15 Minutes to Salvage Your PowerPoint Presentation
You practiced your one-hour presentation down to the last bullets. Imagine learning 5 to 15 minutes before showtime that your time has been cut down to 10 minutes. Join CRT’s free workshop to learn to salvage your presentation in a short amount of time.
Networking Event – Passport to Learn – Laurel, MD
Networking Events are costing more than ever. Stop by CRT’s free networking event in Laurel, MD. Go against the traffic to meet other business owners. Learn a few Excel tricks to calculate how much you need to sell to get what you want. Expand your customer base with a low-cost email marketing solution. Learn best practices with CRT’s partner, Constant Contact.
Check out our calendar to sign up today.
Categories: Free Events
If you have been following this site for the past several years, you know that I have experienced many up and downs. I have seen the movie, The Secret, many times. I had to swallow hard because I know that I am total control of my destiny. What I think will come to be. How do you change your past thoughts to laser in on what you what in Life? It is not easy.
In 2008, we have a clean slate. No matter what surrounds you now, e.g. debt, bad health, little income, negative relationships, etc., focus on what you want and move past your fear. I want to take my business to the next level. I have admit that I will swallow just as hard on January 1, but excited to jump right in and make those sales calls and walk through the neighborhood to meet other business owners (slash customers). My focus is to generate 2 million dollars. Why shoot low? There is a quote that if you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will be among the stars. I am so excited.
Of course, I made the usual resolutions and have a plan. I know myself enough to know that:
1) perfection can be a dream killer (meaning we will never get started)
2) it’s better to eat pieces of the elephant (less overwhelming)
3) execute the plan
4) make adjustments
It’s time to get going. Feel free to share with CRT Community how you are executing your plans for 2008.
Categories: Life in Focus
I would like to dub 2007, as the year of gadgets. I bought gadgets for business operations, training classes, and pure pleasure. It was tough to decide my favorites, but I have four that I want to mention. (Keep in mind, I tend to hold on these gadgets for 5 years or more.).
1) WebEx Training Center- I had been drooling over this service for three years. This center is in line with my goals to go green. No more commute. No more commute. One more time…No more….
2) iPhone – No, I did not sit outside for days, but I did purchase it next day. As a woman, I am sick of carrying a Smartphone and an iPod. I am still a Microsoft girl, but I love my iPods. To have a 2 for 1 deal in a small package was Zen and loss of a few pounds in my purse. Is it perfect? No. I want it to work with all areas of Microsoft Outlook and work in my car. After the 2nd software update, it works great with my iMonster car adapter. Also, it works with iGoogle documents. I look forward to continued improvements. BTW, save space by only syncing specific play lists.
3) The Wii Console – What fun. I was lucky to snap one up in November at our local Wal-Mart. Very interactive and up to 4 people can play with one remote and nunchuk. I did some checking around and found that you can rent the games instead purchasing them. Great party option for adults and kids.
4) The Magic Bullet - My goal is to eat healthier even though my schedule sometimes does not permit it. Smoothies full of proteins and veggies without pulling out my huge blender. It was also great for grinding espresso, coffee, and confection sugar.
Ok… it seems like I use these gadgets more for pleasure than work, but I honestly, believe in having a balanced Life.
Categories: The Geek in Me
1. Practice your presentation especially if someone else has created it. You should know your message whether or not you can run the slideshow.
2. Find out what version of PowerPoint the client is using especially if you are using 2007. (Tip: Save one version lower by click File|Save As|Save as Type.)
3. Practice running your presentation on a projector, if possible. If you don’t have access to a projector, practice on your desktop to make sure all your transitions, animations, and multimedia files work.To prevent the “It looks great on my screen, but…”
4. Copy all PowerPoint Presentation files and linked files (Fonts, Video, audio, etc.) to a memory stick or CD by using the Pack and Go (PowerPoint Versions 2002 or older) or the Package for CD (Versions 2003 and 2007) feature. Reason: The client may not have your version of PowerPoint, e.g. 2007, so this feature allows you to run the presentation without PowerPoint program.
5. Make sure you scan for viruses if you are using the client’s computer.
6. Make 2 print outs of your presentation: Note Pages and Handouts. Reason: You may get a change in your time to present. You can quickly mark the slides and points that you want to highlight. (Tip: Click File|Print |Print What and select Note Pages and Handouts. In 2007, Click the Office Button|Print|Print What.)
7. Make a branded blank handout so that your audience can take notes. Do not give out handouts of your slideshow. A few reasons include preventing people from copy your material or, people asking questions ahead of the presentation that can throw off your rhythm.
Want to learn to craft effective messages in PowerPoint? Starting January 17, 2008, CRT will be offering basic and advanced workshops along with the “What can you say in 5 Minute with PowerPoint?” series that will get your audience to take action. Visit us at http://crtconsulting.net/5minpttonline.html for more details and to signup.
Categories: Business Solutions
As I sit plugging away watching the Nutcracker on Christmas Eve, I have come to realize that my New Year actually began in November. I have just started getting back into the rhythm of my business. There were many lessons that I have learned from 2007. One, sales is not a four-letter word. Two, I did not realize how much I missed training Microsoft Office. Three, I love the concept of going green and hate the commute. Four, I had to figure out how to tie all these things together while still having the ability to offer Life Management classes. Mission accomplished with ambition to boot.
Sales is a lot like dating. Men and women have certain scripts that they follow to get that special one. We know what to wear, what look to give to attract attention, etc. Sometimes, we need help from friends and family to arrange for meetings to put those skills to practice. Therefore, it makes sense to not to wing it while selling a service that I believe in, training that integrates business, technical, and Life skills. I even had to hire my own Cyrano (the character) to coach me through the sales process as I gathered up my courage to ask for the order.
For the last few years, my intent was to move away from technical training, but then Cyrano posed an interesting question: “what is your bread and butter service?” I told him Microsoft Office and he suggested that I focus on the bread and butter. I was torn. I worked so hard to create some wonderful courses for the Life Management Division, I did not want to give it up. I realized that I do not have to. I have begun to develop courses to combine Microsoft Office with business and Life issues including Fearless Financials with Excel, Say it 5 minutes with PowerPoint , Mind Your Business with Outlook, and more. I call it TechnoLife Training.
Finally, CRT is going green by conducting majority of its course through the CRT WebEx Training Center. No Commute. No gas price increases. No fare and parking increases for Metro Parking in the DC Area. According to the carbon calculator, I will save 792 hours per year with the training center. You can, too. If you have a computer, internet access, and a headset, then you can take CRT’s interactive classes and learn skills you can apply immediately to your business and your Life.
I look forward to serving you in 2008. I am excited about CRT TechnoLife offerings. I thank Cyrano for reviewing my scripts to help me to ask for the order. I thank my family and friends for believing in me. Though I am completing this message 30 minutes before Christmas Day, my dreams and wishes for 2008 have already begun. Happy New Year.
Categories: president msg
