Bill Gates and visual complexity

"It was one of the most poorly executed events I've seen Microsoft do in years." These were the words industry analyst , Rob Enderle, used to describe Tuesday's presentation by Microsoft executives, including Bill Gates, in an interview with PC World.

According to the PC World article, and various other media reports, the presentation for unveiling Microsoft's new Live Software strategy to the media, held in San Francisco, was one filled with logistical and technical errors, seemed "hurried" to some and ran long over the scheduled time. "It was Ray Ozziea's (CTO) coming out party and it wasn't a good one," Enderle said.

One of the goals of the presentation was to share the company's vision. But early media reports coming from the few people who attended the event have been less than glowing. Now, four days after the event, many in the media (and blogosphere) are still unclear just what exactly is "revolutionary" about Microsoft's new Live strategy and what it all means. If industry pundits don't fully get it, what hope do mere customers and investors have?

But my aim is not to discuss Microsoft's strategy but to focus on this particular presentation.

Rule No. 1: Know your message inside out (and backwards)
Leaders use speaking opportunities to communicate their vision in a crystal clear fashion (otherwise, what's the point of getting on stage?). It appears this recent presentation by Bill Gates, in the end, left things quite unclear, at least in the minds of many who attended the event.

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs
I am not attempting to be glib or sarcastic (really), but perhaps Bill Gates and company should look to Steve Jobs and Apple for more than just technical inspiration. Bill could learn a lot about "presenting different" from observing Jobs' artful presentations. Sure, not everyone will agree with Jobs' observations, conclusions, and projections after his presentations, but at least people are not left scratching their heads in befuddlement. Jobs' presentations generate a lot of positive buzz and always release yet another wave of viral communication about the presentation's content. This happens in part because the contents are easily grasped and remembered by both the media, and regular customers and fans. You can't "spread the word" if you don't get what the word was. With Jobs' public presentations there is both a verbal and visual clarity. This is what great leaders do. Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba, authors of Creating Customer Evangelists make a good observation about Jobs:

"Jobs does just what a leader is supposed to do: Provide a vision of where the company ship is headed and make sure everyone understands it."

Bill Gates is a very smart man. He can surely do better than his last presentation.

Rule No. 2: Remove barriers to effective communication
Aside from appearing not to have a clear message (or at least being guilty of trying to cram too much into a two-hour presentation), it looks like Gates and his staff did what many millions of other PowerPoint users do daily — they used PowerPoint in a way that did not help their message. In fact, their PowerPoint visuals probably hurt their message. If the visuals did not help, then they quite possibly got in the way of Gates making a meaningful, personal connection with the ninety or so people in the room.

To be fair, I was not at the presentation, so it is possible that the presenters did an amazing, inspiring job in spite of their bulletpoints an clip art. But judging from the many previous executive presentations currently available on the Microsoft website, along with the early media reports by those in attendance, it is doubtful.

Design matters, visuals matter...it ALL matters!
Here's the deal: It all matters. If you are going to get up in front of a lot of people and say that the design of your strategy matters, that the design of your integrated software matters, then at the very least the visuals you use — right here and right now, at this moment in time with this particular audience — also need to be the result of incredible design, not hurried decoration.

Let's examine a few of the slides used by Gates in the "Live" presentation Tuesday. To see even more slides, take a look at the many photos on Niall Kennedy's flickr site (brace yourself Beyond Bullet Points fans:

    
Bill Gates explains the big picture (but can he explain that picture behind him?).

    
"...this slide really pulls it all together" Bill Gates said of the slide above. You decide. You can see Bill Gates spend 60 seconds explaining this slide on "The Microsoft Platform" as well as observe him go through each bullet point on his other wordy slides on the cnet.com website.

To get a non-biased point of view on the visuals, I asked my friend, Atsuko Ito, a graphic designer who works with some of the worlds top global brands in Japan to comment on these slides. Here's what she said.

"Wow, where to begin? Generally, and from a pure visual point of view, in both of these slides (above) there is (1) too much information in one slide. This is typical in Japan too. But people can't read and listen at the same time, so that is a problem. (2) The Clipart looks cheap. Soulless. (3) The choice of colors are not the best. I’m personally not comfortable with it. Maybe because the colors don’t represent lifestyle or work style so well. It looks very cold. It makes life and work seem so depressing...

How about the slide with the clouds?

"For the 'The Live Era' slide, (1) communication priority is weak. Not sure what he wants to communicate the most. (2) Gradation is overused. Even the text has gradation! Especially when used on text, it makes it hard to read. (3) Overall impression is "clutter." One possible reason is using an image on the background. It is OK to use an image (in this case the cloud image), as long as the images that go on top of it are kept simple. In this case, they aren’t. Actually, the whole Gestalt is bad. It is a little ugly and confusing. Sorry."

