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Speaker Preparedness

The Hidden Cost of Poor Presentation Skills A Challenge to Organizations

The Hidden Cost of Poor Presentation Skills: A Challenge to Organizations
The Hidden Cost of Poor Presentation Skills: A Challenge to Organizations 1200 627 I Need A Speaker

Your team’s presentation skills directly impact your organization’s success. Yet many companies overlook a simple tool for improvement: recording and reviewing presentations. Here’s why you should start, and what to watch for.

Common Presentation Pitfalls

  1. Casual Language Creep
    • “So yeah, that’s our quarterly results” undermines authority
    • “Kinda” and “sorta” diminish confidence
    • “Basically” and “literally” rarely add value Replace with: Clear, decisive statements that demonstrate expertise
  2. Unconscious Bias in Language
    • “You guys” excludes team members
    • “Chairman” when “Chair” suffices
    • “Girls in the office” instead of “colleagues” Replace with: “Everyone,” “team,” “colleagues,” “folks”
  3. Verbal Clutter
    • “Um,” “uh,” “like,” “you know”
    • Starting sentences with “So…”
    • Ending statements with “right?” Replace with: Purposeful pauses, confident transitions
  4. Signs of Poor Preparation
    • Reading directly from slides
    • Unable to answer basic questions
    • Disorganized flow Replace with: Clear structure, practiced delivery, anticipated Q&A
  5. Weak Language Structures
    • “The report was written” vs. “The team wrote the report”
    • “It was decided” vs. “The board decided”
    • “Changes were implemented” vs. “We implemented changes” Replace with: Active voice that shows ownership and authority

The Challenge

Record your next three team presentations. Watch them with these criteria in mind. Share specific feedback. Track improvement.

Most teams will be surprised by what they see – and how quickly they can improve with awareness and practice.

Ready to accelerate your team’s growth? I Need A Speaker offers comprehensive public speaking training, available both on-site and at our professional facilities. Our expert trainers will help your team deliver presentations that command attention and drive results.

Contact info@ineedaspeaker.com to discuss your team’s needs.

Headshot of Jeannine Luby, comedian and speaker, on an orange background with the I Need A Speaker Logo; De-Stress Before Speaking

De-Stress Before You Impress: A Speaker’s Guide to Pre-Performance Calm with Jeannine Luby
De-Stress Before You Impress: A Speaker’s Guide to Pre-Performance Calm with Jeannine Luby 1200 627 I Need A Speaker

Sweaty palms? Racing heart? Every speaker knows that familiar flutter of butterflies before stepping onto the stage. Let’s face it: stress might be an unwanted guest at your speaking engagement, but it doesn’t have to steal the show. We spoke with Jeannine Luby, president of Laugh to Live, LLC, about practical ways to de-stress and shut down those pre-speaking nerves. 

De-Stress with Natural Movement

What is Luby’s favorite way to de-stress?

“My favorite ways to de-stress, generally speaking, are to exercise outdoors–whether that’s hiking or kayaking at the state park or running or walking through the streets of Scranton– and to laugh. Given that I founded my business Laugh to Live with the mission of spreading healing laughter, I do practice what I preach. Laughter is great because it lowers our stress hormone cortisol.”

For speakers, maintaining a regular outdoor exercise routine can build a foundation of resilience that’s beneficial when presentation day arrives. The combination of physical activity and nature exposure creates a powerful stress-busting experience that can help regulate your nervous system long before you face your audience. (1)

Write It Down

But what about those crucial moments before stepping onto stage? Luby has a simple yet powerful technique: 

“I like some quiet time alone to take a few deep breaths and hand write short notes for my presentation or my comedy set. This is a tip I used to give students when I taught college communications classes. Research shows that when we handwrite notes rather than type them, we engage our brain in a way that helps us remember information better; there is something about the muscle movement of writing that helps us build memory; and the act of holding a pen and writing ideas on paper makes it a more personal experience.” (2)

Put It Into Practice

Before your next speaking engagement, try Luby’s two-part approach:

  1. Make time for outdoor exercise in the days leading up to your presentation to build your stress resilience
  2. Create a quiet pre-speaking ritual that includes deep breathing and taking a moment to write down your key points

The goal isn’t to eliminate stress completely. Instead, focus on transforming any nervous energy into focused enthusiasm that will engage your audience.

