Control the environment

Recently in the UK, the temperature has reached record heights. As might be expected, this communicate with an increase in the breakdown rate of air con units, a shortage of bottled water and a number of presentation events where people were melting. This last situation may be not within your immediate control with regard to the cause, but certainly you can consider the effect. How would you feel if you were in the audience? Is your carefully honed and crafted presentation being ignored because of the personal discomfort of the audience? As the speaker at the front, you are given the ascribed status of a god. Take control. Get more windows open, arrange for more water, have more comfort breaks and create more movement opportunities. In other words, you can win over the audience to a degree by being practical. Announce what you are doing and why. 'Because of the heat I intend to.....' By taking control, you will win respect, increase the comfort of your audience and therefore they will listen more attentively to your words. One final thought on the subject of heat. If the best anti-perspirant really cannot cope with your body's attempt to cool down.... consider carefully the choice of clothes/colours etc. A huge spreading stain on a dark shirt is more noticeable that on maybe a white or light coloured shirt. If you can, take a lesson from the sporting world. During the rest period in tennis, often the players will change shirts. It refreshes them, and avoids sticking etc. A spare shirt/blouse might just add to your personal confidence and comfort.