Ask Slashdot: How To Give IT Presentations That Aren't Boring?

Dmitri Baughman writes "I'm the IT guy at a small software development company of about 100 employees. Everyone is technically inclined, with disciplines in development, QA, and PM areas. As part of a monthly knowledge-sharing meeting, I've been asked to give a 30-minute presentation about our computing and networking infrastructure. I manage a pretty typical environment, so I'm not sure how to present the information in a fun and engaging way. I think network diagrams and bandwidth usage charts would make anyone's eyes glaze over! Any ideas for holding everyone's interest?"

Comments

Voice

[ShakaUVM]

Walk around. Vary the intonation of your voice. If you need to use PowerPoint, don't make it text heavy, but just put up the brief points you want them to memorize.

I give 10 or 20 workshops every year around the country, and I can usually capture the interest of an audience without needing PowerPoint.

Re:Voice

[bill_mcgonigle]

Walk around. Vary the intonation of your voice.

Yup, and *talk* to them. Tell them a few funny stories. Give them an understanding of what you do but also who you are.

Despite the dour advice I'm seeing from those on the Slashdot suicide watch, you have an opportunity to sell yourself and your group to the rest of the company, and learn how to do it on company time - so allow them to like you.

Even if you don't stay with this company, those skills are transportable. That you're even asking the question shows that you've got some ambition beyond the basement-dwelling naysayers.

You might even watch a few 90's Steve Jobs presentations. Say what you will about the guy's motives, but he knew how to capture an audience.

Re:Being entertaining is not a requirement.

[Darinbob]

I think it was about developers.