By combining physical activity with mindful preparation, you’re not just managing stress – you’re setting yourself up for an authentic, confident delivery that will resonate with your audience.

Want to book Jeannine Luby for your next event? Email info@ineedaspeaker.com for availability and booking.

Stephen Quandt, Cat Behavior Expert, National Cat Day Human Connection

Creating Connections on National Cat Day with Stephen Quandt, CFTB
Creating Connections on National Cat Day with Stephen Quandt, CFTB 1200 627 I Need A Speaker

It’s National Cat Day!

This isn’t about cats, it’s about you. 

As we celebrate National Cat Day it is a time to reflect not just on the mystical, soulful spirit that cats possess, but on our need to find connection, and the magical gift we receive when we fall in love with other creatures. 

Are you thinking about adopting a cat? Or perhaps you just don’t understand them and you want to learn a little bit more about these magical creatures. Some people think that cats are aloof and independent. And some are, just like some dogs are independent as well. Cats may give the impression of aloofness because they are less demonstrably effusive as compared with many dogs. But they’re just quiet and focused. Once they have made that connection with you, it goes very deep, in both directions. My best friends are cats.

Jenny the Cat sleeping, national cat day making connections

Jenny

One of my cats Jenny, blind-from-birth and the smartest cat I have ever known, likes to fall asleep on my lap, so that she can continue to nap after I’ve gotten up. I’m like her sleep aid! My other cat Cricket doesn’t wake me up in the morning by pawing me or licking or nibbling. Instead, she lays against my side and purrs until I wake up. What a way to start one’s day! 

Cricket the Cat, National Cat Day Making Connections

Cricket

As someone who works in animal welfare I’ve worked on all sorts of cases including with harder to adopt cats, and cats that need extra help. In 2011 I went to the site of the EF5 tornado that ravaged Joplin Missouri, a tornado that destroyed the entire town, killed hundreds of people and left 1200 cats and dogs homeless.

The author at the Joplin, MO tornado site.

There I met a cat I named Petunia, a cat who was so terrified she never came out of her “hidey box” that was inside her kennel at our emergency shelter. She couldn’t interact with people at all. I would speak to her very gently, every day and one day, without warning she came out of her box and blossomed into the incredibly friendly and affectionate cat that she really was but to me alone. She hid whenever anyone else approached. With time she warmed up to everyone, her unspoken thought, “I made it, I’m alive again, thank you!” I wanted to bring her home, but the rules were she could only be adopted at the adoption event being held weeks later. I vowed that if she wasn’t adopted, I would fly back from New York City and get her. But of course, she was adopted! 

The experience of relieving Petunia’s suffering was our mutual gift to each other. In animals that can’t speak for themselves, relieving their suffering is experienced as a gift they give back to us, selflessly, a type of love that flows in both directions at the same time. All of a sudden, they have a voice, and it is pure love. 

This work that I do on behalf of, and in service to, animals, reminds me always of one glorious thing, and that is our shared humanity. At my animal shelter I watch people walk past the sweetest of cats all the time. Be the person who pauses for a second as you start to walk past that kennel. Turn your head back and look at them quietly looking at you, yearning for a better life. A young child at my shelter made a sign that hangs on one of our walls. It says, “You can’t buy love…but you can rescue it.”, and you can too. Happy National Cat Day!

—

Stephen Quandt is a writer, author and certified feline behavior consultant and the founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates. He has over 20 years experience working with cats and dogs in the field and in shelters including the ASPCA and currently with the Animal Care Centers of NYC. Stephen is the author of a new children’s book, Happy Comes Home and two webinars, Decoding the Mysteries of Cats, and The Dogs of Chernobyl: a Story of Hope and Resilience which he gives to the public through libraries as well as to NGOs, shelters, rescues, vet practices and companies. He is widely quoted in national publications like Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, Chewys, Forbes, PetMD.com and Rover.com and he is a columnist and the official cat behavior expert for Pet Lifestyles Magazine. 

For more information, please visit Catbehaviorhelp.com. Across social media he can be found @catbehaviorhelp and on TikTok @cat_behavior_help. He has two cats, blind-from-birth Jenny who rules their home and her bestie, Cricket.

