Need to build gravitas?
Tips to bring your speaker agenda to life
We’ve all attended those company conferences where the senior leadership team are the speaker agenda. They’ve agreed the strategic direction of the business for the next three years and it’s time to share their vision with the team. You’re looking forward to the day, you’re a ready and willing participant… but it all falls a bit flat, right? And you come away with a glossy annual report but can’t actually remember a word they said!
We’ve seen it too, time and again. It feels like a box ticking exercise with a buffet lunch. The most boring type of event there is! Senior leadership teams might think they’re the worlds’ best speakers but the reality is they probably aren’t. So how can you add gravitas to the message? Here’s out tips on bringing your speaker agenda to life:
Scarlet Moffatt hosting the Intu Retailer Awards
1. An event host can make all the difference, especially if it’s someone not connected with the business. Professional event hosts are worth their weight in gold, providing a framework for speaker sessions by introducing speakers and summarising what’s been said (in different languages if needed)
2. Develop a speaker agenda running order so that each session is programmed in with timings. Having a countdown clock on stage is a game-changer to stop sessions running over
3. Include an inspirational speaker to bring subjects to life; but work with them to include elements of the day within their talk. There are fantastic speaker agencies out there such as JLA and True Talent; work with them to find the perfect person who will integrate your ideas with what they do
4. Work with a content creator to develop slides, videos etc. as well as your event production team to look at creative ways of keeping content engaging
5. Look at more interactive was of getting your message across – can you deliver key messages in a more engaging way then being talked at? Would a workshop of interactive session work better?
6. Coach speakers to be their best selves. Some speakers think they have the delivery of the worlds best, others get so anxious they start to feel unwell; we’ve seen very senior people almost crumble with nerves at the side of stage before. We always recommend working with a speaking or media coach ahead of the day – they can be life changing for some and really help to elevate their session to deliver the message in the best way possible. It helps them yes, but helps your audience even more!
7. Goes without saying but quality over quantity will always get our vote. Less is more. And if you need us to break the news to your speaker that they’re not speaking… no problem!