This picture shows a moment of intense concentration listening to the playback of the music at the recording of my 60-minute Radio 2 documentary, 'Well Above Average: The Continuing Story Of 10cc' at the BBC Maida Vale Studios in February 1995.

Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart of 10cc are at the back, the broadcast assistant Trudi is in the middle and the front row consists of award-winning producer Sonia  Beldom, sound balancer Dave Dade and (still with some remaining hair in those days) yours truly in the corner.

The following morning, I turned up at Sonia's office and found her sending off thank you notes to Eric, Graham and the other 10cc member who had played on the session, Rick Fenn. She was also sending them each two packets of Radio 2 shortbread biscuits in padded envelopes!

I was puzzled. These guys have made fortunes from recording, songwriting, production, studio ownership and touring, not to mention non-musical activities, such as luxury property and classic car renovation - and here was my producer sending them each a couple of packets of biscuits which probably each had a retail value back then of 37p!

I pointed out that they could probably afford their own but Sonia had a simple explanation: 'People like it', she said. She went on to tell me how she had worked with another very famous and successful musician and had sent some to him as well. A year later, she had bumped into him again and the first thing he said was 'Hi, Sonia - thanks for the shortbread!' He remembered her gift, he remembered her and he remembered her name - despite the huge number of media people he deals with.

This made a big impression on me and I include it in my corporate presentation The Power of Humour in Business, pointing out that humour can be the equivalent of Sonia's shortbread!

Public Speaking Tip '74: What little touch will make your presentation or speech memorable a year later? A fascinating story or a profound quotation, perhaps? Or maybe a really funny but appropriate joke, observation or anecdote? People too often discuss a speaker for a long time afterwards  - for all the wrong reasons. But sometimes it just needs that that little extra something to leave a positive, lasting impression.

Sonia moved into TV production (she was responsible for developing the recent, highly-acclaimed series 'Victoria's Empire' featuring Victoria Wood). She is also now (not surprisingly) a motivational speaker. Her website address is listed under my Favourites on this site.

(Photo by David Graham-Baker)