Equipment tends to malfunction during speaking events — for example, your microphone could stop working or your slides might not come up on the screen. These glitches even happen to tech-savvy people. Next time you're getting ready for a big presentation, do these three things to help it go smoothly:
Get to know the AV person. Learn his name, treat him well, and trust his advice. He'll work extra hard for you if he likes you.
Test all the equipment. Do a dry run using the projector, the clicker, and any audio equipment beforehand. Make sure it all works.
Bring backups. If a piece of technology is critical to your talk, bring your own if possible. That includes accessories like cables and any additional gear you'll need.
Source: Harvard Business Review - Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations.