Customer Reviews:
Tufte Should Stick to What He Knows.......2007-08-22
I was first introduced to Tufte in Beautiful Evidence, which I stumbled upon in a B&N in Seattle on a business trip. I'm a software architect and developer; hence, I'm very familiar with the software world, particularly Microsoft technologies, which is where most of my development experience lies.
(I should say that I read this as part of the Beautiful Evidence book, which was good, but this part irritated me, so I'm glad it's separate here so I can review it separately.)
Certainly, Tufte has some good points about showing how PowerPoint can be limiting, and certainly PowerPoint has been abused. But that's no grounds to indict it as a useful tool, and in particular, 2007 gets a lot better in terms of empowering presenters to have more effective and visually interesting slides.
The point of PPT slides is simply to supplement a presentation by providing visual reinforcement of what is being said audibly. They shouldn't be used as a substitute for other means of communicating, which would include the possibility of a handout (interestingly enough, you can print out slides w/ space for notes to use as a handout, so it isn't an either-or option) or using some other software or even your hands to draw up and scan in visualizations that can't be done with PPT.
I think what bothered me more than anything was the ignorant indictment of the software industry as a whole. Tufte goes way out on a limb trying to extrapolate how we software creators must think based on the capabilities of PPT. There are plenty of other tools that provide other ways of visualizing information, and every year (or more often) we see advancements in tooling to help folks more effectively express data and ideas in digital format.
His rambling about the "hierarchical" structure of the corporate software world driving the development of software is simply ludicrous. More than any other industry, I'd say that software dev tends to be more open and more fluid in terms of both organization and methodology. We're a bunch of brainiacs, inventors, and artisans, and it comes naturally for us to try out new ideas and ways of doing even the most mundane of things.
So to sum up, as long as Tufte stays within his realm of expertise (which seems to be visualization of information/graphic design), he has a lot of quality ideas to offer. However, when he strays from that as he's done with his essay on PowerPoint, the value of his thoughts diminish exponentially. Stick with reading his other books that are in his area of expertise.
Tufte rails against PowerPoint (templates that is).......2007-06-26
This pdf is now part of the book Beautiful Evidence. Tufte goes after the bullet text methodology and templates that starve the audience for information. There is a lot that you may do with PowerPoint that can be effective forms of communication. Tufte shows what to avoid.
Funny and eye-opening, but very short.......2007-06-04
Very informative reading, and quite entertaining. For me, it's preaching to the converted, but it makes the point quite powerfully. The only downside is that it's a very thin pamphlet, not a real book. Get The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition for a larger and more satisfying dose.
Force feed this to your "management team".......2007-01-14
I have a friend whose ten-year-old daughter is required to give Powerpoint "reports" in class. Even before I read this pamphlet, the idea of the public schools positioning rhetoric as a Microsoft product struck me as revolting. After reading Tufte's brilliant and accurate dissection of how Powerpoint forces us into a kind of imitation of thinking, I am horrified.
I work on the fringe of the tech world, and I've had more than one boss demand that I reduce a coherent argument to bulletpoints "so it can be understood." Well, Powerpoint is to persuasion as comic books are to fiction -- the audience that demands it is simply entrenched in its own illiteracy. Tufte demonstrates persuasively that the Challenger disaster may have been caused -- yes, caused -- by the fact that the engineers discussed the project in the diction of "presentations." It's a large claim, and Tufte has the posthumous support of Richard Feynmann to back him up. Feynmann pointed to the facts that created the disaster; Tufte finds the core of bad thinking that let those facts control events.
If you use Powerpoint, you should read this pamphlet, also available as a chapter of Tufte's book, Beautiful Evidence. No tool should be allowed to control the nature of discourse the way Powerpoint does, and certainly no tool concieved, created, and used, with such willful lack of imagination and ignorance of the nature of communication.
Tufte has it right when it comes to the drawbacks of PowerPoint........2007-01-13
Edward Tufte gives a brief, excellent examination of how using Microsoft PowerPoint can easily lead to miscommunication and lazy thinking. The example of the infamous "Review of Test Data Indicates Conservatism for Tile Penetration" (Space Shuttle Columbia) slide alone makes this monograph worth purchasing.
Book Description
Anyone who has a great idea for a movie or a TV show shouldn't miss reading this book. Two successful movie and TV producers provide the reader with the tools he needs to create, develop and sell ideas to Hollywood. Learn: What makes an idea a good one. • How to find or create a good idea. • How to develop a "high concept". • What ideas should be avoided. • What goes into a good pitch. • How long a pitch should be. • How to find the right people to pitch. • What to say when you contact them. • How to protect your idea. • How to "package" an idea with writers and actors. • Necessary writing treatments. • When it is better to have a screenplay. • How pitching a movie differs from pitching a TV show.
