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I have been asked by my company to make a presentation in front of a very high-profile business group. Could you give me some quick tips?
The first tip is physiology. WALK with confidence. Give FIRM hand shakes. Have a PLEASANT facial expression. Give eye contact. Smile. Act as if you have known these people for years. Enjoy the experience.
Attention to detail adds to your professional experience. Gentlemen, as you sit down, unbutton your jacket. As you stand, button the top button on a single breasted suit with two buttons, or the middle button/top two buttons if there are three buttons. Double breasted suits require inside buttons to be secured (to keep the suit in alignment) and the outer buttons are to be buttoned, unless there are two in which case only the top button is secured. NEVER button the BOTTOM button. (EXCEPTION: military uniforms, when all buttons are secured.)
Next on the checklist: the tie. The tip of your tie should be between the middle and the top of your belt buckle. It is not to be above the belt buckle or below the belt buckle. Absolutely, no tie tacks. Use your old ones to secure the tie underneath, attached to the shirt. This will avoid flopping.
The shirt with suits should be LONG SLEEVED, having the cuff be one quarter of an inch below the length of the jacket sleeve. Have your shirt professionally cleaned and pressed (medium starch.)
Both men and women: Your SHOES should look brand new. Have them polished. Men's shoes should match the color of the belt, co-coordinated with the socks.
Women, remember Rule 13: no more than 13 accessories. No more than one ring (wedding rings are a set, counted for one) on each hand, not one ring per finger. Keep it simple.
Conservative HAIR STYLES, both for men and women. No slicking, spiking, or weird colors unless your audience is eccentric.
During your presentation, keep your hands below your neck and out of your pockets (even worse, jingling coins in the pocket. Bad, bad, bad.) Don't move back and forth nervously. Avoid phrases such as "and uh" or "like." Do not look at the floor, look at your audience. Use humor appropriately. Lighten up with enthusiasm about your message. Have passion. Express thanks and appreciation at the end. Voila!
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