In order to focus your energy for a presentation, imagine that you had 30 seconds to talk instead of 30 minutes, says Harvard Business Review.

The Management Tip of the Day offers quick, practical management tips and ideas from Harvard Business Reviewand HBR.org (http:www.hbr.org).

"When you're giving a presentation and nervousness kicks in, it's tough to be brief. But, your audience expects you to state your conclusion and stand behind it, not ramble on aimlessly.

You can only do that if you zero in on the purpose. When you prepare for your talk, work backwards. Before you put anything down on paper, know the key message you want your audience to remember.

Ask yourself: If my presentation were 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes, what would I say? Force yourself to summarize your key point. Once you've done that, think through what other information you'll need to support that point."

Today's management tip was adapted from "In Presentations, Learn to Say Less" by Ron Ashkenas.

Related Articles:

Job Seekers: 10 keys to Success

Jobs Seekers: More Chinese go Gym For Fitness

Management Tip of the Day: Make Time For Meeting Prep

Management Tip of the Day: Get Mentoring That Evolves

Make Your Cube a Better Place

Management Tip of the Day: Get Your Project Going

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY: NETWORK WITH PURPOSE

Management Tip of the Day: Don't Pander to Latecomers

Management Tip of the Day: Measure the Money You're Making

Management Tip of the Day: Curating Your Online Self

Management Tip of the Day: How to Reduce Stage Fright

Management Tip of the Day: Always Use Meaningful Words

Management Tip of the Day:Promote Innovation on Your Team

Management Tip of the Day: Overcome the Awkward Silences