When the tech gremlins come out to play, STEM folks don’t have to surrender their dignity—or their slides. Here are three solid ways to stay cool and keep the presentation rolling.

Below are three ways to vanquish the tech gremlins:

Build a “Technology Fallback Plan”

Build a “technology fallback plan” that you can trigger instantly.

Think of it as your emergency kit: a PDF version of your slides, a second laptop, your presentation on a USB drive, and even screenshots of critical diagrams.

A little story will illustrate the value of a “technology fallback plan.”

I was attending a National Speakers Association Washington, DC Chapter meeting. The speaker was using his laptop to project on the screen. Halfway through his presentation, his laptop went blank. He immediately assigned us a small-group exercise.

Do you think the speaker had the small group exercise as a fallback plan? You bet he did. This fallback plan saved his presentation.

During our small-group exercise, the A/V team solved the problem. After the small-group exercise and brief out, the speaker continued with his presentation.

This was an example of a fallback plan not based on technology. Of course, there are fallback plans based on technology.

PDFs open on almost anything—even a toaster with Wi-Fi—so they bypass most compatibility issues. A fallback plan turns panic into a smooth pivot.

One way to address technology issues during your presentation is to have a “technology fallback plan.”

Another way is to design your presentation so it works without the technology.

Design Your Presentation to Work Without the Technology

Design your talk so it still works without the tech.

For every technology presentation method you use, have a presentation method that works without technology.

For instance, if your laptop stops projecting, have hard copies of your presentation to distribute, or go into a small-group exercise like the one I mentioned.

Remember, you are the message, not your tech. Sure, technology lets you do amazing things. But if your audience focuses on the “wiz, bang” of your presentation instead of your message, they will miss it.

A strong presentation isn’t just a slideshow—it’s a story. Remember, everyone loves a good story. This being said, your stories have to be relevant to your message. Your stories are hooks your audience will use to remember your message.

If your key point relies on a live demo, have a short verbal or visual explanation ready to replace it: a flowchart, a before-and-after description, or a simple analogy.

A short verbal or visual explanation has the added benefit of refocusing your audience on you. After all, you are the message.

Have a manual method of doing what the technology does. When your narrative is robust, the tech becomes a bonus rather than a lifeline.

Two ways to address technology issues during your presentation are to have a “technology fallback plan” and design your presentation so it works without the technology.

A third way is to arrive early and do a complete systems check.

Arrive Early and Do a Full Systems Check

Arrive early and do a complete systems check twice.

Uncovering technology issues early is always a good idea. In fact, I recommend that you do a complete system check a few days before your presentation.

If the complete system check reveals some “bumps in the road,” you will have time to devise fallback plans.

A quick test eliminates most disasters before anyone’s in the room. Connect your laptop, test audio, verify screen resolution, open your slides, run animations, and test the clicker.

Then do it all again after switching input sources, because projectors love to forget who they’re talking to. This early ritual is the STEM professional’s equivalent of stretching before a sprint.

Performing this complete system check will give you another significant advantage. It will significantly reduce your fear of presenting.

Three ways to address technology issues during your presentation are to (1) have a “technology fallback plan”, (2) design your presentation so it works without the technology, and (3) arrive early and do a complete systems check.

These strategies let you handle tech issues with the calm authority of someone who knows that even electrons occasionally throw tantrums.

Know your presentation technology and have fallback plans ready to implement when you have technology issues during your presentation

Call to Action

• Before your presentation, prepare an emergency kit: a PDF version of your slides, a second laptop, your presentation on a USB drive, and even screenshots of critical diagrams

• For every technology presentation method you use, have a presentation method that works without technology.

• Do a complete system check a few days before your presentation.

References

• Duarte, Nancy. Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations.

• Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery.

• Weissman, Jerry. Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story.

• Gallo, Carmine. Talk Like TED.

• Toastmasters International—Competent Communication & Advanced Manuals

• IEEE Professional Communication Society Guidelines

Being a confident, engaging, and effective STEM speaker is a vital personal and professional asset. With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent STEM speeches and presentations. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be. Please reach out to me at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks