I always bring spare equipment with me -- a mini projector and an iPad, so if I have to I can use my own stuff. If all of the equipment fails, then I move into "conversation" mode. I start talking to the people like we are simply a group of folks having a chat about a topic that interests us. Honestly, it's an approach that is more effective than most formal presentations anyway.

Remember —YOU are the real projector. The success of your presentation depends more on you than the tech. You are in control, turn the chaos into a conversation. Engage your audience with real-time questions—it’s more memorable than slides. If there’s a flip chart or whiteboard, use it wisely. Highlight key points, but don’t fall into the trap of re-creating your deck.

There was a book by Seth Godin, the purple cow, which reminded that the presentation is just a visual aid, and YOU are the star of the event with your ideas. We can sometimes get caught up in a rigid idea of how something should go, and forget to be flexible and remember that we can still achieve the same aim with different methods. Therefore, the work is in learning to be flexible as a style, because if you're very fixed/rigid otherwise, it's hard to suddenly bring up flexibility at the spur of the moment. Additionally we should watch out for the trap of using complex language in order to appear smart as that alienates the audience. A simple text version of the presentation with no visual aid should also be prepared, which is engaging.

Great question! Technical hiccups happen, and I’ve learned that staying calm and resourceful is key while i give myself some 'grace'. I focus on: Storytelling: Engaging narratives keep the audience connected when slides fail. Interaction: Turning the moment into a Q&A or discussion makes it personal and engaging. Transparency: Acknowledging the issue with humor builds trust and eases tension. I remind myself that the value lies in what I say, not what’s on the screen. A little preparation and adaptability can turn a crisis into a win.