All photos courtesy of Stephen Quandt (c) copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

Email info@ineedaspeaker.com to book Stephen for your next event.

Speech and presentation expert, John Bowe, author of I Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in an Age of Disconnection

Speech and presentation expert, John Bowe, author of I Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in an Age of Disconnection
Speech and presentation expert, John Bowe, author of I Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in an Age of Disconnection 1200 627 I Need A Speaker

In a world where slide decks have become a staple of business presentations, it’s becoming more important than ever to put the speaker—not the deck—at the center of the conversation. 

John Bowe, acclaimed speech and presentation expert and author of I Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in an Age of Disconnection, has spent his career helping individuals communicate with confidence and clarity. We sat down with John to get his insights on common presentation mistakes, the art of creating an impactful slide deck, and tips for delivering a message that resonates with audiences.

INAS: You’re a speech and presentation coach. How do you feel about the way decks are used in everyday presentations?

JB: Decks are great for conveying and illuminating certain kinds of information. They can even be beautiful and entertaining. But I feel like people have come to depend on them too heavily. They often replace what we, as speakers, need to be doing. 

The heart of a talk or presentation is one person talking to other people. There’s a point of view, an opinion, a sharing of expertise that’s transmitted between eyeballs, from person to person(s). Decks should enhance and support that. 

When speakers begin their writing process by dumping all of their information onto slides, they give the deck top billing. It’s boring and ineffective. There’s a presumption that the facts on the slides will just speak for themselves. But it doesn’t work that way. You have to tell people what they mean, why you’re showing them, and what’s important about them. 

INAS: What are some common mistakes people make with slide decks?

JB: Oh boy—so many to choose from. 

Mistake #1 is preparing your slides BEFORE writing your talk track. I mentioned this above—people have a habit of dumping all their info onto their deck, then contributing kind of passive commentary about the deck and calling that a presentation. It deprives the speaker of their authority and makes their presentation boring. If you write your talk track first and hammer out the main points you want to make before creating your slides, it frees you up to be a lot more fun and interesting with your deck.

Mistake #2 is overloading your deck. Most decks contain too much information. It’s too much for anyone to take in, and it numbs the audience. To make it worse, the information is often displayed in confusing ways that take way too long to grasp. By this I mean words and numbers that are too voluminous or too small to read; slides that contain a pie chart, a line graph, a flywheel, and symbols no one understands — all on one slide. 

Speakers need to pay attention to how their audience will read their slides. If you want them to understand the info, you have to simplify, slow it down, and explain bit by bit what’s on your slides. Otherwise, you’re just whizzing through a ton of data with no regard for their ability to take it in, which is very disconnecting.   

Mistake #3—and this is deathly—is when speakers read from their slides. You will bore the attendees or insinuate they can’t read. The only thing worse is turning your back to them and *then* reading.

INAS: What are the key elements of a successful slide deck?

JB: Successful slides enhance and expand upon a speaker’s points. When they’re well done, they make you easier to understand. They lock information into the audience’s brain in a way that’s pleasing and easy to retain. They also make you look cool and smart by demonstrating a kind of effortless, confident mastery. 

I worked once with a logistics guy at Amazon. His presentation was for the main warehouse managers in the US, explaining how they can avoid and fix certain kinds of logjams. Before we got to work on the deck, he was just rattling off a long list of technical-sounding problems, then another long list of technical-sounding solutions. 

By the time we were done, we made him some great slides that totally simplified and organized the information. We broke the problems into five main categories. For each category, we made a slide with the problem on the left, illustrated by a really funny .gif, with red design motifs. First, we showed that, then on the same slide, AFTER he had time to narrate and explain the problem, on the right side, we put another .gif illustrating the solution, with green design motifs. We did this with each issue, showing first the before, then the after, and by slowing it down and simplifying, we kept the issue light and solvable. It allowed him to demonstrate his authority –and even some humanity — pretty deftly.

There are so many elements of successful slide decks, but clear thinking, clear organization, simplicity and consistent visual thinking can really help people understand you much better. 

INAS: Do you have any tips for choosing the right font and color schemes to ensure readability and accessibility?

