The document provides techniques for crafting engaging presentations using storytelling. It discusses moving beyond bullet points to unleash the power of story by following a character's desire against obstacles. The author also describes a 7-step process for taming stories into an outline with complication, development, and resolution. The goal is to craft presentations that emotionally connect with audiences.

1. Storytelling techniquesfor crafting Outstanding Presentations Claudio Perrone

2. How relevant are presentations to your career?

3. In late 2007, I was leading a happy life

4. One day, my phone rang…

5. I was offered to speak at a BIG conference

6. On the one hand,it was a fantastic opportunity

7. On the other hand, public speakingscared me to death

8. Year: 1997Location: C.E.R.N.

9. I trained 15 scientists for a week

10. They skinned me alive

11. I’ll never forget that experience…

12. There was no way I was going face another possible humiliation

13. Besides, I could brain-damage people with PowerPoint

14. What would you do?

15. 1 Move Beyond Bullet Points

16. In Feb 2008, I joined the revolution

17. “ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication --- Leonardo Da Vinci

18. Despite my efforts, my firstdry-run was a disaster

19. I had strong images, but lack of structure confused the audience

20. At first, I created a “logical” outline Main Point: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success 1. Supporting detail: Agility 2. Supporting detail: Communication 3. Supporting detail: Creativity Summary: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success

21. Then, I discovered BBP!

22. Let’s “script” the first 5 slides Screenwriting techniques for crafting outstanding presentations The downturn threatens the future of many individuals and organizations You are an entrepreneur, meeting an investor for the first time I suggests… Move beyond bullet pointsUnleash the Power of StoryTame your story to persuade You’d love them to invest in your great idea Investors can be so hard to persuade

23. Let’s see how they “play” Action!

24. The downturn threatens the future of many individuals and organizations

25. You are an entrepreneur, meeting an investor for the first time

26. Investors can be so HARDto persuade

27. You’d love them to invest in your great idea

28. I suggest... Move beyond bullet pointsUnleash the Power of StoryTame your story to persuade

29. …And Cut. Well done! (you’ll add the cool pictures another time)

30. But wait… What if Spielberg showed up?

31. Dude, you are telegraphing. Your “story” has no drama.

32. How about this? telegraphing vs. dramatic irony vs. dramatic tension

33. 2 Unleash the Power of Story

34. Enter a new world

35. Why Story? People make choices based on emotions (and use data to justify them)

36. What’s a good story idea? Someone wants something badly and goes after it against great odds [character] [desire] [obstacles]

37. Story revolves around conflict Antagonist Nature Society Self Protagonist vs.

38. Story has good structure Outer journey

39. Often, there is a character inner journey WA=C W: Weakness (psychological and moral) A: Action (and struggle to accomplish it) C: Changed Person

40. Let’s see the “highlights” of a past presentation Action!

41. Most IT projects fail Will yours?

42. Once upon a time I was a successful software developer…

43. My technical skills made me feel invincible

44. Until one day…

45. …I entered a world of deception

46. It was Hell from day 1

47. What would you do?

48. I choked

49. …but then, I decided to fight back

50. This is what I tried: 2 Effective Communication 3 1 Deliberate Creativity Agility

51. 1 Agility

52. …but the project was still at risk

53. 2 Effective Communication

54. 3 Deliberate Creativity

55. So, what happened to the project?

56. Amazingly, it succeeded

57. Lessons learned... “ We moved from the Flintstones era to the future. “ --- an end user I was part of something. I belonged. --- a developer

58. …And Cut!

59. Agile Tales Walk-through (1/3)Setup Setting (+Hook) Character flaw (“naivety”) Setup (ordinary world) Inciting incident

60. Agile Tales Walk-through (2/3) Development Enter special world Dilemma Complication Refusal of the call Action / Resolution Turning point (will he succeed?) Action / Resolution New complication

61. Agile Tales Walk-through (3/3) Resolution Dramatic question (restated) Aftermath Climax Theme

62. How do you craft your own story?

63. 3 Tame Your Story

64. I used to rewrite a story ~30 times

65. Not anymore

66. I use a 7-steps process

67. Step 1: Research (Create a Data Dump)

68. Step 2: Prepare Subject POV Listeners Action Benefit

69. Step 3: Fill and cluster content

70. Step 4: Identify Story Ideas

71. E.g. Reverse Benefits Features Model View Controller Benefits Separation of concerns Easier page lifetime model Testability Reversed Benefits No separation of concerns Complex lifetime cycle Hard (or no) testability E.g.: Candidate Scenario 1 After the latest disastrous crash, team has 3 weeks to “fix” a web application which is almost impossible to test

72. Step 5: Create a dramatic outline Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Development: 1. Claudio moves beyond bullet points 2. Claudio unleashes stories 3. Claudio tames stories Resolution: Claudio conquers fear

73. Step 5. Dramatic outline II (saga) Major Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Semi-Major Complication: Claudio kills with PowerPoint Development 1,2,3 Interlinked Complication: Spielberg challenges Claudio Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio moves Beyond Bullet Points Semi-Major Complication: Spielberg challenges Claudio Development 1,2,3 Interlinked Complication: Stories consume Claudio Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio embraces stories Semi-Major Complication: Stories consume Claudio Development 1,2,3 Semi-Major Resolution: Claudio tames stories Interlinked Complication: Claudio fears public speaking Semi-Major Complication: Claudio fears public speaking (restated) Development 1. Claudio pursues emotion Development 2. Claudio welcomes obstacles (carpe diem) Development 3. Claudio finds own voice Major Resolution: Claudio conquers fear

74. Final Thoughts

75. “ Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. --- Oscar Wilde

76. Thank you! Claudio Perrone claudio@agilesensei.com www.agilesensei.com www.twitter.com/agilesensei