How to choose a good lecturer

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According to Stephen Kantitz (pictured), famous lecturer and columnist of the brazilian magazine Veja, a good speaker can be the difference between a well succeded or not event. In the United States, the lecturer is called key note speaker, which means that he sets the tone for the whole event.

It is worthwhile to choose carefully the speaker that will give the initial tone to the event because he can create a favorable climate of acceptance following the speakers and the messages you want to convey, says Kanitz.

An amateur and inexperienced speaker can play on the ground the whole planning of the day.

Below, we highlight Stephen Kanitz' recommendations:

Commitment historical and punctuality

This is a test that few think to check, a famous speaker who arrives late is no good.

Thirty percent of the speakers that agree lectures without pay, just cancel. The percentage for politicians and ministers is significantly higher.

An advertising executive may find interesting to make a promotional speech. But if the day before his principal client calls, bye-bye appointments with potential customers.

The rule in this area is to hire someone who usually perform at least 30 lectures per year. They have a name to protect.

Talks for general public require continuous and constant practical preparation. Like a good surgeon. Eventual surgeons only for the braves.

Authenticity

Good speakers speak from the heart. They researched the subject in the market, not in academic books. Reengineering described by its inventor is a fantastic speech, and different from those who simply learned the subject or copied it.

Organization

Good speeches are carefully prepared. It is not an insult to ask for one month of antecedence a sketch or a copy of the transparencies. Impromptu speeches are always more risky. Sometimes they are brilliant, sometimes a disaster.

Evaluate the organization of the speaker since the first contact with him, because this is a good indication of what may occur on the day of the event.

Sense of humour

The audience is not made of iron. Good speakers know as nobody how to intercalete a serious subject with some spirit words, always in context, giving to the lecture a pleasent sequence.

Talent

Making a good presentation requires talent, training and much practice, as in any profession. Many talents awarded with the Nobel Prize are bad speakers. Therefore, good speakers are hard to find.

Henry Kissinger charges US$ 80,000 per lecture, Tom Peter, US$ 50,000. They are able to save a badly organized event - poor food, delay in the luggage and bad slept nights. The opposite unfortunately does not take place: the best hotel, the best organization does not save a bad given lecture.

Finally, ask for an evaluation of a previous event of the speaker to be hired. Good speakers routinely receive such reports, and will be happy to give you a copy.