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Saved in the deepest corners of your desktop computer memory, a versatile tool stays ready to launch itself the moment you click on that familiar icon. This tool is your go-to whenever your superiors ask you to pitch an idea, and you, obviously, choose to take the creative route. It is none other than the Microsoft PowerPoint software. Your alternative to those black and white meetings which leave you sweating over the spellings and handing out relevant printed images so that attendees can ‘grasp’ your idea. It is something all these so-called any 'PowerPoint slayer' claims to provide as an experience.
But why is PowerPoint your quantum of solace? When the online slide presentation software market is brimming with one tool more advanced than the other (cue in Prezi, Google Slides, Keynote), why does PowerPoint hold such ubiquity across the globe? Besides its ease of use and beloved stature in the presentation setups, PowerPoint is packed with aspects that will always keep its head high. We take a look here why:
Every business PC has it
The reason why PowerPoint is on a majority of PCs at workplaces across the globe is… because it is there. Ever since it was developed in the 80’s, PowerPoint has become synonymous with personal computers. Bundled with Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint comes with equally powerful tools like Excel and Word. This advances its omnipresence compared to any PowerPoint slayer in the following two ways:
- It brings in the network effect. This means that business executives share PowerPoint presentations with their colleagues considering the ‘rule of thumb’ that the receiver will have the software on his machine too. As opposed to finding the time to transfer and collate your spreadsheets and PowerPoint content with online presentation tools, you can simply send the file without bothering whether it will run fine on the recipient machine or not. Because it will.
- The integration of Microsoft Office 365 components makes the data handling seamless within an organizational structure. The structural commonalities of the tools make it easier to represent organizational data into tangible information across channels. Also, PowerPoint content can be transferred to online tools having compatibility with ease. This fuels its ubiquity among organizations across the globe.
Data safety comes first
Given how data has become the most dynamic commodity in the world, data safety has always remained a concern for businesses. Microsoft has been a remarkable market giant offering content and data management tools like PowerPoint, Excel, and Word having rigorous security protocols with in-built automation and intelligence.
Though this does not completely immunize your data from hacking, PowerPoint is somewhat safer compared to the newer data representation tools in the league of a PowerPoint slayer. In fact, Microsoft has been coming up with more advanced security features from time to time. End users have always gotten the best deal out of using a Microsoft product.
It develops creative acumen
As opposed to the more modern slide presentation software like Prezi, which gives you animation and editing capabilities on readymade slides, PowerPoint is a more robust tool that works with the user — meaning that it walks the user through the process of making a presentation from scratch. This has the following aspects:
- The software is fairly intuitive so it can work the best for someone with little to no knowledge of presentation making. On the contrary, new presentation software, despite claims by the developers of being more user-friendly, is not that robust or revolutionary. To put things into perspective, an Apple iPod with vigorous functionalities does the same thing as mp3 players – it plays music. But its intuitive features enable one to operate any mp3 player, no matter how advanced. Simply put, experiencing the solid basic makes it easier to handle the derivative.
- If you take the subconscious aspect of making presentations from a blank starting point, then you will find that those who explore PowerPoint can dabble with design tools and tricks more effortlessly down the line. This in turn helps businesses with better team building and training management.
It offers versatility like no other
The 2020 Greenbook Research Industry Trend report places Microsoft at the 36th rank in terms of innovation in supply. Even so, PowerPoint’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that the conference and live events industry has not advanced much in terms of innovation. If it comes to presentations, PowerPoint is the de facto standardized tool.
Moreover, the latest versions of PowerPoint are very powerful, offering versatility in making infographics and animations like no other software, be it online or offline. The design and picture editing capabilities have put PowerPoint in the league of comprehensive photo editing software like Photoshop.
Sometimes technique matters too
Does “Death by PowerPoint” ring a bell? No wonder we all dread the prolonged agony of sitting through innumerable slides of bullet points and text with random images in between. It is rather something that any 'PowerPoint slayer' builds their business on.
But at times, it is also about the presenter rather than the ‘presented’. PowerPoint can be a boon for those who know how to convey their point in as few words as possible (attention job seekers, entrepreneurs, and researchers!). No wonder visuals appeal to the audience, but sometimes brevity is beauty. Just like this slide template.
Indeed, PowerPoint will remain the bread and butter of those willing to make a creative mark, something that businesses can thrive on. Until something new and better comes along. But that seems a little far in the future.