Customer Reviews:
Misinformed! .......2007-08-28
Although the auther gives some good insight on what your show should or should not be, he completely misinformes you in reference to "sending out your material everywhere!" I contacted quite a few production companies AND agencies and they all don't accept non-solicited material due to legal reasons. What the author SHOULD have done is tell you how you're supposed to network with agents so that you can find one to represent you at the studios. I'm incredibly dissapointed, but not discouraged.
PITCHING HOLLYWOOD BOOK REVIEW.......2006-11-10
VERY INFORMATIVE BOOK, GREAT FOR THE BEGINNER. REALLY VALUED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED INSIDE. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO ASPIRES TO START WRITING AND SUBMITTING SCRIPTS AND TREATMENTS TO HOLLYWOOD. THIS BOOK WILL TEACH YOU FORMATTING TECHNIQUES THAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A PROPER TREATMENT TO HOLLYWOOD.
Not Worth It - The title should be changed. .......2005-04-28
This book has a lot of information on concepts and treatments. It does not go into the details of the technique of a pitch. It is very encouraging, but with reagrds to the actual pitch they wrote,"the energy of a pitch can't be written" or something to that effect. I would have appreciated an outline or something. They provide general info like be on time, make it brief, etc... Wow, insightful!
A guide to navigating the market for movie writing.......2004-11-09
Written by two accomplished producers, Jonathan Koch and Robert Kosberg with the additional assistance of Tanya Meurer Norman, Pitching Hollywood: How to Sell Your TV and Movie Ideas is a no-nonsense guide to navigating the competitive and treacherous market for movie writing. From learning how to create a great idea, to what goes into a good pitch, how long a pitch should be, how to protect one's idea, when a full screenplay is better than just an idea, how pitching a movie differs from pitching a TV show, and much more, Pitching Hollywood is an absolute "must-have" for anyone seriously dedicated to selling one's ideas and writings, and highly recommended for anyone considering movie/TV writing as a career. The sales tips, tricks, and techniques, while of course tailored for the world of TV and movies, also include a lot of solid general information valuable for learning to pitch anything to anyone, making Pitching Hollywood an all-around valuable read.
Beware, folks, you can't protect ideas........2004-07-02
Though this book contains some good info on how to pitch, you really must be aware that ideas can easily be stolen, or "given" to other writers and there is no copyright protection for ideas. You are better off writing a complete script, even on spec, and getting it registered than just giving your ideas away.
Product Description
Quite simply the best book to read if you want to design and deliver presentations that have huge impact without the hassle of attending a 2-day course. It is short, colourful, easy to read and, above all, the techniques featured in the book actually work!
Customer Reviews:
This small book is (incredibly) good.......2007-08-20
Less is more and simple is best!
The book is concise and precise and to the point.
Small book with great value
If you are frusturated with reading terrible textbook or "expert advice" about presentation skills (like me), this is the one you should read!
Book Description
Any venture capitalist will tell you that there is, of course, a right way and a wrong way to approach VCs for funding. In "Pitching to Venture Capitalists" seasoned VC Patrick Ennis walks readers through the entire process, from initial research to troubleshooting failed attempts at securing financing - beginning to end. Topics covered include everything from the basics of VC funding to key methodology behind valuations, wrapping up with "simple advice for error-free approaches." Through a candid and engaging commentary, Ennis offers indispensable advice and takes the guesswork out of entering into the VC/entrepreneur relationship for those who need a briefing. Offering a wealth of insight on strategies for success, building a winning presentation and understanding the processes VC undergo when evaluating deals, this book is indispensable reading for any entrepreneur. Complete with a sample outline of a term sheet, this book covers the essential elements in conceptualizing a lucid and effective way to present your business to those who can make it happen…have your first conversation with a VC before you even enter the negotiating process and gain a critical advantage against competitors.
The book features information on:
The Basics of VC Funding
Approaching a Venture Capital Firm
Presenting a Business Plan
General Valuation Methods
Maintaining the Partnership after the Deal Closes
Investments in the Post-Boom Era
Troubleshooting - Getting Turned Down
Simple Advice for Error-Free Approaches
Download Description
Any venture capitalist will tell you that there is, of course, a right way and a wrong way to approach VCs for funding. In Pitching to Venture Capitalists [please italicize "pitching to venture capitalists"] seasoned VC Patrick Ennis walks readers through the entire process, from initial research to troubleshooting failed attempts at securing financing - beginning to end. Topics covered include everything from the basics of VC funding to key methodology behind valuations, wrapping up with "simple advice for error-free approaches." Through a candid and engaging commentary, Ennis offers indispensable advice and takes the guesswork out of entering into the VC/entrepreneur relationship for those who need a briefing. Offering a wealth of insight on strategies for success, building a winning presentation and understanding the processes VC undergo when evaluating deals, this book is indispensable reading for any entrepreneur. Complete with a sample outline of a term sheet, this book covers the essential elements in conceptualizing a lucid and effective way to present your business to those who can make it happen.have your first conversation with a VC before you even enter the negotiating process and gain a critical advantage over competitors.
