I just returned from the Sage Software partner conference. There were the usual keynotes and breakout sessions, fabulous food, and opportunities to visit with lots of friends.
This year's event was unique in that it was the unveiling of the North American team's new President and CEO, Sue Swenson. She gave her first speech to an anxious crowd after having been in the role just six weeks.
What Sue did in her brief keynote was fantastic. Rather than making bold pronouncements about all of the changes she intended to make, Sue helped us connect to her on a personal level. She told us about her background and outlined the opportunities that attracted her to this new role. She was very comfortable on stage and it seemed that she was having a personal conversation with each person in the audience.
There is no better result for any presentation than to let people see the real you, to make others want to get to know you better, and to instill confidence in those who will be following your lead. Sue did that with ease.
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4 Comments
5/16/2008 12:44:02 am
Must have been quite a stirring keynote... listening to someone talk about themselves for an hour...their background...and what what attracted her to her most recent job. That's what I'd look for in a new President, I'm sure. Thank you. I needed to hear that. Given the amount of public speaking I've found myself signed up for this year, in the form of training, I am loving reading your posts and reviewing my materials for opportunities to use your suggestions. And I think you're right about the above. Much of my training audience this year will be defensive, and it helps to remember that they need to feel a connection with me and feel safe before they'll accept the "help" my stuff is offering. Good input. Much appreciated. Leave a Reply. |
 Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
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 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. 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 [email protected] 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 have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. 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. 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  Archives
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