You’ve got a major presentation and suddenly you’re asked if you can get your message across in five minutes! Today communication is often via e-mail, computer graphics and videoconferencing rather than lengthy dissertations. Talking fast won’t work. Here’s how to compress your speech without losing impact and resolve the time disaster comfortably.

Don’t apologize or mention that you usually have more time. Be confident that you can communicate in five minutes.

Don’t panic. If you follow the old rule: “Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em, tell ‘em, tell ‘em what you told ‘em,” you won’t get caught. Decide quickly what percentage of 5 minutes each part of your presentation should take.

Begin fast. Start with a an attention-getting statement such as, “Your job won’t exist five years from now,” or “In the next 5 minutes, I want to convince you the best action you can take is...”

Divide your 5 minutes into three parts. Present the problem, the payoff, and your point of view: “The number one advice I can give you today is...,” your story illustrates your idea and your walk away line could be what will happen if they do what you suggest!

Use a strongly visual story. Illustrate your points – how it is now, how it will or could be – with a story so vivid that the audience can “see” it.

Being able to summarize is of high importance in communication. Have a concise summary of your material, either written or presented.

“Give me your hand. I can tell your fortune. You are a fool.”

Daughter, The Two Noble Kinsmen

<I>(William Shakespeare)</I>