How to Introduce a Speaker
"How to Introduce A Speaker "
Guest Speaker Introductions:
Part of Your Curriculum?
Is the art of introducing a guest speaker part of your job? Typically the answer to this question is no. Should it be? Absolutely, because there are occasions when you are called upon to host important meetings/events sponsored by your company.
Your introduction of the speaker is critical for soliciting buy-in from the audience. How you introduce a speaker will create greater impact for the speaker. It sets the tone for the speech.
It's easy to assume that because executives are very adept at communicating with people individually or in groups, they are equally at ease with something as simple as introducing a speaker. That might be true if the only thing the executive has to do is to stand in front of the group and say: "Good evening. It's my pleasure to introduce to you Dr. A. B. Smith, Director of Clinical Research at Clyde Memorial Hospital". Unfortunately it's not quite that simple.
The Need for Understanding
Given the importance of these events, there are important reasons to become comfortable with introductions.
-It pays tribute and respect to the speaker
-It helps minimize the inevitable attack of "butterflies" that will set in when one is unprepared.
It's very natural, even for the most confident executive to be nervous when speaking before any group. They need to know that: "It's okay to have butterflies as long as they fly in formation".
This metaphor has always been very comforting to me in my career as a trainer and speaker because it gives me permission to be human. However, I've also found that the more prepared I am, the less likely I am to sink into a state of panic.
Will a good introduction assure a successful presentation? Not necessarily. However, while a good introduction may not make up for a bad presentation, a poor introduction can turn people away from the best of presentations. The last thing you want to happen is to have the
Guest Speaker Introductions:
Part of Your Curriculum?
Is the art of introducing a guest speaker part of your job? Typically the answer to this question is no. Should it be? Absolutely, because there are occasions when you are called upon to host important meetings/events sponsored by your company.
Your introduction of the speaker is critical for soliciting buy-in from the audience. How you introduce a speaker will create greater impact for the speaker. It sets the tone for the speech.
It's easy to assume that because executives are very adept at communicating with people individually or in groups, they are equally at ease with something as simple as introducing a speaker. That might be true if the only thing the executive has to do is to stand in front of the group and say: "Good evening. It's my pleasure to introduce to you Dr. A. B. Smith, Director of Clinical Research at Clyde Memorial Hospital". Unfortunately it's not quite that simple.
The Need for Understanding
Given the importance of these events, there are important reasons to become comfortable with introductions.
-It pays tribute and respect to the speaker
-It helps minimize the inevitable attack of "butterflies" that will set in when one is unprepared.
It's very natural, even for the most confident executive to be nervous when speaking before any group. They need to know that: "It's okay to have butterflies as long as they fly in formation".
This metaphor has always been very comforting to me in my career as a trainer and speaker because it gives me permission to be human. However, I've also found that the more prepared I am, the less likely I am to sink into a state of panic.
Will a good introduction assure a successful presentation? Not necessarily. However, while a good introduction may not make up for a bad presentation, a poor introduction can turn people away from the best of presentations. The last thing you want to happen is to have the