JB: In one sense, it’s important to be simple and consistent. Don’t use a million different colors and fonts. Choose a limited universe of them that pertain to the material. That said, variety is also important. Don’t use 10 pie charts or bar graphs; mix it up. Use different kinds of proof. Use photos or videos or .gifs—keep your audience surprised.  But again, as with the example above, if visual elements can help create and maintain a sense of organization, it saves a lot of mental work for the audience. 

INAS: How can someone tailor their slide deck to fit different audiences or presentation settings?

JB: I think every talk has to be tailored for every audience to the extent it’s possible. If you’re talking about a complicated tech or finance matter, you have to adjust it to the sophistication of the audience. You have to use terms and examples they understand. You certainly don’t want to have more slides than they can take in, unless they’re the kind of audience that in fact wants to get granular and see a lot of slides. 

INAS: What’s your process for reviewing and refining a slide deck?

JB: One thing I do every time is look for where the speaker is speaking to or about the audience, instead of speaking about themselves or their company. I see it all the time: “Here’s me, here’s my invention / company / team, here’s our team history, here’s the history of our invention,” and so on. I always ask, “Where’s the slide that’s about the audience and their needs?” 

I always review slides for legibility: can your audience actually read this? First step: get rid of all the info you don’t really need. Next step, slow it down to maybe one idea per page. Make the info easier to absorb, make it meaningful, interesting, and relevant. 

One thing I talk about in workshops is “visual hierarchy.” If you look at famous paintings or good design work, they have a very clear, specific idea of where a viewer’s eye is going to land first, then where it’s going to go after that. Good design doesn’t just lay out a bunch of visual elements – it takes you on a journey, just like good writing does. So, as we go through a deck, this is a great way to get the speaker to pay attention to how people will read their slides. After a while, the speaker and the deck begin to work together with a lot more harmony, and that’s when it gets good. 

INAS: You are a successful coach for speakers, helping them fine-tune their presentation and slide deck. When should someone seek help from a coach or consultant?

JB: I think almost everyone, including me, almost always benefits from working with a coach. It’s the same with writing: everyone benefits from having an editor, no matter how good or accomplished you are. 

Of course, you don’t always have the time or money to work this way. But when it’s important, and when you need to prepare something really fast at a high level, it’s a great investment. 

The best thing I offer people is the discipline to do things in the proper order: think about the audience and purpose, think about the best way to organize the talk, THEN work on the deck. Someone who’s not you is going to think on a much higher, more detached level about how to visualize the organization, motifs, information-flow, and so on. That person can also watch you do your talk along with your deck and assess what’s working and calibrate both at once, you and your deck. In the end, your deck is almost like your dance partner; it’s great to have someone watch how you’re working with it. 

INAS: Describe your ideal client.

JB: Great question. I have so many ideal clients. I think the best client is someone whose expectations are in line with their resources and the importance of the job. I worked once with a multi-billionaire for a TED talk. We spent about 70 hours working on every single part of the talk, making new slides, videos, animations, multiple times, searching repeatedly for the best, most economical, charming, amazing way to convey information and make her points. I’ve also worked for two hours with “normal” people just culling 50% of the bloat from their slides and giving them a clear organizational plan that allows them to really speak with authority and clarity. 

A good client interaction is one where the client ends up being happy and confident, feeling like they achieved something they couldn’t have achieved by themselves, and they feel ready to walk into their meeting or pitch or whatever and show their intellect and ideas in a way they’ll be proud of. 

Think of all the great ideas in your head— business ideas, commentaries on other people’s ideas, songs, arguments you’d have with a family member, and so on. Imagine if you could hire someone to help you give perfect form to that, so you could finally explain yourself with confidence and without fear of doing it wrong. Working on decks almost always involves working on their talk track as well—it’s the whole package.

—

John Bowe is a speech and presentation consultant specializing in corporate and individual presentations. He has worked with students, business and charity leaders, entrepreneurs and executives from all over the world. He has given talks at the New York Public Library, the 92nd St. Y in New York City and many other companies and organizations.

He is the award-winning author of I Have Something to Say (Random House, August, 2020) and contributes regularly to CNBC about public speaking. He has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine. His work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, and he has appeared on CNN, The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart, the BBC, and many others.

If you’d like to engage John’s services, email info@ineedaspeaker.com for details.

Photo courtesy of David T. Stevens

Do IMEX Your Way: Featuring David T. Stevens
Do IMEX Your Way: Featuring David T. Stevens 3750 1959 I Need A Speaker

By Autumn Bohner

It’s every event planner’s favorite time of the year … IMEX America is right around the corner! 

You’ve registered for the conference, booked your travel, and browsed the website. That leaves the question: What’s next? 

With countless workshops, networking opportunities, inspiration, and the chance to explore the latest industry trends, it’s no surprise that IMEX is the biggest event in our industry. How can you truly make the most of your IMEX experience? 

We sat down with David T. Stevens, co-founder of Olympian Meeting, who has more than 20 years of experience in the corporate events industry and who is a veteran IMEX attendee, to hear his tips on navigating the hottest event of the year. Plan ahead – but stay flexible.

David says no two IMEX experiences are the same, and that’s okay! There’s no ‘right way’ to do IMEX. According to David, “You have to do what’s best for you.” 

If you’re attending IMEX for the first time, the size of the event and the massive amount of people can be overwhelming. David offers this advice: “Treat it like any other event—set your objective, have a plan, and adjust as necessary.” 

Start by setting clear goals for your conference experience. Whether you’re there to network, learn new strategies, or secure vendor deals, having an objective makes decision-making much easier.

If the daily activities align with your objective, great! If they don’t, David advises, “It’s ok to say no. You don’t HAVE to do all the things. But foremost, set an objective of what YOU want to get out of IMEX. Then the rest of your decisions will get a lot easier as they will either align with that objective, or they won’t.” 

By focusing on what you want to achieve, you avoid the trap of trying to do everything and burning yourself out. 

Tackle IMEX like a pro 

With IMEX’s packed schedule of presentations, workshops, and networking events, it’s tempting to fill every moment with back-to-back activities. “Some people just book themselves SO solid they don’t have time to eat, or sit down, or even sleep!” says David. However, he advocates for a more balanced approach. He suggests keeping space in your schedule for “organic hallway encounters”—those spontaneous moments of connection that often turn out to be the most valuable. 

While FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) can drive attendees to overextend themselves, David recommends embracing JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). “I LOVE my sleep, and I’m not a big drinker,” he says. He joyfully will skip the late-night parties to get some rest. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to miss certain events if they don’t align with your goals or if you simply need time to recharge. When you prioritize your well-being, you’ll be able to make the most of your time there. 

Again, there’s no ‘right way’ to do IMEX. Find the flow that works best for you! “Think about your appointments and where they are on the floor. Some people like to knock them out all at once, back to back to back. Others space them out and do two at a time. No right way, no wrong way, do it the way that works best for you.” 

Take care of yourself 

David recommends keeping your well-being in mind: “IMEX has a ton of activations and wellness offerings, so get on the website and find what looks the best for you.” 

Self-care is key during a large conference like IMEX. “Listen to your body and be present with how you’re feeling,” David says. Whether it’s a nap between sessions or packing healthy snacks, taking care of yourself will help you stay grounded and feel your best. If you can hit up a CVS or Instacart healthy snacks to your hotel, that’s an easy way to make sure you’re fueling up during the day, he adds. And remember: it’s okay to step away if you need a breather. 

And don’t forget to make time for yourself! “I make sure I am in bed no later than 10 p.m. and always get a workout in before I hit the floor. Your time and energy are valuable during the conference, so use them wisely!

With clear goals in mind and your favorite snacks packed, you’ll be able to truly make the most of your IMEX experience and come out feeling inspired. 

Attending IMEX? Let us know. We’d love to meet up at the conference and chat!

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: An Interview with Tom Jedlowski 
Celebrating Disability Pride Month: An Interview with Tom Jedlowski  922 1382 I Need A Speaker

By Norah Wolff

INAS: I recognize that you were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2015 and that influenced your choice to be a spokesperson for Tennessee Disability Coalition. After your diagnosis, what was your thought process like? How did you come to the ultimate decision to give back to the disabled community by immersing yourself in the advocacy world?

TOM: When I was first diagnosed with MS in 2015, I was terrified. Terrified of what could happen to my body, but more terrified about what would happen to my job, who I could tell, and who I could trust. My then employer ‘strongly encouraged’ me keep it under wraps. I found that unacceptable, as MS was something I had no control of, and I felt control was slipping away by the second. I jumped head-first into MS advocacy for a sense of regaining control – particularly at a time when it didn’t feel like I had much. I loved that work so much, I opted to work in advocacy full time.

