Making the point!
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Do you feel uneasy in meetings at work, coming out annoyed that you didn\'t get your point across? Well, it\'s time to make sure everyone sits up and takes notice. Follow our top tips to presenting your ideas well, from getting body language and tone of voice just right, to dealing with difficult colleagues and impressing your boss with your professionalism and self-assurance
1 But seriously, folks!
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To get your colleagues\' full attention in a meeting, commit yourself 100% to what you\'re saying. Don\'t wonder what your gorgeous team-mate looks like in his boxers or whether your latte has gone cold. Look directly at each person in turn as you speak. Make people feel like they matter and that you mean what you say
2 Short and sweet
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Powerful, effective people use fewer words. So when you do speak, make it count. Sound as though you know what you want. Have confidence and people will believe you and know where they stand. Don\'t do nice, chatty or diplomatic. You are stating your case not blathering with your mates
3 Go girl!
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Getting rid of negative self-defeating beliefs is essential. Constantly replace them with positive, supportive beliefs. Say them out loud every day. Write them on post-it notes to put in your car and on your bathroom mirror. Keep your mind on assertive action. This will help the way you communicate as well as what you say
4 Respect!
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A meeting isn\'t a popularity contest, so trying to stay friends with everyone in the room just ain\'t gonna work. Remember you\'re there to solve work-related issues. It\'s all about impersonal procedures and getting your ideas across. It\'s often a toughie for women, but getting respect at work is more important than being liked
5 Manners!
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The right tone is essential. Do you: Come across as friendly and warm without being ingratiating? Make a point of thanking colleagues? Never raise your voice? Acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of others? Seem frank and fair and treat everyone with the same level of courtesy?
6 Win-win
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It\'s amazing how catchy enthusiasm is. If you appear confident and passionate, you\'ll carry everyone with you. Your mission is to present your case decisively and achieve a baseline. So decide beforehand what you can afford to give away in order to negotiate to get what you want. That way everyone comes out a winner
7 Crisis what crisis?
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Petrified once you\'re in the meeting? Throat dry, mind blank, voice a pathetic squeak? Know that it will pass: breathe deeply from your diaphragm and picture a positive outcome. Speak slowly and keep breathing. Have crib cards available to refer to, outlining points you want to make in case your mind goes temporarily AWOL
8 Any questions?
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Business woman
If unexpected questions come up in the meeting, play for time. Repeat the question before answering. If you don\'t know, then say you\'ll let them know later that day. A whopping great lie may get you through the meeting but will ruin your credibility later. Make sure you turn every question to a positive outcome for yourself
9. Big mouth
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If someone talks over you, use body language to get control of the meeting again. Think Margaret Thatcher. Look directly at the interruptee and marshal your thoughts. As soon as you can, link one of their ideas back into what you were saying. Thank them for emphasising your point and take the floor again. Take no prisoners
10 Body talk
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Words account for less than 10% of a message\'s impact. Videotape yourself to pick up problem areas or ask a candid friend\'s opinion. Don\'t fiddle with hair, mobile or pen. Hunch over and you\'ll cut off your air supply as well as your speaking voice. Instead, stand or sit upright and address colleagues in a calm, authoritative voice
Get ahead with handbag
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