What topic would you choose to speak on?
I had been invited to speak in many occasions. One of the most challenging tasks is none other than selecting a topic to speak.
In my case, my target audience usually are entrepreneurs, salespersons, and corporate executives. If you are me what topic will you choose and why?
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Jul 18, 2015
The first place to look for this answer is already in you, your heart. Within your own areas of expertise, what is the one specific area you love spending most of your time and energy?
The real question is, what topics could you speak about that brings the highest level of learning and success factors to your audience and where you receive the most fulfilment from?
Jul 16, 2015
If YOU don't know what to talk about, then better you not talk at all.
You talk about what you are an expert in and they are not.
And YOU must have them leave your talk with a great AhA.
Good Luck
Jul 15, 2015
Addressing the innate, unspoken anxieties of your audience is invariably a topic that will generate interest. Much of what passes for "Confidence" is frequently a disguise for a state of frantic anxiety concerning our ability to convince others of the value or worth of our produce or services and, indeed our own self-worth. Frequently, such trepidations are covered by a brash presentation of self and an attempt to shrug-off a need for support or assistance or advice from the peer group or those who may be or perceived to be competitors.
It is rarely one would find a group of any business or discipline that is fully composed of those who are without some elements of such fears and anxieties. An observer of the best known and recognized world leaders, in business, politics or prominent in the social circuits will readily recognize the tell tale signs of deep inner insecurity.
If you choose to speak about the unspoken you will find your audience is interested.
Jul 15, 2015
Motivation through leadership applying sources of influence with little or no use of persuasion.
Jul 13, 2015
A great topic would be "Self Care." I feel this topic is assumed to be a given with little time spent expanding in most business circles.
To be efficient in any proven system, you must be consistent in your daily approach and have the ability to adapt because nothing is perfect.
Also, the importance of taking breaks to recharge yourself. There are situations that require less sleeping and eating but it shouldn't be an everyday occurence.
Jeraud
Think "Globally"
Jul 12, 2015
Make an interactive speech, let people ask you about business issues they face currently, then discuss and advice, if part of something is out of your competence invite attendees to help, when audience need warming from your side - include your mosaichub answers by way of cases ( ask mosaichub for mdf :)
Jul 10, 2015
The topic about which I know the most and have the best stories - how to get insights from analytics.
Jul 10, 2015
Jul 10, 2015
Phil, what I passionate in is researching information about managing business and to rediscover business. in nature way, breaking the artificial knowledge boundaries - e.g. to blend Finance, Sales, HRM ... into just managing business at any point of time. So I see management as management and will not see management as Finance, Marketing, IT,etc, when observing an issue holistic management adopted. Challenging, lots of reading up & testing, up to now I only completed about 40% of this unique model. So I am not ready to talk about my passion yet, something like increasing productivity, effective sales system/ techniques, diagnosing a company, vision development ... are some topics I am doing now
Jul 10, 2015
That is a diverse list of topics. I would pick change-management. This is a subject this is often overlooked and has a major impact on any business. Even for a salesperson facing a new CRM system, without change management, the desired results may never be achieved.
Jul 10, 2015
Laura, a good one, thks. In fact, this is one of my favorite. I am a strong believer that effective change management come from effective changing the users' perception. I recalled there was one time when I was a regional project manager, I was rolling out a regional program for 17 business units. The change management already took me more than 50% of my time, even though I have project managers in different countries. Challenging, especially changing the mind set of the global sponsors.
I will definitely take this in as one good topic.
Jul 10, 2015
With all due respect to the original poster, and the audience here...if you have to ask a bunch of strangers (who are most likely not going to attend your event), on what you should speak about, then you are probably not ready to be on stage just yet.
You will probably end up sounding very boring, and you may cover topics that will put people to sleep.
This is because you probably haven't narrowed down your expertise into a specific area, so that people who come to see you, will know exactly what to expect, and what you are going to talk about.
You don't want to sound like another "me too" speaker. A "me too" person is anyone that does "me too" activities. (someone who just does things because everyone else is doing the same thing.) Similar to setting a word press bog, and then realizing you have nothing to write about.
So if you think you need to be speaking on stage just because everyone else is doing it,
or just because you are invited, then please don't do it!
And if you have to ask others on what to speak about, then really, don't do it!
