When planning a presentation, there is one thing you should do before anything else: profile the occasion, audience and location.

You should ask yourself the following questions.

The Occasion

• What kind is it?
• What are its aims?
• What time is allowed?
• What else is happening?

The Audience

• Do they know anything about me?
• Do I know its size?
• What do they expect?
• Why are they there?
• What is their knowledge level?
• Do I know any of them personally/professionally?
• Do I expect friendliness, indifference or hostility?
• Will they be able to use what they hear?

The Location

• Do I know the room size, seating arrangements, layout/set-up and acoustics?
• Do I know the technical arrangements for use of microphones, audio-visuals, lighting and whether assistance is available (and have I notified my requirements in advance)?
• Do I know who will control room temperature, lighting and moving people in and out?

Occasion, audience and location are interactive. I have known an otherwise successful conference virtually ruined by the slowness of service and very low quality of food in the hotel (not booked by me, I might add!).