So there you have it—lessons learned and theories born from almost a decade of working with companies large and small on their presentations, all boiled down into the Presentation Lab formula and method. My hope is that, if nothing else, the thoughts and examples within the book have prompted you to take a moment to rethink your approach to presentations.

Presentations are worth rethinking for the simple reason that when crafted with care and consideration, they have incredible power. Over the years, presentations have been the catalyst for great historic movements, for making positive change and for sharing new ideas. They have been the launch pad for life-changing inventions, for market shifting commercial decisions, and for delivering new and exciting business thinking.

If you take a step back and review the Presentation Lab formula, you’ll recognize a few similarities with the approaches taken by the great orators of history. Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King, and Steve Jobs all understood the power of connecting with an audience. They embraced the beauty of a simple and clear message and delivered it within a story structure that transcended the need for PowerPoint decks or Prezi zoom animations. And ultimately, they changed lives through the power of engaging, audience-focused presentations.

Granted, your mission may not be as lofty or grandiose as those aforementioned but I guarantee it’s still important. Important enough to employ the Presentation Lab formula and methodology to ensure you get closer to your audience, that your message and content is crystal clear, and that it’s supported with visuals that spark a reaction.

And if that’s not the case . . . don’t bother presenting. You’ll be saving yourself and your audience a whole bunch of time.