Share Your Story: September 2020 Spotlight

Betty Garrett, CMP from Garrett Speakers International, Inc. shared September’s winning story!

See her story about how to communicate “Executive Brilliance on Camera” below:

I learned many things very quickly when COVID-19 hit; we had no money coming in so what was I going to do?  No meetings, No speakers, No service! YIKES!!. This was tough and tears were shed; however, I got my wits about me.  I studied virtual meetings and an idea came to me that just might work for meeting professionals and production companies…it is called:

“Executive Brilliance on Camera”

Lights, Camera, Action!  Now is the time to focus your attention on preparing internal corporate speakers for (virtual) showtime, including the CEO!  When selecting someone to coach your speakers, make sure they understand the meticulous nuances involved with presenting on the small screen for virtual meetings, events, and conferences. Just like with television, every facial and body movement is magnified. Planners need to think cinematically rather than theatrically when it comes to virtual. Theatrically means a speaker is on stage in front of a live audience, whereas, cinematically is having your speaker present to the camera without an audience.   When speaking in front of a camera alone, the energy level declines by 30% and this takes a new mindset.

Proactively deciding to make sure each presenter is polished and poised will drastically improve their ability to heighten alliances internally and externally with engaging information. Keep in mind, professional speakers are hired for their knowledge and relevant content while keeping the energy high with attendees.  Executives lead the way with their vision and critical message and may not have the talent keeping the excitement high with participants. 

If you’re in the midst of planning an upcoming virtual meeting, you already have many NEW challenges to focus on, so why not remove stress where you can? Retain a consultant to help ensure every one of your internal speakers (CEO, Executives, and Management) is coached and able to deliver brilliant presentations! The goal? To keep their audience fully engaged, entertained, and educated!

Coaching your executives will help them:

• Increase their confidence and credibility, showing they are a world class leader with executive presence
• Tell their stories and transfer their knowledge and vision to the audience brilliantly
• Connect to their audience with authenticity

Be sure your consultant has the wisdom and background in coaching professional speakers and executives.  They must have the framework in place to approach speaker enhancement in a more effective message and presentation style.  Your executives need to know their presentations must be shorter than before; thirty minutes is now replacing the usual 60 minutes.  Encourage your executives to be concise and get to the point as fast as possible.  “Shorter really is sweeter”.  Rehearsals are a must when it comes to virtual; leave nothing to chance. In case the internet is disrupted, do have you a back-up plan especially if the CEO is speaking?  Why not pre-record his/her remarks so if the internet connection is interrupted, the presentation can be shown and no one will know the difference.

Give your executives that extra dose of poise and polish so they can lead the organization with momentum and vitality.  

 Contact: Betty Garrett, CMP, President | Author | Coach     Garrett Speakers International, Inc.

Telephone: 972-513-0054

Email:  [email protected]

We love hearing from our Event Source Professionals, Inc. family and a special thank you to Betty for sharing! If you’ve got a story to share, a bite of wisdom, or more please feel free to share your story below to be entered into our monthly contest!