are power point presentations better than a written report?

[Anonymous]

I know this is highly dependent on many things... but I as an independent consultant (think management consultant-esque, but with a twist, and in the nonprofit world) want to look more "serious" than a .ppt implies. I've noticed the client does both but seem to see more ppt. Last time they were thrilled with my written report but i'm thinking of shaking it up.

what do you think?

[Anonymous]

it's really too dependent on variables to answer

[Anonymous]

What are the variables in your experience?

[Anonymous]

Whether you can make a decent powerpoint. I'd much rather read a written report than slog through a truly crappy deck.

[Anonymous]

PowerPoint is best if you are presenting the material, and/or it is very data/graph heavy. If it's a primarily text report that is meant to be read then PowerPoint is not the right format.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It's SUPER text heavy in the sense that it's almost all quotes - I interviewed a bunch of people and am now identifying themes that came out from those interviews. Right now, I have it in a word document with headlines that summarize what people were saying and then illustrative quotes underneath.

So, i'd prefer that my own interpretation of those themes was minimal (that'd save me work, besides, i think the quotes speak for themselves).

What do you think?

[Anonymous]

It matters: is for a report that will be read, or presented?

[Anonymous]

If it is something that will later be referred to, then a document is better.

[Anonymous]

Document as powerpoint is to me a presentation. They are the client, ask them.

[Anonymous]

Ask the client. They will likely want both a written report and powerpoint summary/highlights but it's up to them. Don't crowd the slides for the love of God!

[Anonymous]

In my field, the two are used in different situations.
Technical article for grant applications and journal publications, PowerPoint for presentations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is highly dependent on many things... but I as an independent consultant (think management consultant-esque, but with a twist, and in the nonprofit world) want to look more "serious" than a .ppt implies. I've noticed the client does both but seem to see more ppt. Last time they were thrilled with my written report but i'm thinking of shaking it up.

what do you think?

Depends on your audience and your time to get your conclusions across - it's comic book vs novel.

[Anonymous]

If you're doing a presentation, use a PowerPoint, but otherwise, a written report is better. I hate using slideshows as reference materials.