Public Speaking: 10 Keys for Correct Lectern Etiquette

Great speakers are natural and have an individual style. Style, however, is very different from protocol. As a speaker, you can destroy your credibility with poor lectern etiquette. Here are some tips for delivering professional presentations:

1. Do not lean on the lectern. The lectern is there to hold notes, hide awards, and to support the microphone and other electronic devices. It is not a leaning post. Holding on to it with a white-knuckle grip announces to the audience you are nervous. Stand straight, a few inches away from the lectern, with both feet firmly on the ground.
2. Gentlemen button coats. A buttoned suit jacket is a must for male speakers. During the speech, keep it buttoned if the speech is formal and/or does not require any arm waving or extreme body movement. Women may also button their jackets, however, because women's styles vary, a buttoned jacket is not required; women suffer enough having to wear high heels.
3. Shake hands with the person who introduced you. In days gone by, when a person approached the lectern after the introduction, the introducer handed over control of the meeting by passing the gavel to the person being introduced. Today, with a handshake, control of the lectern occurs symbolically while giving an appearance of continuity and friendship. It is rude to both the speaker and audience to introduce a speaker and then leave the lectern unattended as the speaker approaches. The lectern or podium is the focus of the audience's attention; do not jeopardize the professionalism of your event by leaving it unattended.
4. Always thank the introducer and greet the audience. Proper etiquette requires good manners. Before beginning your speech, it is polite to thank the person who introduced you and to greet the audience making a special greeting to dignitaries, government officials, and other special attendees. Remember you were invited and consider it a privilege.
5. Familiarize yourself with proper introduction techniques. Learn proper introduction techniques and practice choreography at the lectern before-hand, if possible. The introducer and the guest speaker should not appear to be dancing as they exchange positions.
6. Do not apologize for lack of preparation. There is no substitute for preparedness, however, there are times when preparation is not possible. Never apologize for lack of preparation! This insults the audience who will be wondering why you showed up and why you are wasting their time if you are not prepared. Cancel or postpone the engagement or, when this is not possible, take a few minutes to gather your thoughts, outline them on paper, and proceed with your speech. Chances are no one will even notice you are unprepared so why make it a point to tell them? If you are frequently called upon to speak at a moment's notice, prepare a "pocket" speech you can pull out and give anytime, anywhere, with variation.
7. Eliminate distracting habits and verbal crutches. Those uhs, ahs, and ums can be very distracting and annoying. Practice your speech and record it to identify verbal crutches. Jitters can create havoc on your nervous system without you even knowing it. Nervous distractions like jiggling, tapping, hand clutching, etcetera, can detract from your talk. Learn good speaking posture, slow down, take a few deep breathes, and exhale any uneasiness. If you have a great speech and have practiced it, concentrate on relating your message to the audience, rather than how it is going to be received. Your delivery will appear natural and effortless if you concentrate on delivering your message with enthusiasm and sincerity.
8. Every gesture, look, motion, and sound should have a purpose. Although body movement can enhance a message, movement that is made for the sole purpose of movement appears unnatural and awkward. Use hand and body movement to emphasize a point or to help the audience visualize. Naturalness comes with knowing your speech and practice. Practice relating the concept of your speech rather than practicing gestures. This technique brings out the natural you.
9. Do not lose eye contact. Some talks are made to be read, others are not. Whether your notes are for reference only or meant to be read, poor eye contact is distracting. Good eye contact is a learned skill; practice.
10. Do not thank your audience. As children, we were taught that it is polite to say thank you. It still is but, after a speech, it is erroneously used to fill in the space after the last word has been uttered. As you have already thanked everyone at the beginning of your speech, deliver a powerful closing, then simply turn it over to the next person with a smile and a handshake.

Contributor:
Irene P. Zucker
VerbaCom® Executive Development
http://www.verbacom.com/

©2010-12 VerbaCom®

What is a Program Agenda?

Before getting into the details about a Program Agenda, I thought it best to define it. First of all, the overall schedule of events that occur during an event gathering is called a Program.  The written schedule of planned activities, their duration, and person(s) assigned to present or lead that activity within the Program, is called the Agenda or the agenda of the program itself.

The Program Agenda serves two purposes:  1) as an outline or roadmap of the activities that the attendees can expect to occur during the gathering and 2)  as a visual guide for the presenters themselves, to help them know where they fit in the overall Program and how much time is allotted for their respective presentation or activity.  A Program Agenda shows the duration of each activity on the Program so that it starts and finishes on time, and flows.

