There are few things more annoying in a presentation than talking longer as advertised! Unfortunately, it seems that the less interessting the presentation, the more the speaker eats up our time.
This is definitively not fair. Therefore, here comes one of our really golden rules in presenting:
Never go longer than advertised. If you had to start later, because the presenter before you overdid it, make time good and shorten your presentation. No problem, as you sure know, you can bring a good message through in less than a few minutes - if you need more time you ain’t got a clear message to tell anyway.
So to the techniques. A look all 30 seconds to your wrist watch is a nogo, it makes the audience nervous. Ideally you arrange for a person in the background that holds up a LARGE sign with a 5 minute and a 1 Minute warning – the later is a sign for immediately start wrapping up and give the audience time to applause. Also, if possible use the presenter screen in PP or Keynote – it shows time. Don’t set an alarm in your wristwatch, that is distracting.
Summary: Never go longer, except audience demands it. Even try to be early, for example by 5 minutes. This creates the necessary reserve for applause, packing up, and make room for the next presenter (or be early at the bar).
