5 Basics of PowerPoint I Learned in My First Week in Chillibreeze

I remember how excited I was to be part of the PowerPoint Presentation batch ‘2017' new recruits in Chillibreeze.

I was also anxious and scared at the same time.

I was ready to give my best.

We were given a list of planned learnings and expectations each day. Failure to meet the expectations would not get us through to the next level of training.

We had to really work hard and give our 110%. Not just performance wise but including the values we must demonstrate every day.

I decided to write this article to help all the “new recruits” like me. I will talk about 5 basic PowerPoint foundations. If you want to succeed in Week One of Chillibreeze Training – I suggest you practice these 5 points. This will give you confidence, peace of mind, and a head start in your training.

1.  PowerPoint Template

What is a PowerPoint template?

When this question was raised, most of us didn’t know the answer.

“A template is a group of slide layouts in PowerPoint that can be used to create presentations.”

In a PowerPoint Home tab, under Slides, click on Layout. There will be a drop-down menu of slide templates (See image) that can be used for different slide functions.

You can also create and design your own template by going to the main template and changing the colour background and style. To edit the main template, go to View. Under View you will find Slide Master as shown in image below.

      

You can start editing and designing your template here.

Why is this important to Chillibreeze?

Our global customers use different template for their presentations.

Customer wants us to design templates that has a unique flair and a signature of their ownership.

2. PowerPoint Fonts

We are all familiar with fonts. But not so in-depth in the way Chillibreeze trains us.

I am sure most of us are familiar with using fonts in emails and word documents. We only pick the fonts we think look the most appealing.

Learning about the types of fonts, you realize why people use certain font styles and their purpose.

Did you know that there are millions of fonts out there? And anyone can design them Including you!

But choosing the right font is very important.

Do you know why?

The right Font can have a great impact on a presentation.

A Font that is readable will gain more attention during a presentation.

Than a stylish font which is difficult to read.

Now I won’t be choosing only ‘Cambria’ and ‘Times New Roman’ font.

3. PowerPoint Shapes

Have you ever tried out PowerPoint shapes? Neither did I.

Not until I joined Chillibreeze and I was lead into the wonders of PowerPoint shapes.

I doubt you knew that you could design your slides with various layouts just by using PowerPoint shapes.

This was the most challenging yet for me as I was not so creative.

I had to work very hard coming up with designs using shapes.

I learned over time, that with practice and determination anyone can do it.

Our customers want infographic and designs that are up to date.

These can only be done with the use of shapes.

So, trust me when I say, mastering this tool is a must.

When you do, your designs will be like the ones designed by Chillibreeze team of talented designers.

4. PowerPoint Picture

Inserting a picture in PowerPoint is so simple. You might be thinking “I can skip this”.

I thought so too.

But why is it important? Why does Chillibreeze stress that we learn about it?

When creating a presentation we tend to use a lot of images.

This is all well and good. But did you know choosing the right quality, size and format is important?

We learned how the size of the image can affect the size of the file.  

Images must be resized in the proper manner, otherwise while presenting on the screen the image will appear like it was stretched or elongated.

5. PowerPoint Table

If you have used PowerPoint before, you will know what a table is.

You might even say it’s boring, but like the other tools in PowerPoint, nothing is what it may seem.

Right now, tables are my favorite!

You can do so much with a table.

You can change the colours, style it the way you think will best fit. In the end, it will not look like the regular table you always see.

Well, formatted tables can make a slide filled with content and data look clean and very easy to read.

Chillibreeze customers expect the highest level of professional design.

Mastering tables and organizing content is a basic task done on hundreds of slides that pass through the hands of Chillibreeze PowerPoint experts every day.

These are some of the things that will help you during your training.

Having PowerPoint knowledge is an added bonus.

As the training was intense for me. It was A ‘make it’ or ‘break it’ moment each day.

When twenty trainees are fighting for just eight-vacant seats, every second count.

Though the training was for eight hours Monday to Friday and 4 hours on Saturdays, I remember a couple of trainees including myself sitting after hours to complete our task because we want to get it right.

It was passion, curiosity and the promise of learning something new that drove me each day to get up and come to Chillibreeze.

Apart from learning the tools of PowerPoint and how to design a presentation, Chillibreeze teaches good moral conduct. The values we learn expose us to what makes an ideal team player. The unique value based training touches everyone – and opens our eyes to become a better individual in or out of the workplace.

In just a week of training, we accomplish so much..

We are learning constantly.

Staying in Chillibreeze requires passion, determination and a desire to learn and grow.

Do you have it in you to be a Cbeer?