The White Rabbit

Alper goes into how AI is affecting his slide design work, and in particular how he reduces its impact.

In short: Even if the AI image quality were perfect, which it's definitely not, the legal situation is too fluid, so go with your tried-and-true techniques: Make your own images, or use stock photography.

Also, Matt crosses his fingers and hopes no one will call him out on a need to present data to back up his claims from last week.

After resisting the temptation to talk AI, Matt and Alper finally break down and do it. Along the way they discuss the meaning of the phrase "con man" and the existential reasons for why they do what they do.

The upshot of the discussion is that AI's source material is the sum total of the knowledge on the internet, and so most of us are therefore safe. However, if your main job is to produce cat videos, AI is coming for you. ;-)

Alper goes deeper into the specifics of a sales presentation slide deck, and in particular how you know it's time to upgrade your old deck, the importance of interactivity, and the importance of talking directly with your sales force while deciding how to layout the new deck. Also, what Will Smith has to do with good design.

Matt goes into a phrase he uses often with his clients, "stalk the board," and what he means by that, why to do it and how to do it, and what to expect and not expect. Don't worry, it doesn't involve hiding out in the bushes at midnight, getting arrested, or looking through binoculars.

Alper mentions a sales presentation webinar he was leading recently, and in particular, suggestions he gave for building one's self-confidence in the delivery, and what are the right things to practice and what are the wrong things to practice. Also, what is an alternative to the all-too-common "about us" introduction.

Matt goes into the major steps (and missteps) in his specialization journey, including what prompted him to start down that road in the first place.

Alper goes into rational and emotional resistance factors clients face, and that your slide deck can only carry part of the role in overcoming that resistance.

Alper asks Matt what he means by the phrase "The Four Things." If you want to "Pareto" your presentation or speech (do the 20% of the things that will get you 80% of the improvement), these are the four things to tackle first.

Matt and Alper interview Natalia Talkowska about the importance of putting some of your own story into your presentations, even if you feel a bit unsure about it, and how your audience needs that from you in order to connect with your message. Also, Natalia challenges Matt to draw a stick man on LinkedIn. 

Tom Tran makes another guest appearance on the podcast, this time to talk about internship presentations. What are they for, and what should be in there, and in particular, the importance of getting buy-in during the presentation development process.