I completely agree. It’s always best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, especially when it comes to presentations or critical work. Having multiple backups on different devices and drives gives you a safety net. Plan B is essential, and a demo session is a great idea to keep the presentation flowing smoothly, even if the tech fails. A backup of screenshots or a PDF version of your slides is a lifesaver too—while you might lose the animation, the key visuals and information are still there to guide your audience through the message. The goal is to make sure the content is communicated, regardless of the format.

I always have a plan B (old style with handouts and presentation posters). I cannot count the number of times technology has not been on my side.

Stay Calm: Panic won't help. Simplify: Remove unnecessary slides. Backup Plan: Use a printed version or speaker notes. Tech Support: Seek help from IT or colleagues. Practice: Rehearse your presentation without slides. Confidence is Key: Believe in your knowledge, not the slides.

I bunch of slides don’t carry the real knowledge, but the presenter, if in a meeting room, a white board would perfectly do the job. Call me old school if you like but if some presenter goes in crisis for not having the slides in perfect shape seems to depend on the slide deck instead of their own savvy. In digital environments like zoom, the game changes a little, but I still believe a good talk and a digital whiteboard can save the day.

You should always save the presentation as PDF (as well as PPTX) and this - although it won’t look as interactive - will open for sure! Because the presentation is just there to guide you and as a support. So, if it’s not all “bells and whistles”… no worries. You “embellish” it with your speech.

If your slides are just not vibing with you, it’s time to adapt. Go full minimalist mode. Big, bold words or images that pop—something that gives your point a little extra oomph and highlights what you're saying. Focus on crafting a killer message with your words, and let the slides just chill in the background. Think of them as your trusty sidekick—don’t make them the star of the show. Trust me, your audience will thank you.

When slides start acting up, I usually try to stay calm and troubleshoot step by step. Maybe check the connections, restart the software, or even try a backup plan like printed notes. And hey, if you’ve got a tight budget, think about using tech to streamline your presentation.

If you know your material life can go on without the slides. If calamity happens acknowledge it and move on. Ask people to pull out a pen and paper and take notes. Make your outline clear. Your message is more important than your graphics. Technology is WONDERFUL when it works, but remember that Einstein and the greats of the past did fine without it. So can you.