nick bloom, macro topics, spring 2008 presentations overview

Nick Bloom, Macro Topics, Spring 2008

PRESENTATIONS

Overview


PRESENTATIONS – THESE MATTER

Sad but true – presenting probably matters more than writing in economics.

Why:•Most academics go to far more seminars then they read full

papers•My guess is people remember the average seminar more

than the average paper – certainly the very good/bad ones•My guess is people also form opinions strongly on seminar

appearances – think of the job market as one example!


Basics

Structure, preparation and delivery

Miscellaneous


PRESENTATIONS – THE BASIC (1)

Do’sUse 24 (or minimum 20) point font:

• Easy to read• If you need smaller font, there’s too much on the slide

Use trackers to break down sections – provides structure

Dont’sUse many fonts, colors, sizes unless necessary. This is distracting.

Use backgrounds (picture of a mountain, colored shapes etc..)

Avoid too much junk repeated on every slide (like this)


PRESENTATIONS – THE BASICS (2)

Look at the audience (not screen/PC). This requires preparation

Scan the audience – engages people and gives you feedback

Speak loudly – enough so everyone can hear

Speak at a reasonable (slow-enough pace)

Smile and appear relaxed (even if you’re not) – people take cues from you

Keep going even if things go badly – it is hard to assess how things are going during a presentation


Basics

Structure, style, preparation and delivery

Miscellaneous


PRESENTATIONS – STRUCTURE

A good presentation should have a rough story – for example:•Here is an interesting fact – ideally graphical•Here is the unresolved question•Here is the summary of my answer•Here is my answer in more detail

• Model• Empirics

An ideal paper has a some results which are ex ante intuitive (predictable but comforting) and some which are only ex-post intuitive (interesting)

You should be able to give your 5-minute and 1-minute version of your paper – I end up having to do this all the time


PRESENTATIONS – STYLE

Only use equations if required – most human-brains struggle with these – never include these to “look smart” (very 1980s….)

Try to use graphs if possible – much easier to understand

I also like action leads for graphs (titles that summarize the main point on the page) - see examples on next slides

•These are also best for policy/business presentations•Downside of these for academic seminars is less flexibility

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FIRM LEVEL DISTRIBUTION OF MANAGEMENT SCORES BY COUNTRY

Franceaverage=3.14

n=137 n=157

n=290n=154UKaverage=3.07

USaverage=3.35

Germanyaverage=3.31

STANDARD LEAD


THERE IS A WIDE FIRM LEVEL SPREAD IN EVERY COUNTRY, WITH LONG TAILS IN THE UK & FRANCE

ACTION LEAD

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Franceaverage=3.14

n=137 n=157

n=290n=154UKaverage=3.07

USaverage=3.35

Germanyaverage=3.31


PRESENTATIONS – PREPARATION (1)

You need to practice to be good. Do this at least the day before

My rule of thumb is to spend 2/3 time producing, 1/3 practice

Practice means saying the complete slide pack out-loud from start to finish with a watch. This helps

•Timing – the only way to do this•Content – you improve this by having to say it •Wording – you work out what sounds natural•Delivery – much more fluid and confident

Do this whenever you change format (i.e. a 30 min AEA session)


PRESENTATIONS – PREPARATION (2)

Check the room out in advance – move furniture if necessary. •You want some space to move around•Avoid any leads around your feet•Have a chair to perch on for questions if needed•Clear some space to put your pad for note•Don’t leave your water next to your laptop - once at Cowles

I knocked my bottle straight onto it, and water poured into it….

Also try to set-up 10 minutes early to avoid disasters and start calm

Prepare responses to possible questions – practice saying these!


PRESENTATIONS – DELIVERY (1)

Always always always be polite! In particular never suggest a question is stupid in any way (even if it is).

Use peoples first names wherever possible

Refer back to people that asked questions earlier – do this as much as possible

Refer to peoples work if it is relevant to you presentation. This requires research – guess your audience and scan their work

Always appear calm and relaxed even if the questions are tough

You can park one question a seminar – i.e. say “that’s a good question”, repeat to clarify, then say “let me think about that”


PRESENTATIONS – DELIVERY (2)

Use a pen and paper and write down many comments:• Hard to remember stuff• Makes it clear you are not ignoring questions

You want lots of questions – if the audience is silent try pausing as you might be too fast (i.e. drink, appear to think etc…)

Have a bottle of water – also drink when pushed for time…

Take a clicker – then use the red-dot to intimidate anyone with nasty questions Terminator 2 style. Shine it in their face ……(only kidding)


Basics

Structure, preparation and delivery

Miscellaneous


PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (1)

Be very wary of “work-in-progress” seminars – unfortunate but true, you are always being judged

If you have a good paper (your job-market paper) keep presenting:• It disseminates your work• It disseminates you• You continue to get useful feedback for a long-time

Have a large set of backup slides. Use these to include:• Response to possible questions (looks prepared)• Topics which are interesting but tangential

But, try to avoid flicking too much in presentations – disorientating

Close all open background programs before presenting


PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (2)Always use your own laptop if possible – you know yours works…

Get practice wherever possible – still after about 50+ seminars I am definitely learning. So apply for PhD seminars, conferences, internal workshops, overseas presentations…

Best bet is to dress “Smart-casual” – i.e. slacks and a shirt. Suit & tie only for policy/business presentations or Rookie market

Timing – for a 1.5 hour seminar prepare to talk for 1 hour, leaving about 30 minutes for questions

Plan ahead – so work out which sections to drop if time runs short.

Occasional humours works well in longer seminars to help keep people engaged (if you can manage this)


PRESENTATIONS – OTHER MISCALLENEOUS (3)On your website load your most recent version of the paper and

the presentation – provides back-up in case of disaster

Also prepare a PDF of your slides in advance – this is computer robust (i.e. works on every machine)

Do not worry too much about Powerpoint vs Beamer•In macro people use Beamer more (in labor PP more)•I would go with whichever is easiest

Try to avoid referring to tables/figures/pages in the paper – many people will go to these immediately and you lose their attention


SUMMARY

Presenting is mostly a question of practice and preparation

It is never predictable, but you can maximise through the steps on:• Structure• Style• Delivery• And most of all practice, practice, practice

nick bloom, macro topics, spring 2008 presentations overview

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