Being creative with how we communicate can pays dividends. How we present something can grab people’s attention. Make them sit up and take notice. But how do you do this?

You can use a different shape for your talk. Spice things up a bit.

Take the Pecha Kucha format.

Delivering a short and sweet message

Pecha Kucha means ‘chit chat’ in Japanese.

And I’m sorry to share that you might call this the Machu Pichu for some time. Or maybe that’s just me!

Pecha Kucha is focused and has clear boundaries.

20 slides.

Generally, each slide has an image with maybe, and I mean maybe, one word of text.

Each image is up there for 20 seconds.

Then the next image appears.

And you’ve 20 seconds to speak.

And then the next image appears.

You get the idea.

So, in all, you’ve got 20 slides to cover in 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

And that’s it.

At 6 minutes and 40 seconds you’re done.

Finished.

It’s a contained and creative way of communicating.

Keep your audience engaged and focused

The Pecha Kucha format keeps your audience on their toes.

There’s an element of surprise because they don't know what’s coming next, and it's a fresh way of sharing information because so much of it is visual without the scaffolding of a wall of text that has people rolling their eyes and reaching for their phone.

Is it for you?

It could be if you find yourself using too many words when you communicate.

If you’re somebody who is known for waffling and not really getting to the point.

The benefits of practicing your presentation

That said, it does take practice.

You really need to know your stuff. So that when a photograph of a flock of birds flying across the cobalt blue, summer sky shows up in your presentation you know exactly what you're going to say about that.

So practicing and having a good memory is a must.

The brilliant news is that from your audience's perspective, this kind of presentation is a breath of fresh air.

It can add some welcome relief to the traditional talks that can have the excitement of cardboard and it can introduce some fun.

What do you reckon?

How do you feel about using the Pecha Kucha format to add some energy to your communication?

And where could you use this format to bring energy to your presentations and put a smile on your audience?