Posted on Mar 14, 2014
What would happen if there was no PowerPoint?
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Have we become overly reliant on technology to do our jobs as leaders? As leaders we spend a lot of time putting presentations together to brief our superiors. Bullet points and quad-charts are endless. How would our military function if we couldn't organize briefings and presentations with PowerPoint? Would our verbal briefing skills improve? Would our map reading skills improve? Would leaders at higher levels loose the ability to micromanage? Would junior officers and NCOs be more empowered to take initiative and act on their own judgement? Sadly, a world without PowerPoint may only be a dream, but I have a suspicion it may be wonderfully freeing and empowering.
Posted in these groups: 
Technology
PowerPoint
Technology PowerPoint
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 84
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Before I retired. Before computers. While working some time in S3 and S2 (Battalion) it would require 5 or 6 privates and a second lieutenant spend an entire weekend + to kick off that dog and pony show. I think a Power Point dog and pony show would only require a force of 1. Thank your lucky stars Captain.
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technology is killing the basic skills every Soldier should possess. Soldiers today rely to much on all types of GPS, BFT etc. I feel we are setting ourselves up for trouble by allowing ourselves to depend on technology. Leaders and Soldiers need to understand that Korea was hacked, and if that happens to us we need to be able to fall back on our OLD school ways, like reading a map and going from point A to point B without GPS or BFT's.
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http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/02/23/ash-carter-powerpoint-brass/23895027/
A reduction in our dependence upon Power Point may be closer than you think.
A reduction in our dependence upon Power Point may be closer than you think.
Carter to brass: Nix the PowerPoint, speak up instead
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter might be moving toward a new demand for top generals — ditch the PowerPoints and simply talk instead. Before meeting
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CPT (Join to see)
Great article CW3 (Join to see)! Thanks for sharing. I especially appreciated the use of Doctrine Man! as a quoted source. His analysis and "side platter of snark" I respect highly.
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I actually remember when everything was presented on Butcherblock paper....
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PowerPoint sucks... but it's almost a necessary evil. I just can't stand when it's overdone to the point that you can't even tell what the briefing is about. Here's a suggestion, cut out all the extra crap and play by the K.I.S.S. rule. Basic information, formatted to be easily read and understood. Shorten the briefing/class/meeting and get back to work. Our troops miss seeing us at the shop and get confused when we're gone.
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It wouldn't be the end of the world. I was impressed the the Secretary of Defense banned it during his recent meeting with Commanders.
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People would lose their minds. Some would freak out because they would not know how to conduct a briefing without powerpoint. Chaos and Anarchy would ensue. Dark and cold times.
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