Looking back on my years as a student, I have no problem determining which three classes were the best I ever took.

The first two were public speaking and basic composition – both of which I took my Freshman year in college. But the third most valuable class wasn’t taken until years later when I had the opportunity to study with Jerry Weisman, arguably the worlds best presentation coach.

Perhaps even more fortunately, I had the opportunity to do so twice.  The first time was at Borland, when Philippe Kahn decided that he wanted all of his top execs to get this training.  The second time was at PureAtria when Reed was preparing to go on the road for some financial presentation or other (who the hell remember this stuff).

Jerry’s classes were no one or two hour, sit in the back of an auditorium kind of thing – it was a multi-day seminar starting with constructing the content of the pitch, putting together the slide deck, and then learning how to deliver it.  Amazing!

Anyway, I found this fantastic presentation on – what else – how to prepare a fantastic presentation put together by slideshow impressario JesseDee (@jessedee).  For those of you not in a position to spend many thousands of dollars for your own private sessions with Mr. Weissman, this will have to sufice:

The Essential Presentation Primer