Structure is incredibly important for achieving clarity. Explain the structure of the presentation at the start and sign-post each section as you go along, as this will help the audience to follow what you are saying (and will help to ensure that you stay on track and avoid repetition). If you are interrupted with a question that relates to a different part of your presentation, perhaps explain that you will cover the answer later on and carry on as planned. However, you must remain flexible, as questions from your listeners may require you to take your presentation in a slightly different direction.

Peggy Forell: being too rigid with your structure might give the impression that you don’t have a sufficiently broad grasp of the topic, plus listeners’ questions can help you to gauge what they truly want to know. If you do deviate from your planned content, be sure to remain mindful of time; don’t go off-piste without making on the spot adjustments to the rest of your presentation, as running over time can be a cardinal sin in the eyes of your listeners.

The below provides an overview of what you might want to cover in each section of your presentation:

• Opening: your opening remarks should then focus on you. Who you are (your role and any relevant credentials), why you are presenting (who invited you to present, and why now), how long you will speak for, and how you would like to deal with questions. 
• Introduction: your introduction should be about your presentation. You could kick off with something to engage your audience, for instance a quote, story or personal anecdote. Either way, quickly make it clear why the attendees should listen. Explain how the presentation will benefit them – i.e. what they stand to gain by listening – as this will help to engage them from the get-go. As part of this, you could play on your listeners’ fears, for example by mentioning the risks or potential liabilities that may arise if they lack an understanding of the topic.
• Main body: this is where you transfer the core information. The information that you hope will facilitate the transfer of important knowledge and/or instigate a change in behaviour. Consider referencing real life examples and personal experiences to bring your topic to life, as this can provide context and reinforce your credibility, which might help to further engage your listeners. It’s important that you personally engage with the content throughout and demonstrate a real personal interest, as if you do not engage with the content, how can you expect your audience to?
• Conclusion: at the end of your presentation, you should ideally explain how the main content relates to the business and the attendees’ jobs. If applicable, you should express your opinion or give your advice on the subject matter, and summarise any key outcomes. Keep it succinct and avoid mentioning any new, substantive ideas that were not previously covered. Then finish up by highlighting any sources your listeners can consult for further information, and any next steps.