Sunbelt Blog

Benefits of Presentation Technology in Mediation

Presentation software is coming of age in the courtroom. However, are you investing the time to create compelling technological presentations in the mediation room? With only about two to three percent of all cases going to trial, using presentation technology during mediation makes sense. While you may be sitting across a conference table instead of appearing before a judge and a jury, a computerized presentation delivers numerous benefits in mediation.

Benefits of Presentation Technology
Let's start with the numbers. Within 72 hours after hearing an oral presentation, research reveals that only 10 percent is remembered. A visual presentation improves retention to about 20 percent. Combined, an audio/visual presentation improves memory retention up to 65 percent. In mediation, you don't have to convince a jury, but you do need to present your case. Ensure that your information is remembered by using presentation technology instead of delivering a speech.

For example, instead of discussing a medical procedure, use your presentation software to illustrate how the procedure is performed, enhancing it with a voiceover and onscreen bullet points. The other parties in the room will be far more likely to understand the procedure - and more importantly, they will be more likely to remember what was discussed a few days later.

Another advantage is that once you've created your presentation, it is packaged and ready to go. Instead of telling everyone to flip to a page in a report or look at an exhibit, a simple click of a button displays the exact document or exhibit that you are referencing. No more awkward fumbling or delays.

Using Presentation Technology
Numerous presentation technologies are available ranging from Microsoft PowerPoint to technologies specifically created for the legal profession. No matter which technology you select, mastering it before you attempt a presentation in mediation or the courtroom is crucial. Not only must you master the software and basic design concepts, you must also master setting up the equipment and controlling the presentation in a live environment.

Start by planning your presentation, just as you would if you were giving oral arguments. Once you have an outline, start building the presentation in the software. If your law firm has a standard template for these purposes use it. For example, your law firm's logo and color scheme may already be built into the template, making for a professional-looking background and consistency throughout the firm. If you're starting from scratch, be conservative with colors, fonts, backgrounds, graphics, sound effects, and animations. You want your message to come across, not the software's bells and whistles.

Common Presentation Mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid include:
• Cramming too much text onto a single screen
• Relying too heavily on visuals and forgetting to combine spoken elements. Remember that oral remarks or visuals alone have dramatically lower retention rates than when combined.
• Selecting difficult-to-read fonts or font sizes that are simply too small. Choose a san serif style font such as Helvetica or Arial.
• Choosing a busy background. Not only do patterned backgrounds add clutter to the screen, they also make it more difficult to read the text. Choose a solid, unobtrusive colored background or a subtle gradient.

If you're not technically savvy or if you are uninterested in the actual creation of the presentation, consider getting professional design help. If your law firm has a graphic designer on staff, ask for help or hire a designer.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Finally, practice! Not only must you practice delivering the actual presentation, you must also learn how to set up the equipment and use it. Practice setting up and using equipment as well as delivering your arguments. Practice advancing the slides manually, launching videos, pausing the presentation, and displaying evidence.

When properly applied, presentation technology can be extremely effective in mediations. Viewers are more likely to remember your message after viewing an audio/visual presentation than having heard it without visuals. Make an impression by incorporating presentation technology into the mediation room.