Average customer rating:
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Braunecker Sports Counsel works the pitching count.(Business of Sports): An article from: Arkansas Business
George Waldon
Manufacturer: Journal Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
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ASIN: B00082GHLG
Release Date: 2005-08-01 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Arkansas Business, published by Journal Publishing, Inc. on July 26, 2004. The length of the article is 677 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Braunecker Sports Counsel works the pitching count.(Business of Sports)
Author: George Waldon
Publication:
Arkansas Business (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 26, 2004
Publisher: Journal Publishing, Inc.
Volume: 21
Issue: 30
Page: 22(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
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City broker pitching in for new Israeli baseball team.: An article from: Real Estate Weekly
Esther O. Perez
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
Sports
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| Basketball
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ASIN: B000SQJ6LK
Release Date: 2007-06-27 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Real Estate Weekly, published by Thomson Gale on May 30, 2007. The length of the article is 469 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: City broker pitching in for new Israeli baseball team.
Author: Esther O. Perez
Publication:
Real Estate Weekly (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 30, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 53
Issue: 42
Page: 1S(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from San Fernando Valley Business Journal, published by CBJ, L.P. on January 31, 2005. The length of the article is 1004 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Creative difference: in the cutthroat world of movie promotional products, under the Sun Promotions says pitching more complicated concepts is the key to getting and keeping business.(Small Business)
Author: Jeff Weiss
Publication:
San Fernando Valley Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 31, 2005
Publisher: CBJ, L.P.
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Page: 22(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Arkansas Business, published by Journal Publishing, Inc. on August 27, 2001. The length of the article is 1032 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Cricket Targets Executives for Pitching 'Second' Cells.(Cricket Communications wireless service)(Brief Article)
Author: Jeffrey Wood
Publication:
Arkansas Business (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 27, 2001
Publisher: Journal Publishing, Inc.
Volume: 18
Issue: 35
Page: 12
Article Type: Brief Article
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Short but Sweet-Six Steps to Get A Job
|
How to Get a Job Now!: Six Easy Steps to Getting a Better Job
J. Michael Farr , and
Michael J. Farr
Manufacturer: JIST Works
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guides
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ASIN: 1563702908 |
Customer Reviews:
Short but Sweet-Six Steps to Get A Job.......2001-07-03
I wrote this review in Learning A Living; A Guide to Planning Your Career and Finding A Job for People with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Dyslexia:
Short book with large print. Audience is entry-level people who are engaged in full-time job-hunting. Comprehensive discussion of job search. Six recommended steps are; 1) Know your skills. 2) Have a clear job objective. 3) Know where and how to look for job leads. 4) Send at least 25 hours a week looking. 5) Get 2 interviews a day. 6) Follow up on all contacts.
Average customer rating:
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El placer de no trabajar
Ernie J. Zelinski
Manufacturer: Gestion 2000
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8480885378 |
Book Description
Written for the retired, the unemployed, and the stressed out, this guide offers strategies to find passion, work smarter, be financially independent, and eliminate boredom.
Escrito para los jubilados y los desempleados, esta guía ofrece estrategias para descubrir sus pasiones, ser independiente financieramente, y eliminar el aburrimiento.
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El Placer de No Trabajar / The Joy of Not Working
Ernie J. Zelinski
Manufacturer: Gestion 2000
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ASIN: 8480887559 |
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Making Up for Lost Time: Speed Investing for a Secure Future
Adriane G. Berg
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0688119387 |
Books:
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Successful Business Presentation
- The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A Guide to Internal Communication, Public Relations, Marketing and Leadership (J-B International Association of Business Communicators)
- The ICSA Meetings and Minutes Handbook
- The Inside Scoop: Recruiters Share Their Tips on Job Search Success with College Students
- The JobBank Guide To Computer & High-Tech Companies
- The Leadership Labyrinth: Negotiating The Paradoxes Of Ministry
- The Modern Rules of Order: A Guide for Conducting Business Meetings (1610017)
- The Tongue and the Tiger: Overcoming Language Barriers in International Trade
- The Word on Business: It's an Information Economy - Be a Smart Informer
- Thinking Together: Making Meetings Work
Books Index
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The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition
Visual & Statistical Thinking: Displays of Evidence for Decision Making
Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative
Envisioning Information
Beautiful Evidence
