Pitch Side Stories
Short, honest stories from the front line of pitching, teaching and presenting, written by slideAcross founder Martin Tanner.
The Weather App
The worst thing you can do at the moment is scroll right on a weather app. It is relentless. Rain, rain, heavy rain, rain. And there is no end in sight.
Read the storyThe Back Seat Driver
We all love to get an agenda for a presentation in advance from the client. After all, it's usually better to have clearly defined topics to cover rather than a vague catch-all title.
Read the storyThe Subject Matter Expert
You rehearsed. You timed it. You built the deck to flow like a story. And then the subject matter expert starts talking.
Read the storyThe Lasagne
What's your go-to dish? The food that you simply couldn't live without. Maybe you've already planned your death row meal.
Read the storyThe Polite Silence
It's presentation day. The one you've been waiting for - the must win. You walk in. The energy's flat. No eye contact. No smiles. Just polite silence.
Read the storyThe Unexpected Question
Juggling a hot coffee and a Cornish pasty the temperature of molten lava on the train home. And, of course, you're replaying the moment. You should've had the slide.
Read the storyFirst Day Back
First day back at school today. The kids were up before the alarm... bags packed, shoes on, full of energy. I give it three days.
Read the storyThe Script Clinger
I once clung to a script like it was a lifeline. Big pitch. Senior leaders. I wanted to sound polished. Professional. Precise. So I rehearsed every word.
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The Slide of Regret
The slide looked great in rehearsal. It had movement. Arrows. A build. It was meant to show how everything connected. But in the room? It landed like a brick.
Read the storyHow Clean is Your BBQ?
This weekend I tackled the BBQ. The kids (8 and 6) joined in - armed with enthusiasm and questionable technique. We scrubbed, rinsed, and stood back. It looked better.
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The Cab Ride
The cab ride back to the station. Everyone's quietly replaying the pitch in their heads. And then someone says it: “So… did we win it?”
Read the storyEvery pitch goes off-script eventually
slideAcross lets your presentation follow the conversation, wherever it goes.