how to make business presentations

The ultimate voice makeover as Margaret Thatcher's, morphing from strident and grating to a lower, near-symphonic range, covering every tone to and authoritative.

Here are some pointers:

1. Construct a presentation so that it is meant to be listened to and enjoyed, rather than reading bullet points off PowerPoint.

2. Dress is also an issue. Do not power dress. Wear an outfit that is stylish and expensive-something that you feel great in.

3. Use your voice well. The key ticks relate to consonants, dynamics and pauses. If a speaker hits the consonants, they sound a lot clearer and more confident. This is a class riddled society and people who emphasise their consonants send out certain messages about intelligence-it is not fair but it is fact. Pauses also make people think.

4. It is important to consider who is in your audience and what you want to achieve.

5. Do not fidget. Stillness conveys great gravitas.

6. Breathe - When we are under stress, we hang onto our breath but it is the oil of our voice.