(March 24, 1999) Davidson is the president of Davidson & Associates, a communications consulting firm. In addition to coaching better writing and speaking in the workplace, she has taught these topics at the undergraduate and graduate college levels. She is the author of "Business Writing: What Works, What Won't." In Part One of this interview, Davidson discusses the importance of preparation, visual aids and appearance to a presentation.

	Track 1
According to Davidson, every professional can benefit from the ability to communicate with others in a clear and energizing way.

	Track 2
Davidson discusses why otherwise competent professionals may be paralyzed by fear of public speaking, and provides tips for reducing those fears.

	Track 3
The preparation phase of a presentation is crucial, says Davidson. Preparation includes getting to know both your material and your audience.

	Track 4
Davidson outlines her formula for preparing a presentation: Analyze, Construct, Confirm and Enhance.

	Track 5
Davidson recommends dividing a presentation into segments: the opening, the benefits, the close, the question and answer period, and the re-close.

	Track 6
According to Davidson, visual aids often become a crutch for the presenter. She explains how to successfully incorporate visual aids into a presentation.

	Track 7
Davidson addresses the importance of a speaker's appearance. She explains how style can give a speaker a competitive edge.

2000, Smartpros Ltd. All Rights Reserved.