INAS: Tom, I recall you mentioning that this job is extremely challenging at times, but the reward makes it worth it. What challenges are the most substantial to you? What do you find to be most rewarding in your job?

TOM: As director of communications & technology for the Tennessee Disability Coalition, my role is tremendously dynamic. Huge highs, and lower lows. The largest challenges are simply getting folks to see people with disabilities as people. Not caricatures. Not villains. Nor some source of inspiration. We’re just people trying to live our daily lives in a world largely designed without us in mind, which can be harder than it sounds. As humans, as our reference points of disability are usually short-sighted, or flat-out wrong. We tend to think we’re a small subset of people. In reality, about 1 in 4 Americans experience some form of disability. Diabetes, Down syndrome, depression, cancer – disability is a vast group of people. Intersecting with all groups, religions, races – you name it. The single most rewarding part of my job? When people with disabilities feel seen. Helping a meek, nervous mom from rural TN not just stand up for her own needs, but to find her voice to stand up for the needs of other families –that’s everything for me.

INAS: An interview discussed the efforts that you and a woman exerted in order to eliminate ableism language on public documents. Watching that, it was amazing to see what you did to help in just one case scenario. Can you speak a bit about the steps you take to be an advocate? It can be difficult enough to speak up for yourself, so how do you approach speaking on behalf of others?

TOM: When speaking up on behalf of others, the single most important thing to do is listen. Former TN Senator Howard Baker used the term ‘eloquent listening’, explaining, ‘There is a difference between hearing and understanding what people say. You don’t have to agree, but you have to hear what they’ve got to say.’ Listen to their unique story – their values, and the narrative they form of themselves. Pay close to attention to their individual challenges and needs. Everyone’s needs are different, disabilities or otherwise. Then highlight the issue, a possible solution, and shout it from the rooftops.

INAS: What steps can we take for this community? The ADA only does so much, yet on the day to day, there is an undeniable need for more accessibility and equality in our workplace and in every aspect of our lives.

TOM: While the ADA is a landmark piece of legislation and inspired subsequent disabilities rights legislation across the world; the ADA is not a cure-all. In reality, it’s the bare minimum in terms of accessibility. 

First, ensure your website is accessible to people with disabilities. A website is your organization’s foremost brand portal, and sets the tone for everything. There are several free website accessibility checkers, and your own IT department can help raise your website’s accessibility. There are also many consultants that provide accessibility insights, and many are quite good. That said, the most important and effective consultant you’ll ever have is people with disabilities navigating your site and providing feedback.

INAS: What would you like to see event planners and speakers implement in the industry to create inclusive events?

TOM: Couple things here. On the digital front, when setting up a registration form, simply add a field that asks, ‘What accommodations can we provide?’ Individuals with disabilities know exactly what they need, and we’ll recognize this is an inclusive event and organization in which the needs of people are anticipated and acknowledged. On the physical accessibility front, ensure the space has accessible restrooms and an accessible path of travel. A path of travel includes sidewalks, curb ramps, and other interior or exterior pedestrian ramps; clear floor paths, etc. Meaning, can a person travel through your event without physical barriers? The number of barriers we don’t usually notice would astound you.

INAS: Actions vs. words seem like a prevalent topic as you speak on behalf of the disabled community. Many people say that they support these efforts, but do nothing to prove this nor assist to implement them. How can citizens in your everyday life make subtle differences to make an inclusive community?

TOM: I get asked this question a lot, and I’m not sure everyone likes the answer but it doesn’t make it any less real: you need to start with your own mask before helping others. Take inventory and ownership of your own perspectives and feelings of the disability community, and see how accurate they are. Do you feel a sense of inspiration? Pity? Fear? Indifference? Some combination thereof? Does your mind gather memories of a diverse community at every intersection? Or a monolith? Do you understand that diagnoses like autism, cancer, and heart conditions are considered disabilities? When we can better tune our reference points, a clearer path of support tends to reveal itself.

