Public speaking - a quick and dirty way to beat those nerves

I wouldn't describe myself as an accomplished public speaker, but I certainly need to give talks and presentations from time to time to customers, colleagues, subordinates, peers and my superiors.

It's never what I would call easy, but I find that as long as I am prepared, it is not that hard to stay on song and get the message across.

Despite spending a lot of time preparing, and being completely familiar with the topic however, I can still get a little nervous, particularly when I have to speak in front of people I have never met before. In fact I have a speaking engagement tomorrow morning, and apart from a couple of people I know from the industry, most of the audience will be completely new to me.

How am I going to stay cool, calm and collected, and perhaps even smile occasionally?

Simple...I'll do what I always do. It works every time.

I'll just look at some of the people in the crowd, and imagine them in their underwear!

As I say, it works everytime.

Later.