Business presentations have become a very fundamental component in conducting medium to large scale transactions.

Making an effective sales presentation can be the make or break in closing a major deal. However not many people have the personality and the desire to toss themselves into the lion's den of corporate presentations. It takes time patience and planning to prepare an effective business presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is important however is that presenters should never allow themselves to forget that PowerPoint is a tool? An excellent tool, admittedly. But one whose abilities should be always kept in proportion. If you remember that you are one making the presentation, and PowerPoint is a visual aid only, you will be fine.

Here a few more points that will make your company's presentation go with a swing:

• You should never forget that the human brain is only capable of absorbing so much information at any given time, when we set about preparing our presentation. Don't assume that they are taking it all in. Give them time to absorb the information on the slides.

• Provide your audience with as much back-up information as you can. This should include company brochures, specific information about the product or project that your presentation is based on. Provide your audience with writing materials; never assume that they will bring their own. Keep your company's image intact. Any promotional material should bear the company logo, livery and contact details.

• Keep in line with your company theme and livery in your PowerPoint presentation. Keep the company logo running through the theme as much as possible. Embellish your presentation with some, but not too many, of the excellent "off-the shelf" graphic and animations that you can buy online. Just remember that most people have seen presentation graphics before. Go for simple and direct if you really want to impress them. Be careful and don't go for overkill.

• No matter that you think that your audience seems to be totally engrossed in your presentation, keep on touch with how they appear to be reacting in any case. If they are slouching down in their seats, fidgeting or making paper airplanes with their sketch pads, it is a definite sign that you are losing their attention. This is why you should always maintain a dialogue with your audience. Invite interaction.

• Suddenly in the middle of your presentation, something can go wrong. These things happen, Your PowerPoint jams, your projector jams, your laptop jams. There is a power cut and everything jams. What ever happens, don't panic. Work round it. On the other hand, if a fire breaks out in the building, and the sprinkler system kicks in, abandon the presentation immediately, and make a run for the nearest fire exit. You will have given your audience a presentation they will never forget in any case.

• If the presentation does make it to a successful conclusion, don't immediately let everyone drift away. You need and are entitled to some feedback, and you shouldn't be afraid to probe for it. Try to discover where the presentation has led. If you have the audience eating out of the palm of your hand, ask them their impressions on the presentation itself. Don't be afraid to receive some constructive criticism, It's the only way to iron out the nuts and bolts.

These are just a few of the simple guidelines involved in making a successful presentation. Always remember that every audience is different and that makes sure that every presentation is different also.