There must be a lot of managers out there who find it difficult to speak in public, either at some convention, sales meeting or presentation or just in front of a hand full of colleagues. Here's a very simple technique I learned many years ago that will drive the point home very very effectively.
At the time I had no idea that it was called the 'Columbo Technique'. Many of you might remember that cigar smoking detective on a 70's police series called Columbo which ran for many many years. He was very soft spoken and polite and he had one trait which always got people thinking. He would ask his questions and then he would leave but just before he gets to the door, he turns around and says, "Oh...just one more thing." This can work very well in public speaking. Here's how you do it.
Save your most important point till last. Use this technique just before a major transition in your presentation. You could say something like, "that's all on that topic...(pause for a few seconds) oh, and one more thing...." then start with the most important point you want to make. This will have two effects on the audience. One is that for those who have wandered off in their heads, when you say that it will bring them back instantly and two, you will have your audiences full attention. A word of caution though.
Don't use this technique just before taking a break by saying something like, "Before we take a break, there's one more thing." When people hear the word 'break' they will automatically switch off and start shuffling their papers and get ready to go and if that happens, you will have lost them. Placing this technique just in the right place of your presentation in critical to its success. One of the best places is at the end of your presentation because when you come back to the main point using this technique, people are more likely to remember it.
The more you practice this, the better at it you will get and the more comfortable you will be using it. However, don't overdo it. Use it only once in your presentation, as it's meant to be an attention grabber and not a transitional phrase.