Present and correct

So, a busy day yesterday of reviewing 10 pitches at the National Business Awards, which was a really interesting insight again into how companies pitch themselves so very differently. I've been on loads of PR pitches and also got sneaky peeks of how other PR firms do it, but witnessing 10 UK SMEs do it for an award was an eye opener.

I'm gagged from giving details of the winner, but here are four obvious/less obvious tips about presenting that struck home:

1. Less text is more: stick a load of words on your slides and you'll bore the audience, or get them reading rather than listening

2. Gabble and people will not listen. Why would you? Fast talkers tend to try to cram things in because they haven't thought before opening their mouths. Better to use; stalls: for greater impact.

3. Cheesey sales talk is about as welcome as a fart in a lift. You may think you're slick and clever, but sell it like Delboy and you'll look like Delboy. Bless 'im.

4. Interrupting colleagues is not only rude, it undermines the other person, makes you look like you lack trust and makes it a pain in the a&se to follow the conversation. Got a point to make? Keep your gob shut until the coast it clear, and then time it well.

But all this said, one thing did come through loud and clear: there is some great innovation in the UK SME sector and many have taken a clever approach to tackling recession challenges. It's pleasing for a sector that apparently is going to suffer most from the downturn, so keep your peckers up.