Some people live for making presentations; others consider it their worst nightmare. It could be 5 people in a boardroom or 500 in the audience; if you are the presenter, the spotlight is on you. Don't waste or skip an opportunity of public speaking. Make yourself a hero; give it every chance of winning the day. Here are some wining tips:

1. Good Solid Start - Research indicates that most people’s attention spans start to decline after about 17 minutes of non-stop listening. Research also shows that attention is higher at the start and end of a talk than in the middle. This means that you should time a once-off presentation to last no more than about 20 minutes. If your subject requires you to speak longer, think of using suitable breaks, intervals or a change of pace and style. Always start fast - It may be ‘an honor and a privilege’ to have been invited to speak, but that is not what people came to hear. Plunge into what you want to say. The occasion may require some proforma opening courtesies, but keep them as short as possible.

2. The 5 P’s of Presentation are: (1) Present Situation, (2) Problem, (3) Possibilities, (4) Pros and Cons;
and (5) Proposal. Once content is prepared, check it thoroughly - Is it ‘well-structured’ and following a
‘logical’ sequence? Does it have an introduction and conclusion? Is it well prepared? Does it finish within time limit? Is the talk too simple or too complex and jargon-filled? Is it interesting? Also, Plan for Laughs and Applause.

3. Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse! - Rehearsing is an essential part of preparing your speech. There are three ways to rehearse and you should use all three: Rehearse to yourself, to the mirror and in fornt of an audience of family, friends or colleagues. This allows you to time yourself. Do this well in advance of your presentation so that you can make changes.

4. Give it Focus - No one is impressed by a presentation that rambles. Rambling happens when the speaker is both self-indulgent and unorganized. Your purpose and prose must be specifically directed to interests of your listeners or they will mentally shut you down.

5. Be Entertaining! You don't have to be an actor or comedian, but no one wants to listen to someone in dull monotone. Body Movements and vocal inflections will help your listeners feel your passion and energy.

6. Use Media Only to Enhance - PowerPoint, Visuals and Video are powerful presentation tools when used correctly. But they can be disastrous distractions when misused. They should never replace you as the provider of expertise. Restrict slides to maximum number of six.

7. Interact with the audience - Be aware of how your audience is reacting. Are they interested or bored? If they look confused, ask them why. Check if the audience is still with you. ‘Does that make sense?’ ‘Is that clear?’ Be open to questions. However, you also have the right to ask your audience to hold questions until the end. Questions are an excellent indicator that people are engaged by your subject matter and presentation skills. But if you save them until the end of the presentation, you will get through the material uninterrupted. Also, early questions are often answered by ensuing slides and commentary.

8. Basics - Dress Smartly. Smile. Dont shuffle your feet. Be upright and enthusiastic. Speak clearly, firmly and confidently. Don't speak too quickly. Eye contact is crucial to holding the attention of your audience. It is OK to use humour, in moderation. Voice should be clear and loud enough. Use your body to communicate.

9.Finish strong - ‘Oh, give me something to remember you by’ goes the song. As soon as you’ve gone, your audience is likely to turn its attention to other things — perhaps to presentations competitive to yours. Leave something to remember you by.

10. Stay on time! If your allotted time is 10 minutes, do not go beyond it. If there's no time limit, take less time rather than more to ensure that people stay engaged. Be confident and when you are nearing to the end of your presentation.

11. Walk back to your seat with a smile with a feeling that you have aced your presentation.