Presenters who have not mastered the art of speaking to time are one of my

pet hates, and it seems that I am not alone. Overrunning is one of the most
common complaints in both the business and community sectors. Few
people appreciate speakers who fail to respect their audience’s time.

The consequences of poor presentation timekeeping

 Audiences get bored by overlong presentations, and some members may

even walk out
 Overrunning results in a loss of  respect and ultimately to a reduced audience
buy-in for your ideas, products or services
 Speaking too long also eats into following presenter’s time, antagonising
fellow speakers and event organisers as a result
 Likewise, poor timekeeping prolongs meetings unnecessarily, wasting
valuable time
 Furthermore, going over time prevents meaningful Q&A after your
presentation

How can you avoid becoming a speaker who runs over?

First, prepare your presentation properly

 Double check your time slot in advance

Speaking slot times can and do change, so make sure that you check in with
the meeting organiser. By so doing you will ensure that you avoid any
nasty surprises and keep in the good books of the event organiser.
 Always develop your script to fit 80% of your allotted time
Never aim to fill the entire time slot with speaking! Aiming for 80% increases
the likelihood that you will finish on time or even a little under it. (Nobody
minds a speaker who concludes a few minutes early! )  Knowing your average
speaking speed makes this relatively easy. For example, I speak at between
100 and 120 words a minute when presenting,  so I can calculate roughly how
many words I need for a specific time slot.  For me, a 5-minute speech needs
around 600 words.
 Rehearse your speech and get someone to time you
Fine tune your content by practising it out loud to ensure that you stay within
the 80% rule. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice some of your non-essential stories in
the service of clarity and brevity.
 Second, use an external indicator to help you stay on  time

 Is there a clock in the room that is visible to the speaker?

A clock is the most basic indicator, but it relies on you to remember to look at
it and to remember when you need to be wrapping up. In the heat of the
moment, when you are in full flow, it’s not uncommon to forget about the clock
altogether.
 Is there a countdown timer?
Countdown clocks provide second by second feedback on how much time you
have left. Check in advance if this facility is available and, if so, its location. Of
course, you still need to remember to glance at it from time to time , but it is a
handy tool and hence will help you stay on track.
 Is there a timing lights system?
Some conferences and meetings provide speakers with a clear indication of
their remaining time using lights. These usually take the form of either a single
red light or a set of coloured traffic lights. I prefer this method to a countdown
timer because I find it less distracting but just as useful. Remember to check
what time the various lights come on and then change .

Finally, be willing to edit on the fly if your ti