How To Write A SOLID Introduction

How to Write a Solid Introduction
(Part 2)
Part 1 appeared January 26, 2009...See the Archive at http://www.theideasculptor.blogspot.com/

Suppose you were asked to introduce President Barack Obama at your organization’s special event. What would you do to prepare your introduction?

I’d be willing to bet, that “winging it” wouldn’t be in your vocabulary. You would find the time to do the research, contact his administrative assistant, collect important facts, and ask colleagues for their advice. You would make sure that the microphone on site works, and other logistics are handled professionally. You’d be so excited that you couldn’t sleep? Ten bucks says that you would be a great host for this special speaker!

Got you thinking?

All speakers, not just celebrities, require this kind of attention.

How to Write the Introduction

If you are the one who volunteers, or is volunteered, to introduce a speaker at an event, you might want to keep a copy of this column.

Scripting the introduction shouldn’t happen “on the spot”, nor should you be writing it on the back of a crumpled piece of paper like a grocery bill. I’ve developed a template that may help you in your preparation. Let me know if you find this useful.

The “Introduction” has three main elements, all beginning with “C”.

1. Character
2. Credentials
3. Connection

“Character” refers to the speaker as a person. Who are they? What is their personality? This opening portion is the “hook” for the audience.

“Credentials” refer to the qualifications of the presenter. What are the main points - not all the points - which apply directly to the audience’s understanding of the speaker as an expert on this subject?

“Connection” provides the presenter and subject link to the audience. What is the focus of the presentation and how does this affect the listeners? What can the audience look forward to hearing, seeing, doing and taking away from the time spent together?

Here’s an example of this template: (Reminder: large font makes this easier to read when you are nervous or the lighting at the lecturn is dim...)

Our presenter, Maggie Chicoine (Chic Win’) claims that she is more than a seasoned speaker….she’s marinated!

Maggie’s company, The Idea Sculptor, was formed in 1986 and is based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. As a professional speaker, Master Coach and writer, Maggie’s clientele has a broad scope – from tribal chiefs in Ghana, Africa, to the boardrooms of Australia and the US, to Northern Ontario’s volunteer organizations and entrepreneurs. She always delivers thought provoking and practical content with her trademark: “a twist of ingenuity”.

Maggie is a founding director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and one of Northern Ontario’s most influential women. She is the Lead Facilitator for Leadership Thunder Bay.

This evening, she is sharing her experience as a Master Coach with you. Maggie is the expert in knowing ... how to turn a bad situation into a solid path for our leaders at XYZ Corporation. Her examples are so relevant that her guarantee is:... "no one sleeps".

Please welcome.... Maggie.


Sixty seconds:

Character. Credentials. Connection.



Maggie Chicoine is a skilled presenter who coaches members of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the National Speakers’ Association (USA) in Master of Ceremonies skills. Reach her at 1 800 587 1767 or www.theideasculptor.com. Her column, The Tuesday File, appears at Lake Superior News - www.lakesuperiornews.com weekly.

Canadian Leaders

Are Canadian Leaders Really Invisible?
By Maggie Chicoine

“From teaching leadership in Canada, I am almost always disappointed that most Canadians have such a hard time identifying Canadian leaders they admire.

I invite you to try the following test. Test yourself first and then try it with your friends and colleagues. List 10 well-known Canadian recording artists, 10 well-known Canadian athletes, and 10 well-known Canadian leaders you admire. Time yourself or ask someone to time you. You have one minute for each list.

Almost all of the people who take this test do a significantly better job of identifying Canadian recording artists and athletes than identifying Canadian leaders they admire. This reinforces my premise that Canadians under-acknowledge, under-appreciate and under-recognize our home-grown leaders.” – Dr. Brad McRae, CSP, ALDI

You’ve just been introduced to “The 7 Strategies of Master Leaders” by Dr. Brad McRae Director of the Atlantic Leadership Development Institute.

In this text, Dr. McRae presents interviews with significant Canadian leaders ranging from corporations to government agencies and community organizations. The stories punctuate 7 key strategies for leveraging leadership skills. Surprisingly, even the crustiest and most experienced can learn from this book. For new leaders, this should become their “bible” for the journey. Finally, a current, Canadian context for learning to lead will be available in 2009.

Before you click over to try to purchase the 7 Strategies, let me warn you that Dr. McRae continues to edit the material, and has confidentially released it into the hands of Leadership Thunder Bay’s class of 2008 – 2009. This is an organization which promises an “immersion” into community leadership over 10 months, and which has already graduated over 100 alumni from the corporate, governmental and volunteer sectors.

Why did Dr. McRae let the cat out of the bag?

Leadership theory refers to transparency and trust. What better way to know if his Canadian work on leadership stands the scrutiny of 23 curious and ambitious participants? With their input, editing and keen attitudes toward life long learning, 7 Strategies is being molded by the very people it aims to support. In the process, they are learning about themselves and more importantly, discovering role models which have been invisible on the Canadian landscape.

So here’s the invitation.

Spend an evening with Dr. Brad McRae on Thursday January 15 2009 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. His topic, based on the book, is “Live Your Legacy”, don’t just Leave Your Legacy. Tickets only $50.00 with dinner.

Registration is open on line now at http://www.leadershiptb.com/.

Dr. McRae, CSP, is a platinum level presenter, and author of several best selling Canadian books.

Maggie Chicoine is a professional speaker, Master Coach, and lead facilitator for Leadership Thunder Bay. She specializes in Strategies to Think Ahead. Maggie is a founding Director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, member of the International Coach Federation and Professional Writers’ Association of Canada. She is the Lead Facilitator of Leadership Thunder Bay. Reach her at 1 800 587 1767 or www.theideasculptor.com.

What You See?

Leadership Lens
Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine at Hecla Oasis Resort

I’m wondering what the 15 participants of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference will say about our City after their visit?

You know the old saying, “You can’t see what’s right in front of your nose”. It’s so obvious it’s invisible? We naturally become oblivious to the character of our cities and neighbourhoods. It’s like looking through a frosted window and not even noticing a new addition to the same old patterns.

So it will be interesting to interview a few of the 230 Executive Leaders from across Canada who are touring a variety of places in the country as part of their leadership experience. Canada, apparently, has the potential to have a leadership crisis because of the changing baby boomer demographic. It’s programs like this, initiated by the Governor General, which inspire a new generation of leaders.

This year’s theme: “Leadership and Community”

“The theme of the conference, “Leadership and Community,” is close to my heart. Our capacity to build the kind of society in which we all wish to live depends on the involvement of everyone. Our success, however, demands effective, committed leadership in business, government, unions and all other sectors of our country.

“Effective leaders understand that Canada can succeed only by building strong communities in which we all have the opportunity to flourish and help create a better country and world. Each action toward this goal is immensely important. Leaders understand we must fight against the indifference that is so common nowadays.”
Michaelle Jean
Governor General of Canada
More information at www.leadershipcanada.ca


Leadership Thunder Bay, which recently graduated its 5th class of leaders, has the opportunity to meet colleagues from the Governor General's Conference, for an informal dialogue about challenges and opportunities.

I will be listening closely for the depth of the discussion, and the commitment from our local representatives to move issues forward. Ideas are a dime a dozen.

Action, strategic action, collaborative action, gets the results. Let's support our upcoming leaders with strong voices, hearty appreciation and relevant mentoring.

- Your Coach on Call,

Maggie

1 800 587 1767

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