My big presentation at work fell apart because of a software crash

I was showing a new client our quarterly report yesterday when the whole slideshow froze. The screen just went black, right in the middle of my main point. I had to restart the computer, which took about five minutes of awkward silence. I tried to talk through the rest from memory, but I know I missed key numbers, like our 15% growth target. Has anyone had this happen and found a good backup plan? I'm thinking of printing handouts next time.

3 comments

3 Comments

ericprice24d ago

Always keep a printed one-page cheat sheet in my folder. It has the main bullet points and the key numbers, like those growth targets you mentioned. That way you can keep talking while the tech reboots, and you won't blank on the important stuff. I learned that the hard way after a projector bulb blew out mid-presentation.

carr.elliot24d ago

Totally agree with @ericprice on the printed cheat sheet. I keep mine folded up in my back pocket during every talk. That way, if the screen freezes or the clicker dies, I can just pull it out and keep going without missing a beat. It also helps me stay on track with my timing because I can glance at my key points. I even use a big font so I can read it quickly from a distance. It's the best backup plan you can have for any live presentation.

keith_rivera1921d ago

I used to wing it without notes, but a similar crash changed my mind. Now I keep a single printed page with the core data in front of me. It lets you talk through any tech failure calmly.