Presentation Advantage by Kory Kogon & Breck England & Julie Schmidt Summary

Presentation Advantage by Kory Kogon, Breck England, and Julie Schmidt provides a framework for delivering impactful presentations using FranklinCovey’s Connect Model. It teaches how to structure purpose-driven messages, design visuals that inspire, and align body language and tone to engage distracted audiences. The book emphasizes storytelling, audience connection, and overcoming modern workplace communication challenges.

This book is ideal for professionals seeking to improve presentation skills, managers leading teams, marketers crafting persuasive pitches, and anyone with public speaking anxiety. It’s also valuable for entrepreneurs pitching ideas and remote workers aiming to master virtual presentations.

Yes—readers praise its actionable strategies for cutting through distractions and delivering memorable messages. Backed by FranklinCovey’s research, it offers practical tools for both casual conversations and formal speeches. Critics note its focus on foundational techniques, making it especially useful for intermediate presenters.

The Connect Model is the book’s core framework, focusing on three pillars: connecting with your message (clarity and relevance), yourself (authenticity), and your audience (engagement). It emphasizes simplicity, storytelling, and visual aids to create paradigm shifts in listeners’ perspectives.

The authors advise using visuals to inspire, not overwhelm. Slides should follow the Impact-Pattern-Simplicity principle: highlight key ideas with minimal text, use consistent layouts, and prioritize imagery. Avoid bullet-heavy slides, which fragment audience attention.

1. Purpose-driven content: Align messages with audience needs.
2. Storytelling: Use narratives to make ideas relatable.
3. Simplicity: Trim redundant details to focus on core takeaways.
4. Visual synergy: Pair spoken words with complementary visuals.

The book teaches techniques like breath control, audience-focused mindset shifts, and rehearsal strategies. It also advocates embracing authenticity over perfection, reducing pressure to “perform” and fostering confidence.

Yes—it addresses virtual challenges like screen fatigue and distractions, offering tips for dynamic delivery via video calls. Recommendations include optimizing lighting, using interactive polls, and shortening segments to maintain engagement.

Unlike generic advice, it integrates FranklinCovey’s productivity principles with neuroscience-backed communication strategies. The Connect Model’s holistic approach—combining message, self, and audience—distinguishes it from books focused solely on slide design or body language.

Some readers note its strategies may feel basic for advanced speakers. However, its structured approach suits those seeking a systematic method over piecemeal tips. The lack of in-depth virtual presentation examples is a minor gap.

It complements her bestselling The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity, extending productivity principles to communication. Both books emphasize intentionality, prioritization, and aligning actions with goals.

• “Your slides are the scenery, not the play”: Prioritize vocal delivery over slides.
• “Connection trumps perfection”: Authenticity builds trust faster than flawless execution.
• “Speak to the elephant, then the rider”: Engage emotions (elephant) before logic (rider) for persuasion.