We’ve all heard about the do’s and don’ts when working with the media, especially TV.

Through the years, we’ve seen some great reporting come out of Asian-based television studios and networks.

What is it like producing a great show from a behind-the-scenes perspective? We spoke to Ong, a producer at CNBC Asia.

Q: What is the most exciting part of your work for you?

“Well, the most exciting part of my job, I would say, is the people that I meet. Being a financial news network, you could say the guests that come on the shows are some of the most important people in the business and corporate world. Whatever they say are watched closely by investors, and where sometimes their statements could literally move the markets.

How many people can say they’ve sat down and have a conversation with Craig Barrett, the former president of Intel, or Thabo Mbeki, the President of South Africa?”

Q: What do you consider when you decide on a news story for the show?

1. “Topical. The hotter the subject matter is, the better. Bring on the pundits who say the US is not heading into a recession!
2. Relevance to the show. Obviously, a sports story wouldn’t make sense on a financial programme.
3. Will my audience derive anything from the interview? Is it a good time to buy that Yahoo stock?
4. An interesting interviewee always helps.”

Q: You get to host business analysts, professionals, entrepreneurs and politicians, who all have busy schedules and differing points of view. What are some things you would like guests to remember?

“Go straight to the point. You only have 5 minutes to get your message across. Don’t waste it.

Don’t be late! Even if you’re not due on until 8am, don’t get to the studio at 7.55am. We always tell our guests to arrive at least 15minutes before. Since it’s television, especially live programming, there’re a lot of stuff that needs to be done beforehand i.e. seat the guest, mike-up, camera framing, sound check. A whole hour of the show can be ruined if a guest is even one minute late because every second counts! And a late arrival will more often than not result in a flustered guest, which will obviously not turn out to be a good interview.

This is a no-brainer but all mobile devices should be switched off, it should not be on silent or vibrate mode, but off completely. This happened on a show on a sister network in Europe. A guest’s phone rang in the middle of his interview. Instead of switching it off, he just hung up, and lo and behold, it rang again! He finally switched it off after much fumbling and a gentle reminder by the anchor. Let’s just say the guest completely lost his train of thought after.

Do dress appropriately. I guess I don’t need to elaborate on this one?

PR professionals can be very helpful … or not. As much as I understand their job is to look after their client’s every need, when you’re in the studio, let the producers take it from there. Do not ever pester the producers, be it, reminding me the time the guest is supposed to be on (I know what time the interview is, I’m producing the show, aren’t I). Don’t ask for questions. We don’t ever give out questions beforehand. And DON’T lay out what questions can be asked and what can’t be asked. Let the guest decide. Believe it or not, CEOs do not like a babysitter.”

Here are some other useful tips:

1. Be succinct and give the bottom line to your answer upfront.
2. Always be prepared for tough and unexpected questions.
3. Be confident. A viewer knows when a guest is nervous.
4. Consciously hold yourself back from using fillers such as “ah’s” and “um’s” and repeating phrases such as “you know” and “so”.
5. Catch up with the latest news and relate it to what you have to say, where possible.
6. Use simple relevant metaphors that help illustrate complex ideas.
7. Always prepare your top three messages and weave them into your interview.
8. Don’t allow your eyes to wander. This is difficult to control but you don’t wish to appear to be evasive or restless. Look down at your notes if you have to.
9. Try not to slouch. Sit up straight or lean slightly forward and rest your elbows on the table if it’s more comfortable.
10. Avoid shifting about on chairs that swivel or rock.
11. Address the interviewer by name during your conversation. It is a more personable approach and positions you well on television or radio.
12. Try to make yourself accessible to reporters so that they can check their stories are accurate.
13. Beware what you say even when you think you are off-air. Recording devices may still be running!