Making a panel work 07/28/2011
When you create a panel presentation, it's all about the dynamic between the panelists. Use that energy or ignore it at your own peril. If you are the person creating a panel, you need to select people who either have something in common or represent different perspectives on the same topic. It takes more work and extra planning to make this type of presentation work. You have to research the panelists and coach them in how to make the panel successful and then you need a moderator. At last year's Green Wine Summit, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel on green packaging.The panel included two representatives from a glass manufacturer, a passionate cork enthusiast, representatives from a winery that had a wine box, and a restaurant who was selling their wine. I asked them to each provide me with their three main points and submit photos that represented their perspective. When they responded, I had enough information to create some dialogue between the panelists. I did however, get the photo below from the cork board representative.  At first, I removed the disturbingly graphic image from the items I planned to show. Eventually I added it back and the panelist was able to make some important points about the dangers of plastic closures in landfills. (And I was able to play off this image in questioning the panelists.) While thankfully none of the other panelists had comparable images to share, they were able to make their points using their own graphics. Comments07/29/2011 17:32
Geni. Fantastic points - I've been to too many conferences with panel discussions that are really 3 mini presentations or in a particularly silly case - the moderator hijacked the entire "discussion" as her own presentation and only occasionally asked the panelists to chime in. Leave a Reply |  Geni Whitehouse
Countess of Communication Brotemarkle,Davis and Co. LLP Author of How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession. But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I work with CPAs through my strategic partner, Mentor Plus, an organization that has been providing CPAs with the skills their clients crave for more than 19 years. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. And through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me geni@evenanerd.com I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. But if I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com  ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll Other websites you might enjoy: |
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