Jim Endicott, Nancy Duarte, Julie Terberg and host Ric Bretschneider discuss the process and construction of superior presentations in the last of a series of podcasts recorded at PowerPoint Live. These are round-table discussions from the top presentation designers. Consider adding these 3 items to the tips that they bring up:  

1) Pay the most attention to the First 5 minutes and Last 5 minutes of your presentation.

2) Really think about who the audience is. Why are they in the room?  What are they listening for?

3) Make the presentation emotionally impactful.
 
Now many of you know that I am the piano player at my church.  I have sat through thousands of hours of church preachers preachings.  So most of this "improving your presentation skills"  advise comes down to Homiletics.  " "that branch of rhetoric that treats of the composition and delivery of sermons or homilies".  There are some great speakers out there who use no power point, have had no formal training, or have hired a consultant.   They have a passion for their message, and a audience that is open minded.  Sometimes I will admit that stirring music from the piano helps the presentation. 

Click to Play - Web cast of the discussion