Welcome to

Last night, I watched American Idol- they’re doing the initial auditions, which bring out a lot of horrible singers who get cut down mercilessly (and deservedly) by the acerbic Simon Cowell. Afterwards, I was online, and came across this post on Powerpoint by Seth Godin. He laments what Powerpoint is, and dreams of what it could be, describing an approach to crafting a Powerpoint presentation which can’t be farther than the reality of what most of us experience when we get trapped in yet another excrutiatingly boring meeting.

Back when I was in college, professors used to stand before the class and lecture. I went back for a masters degree 15 years later, and found that times had changed. Sure, some professors still lectured. But (too) many just put presentations up on the projector and read the slides.

In the business world, it’s even worse than that. At least the professors had some point they were trying to convey, albeit in dull fashion. In most business meetings, the only point is ‘Buy my product’. Not a whole lot of value for the attendee.

So tonight I got an idea– I propose a new approach to ending Powerpoint Hell, to be instituted not by the presenters of the world, but by the meeting attendees. First, let’s recognize that we the attendees are at fault for this situation. Why? Because we have been willing to sit for and placidly accept the crap presentations foisted upon us. It’s all our fault, because we have not demanded more.

So let’s change that. Let’s become American Idol judges. Be Simon Cowell. Give immediate, bracingly direct, honest feedback on the presentations you attend. In real time.

Here’s how it would work:

Presenter begins with a slide telling you his name, company name and date. You: Frown and glower.

Presenter puts up a slide with 12 bullets and 425 words in 6 point font. Proceeds to read them all. You: “I think you missed a few words there, Herman Melville. Would you like to try that one again?”

Presenter runs through series of graphs. Lots of numbers. You: Blatant yawn. Roll eyes.

Presenter brings things to a close with a Conclusions slide, reiterating points made 5 minutes ago. You: “Tell me- WHAT exactly do you think you’re doing here. Do you REALLY think we should buy your widgets based on that mess? I’ve NEVER been so bored in my life. ABSOLUTE mess. WORST presentation ever. We’ve learned something today- and that is: YOU sir, will never sell me anything.”

Now, if presenters knew that they were going to face public humiliation, wouldn’t they perhaps try a little harder? Hey, at the very least, meetings might be a little less dull for the rest of us.