaining a reasonable quality of life and security for the local populace. Popular support Local health, economic, political and environment conditions affect Afghan citizenry willingness to support foreign forces and their efforts. U.S. efforts should be focused on maintaining a reasonable quality of life and security for the local populace. Infrastructure services & economy affect Afghancitizenry willingness to support foreign forces and their efforts. U.S. efforts should be focused on maintaining a reasonable quality of life and security for the local populace.

6. We must cut off supply lines from insurgent supporters Outside support to insurgent factions Certain countries are supportive of the insurgents’ wishes to disrupt the economic stability of the region and provide funds, intelligence and safe haven to the insurgents. We must cut off the supply lines that fuel the insurgents and their activities. Insurgents wishes to disrupt the economic stability of the region and provide funds, intelligence and safe haven to the insurgents. We must cut off the supply lines that fuel the insurgents and their activities. Narcotics wishes to disrupt the economic stability of the region and provide funds, intelligence and safe haven to the insurgents. We must cut off the supply lines that fuel the insurgents and their activities.

7. Now let’s have a productive decision-making meeting Insurgent supporters Coalition forces Afghan citizens Afghanistan government

8. Coming Fall 2010Speaking PowerPointthe new language of businessHow to make PowerPoint your secret weapon to inform and persuade in the boardroom