Presentation Advantage by Kory Kogon, Breck England, and Julie Schmidt
Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team meeting, or presenting at a conference, how you communicate can define your success. Presentation Advantage arms you with the tools to create and deliver compelling presentations that not only inform but also persuade. With proven strategies drawn from FranklinCovey’s expertise, this book teaches how to engage an audience from the first eight seconds and leave a lasting impact.
Who May Benefit from the Book
- Business professionals aiming to improve their presentation skills
- Team leaders and managers responsible for effective communication
- Students and educators seeking to deliver clear and impactful talks
- Entrepreneurs who pitch ideas and seek investments
- Introverts or anxious speakers who want to gain confidence
Top 3 Key Insights
- You only have 8 seconds to capture your audience’s attention—start strong.
- A great presentation connects the message, speaker, and audience.
- Structure, visuals, and storytelling work together to make your message memorable.
4 More Lessons and Takeaways
- The 3 Cs of Connection: Connect with your message, yourself, and your audience to ensure clarity and authenticity.
- Storytelling Over Slides: People remember stories, not slides. Use narratives to make your points stick.
- Develop, Design, Deliver: Structure your content clearly, design visuals to support key points, and practice delivery to gain confidence.
- Engage Through Interaction: Presentations should be conversations, not monologues. Ask questions, use tools, and involve the audience.
The Book in 1 Sentence
Presentation Advantage shows how to craft, structure, and deliver presentations that inspire action and build strong emotional connections.
The Book Summary in 1 Minute
Today’s world demands short, clear, and compelling presentations. In Presentation Advantage, the authors teach how to create and deliver messages that matter. By connecting with your audience emotionally and intellectually, you can inspire change and influence outcomes. The book outlines the importance of storytelling, structuring content into three key points, designing impactful visuals, and delivering with confidence. Whether you’re an introvert, anxious speaker, or seasoned pro, this guide helps you use presentation as a tool for lasting impact.
The Book Summary in 10 Minutes
The Power of Presentations
Presentations are everywhere—team updates, pitches, sales calls, even casual conversations. Mastering them can give you a competitive edge. This book goes beyond just “how to speak well.” It’s about influence, connection, and outcomes.
Why Presentation Matters
Attention Span is Shrinking
Studies show the average attention span is just eight seconds. If you don’t engage your audience quickly, you lose them. Your opening must challenge assumptions or introduce a powerful insight.
Presentations are Not Just Formal Events
Every message you deliver with intent is a presentation. Whether you’re proposing a new idea or explaining a process, how you say it matters as much as what you say.
The 3 Cs of Connection
Connect with Your Message
Understand your goal. Are you trying to persuade, inform, or inspire? Be clear about your intent and align your message with strategic objectives.
Connect with Yourself
Authenticity builds trust. Use body language that supports your message. Be honest and passionate. Confidence comes from preparation and alignment with your values.
Connect with the Audience
Know their expectations, biases, and pain points. Turn your talk into a dialogue by asking questions and involving them throughout.
The 3 Ds of Presentation
These are the structural pillars of the book’s approach:
Develop
Start by identifying the key revelation or core idea you want the audience to grasp. Build a framework using the “power of three”—structure your talk into three major points.
Design
Visuals should support your story, not replace it. Use clean, simple slides. Avoid clutter and focus on impact. One compelling image or chart often speaks louder than bullet points.
Slide Design Principles Table
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| One idea per slide | Keep slides focused and clutter-free |
| Visuals over text | Use images or charts to show, not tell |
| High contrast | Ensure text and images are easy to read |
| Consistent layout | Use similar fonts, colors, and formats |
| Highlight key data | Make numbers or insights easy to grasp |
Deliver
Use vocal variety, eye contact, and gestures to emphasize key points. Rehearse with feedback. Avoid reading slides. Let your visuals guide, not lead.
Crafting a Story that Sticks
Use a Narrative Arc
Open with a conflict or surprising fact. Build your message around a problem and its resolution. People connect with stories, not stats.
Know Your Audience Deeply
Speak to their fears, goals, and context. Customize your language and examples to what resonates with them.
Support with the Triple S Method
Each main point should:
- State the key idea
- Support with data, example, or story
- Summarize to reinforce the takeaway
Visual Engagement Tactics
Effective visuals aren’t about design skills—they’re about clarity. One example from the book involved giving different glove packages to participants to highlight fulfillment problems. It was unexpected, emotional, and effective. Use this strategy: make the audience experience the point.
Use large visuals like:
- Infographics
- Single powerful stats
- Relevant photographs
- Simple charts
Virtual Presentations: A Special Note
In a remote setting, attention is even harder to hold. Use:
- Polls or chat features
- Breakout rooms for interaction
- Direct questions to individuals
- Animated slides or simple transitions to maintain interest
Create Action-Oriented Conclusions
Close with a clear next step. What should the audience do now? Act? Change? Think differently? Avoid ending with a vague “Thank you” or generic summary. Instead, restate your main idea and leave them with a call to act.
About the Authors
Kory Kogon
Kory Kogon is FranklinCovey’s global productivity practice leader. She focuses on organizational behavior, leadership development, and team performance. Her background in business operations and coaching adds practical depth to her writing.
Breck England
Dr. Breck England brings over 25 years of experience in communication and business strategy. With a PhD in English and vast experience in consulting, he blends narrative craft with organizational effectiveness.
Julie Schmidt
Julie Schmidt is a seasoned consultant at FranklinCovey. She specializes in leadership communication and corporate training. Her work focuses on equipping individuals to deliver messages that influence and inspire action.
How to Get the Best of the Book
Read with a specific presentation in mind. Apply each section to your project as you go. Take notes, create slides, and practice as you read. Revisit chapters before big presentations for last-minute refinement.
Conclusion
Presentation Advantage teaches that everyone can become a great presenter. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about clear goals, structured messages, and genuine connection. Whether you’re on stage or in a Zoom meeting, this book helps you present with purpose and confidence.