Too many slides, the wrong kinds of slides, rambling and a lack of direction. These are just a few of the most common PowerPoint sins. But a Japanese-inspired presentation technique has become increasingly popular in the past few years. The PechaKucha (which means "chit-chat" in Japanese) technique was created in 2003 by Tokyo-based architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. Since then, it has been used by millions of people all across the world, according to the creators. The message of PechaKucha is simple: The less you say, the more valuable your presentation becomes. And it's not just for business purposes — speakers, elementary schools and universities also use PechaKucha as an educational tool. The format forces you to speak more concisely and clearly by allowing just 20 slides and just 20 seconds to present each slide. That won't be easy, but the technique forces a new way of thinking that eliminates the excess and leads to shorter, more creative and highly polished presentations.

What's your presentation style?

The best presentations have a clear style. Before you start, determine what your presentation style is.

Are you a Data Scientist (you use facts and analytics)? Are you a Storyteller (you create emotional connections)? Are you a Closer (you cut to the chase and deliver the bottom line)? Or, are you a Director (you only stick to the script)? It's also important to consider your audience and the nature of what you're presenting. For a deeper understanding of the presentation style that best fits you, take the quiz here.

The 5 rules of PechaKucha