There are many more visual problems with the slides as well, problems we have discussed on the site before. Let me just touch on just one more.

Don't rain on my parade 
Concerning the "Microsoft 'Live' Platform" slide, it is important to note that not all people will view the use of clouds in a positive light. Just think of the many ways we use "cloud(y)" to convey negative images or feelings in the English vernacular. For example, "Never a cloudy day" is used in many songs to convey love, good times, a bright future and so on. The phrase "...clouds up ahead" implies danger or difficulties in future.

Now it is true that a few fluffy cumulus clouds can represent a fine sunny day and convey other positive associations. But the slide Bill uses has enough cloud formations to make an experienced sailor give the order to batten down the hatches. Bill has some real cumulonimbus-looking clouds underneath his title, a sure sign that bad weather is ahead? There is even "digital rain" being released from one low cloud, showering "experiences" down (and up according to the double arrow) onto other software and "other devices," like an ancient iMac.

It may seem like a small thing, but you have to be careful with the implied messages sometimes hidden within images. This is especially true across cultures.

Slides matter, because it all matters. Well-designed visuals won't save a weak message, but poorly designed visuals will necessarily detract from — or even completely undermine — an otherwise strong verbal message.

Others comment on Gate's presentation
Former Apple employee, Mike Evangelist: Presentation skills 101.
CyberPsych: How to present Microsoft-style: Steve Jobs, you've got nothing to worry about.

Read comments on the "Live" photos on Niall Kennedy's Flickr site, the source for these event photos.

Watch Bill
Gates announces Windows Live, Office Live (Cnet.com).
Various Bill Gates presentations on the Microsoft website. 

Watch Steve
Various Steve Jobs presentations on the Apple site

Comments

[cliff]

Garr - thanks for a good analysis that proves the point that we all (including Bill Gates) can only get better if we continually critique our presentations, affirm what we do well, and improve on what we did not do so well. When I look at the Microsoft slides I see a culture that views presentations through the lenses of PowerPoint templates and bullet points; and because Microsoft sees things this way, this is the default view that is reflected in the rest of the culture. The good news is that there are many people at Microsoft who are just as eager as Presentation Zen readers to do something clearer, simpler, and, well, more Zen. It certainly would make things faster and easier if Bill Gates adopted such a style for his presentations, but even if he doesn't, there is a sea change in the works that are turning things in a direction that would make Steve Jobs proud.

[Simon]

I think all your comments are fair, but the two presentations aren't exactly comparing apples to Apples - one presentation was to people to whom the technical stuff was important, whereas the other was to an audience who were just waiting to find out what the next cool toy was going to be.

[DUST!N]

So, it's OK to confuse people who think technical stuff is important? I know what you're saying Simon, but I can't see how the above slides are beneficial to anyone... despite their technical saavy.

Garr, the clouds would make sense to the technical crowd that Simon mentions. They are a standard for depicting large networks (like the Internet). Still, I hate them. I've done work for a telephone company and the technical documents often use clouds like these.

Sometimes you can be aesthetic and technical by avoiding describing physical designs and instead describing the conceptual design. This way you don't have to sacrifice accuracy in order to achieve simplicity.

[Garr]

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Well, I see what you're saying, but actually, I do not think there is a *huge* difference between the two audiences from the presenter's point of view. Jobs, in the summer presentation, is presenting to thousands of developers. These are technical folks (with marketing people also in the mix for sure). And just what was so technical about Bill Gate's Live presentation? It was marketing and leadership/vision content as well as some demos. For some it was confusing or vague, but not because it was too technical. Nothing technical about clouds, clip art, and vague phrases. With all due respect, I do not think the Live presentation was a technical one, rather in was *about* technical issues and the future of MS products.

But you are right, that the very technically-savvy MS crowd could do a better job of filling in the blanks than most in the media or your average customer. Was MS only trying to talk to the "techies"? If so, why the media hype?

[D'ave]

At the end of the day people got Jobs' preso, and not Gates', no matter who the audience were. That's what makes the difference.

[KOUAM MASSOUOP Jovanie Christelle]

Hello!
My name is Kouam jovanie,and I am a cameroonian(girl) in the university of Ngaoundéré.I am 20 years old and I am level 4 in and engeneering school.
I do not know who is going to read my message,I hope it is M.BILL GATE himself.Just to say I neep a computer.I am begging because i do not have money to buy one.May God touch your heart.
I'm sorry for my bad english,in fact i'm francophone.
Thanks a million and GOD BLESS U

[Less is More]

They could've done this with one slide with two concentric circles. Put a li'l Gateway in the innermost circle connected to every conceivable device outside that circle: cell, exbox, ewatch, iriver.... Place numerous ads outside the outermost circle, each flashing a bolt of lightning now and then to any device at random, temporarily lighting it up and triggering a "cha-ching" sound and a connecting bolt to the li'l Gateway. Now imagine you are that Gateway, with only minutes left before you expire....

