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For Meeting Planners: How to Choose A Winning Speaker Article by Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach Secret #1: Notice the Person's Verbal Habits Does the potential team member allow you to finish your sentences? A Winning Speaker treats every person with respect and compassion. It has been said, "The audience is not impressed with what you know, but how much you care." Does the person complain about others? Does the person look at life like the cup is half-empty instead of half-full? Ask: "What problems occurred when you worked on past projects? How did you deal with them?" A Winning Speaker is flexible and acts in ways to support your goals when a complication occurs during an event. For example, a Winning Speaker who has a malfunctioning microphone will cheerfully adapt. In your personal journal, note the important characteristics of a winning team member for your project. Secret #2: Compile Crucial Information When you obtain phone numbers of at least three people who have worked with the potential speaker before, you can make an informed decision. When calling, begin with an open-ended question like: "So how did it go?" Listen particularly for what the reviewer is not saying. Someone who enjoyed a Winning Speaker's presentation would say: "She was very funny...His stories were right on the mark...We learned new methods ...We felt he cared...." A friend recently booked a celebrated author. After the event, participants said, "It seemed like the compassionate book was written by someone else. The speaker was harsh." Gather reviews from past employers and colleagues. In your personal journal, note three people you’re considering for a potential speaker. Where can you get crucial information? Secret #3: Review Carefully All of the Person’s Supporting Materials Supporting materials can be a resume, demonstration tape, press clippings, books, audiotapes, recommendation letters, or other items. We need to carefully look at the materials because they’re all designed to present the positive, public image of the potential speaker. A meeting planner needs to ask for a demotape of the speaker presenting before live audiences. She listens to how the speaker relates to the audience. She notes how the speaker responds to questions. One speaker responded to questions by going for the joke, not the compassionate response. A friend later explained, "I may buy this person's book, but someone would need to pay me to hear that speaker again." On the other hand, a Winning Speaker responds to questions with nurturing energy, with comments like: "That sounds like it was a tough time for you...Thank you for bringing that up...That's just the question we need at this moment...." In your personal journal, note the important details you need to look for in the potential speaker's materials. Secret #4: Notice the Person's Business Habits Does the potential speaker promptly return phone calls? Does the person keep commitments and follow-up to ensure that you received her material? A Winning Speaker is committed to going the extra mile toward helping you make your project a success. A Winning Speaker will ask: "Is there some way I can be more supportive of your project?" In your personal journal, note the important business habits you want to focus on. Secret #5: If Something is Not Working, Ask the Speaker For Her Input A meeting planner needs to call a speaker if the demo tape and press kit do not arrive promptly. A Winning Speaker responds, "Oh, I apologize for that. That sounds like it was frustrating for you." The Winning Speaker admits errors in her office, and she acknowledges your feelings. The Winning Speaker takes challenging situations and makes them turn out well. In your personal journal, note if the potential team member has demonstrated how she makes things right. Secret #6: Review All the Information After you've gathered all the good news and the bad news about a potential team member, pause. Dr. Joyce Brothers says, "Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below conscious level." How do you feel about the potential team member? Does the person seem to be a Winning Speaker? Many team leaders find it helpful to talk over their findings with a friend. As we express our thoughts, we discover impressions that were just below the surface. The right decision for you will feel right. In your personal journal, note two people who you feel comfortable with -- to talk about the potential speaker. Copyright 2003, 2001 Tom Marcoux Please connect with us about Tom Marcoux, national speaker, member of National Speakers Association, America's Communication CoachCopyright 2003,2002 The Tom Marcoux Family Ltd. PartnershipA Speaker for Your Company, Association or Conference: Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach is the author of Communicate to Win: Influence Your Way to Success and Happiness; Free Yourself for Success; How to Heal When Life's Too Much. Tom is a nationally known, award-winning speaker-author (Speaker of the Year, Success Builders International and BusinessAcademy.com). Tom is a sales coach and personal/professional coach. He is a faculty lecturer at Academy of Art College, San Francisco (whose graduates often work for George Lucas' companies). Tom is a member of the National Speakers Association. He speaks for the National Association of Broadcasters Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada (click here for his NAB presentation). He is a guest lecturer in venues California State University - Los Angeles, Stanford University, and De Anza College. His book "Communicate to Win" is a required textbook at Cogswell Polytechnical College, Silicon Valley and in the Cogswell Time Capsule. His private workshops and public seminars have benefited professionals from IBM, The Gap, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lucent Technologies, Circuit City, The Olive Garden, and many other firms. He authored 10 books which are available on-line at http://www.businessacademy.com Tom is a faculty lecturer on technical communication and digital filmmaking at Cogswell Polytechnical College. Tom is a TV/Radio guest and he has been written about in San Francisco Examiner and the magazines: Streaming, Radio World, National Association of Broadcasters Daily, Millimeter, and Sharing Ideas - The Premiere Speaking Industry Magazine. Tom is featured in the documentary "Perfect Ending." View 34 pages of Quotes from People Helped by Tom's speeches, coaching, and products in the Guestbook For your media project: engage Tom Marcoux, Media Specialist/Motion Picture Director-Producer-Writer-Actor: Tom directed a previous motion picture that went to the Cannes Film Festival. He is currently directing "LIVING, the Motion Picture" -- which includes the beautiful Crystal Pegasus. He is the president of TomMarcoux.com, Inc. and Marcoux Media, and his team is preparing the science fiction trilogy of motion pictures entitled "TIMEPULSE."(www.TimePulse.com) Tom is the author of the novel TIMEPULSE. Tom won a special award at the EMMY AWARDS after earning a degree in psychology and television production. Tom is the author of 101 Acting Secrets: A Director's Tips for Your Acting, Auditions, Movie Roles, and Self-Promotion. He conducts acting workshops and workshops on "Self-Promotion for Actors" Quotes from People Helped by Tom's speeches, coaching, and products in the Guestbook 
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