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PRESENTATIONS Overview

PRESENTATIONS Overview. PRESENTATIONS – THESE MATTER . Sad but true – presenting probably matters more than writing in economics. Why: Most academics go to far more seminars then they read full papers

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PRESENTATIONS Overview

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  1. PRESENTATIONSOverview

  2. PRESENTATIONS – THESE MATTER • Sad but true – presenting probably matters more than writing in economics. • Why: • Most academics go to far more seminars then they read full papers • My guess is people remember the average seminar more than the average paper – certainly the very good/bad ones • My guess is people also form opinions strongly on seminar appearances – think of the job market as one example!

  3. BasicsStructure, preparation and deliveryMiscellaneous

  4. PRESENTATIONS – THE BASIC (1) • Do’s • Use 24 (or minimum 20) point font: • Easy to read • If you need smaller font, there’s too much on the slide • Use trackers to break down sections – provides structure • Dont’s • Use many fonts, colors, sizes unless necessary. This is distracting. • Use backgrounds (picture of a mountain, colored shapes etc..) • Avoid too much junk repeated on every slide (like this)

  5. PRESENTATIONS – THE BASICS (2) Look at the audience (not screen/PC). This requires preparation Scan the audience – engages people and gives you feedback Speak loudly – enough so everyone can hear Speak at a reasonable (slow-enough pace) Smile and appear relaxed (even if you’re not) – people take cues from you Keep going even if things go badly – it is hard to assess how things are going during a presentation

  6. BasicsStructure, style, preparation and deliveryMiscellaneous

  7. PRESENTATIONS – STRUCTURE • A good presentation should have a rough story – for example: • Here is an interesting fact – ideally graphical • Here is the unresolved question • Here is the summary of my answer • Here is my answer in more detail • Model • Empirics • An ideal paper has a some results which are ex ante intuitive (predictable but comforting) and some which are only ex-post intuitive (interesting) • You should be able to give your 5-minute and 1-minute version of your paper – I end up having to do this all the time

  8. PRESENTATIONS – STYLE • Only use equations if required – most human-brains struggle with these – never include these to “look smart” (very 1980s….) • Try to use graphs if possible – much easier to understand • I also like action leads for graphs (titles that summarize the main point on the page) - see examples on next slides • These are also best for policy/business presentations • Downside of these for academic seminars is less flexibility

  9. FIRM LEVEL DISTRIBUTION OF MANAGEMENT SCORES BY COUNTRY STANDARD LEAD Franceaverage=3.14 n=137 Germanyaverage=3.31 n=157 UKaverage=3.07 n=154 USaverage=3.35 n=290

  10. THERE IS A WIDE FIRM LEVEL SPREAD IN EVERY COUNTRY, WITH LONG TAILS IN THE UK & FRANCE ACTION LEAD Franceaverage=3.14 n=137 Germanyaverage=3.31 n=157 UKaverage=3.07 n=154 USaverage=3.35 n=290

  11. PRESENTATIONS – PREPARATION (1) • You need to practice to be good. Do this at least the day before • My rule of thumb is to spend 2/3 time producing, 1/3 practice • Practice means saying the complete slide pack out-loud from start to finish with a watch. This helps • Timing – the only way to do this • Content – you improve this by having to say it • Wording – you work out what sounds natural • Delivery – much more fluid and confident • Do this whenever you change format (i.e. a 30 min AEA session)

  12. PRESENTATIONS – PREPARATION (2) • Check the room out in advance – move furniture if necessary. • You want some space to move around • Avoid any leads around your feet • Have a chair to perch on for questions if needed • Clear some space to put your pad for note • Don’t leave your water next to your laptop - once at Cowles I knocked my bottle straight onto it, and water poured into it…. • Also try to set-up 10 minutes early to avoid disasters and start calm • Prepare responses to possible questions – practice saying these!

  13. PRESENTATIONS – DELIVERY (1) Always always always be polite! In particular never suggest a question is stupid in any way (even if it is). Use peoples first names wherever possible Refer back to people that asked questions earlier – do this as much as possible Refer to peoples work if it is relevant to you presentation. This requires research – guess your audience and scan their work Always appear calm and relaxed even if the questions are tough You can park one question a seminar – i.e. say “that’s a good question”, repeat to clarify, then say “let me think about that”

  14. PRESENTATIONS – DELIVERY (2) • Use a pen and paper and write down many comments: • Hard to remember stuff • Makes it clear you are not ignoring questions • You want lots of questions – if the audience is silent try pausing as you might be too fast (i.e. drink, appear to think etc…) • Have a bottle of water – also drink when pushed for time… • Take a clicker – then use the red-dot to intimidate anyone with nasty questions Terminator 2 style. Shine it in their face ……(only kidding)

  15. BasicsStructure, preparation and deliveryMiscellaneous

  16. PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (1) • Be very wary of “work-in-progress” seminars – unfortunate but true, you are always being judged • If you have a good paper (your job-market paper) keep presenting: • It disseminates your work • It disseminates you • You continue to get useful feedback for a long-time • Have a large set of backup slides. Use these to include: • Response to possible questions (looks prepared) • Topics which are interesting but tangential • But, try to avoid flicking too much in presentations – disorientating • Close all open background programs before presenting

  17. PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (2) Always use your own laptop if possible – you know yours works… Get practice wherever possible – still after about 50+ seminars I am definitely learning. So apply for PhD seminars, conferences, internal workshops, overseas presentations… Best bet is to dress “Smart-casual” – i.e. slacks and a shirt. Suit & tie only for policy/business presentations or Rookie market Timing – for a 1.5 hour seminar prepare to talk for 1 hour, leaving about 30 minutes for questions Plan ahead – so work out which sections to drop if time runs short. Occasional humours works well in longer seminars to help keep people engaged (if you can manage this)

  18. PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (3) • On your website load your most recent version of the paper and the presentation – provides back-up in case of disaster • Also prepare a PDF of your slides in advance – this is computer robust (i.e. works on every machine) • Do not worry too much about Powerpoint vs Beamer • In macro people use Beamer more (in labor PP more) • I would go with whichever is easiest • Try to avoid referring to tables/figures/pages in the paper – many people will go to these immediately and you lose their attention

  19. SUMMARY • Presenting is mostly a question of practice and preparation • It is never predictable, but you can maximise through the steps on: • Structure • Style • Delivery • And most of all practice, practice, practice

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