Nancy Duarte, communication expert, author, speaker, and CEO of Duarte, Inc

I was first introduced to Nancy’s work when I saw her phenomenal TedTalk on the common structures of the greatest communicators. Nancy had spent countless hours of meticulous research to find patterns in the greatest speeches and presentations of all time. Her discovery changed how millions of people around the world create their pitches and presentations, and I have personally integrated this approach into all the work I do as a Creative Director at IBM. In this episode I get to drill down into the questions that I’ve had for years: the nuances of its structure, the applications of it in the real world, and the moment on a sunny Saturday afternoon when she realised the magnitude of what she had uncovered. The full episode is available as a video on YouTube and Apple Podcasts, and the audio version is, well, everywhere else.

Nancy Duarte is a renowned American author, speaker, and communication expert who is widely recognised for her significant contributions in transforming the world of communication and presentation. Her expertise lies in developing persuasive and compelling presentations that help organisations communicate effectively with their audiences. Duarte is the CEO of Duarte Inc., a presentation and communication agency based in Mountain View, California.

After graduating, Duarte began her career as a designer and illustrator, working for a variety of companies, including Apple and Sun Microsystems. It was during this time that she developed her passion for communication and presentation. In the early 1990s, she founded Duarte Design, which later became Duarte Inc. She established the company with the aim of helping businesses communicate effectively with their audiences.

Duarte’s work has had a significant impact on the world of presentation and communication. She has developed a range of tools and techniques that help speakers create more engaging and persuasive presentations. Her most notable contribution has been the development of the “Duarte Method,” a framework that guides speakers through the presentation creation process.

The Duarte Method has been used by countless organisations and individuals to develop effective presentations. It has been praised for its simplicity and effectiveness, and it has become a widely recognised standard in the field of presentation design.

Duarte has also authored several books on presentation and communication, including “Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences,” “Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations,” and “Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols.” These books have become essential resources for anyone looking to improve their presentation skills.

In addition to her work at Duarte Inc., Duarte is a highly sought-after speaker and has given talks at a variety of events and conferences around the world. She is known for her engaging and informative presentations, which draw on her expertise in communication and design.

Duarte has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the field of presentation and communication. In 2013, she was named one of the world’s top 10 business speakers by the American Management Association. In 2014, she was awarded the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award. She has also been recognised by Forbes as one of the world’s most influential women in business.