Discovering Petcha Kutchas

Introduction

We've all sat through (and probably given) bad PowerPoint presentations.  The video to the right highlights some of the common issues with PowerPoint presentations. However, the problem isn't with PowerPoint.  PowerPoint is just a tool. Some people are amazing at giving PowerPoint presentations.  This page will introduce you to a few presentation types that are the most popular.

 

 

 

 

TED Talks vs Petcha Kutchas

TED Talks are the most well known.  TED Talk PowerPoints tend to use engaging images with very little or no text. However, TED Talks tend to be top down in the sense that in order to give a TED Talk you have to be well known or know the right people.  Petcha Kutcha PowerPoint presentations on the other hand +have sprung up all over the world and are given in places ranging from bars to international conferences.  Similar to TED Talks, Petcha Kutcha presentations are actually designed to avoid some of the pitfalls of PowerPoint.  The following are the Petcha Kutcha guidelines:

  • The slides have to be visual and contain little to no text.  Simple charts or graphs are also allowable
  •  The presentation contains 20 slides
  • Each slide is displayed for 20 seconds.  

In a true Petcha Kutcha, the PowerPoint is set to automatically advance each slide every 20 seconds.  As a result Petcha Kutcha presentations last exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Below are two examples of Petcha Kutchas.  

     

 

 Ignite Phoenix

Does 6 minutes and 40 seconds sound too long to you?  If so, Ignite Phoenix might be more your speed. Ignite Phoenix follows the same rules as Petcha Kutchas but each slide is displayed for only 15 seconds. As a result, each presentation is only five minutes. The following are two of my favorite Ignite Phoenix talks.

 
     

  NOTE: Jay had a massive heart attack less than a year after his presentation.  He then retured to give another presentation on eating healthy.