From start to closing, the entire Program can take anywhere from an hour to a full day or more, depending on its purpose. The gathering can take the form of a meeting or a more formal event that is usually put together by an organization or company.  Program Agendas are often used in functions that include a sit down meal.  A Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) is often used as a coordinator or orchestrator of the Program.  He/she serves as the glue between each activity, helping the attendees enjoy the Program by explaining who or what's up next on the Agenda.  A good Emcee follows a carefully designed Program Agenda, keeping the Program flowing and on time, while maintaining an upbeat mood. The Program Agenda acts as a roadmap for the Emcee (and presenters) to follow and a framework for attendees as to what is going on in real time. 

With careful  planning and dynamic execution of your Program Agenda, chances are you will "nail it" and all the participants, sponsors and attendees will be looking forward to next year's event.

Contributor:
Irene P. Zucker
VerbaCom® Executive Development
http://www.verbacom.com/

©2011 VerbaCom®

Three Keys to Creating a Winning Event Program

Congratulations! You have been assigned the task of putting together this year’s Annual Appreciation event for your company or organization. Before you think that it’s no big deal since you plan to copy last year’s Program Agenda and hope for the best, you might consider putting yourself in the place of a typical program attendee.

Have you attended a formal awards banquet luncheon or dinner recently? Was the experience positive (glad you attended, interesting and memorable) or negative (a torturous boring waste of your time, with long-winded speakers and an unprofessional execution)? Or have you found yourself at a sparsely attended fundraising event and considered for a moment, just sending in a contribution and coming up with some excuse for not attending?

Attending a poorly executed program or event can make you not only regret coming to the event but can also discourage you from attending next year’s. Attendees are not the only ones impacted. An event that is not up to par, speaks volumes about the organization itself. A Board of Directors that allows a mediocre program (or worse) to showcase its organization sends a message about how the organization itself is operating within. Sponsors, on the other hand, are happy to tie their brand with an organization and will continue to do so as long as it puts them in a positive light.

Still think that it’s no big deal? Think again. Fact is, at the end of the day, whether your program was a success or a flop, it will reflect on you, the person responsible for putting it all together. You will take the heat or be the hero. Rather than getting anxious about it, see this as your opportunity to make your event something that everyone will remember in a positive light, one that brings the quality, professionalism and organization to a new level, and generates interest for next year’s event in terms of sponsorships and attendance.

Here are three critical areas to consider that can help you create a successful formal event:

1) Substance and quality is everything. Remember, your program will only be as good as the people on the program’s lineup. Period. All the hoopla surrounding all the presenters is just icing on the cake. Whether your event has one high level speaker as the highlight of your event or whether you have several presenters in the program, make sure that they are interesting, relevant, exciting people, famous or even controversial. Use them as enticements or draws that make people want to come to your event. As a backdrop, use topical programs, fun entertainment and great food that says this is a “can’t miss event”. You should shoot high, but based on your budget, you may need a plan “B” or “C”, etc. You get what you pay for still goes but negotiations savvy goes a long way here. Start looking early.

2) A well thought-out, strategically planned program is critical. A well thought-out agenda strategically places the sequence of the speakers for maximum effect and allocates the speaking times accordingly, as it helps the Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) tightly weave the entire program, with choreography, proper etiquette and protocol around the lectern. When planning the event, always keep in mind the purpose, goal and direction of the program so that it never looses focus and maintains the excitement of the audience. This will be the surest way of putting your organization’s best foot forward in front of your sponsors and attendees.

3) Acquire an experienced Emcee. A great Emcee enhances any program by keeping the various elements and dynamics of the program on track and controls the tone of the event, keeping it positive and energized. Experience with a great track record speaks volumes. Choose an Emcee carefully, besides being energetic, positive and upbeat, he/she should be familiar with proper lectern etiquette and protocol. Remember, just because the person may be a well known individual, doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is a good Emcee. Equally important, just because he or she is the Chair of the event, doesn’t automatically qualify them as the best person for the Emcee’s job.

The combination of great content, a well thought-out plan, coupled with an experienced Emcee who can pull it all together, are the elements needed for creating a professional, well-executed Program for your luncheon, banquet or dinner. The quality results you get will be closely tied to your efforts made towards quality, professionalism and substance that you have put into it. People will notice you and your team’s hard work, as it manifests in a smoothly run, dynamic and professional event that leaves attendees looking forward to next year’s event. It will reflect well on your organization, sponsors and yourself, building everyone’s credibility and brand. Isn’t your event worth the effort?

Contributor
Irene P. Zucker
VerbaCom® Executive Development
http://www.verbacom.com/

©2011 VerbaCom®