I was once asked to give a speech on about 15 minutes notice. It was a challenge. But I knew that if I followed this simple professional speechwriter's formula that I could consistently come up with some good solid speeches at fairly short notice, every time! Here's how I did it.

Normally, if I have enough time on hand, I can prepare a passable speech, to which I tag on a witticism or a joke at the end - sometimes at the beginning as well - and 'bob's your uncle. But when you think about it, just about everybody can do that. All it takes is time.

But when you don't have time, here's a simple, speedy and efficient formula that will help you to draft a very 'workable' speech on the back of an envelope in, eh!, no time at all. It's called the 'AIDA' Envelope Formula. Now, let me show you how you can put it to work for you.

What AIDA stands for is: A = Attention, I = Interest, D = Desire and the final A = Action.

Step 1. Write the letters AIDA down on the back of an envelope, leaving as much space as possible between each letter. Step 2. Put three dots after each letter - three bullet points, as it were. Step 3. Beside each bullet point write down a 'pointer' of what you can possibly say. Three pointers to get a= attention, three pointers to create I=interest, three pointers to generate d=desire and three pointers to spell out what a=action needed to be taken. This adds up to a total of 12 pointers. And, believe me, with 12 pointers jotted down on the back of an envelope, you've got a very passable speech in your hands.

This formula can be applied to just about every single speech, no matter how difficult it is. For the purpose of proving this point, let's say that you've been asked, at very short notice, to stand up and give an uplifting speech at a school prize-giving, where parents and pupils are gathered to hear you talk. Hey! That's a tough one. No it isn't. Just follow the formula.

A= Attention ... "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, you've no idea how proud I am to be here tonight. Because...

• I was always at the bottom of my class in my school • The atmosphere here tonight is super • In my school days we never had anything like this."

I=Interest... "One of the things that I have observed with great interest from the moment I arrived at the school tonight is...

• how noisy the school is • how many wonderful trophies are on display in the school • how amazingly well the rugby team is performing this year."

Desire ... "So much is happening... with such energy, enthusiasm and success, that I have to confess to you that I have a secret desire to be back a school again for, maybe just a day or two! You see...

• I'd just love to spend more time in your new school library • It would be wonderful to pull on the football jersey and play for the school again • The new gym is just mega!"

Action... "but none of these good things could have been possible without the action and support of everyone.... parents, teachers and, of course ... pupils.

• We must never forget that the pupils are the big stars tonight • You worked hard, you played hard ... you've made everyone so very proud of you • So I would ask all parents and teachers to rise to your feet and give our pupils - and our prize winners - a hearty round of applause."

There you go! It's a very practical formula. It's easy to use. And the real beauty of it is that it produces quick, workable speeches on the back of an envelope, in an amazingly short time.