The secret, experts say, is that anyone giving a speech or presentation - no matter the size of the audience - needs to be prepared.
It's important to remember that often those in a business audience can help make or break a career and your performance serves as a direct reflection on your boss. Come off as a stumbling, bumbling idiot and folks will wonder what the boss was thinking when she hired you. Put on a good, solid presentation and your boss and others will begin to see you in a new light - as a leader, capable of influencing others and commanding respect.
In my book, 45 Things You Do That Drive Your Boss Crazy . . . and How to Avoid Them, (Perigee, $13.95) some tips for giving a great speech or presentation include:
* Provide a road map. Let the audience know from the get-go why you're standing in front of them. ''I'm here today to talk about . . . '' Then immediately let them know where you stand by saying something like, ''I believe we can create a more efficient operation by . . . '' When people feel like you know where you're going with your thoughts, they are more likely to relax and listen.
* Focus on substance. Don't spend too much time trying to create a dynamite beginning or looking for a pithy comment worthy of Thomas Jefferson. Forget about the jokes and instead focus on what you know and what the audience is going to learn from you. The beginning and ending will come much easier once you get the heart of the speech completed.
* Look for friendlies. If you can, plant a few people in the audience who you know will be supportive of your comments. If you don't know anyone, focus on those who are looking directly at you and smiling or nodding. When you get nervous, look at these folks - let your eyes skip over the guy using his BlackBerry.
* Let them down gently. At the conclusion, don't walk away abruptly when you're done or ramble on about nothing for 10 minutes.
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* ANITA BRUZZESE can be reached c/o Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Va. 22107.
