Slide presentations have evolved into the primary method of communication within organizations and between buyers and sellers. However, this prevalent use comes with significant drawbacks. The journey from overhead projectors to today's sophisticated slideware was supposed to boost productivity. Instead, it has led to a phenomenon known as "death by PowerPoint."

The issue arises when marketers and sellers cram their presentations with excessive details, focusing more on products than the value they offer. This approach prolongs sales cycles, necessitates technical resources at an earlier stage, and increases the risk of competitors gaining access to the materials. Additionally, last-minute edits before meetings and technical glitches further complicate the process.

When it comes to sales training, relying heavily on slide-based sessions can result in information overload and poor retention. Training agendas often consist of consecutive slide presentations that lack interactivity and fail to provide actionable insights. These issues persist even in online training formats.

Therefore, it's crucial to evaluate your dependence on slides, whether you're in sales or marketing. The less you rely on them, the more effective your communication can be. A recommended alternative is to adopt more interactive communication methods that emphasize value, such as whiteboarding. This approach can help avoid the pitfalls associated with over-reliance on slide presentations.