[Rick Salisbury]

yes like to know how to get in touch with mr bill gates on on going problems with msntv2.Any one with a email address to bill or a home address or even a tel number.Mr bill gates need s to hear whats going on here with msntv2.Please HELP!

[Micah Tuttle]

Hi MR.GATES i have a problem well i live in Minnnesota and i have a snowmobile that's
broke its a yamaha phazer the suspenion and the sway bars are cracked but i dont have any money. I thought how am i going to get $800 to fix my sled for this winter becuse my paperoute dosent pay enough,but im starting a snow removle buisness but noy many people want there snow removed.i'll send you a pcture of my sled.
sincerly:Micah Andrew Alton Tuttle

[Ogunmowo kehinde]

i want bill gates phone number.have some mind blowing business ideas to share with him.

[shrooms]

hi my name is shrooms and i was wondering if anyone knew how to get in touch with bill gates.

[Juliet Terre Clippit]

Terre Juliet,I found serious errors in window so virus can attact window, Bill Gates should contact me my email is hotmeo14@yahoo.com can you send my email to Bill Gates

[Arulanandam Deivendran]

I am a astrologer and living Switzerland,
but I was born in Srilanka. I am interesting computer work. if contact Mr. Bill Gates me, I shall be glad. and Please try to make software operating system with Tamil language. If you do this project India and all of county tamil people be happy. Please try to do this Idea. thanks - Deivendran

[susan g]

Every time msntv2 does an update there are problems! I have asked for two weeks to have this problm resolved-emailed 6 times -called tech-support 8 times! No one can seem to grasp the concept! Why is there no higher place to turn with these problems I have been a customer since web-tv; many years! Do I need to change???

[Parameswara.M]

Sir iam poor i want get the job from U'r company

[Hendrick Makhubele]

In South Africa We need more of computer training , any donation for old and new computer will be acepted to difernt centers across S.A, to empower the youth from our country, can somebody tell Mr Bill for me ,

[Shiv]

Garr,
This is an excellent article as it shows the differences between presentation styles. I totally agree with your stand on clear vision, simplicity and better use of images. Those clouds are a shame! Period! I am a C#/.NET Developer myself and I hate powerpoint and the way some of these technology visions are delivered. It is sad that most companies keep using the bland and boring templates built into powerpoint. Although I am not completely against the use of powerpoint for presentations, but people need to use powerpoint judiciously and know what it is good for. I personally dont own a MAC yet, but looking at the power of Keynote makes me want to buy one sooner rather than later.

On a sidenote, this is not a site to ask for Bill G's contacts and free computers to Africa. Please dont abuse the site. Go spam MS sites for Bill G's information.

Garr, again I really like the content in your blogs and I think I visit this site almost every day to read on old posts and check for new content.

[GIDEON]

HI, EVERY ONE PLEASE CAN SOME ONE TELL ME HOW TO MEET SIR BILL GATE ,HERE IS MY NUMBER 2348022416990 THANKS
GIDEON

[GIDEON]

HELLO,EVERYONE PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP CAN ANYONE TELL HOW TO MEET HONOREBLE SIR BILL GATE,PLEASE AM JOBLESS I NEED A JOB AND AM SINGLE,MALE. THANKS
GIDEON

[Zuber]

I love u u r my role model

Dear bill gates I am a fan of yours I really love u I have my dextop background as your picture I want to meet u not because u r the worlds richest man because I love u ask my dad my home address is-G19/11 DLf Ph-1 Gurgaon haryana 122002 india my name is Zuber.

[hendrix-jr]

website developer

[Ikechukwu Azubike]

i need help from mr bill and i want him to write me so that i will explain to him what i need from him.
He is a represntative of God on planet earth.

IKECHUKWU AZUBIKE

[candi winger]

I would reall like to speak to Bill Gates. I would really appreciate it if he could pay for me and my sister's tuition. We really deserve it. She only needs a few thousand and I need a little more. Please e-mail me at shawty902@cablelynx.com and crysmas_25@yahoo.com. Thank you very much.

[MATTHEW HOUSTON]

I NEED HELP WITH MY IDEA'S IT A GOOD ONE SO IF YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT (IMAK47PIMP@YAHOO.COM) SO PLAES EMAIL ME . YOU WOULD BE HAPPEY YOU DID............... 22/02/06.

[merije]

i want to know more about bill gate, i mean everything about him