INAS: In the news, there is much talk about Tennesseans with disabilities arguing to qualify for TennCare. TennCare covers long-term services and community-based supports which includes a personal care assistant, in-home physical therapy or nursing for people with disabilities — but a person can’t have more than $2,000 in assets in order to qualify, which creates an extremely hard decision for working Tennesseans. The Tennessee Disability Coalition has stated that this bill will be difficult to pass. From an individual directly impacted within the state, how has the approach to this issue been handled? What do you think will be helpful for citizens to do in favor of this change?

TOM: Tennessee is a self-proclaimed ‘Employment First’ state, in that, all avenues to employment must be exhausted before the state will offer assistance. But, those kinds of income caps are antithetical to meaningful employment for disabled Tennesseans. The kind of personal caregiving services are never covered in perpetuity by a private insurer. Only Medicaid, or TennCare here in TN, will. The kind of personal support that is critical to be able to sustain a job. In our “Pathway to TennCare for Working Adults with Disabilities Act” Tennesseans with disabilities will pay premiums to essentially carry TennCare as a secondary insurance. In other words, whatever their employer-sponsored plan won’t cover, TennCare will; giving folks that want to work the opportunity to do so, without sacrificing their care. Through our strategic messaging, meetings with leadership, and media outreach, we put forth two strong narratives. 1. Highlighting the inherent unfairness and hypocrisy of a “employment first” narrative, and 2. The fact that all but five states already have similar programs on the books that do the same thing. I am proud to report in April, the bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly.

 

Book Tom and other qualified speakers through I Need A Speaker. Email info@ineedaspeaker.com for details and availability.

 



Photo source: Tom Jedlowski

A Speech without a Purpose Is Just a Rant 
A Speech without a Purpose Is Just a Rant  720 481 I Need A Speaker

By Norah Wolff

Having a clear purpose as a speaker is crucial. Here’s why: 

  1. Audience Engagement: When your speech has a clear purpose, it captivates the audience’s attention and keeps them engaged from start to finish. 
  2. Meaningfulness: A speech with a defined purpose is more meaningful both to the speaker and the audience. It provides direction and focus, ensuring that every word spoken contributes to the overarching message or goal. 
  3. Building Connections: When the audience senses that the speaker is passionate and sincere about the topic, they are more likely to trust and resonate with the message. This connection fosters a sense of rapport and understanding between the speaker and the audience.
  4. Inspiration and Motivation: Whether the purpose is to educate, persuade, entertain, or inspire, a well-presented speech can evoke powerful emotions and drive positive action among listeners.
  5. Clarity and Focus: Having a purpose behind your speech provides clarity and focus in both the preparation and delivery stages. It helps the speaker organize their thoughts, structure the content, and deliver a cohesive message that is easy for the audience to follow and understand.
  6. Memorability: A purpose-driven speech is more likely to leave a lasting impression on the audience. When the audience connects with the purpose of the speech and finds it meaningful, they are more likely to remember key points and take action based on the message conveyed.

Having a central statement of purpose behind the speeches you give as a speaker is essential for engaging the audience, making the speech more meaningful, and building connections. A purposeful speech inspires, motivates, and resonates with the audience which leaves a lasting impact long after the speech has ended.



Photo source: Canva

Six Ways to Invest in Your Public Speaking Career
Six Ways to Invest in Your Public Speaking Career 690 463 I Need A Speaker

By Norah Wolff

As a speaker, it is vital to invest in yourself to advance your career. Consider trying out a few of these! 

  1. Public Speaking Training: Enroll in public speaking courses either online or in-person. I Need A Speaker offers customized training for individuals and small groups. Email info@ineedaspeaker.com to learn more.
  2. Attend Workshops and Seminars: Look for workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on public speaking and presentation skills. These events often expose you to peers that can educate you on your expertise.
  3. Read Books on Public Speaking: There are numerous books available on public speaking that cover topics such as content creation, delivery techniques, and confidence-building exercises. Some books to look into include Talk Like Ted, The Art of Public Speaking, and THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER 
  4. Invest in Technology: Consider investing in technology to enhance your speaking engagements, whether in person or virtual. Enhance your technology now: reference these reviews for headphones, cameras, and microphones to begin your research. *We do not profit from the purchase of these items. This should serve as reference only. 
  5. Review Your Speeches: Record your speeches or presentations and review them afterward to identify areas for improvement in your delivery, body language, and content.
  6. Networking: Build relationships with other speakers and professionals in your industry through networking events, conferences, and online communities. This can lead to opportunities for collaboration, referrals, and speaking engagements.

