Tip of the week: The best slide template is a blank background!

I know organizations that have spent thousands of dollars contracting with graphics companies to design slide templates for their organization.  Stop!  Every word, design element, or other doo-dad that does not contribute to the substantive message of the slide makes it more difficult for the audience to understand that message.  Tell the audience what organization you work for at the beginning of the talk.  They don't need to be reminded on every slide.  Be a minimalist.  If you do not talk about items on your slide ask yourself why they are on the slide.