Sir John Harvey-Jones was chairman of UK chemicals giant ICI from 1982 to 1987. He was probably best known for his BBC television show Troubleshooter, in which he advised struggling businesses.

Don’t be afraid to state what is obvious to you. It may not be obvious to the audience.

Give them passion.

Famous explorer and former SAS officer Ranulph Fiennes led an expedition that discovered the lost city of Ubar in Oman. He joined with nutrition specialist Mike Stroud to become the first to cross Antarctica unaided. Their journey of 97 days is the longest in South Polar history.

• Don’t treat every audience to the same presentation as though they were all mere listening machines. Wherever possible, make each audience think you care about them and you feel lucky or honoured to get the chance to address them.
• Don’t go on for too long!