Investing in yourself as a speaker is an ongoing process that requires dedication, practice, and a desire to continually learn and grow. By investing time and effort into your craft, you can delve into new skills and components to become a more confident and compelling speaker in front of any audience.

 

 

Photo source: Canva

What Are the Elements of a Great Commencement Speech?
What Are the Elements of a Great Commencement Speech? 720 479 I Need A Speaker

By Tricia Richards-Service

Commencement speeches are more than mere addresses; they’re transformative narratives intended to usher graduates into the next phase of their lives with confidence and inspiration.

What sets apart a truly memorable commencement speech? Let’s delve into these remarkable moments, drawing insights from examples that have resonated with audiences worldwide.

  1. Authenticity: Authenticity lies at the heart of a great commencement speech. Look to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s address at Wellesley College in 2015. Adichie shared candid reflections on her own journey as an immigrant and a woman of color, resonating deeply with graduates navigating similar challenges. Her sincerity and vulnerability inspired the audience to embrace their unique identities and pursue their dreams unapologetically.
  2. Relevance: A memorable commencement speech speaks directly to the graduating class, acknowledging their unique experiences and aspirations. Consider Tim Cook’s speech at Stanford University in 2019. Against the backdrop of global challenges such as climate change and inequality, Cook urged graduates to harness their talents for the greater good. His call to action resonated with a generation eager to make a positive impact on the world.
  3. Inspiration: Commencement speeches are meant to inspire, and few have done so more powerfully than Oprah Winfrey’s address at Colorado College in 2019. Drawing from her own journey from adversity to success, Winfrey delivered a stirring speech that encouraged graduates to embrace failure as a catalyst for growth. Her words of wisdom inspired a sense of resilience and determination in the audience.
  4. Humor: Humor can be a powerful tool for engaging an audience and lightening the mood. Look to Mindy Kaling’s speech at Dartmouth College in 2018 for a masterclass in comedic timing. Kaling infused her address with witty anecdotes and self-deprecating humor, keeping the audience entertained while imparting valuable life lessons about perseverance and self-confidence.
  5. Wisdom: At its core, a memorable commencement speech offers timeless truths and valuable insights. Barack Obama’s speech at Rutgers University in 2016 stands as a testament to this. Obama delivered a thought-provoking address that touched on themes of democracy, empathy, and civic engagement. His words resonated deeply with graduates, inspiring them to become active participants in shaping the future of their communities and the world.

In essence, a memorable commencement speech is a delicate blend of authenticity, relevance, inspiration, humor, and wisdom. Using these elements, speakers can create moments that transcend the stage, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of graduates and their well-wishers for years to come.

Learn how to write your own commencement speech here.

 

 

 

 

Photo source: Canva

Four Reasons to Keep Speaker Intros Brief
Four Reasons to Keep Speaker Intros Brief 706 469 I Need A Speaker

By Tricia Richards-Service

 

Hey there! Are you tired of sitting through introductions that feel longer than a cross-country road trip? We get it. That’s why we’re here to advocate for the power of short, snappy speaker bios or labels. Trust us, less is more when it comes to keeping your audience engaged and excited. Here’s why:

  1. Audiences Want Highlights: In today’s fast-paced world, attention spans are shorter than ever. Your audience doesn’t need a play-by-play of the speaker’s entire career—they just want the highlights reel. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
  2. Curiosity Piques Interest: Ever heard the phrase “leave them wanting more”? That’s exactly what a short bio does. By giving just enough information to pique curiosity, you’ll leave your audience eager to hear what the speaker has to say.
  3. Focus on the Good Stuff: When you’re introducing a speaker, share the most impressive and relevant aspects of their background. A short bio allows you to cut out the fluff and focus on the good stuff—their outstanding expertise, accomplishments, and unique qualifications to speak on the topic at hand.
  4. Easy to Remember: People forget details of short intros. But a short, punchy bio? That sticks in your mind like your favorite song lyrics. Keep it simple, and your audience will remember the speaker long after they’ve left the stage.

For more on introductions, check out our post with alternatives to “without further ado.”

 

 

 

Photo source: Canva

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