Try to become the guy who people come to see because you know and talk about one specific area. Otherwise you will see lot's of Yawns from Entrepreneurs, salespersons, and corporate executives who are not necessary interested in "all" things.
Jul 10, 2015
Thanks for your input, Arnold. You make my mind think deeper, which I like. I think getting advises here are relevant. Many of them are speakers and can share valuable experiences. I believe two heads is better than one. I humbly asking to help so that I can grow faster. Just today, my client wanted me value a company to decide to sell or buy balance shares from existing shareholders. Adopt valuation methods, I calculate & advise him accordingly but did not stop there, I told him the value varies depend on he is a buyer or seller. He should not overlooked the impact of income tax, employees matter, & undervalued FA. His role as a director & related party transactions, more things dig out ... eventually we decided to sell (just over a 30 min discussion). I adopted holistic approach rather than from a single view point. What I am trying to say is that getting more people from different perspectives will give me a more holistic view point than I think through myself.
Jul 10, 2015
Build a team and developing Trust...And become a marketing driven company, I mean by that term, look at business profits held up on a tripod supported by customers, employees and profits...If any of those 3 foundations become skewed or out of balance, then you what has to be done both in process and task to create proper balance
Jul 10, 2015
I would speak on what i am good at, why talk to people about a subject you know nothing about. However I have spoke on many subjects i knew little about because the company thought i could handle it. What i did to prepare is research as much information as i could on the subject, take good notes, spend time going over what i wanted to say in my own words and made it happen. I will say if i don't feel comfortable about a subject i would not speak on that.
Jul 10, 2015
Kisha, we are in the same frequency here! I had been speaking on almost all kind of business subjects for over 15 years. Like what you said, I will not speak on subject I don't feel comfortable with (this is only after I failed very badly in several occasions at the early stage of my career, I remember very clearly that I was even threw out of a room by 30 audience sometimes 14 years back LOL)
Jul 10, 2015
I would poll that audience. Ask them what they are interested in hearing about.
Jul 10, 2015
Don't give a speech; lead a discussion. On a topic you are expert in, so you need no preparation, and they are interested in, so they will have questions.
"Folks, today I have four points I'd like to make [hold up your cue card with four bullet points]. But it's more important that you get your questions answered than that I cover all my points. So please, let's make this as interactive as possible."
The things that they take away will be your answers to their questions.
When somebody asks as question, ask for a show of hands: "How many others have that question?" The best discussions will come with questions shared by several people.
This is a risky approach, because some people want to be lectured to. But the ones you care about most will be the ones who engage with you.
Jul 10, 2015
Mike, I really like your ideal and will definitely find chance to test on this approach or at least some of the techniques you suggested. Like what you have mentioned, risky approach indeed, especially my audience are Asian. However if target group of people get to know me as an individual level, I think the chance of success in using your suggested techniques will be much higher.
Jul 10, 2015
You have speak with significant knowledge of the subject. My eight Power Point presentations can be found on my Web Site.
Jul 10, 2015
If I were speaking to a group of business people today, I would want to talk about “What is your value proposition?” Business today does not look at the value of it. Today because everything we do is at the speed of light leaders do not take the time to consider what the best for their business is. It is always about the next deal or best deal.
Jul 10, 2015
Hi Neil, thks for your advise.
If I not mistaken, are you suggesting to forget value and planning, just focus on getting next deal or best deal? This is something I cannot convince myself. Did I interpreted wrongly?
Jul 12, 2015
Hi,
(I just clicked on the wrong link my mistake.)
What i mean is that you should focus on the value and planning and how is that value delivered to you customer. What is the message you are trying to deliver.
Jul 10, 2015
Well since mosaicHUB lists you as top expert for "Business Strategy" and "Community and Networking", I would say either or both of those topics.
http://www.mosaichub.com/strategy
http://www.mosaichub.com/community-network
Other than that I have not much to go on so that makes it hard to suggest you a topic because there are more than one factors that can influence if something is either a good or a bad topic.
Jul 9, 2015
Management, specially related to Maintenance
Jul 10, 2015
Angel, tks for the suggestion. Can elaborate "maintenance" further in case I misunderstood?
Jul 11, 2015
I feel sorry, It was my fault. I used this area wrongly. I will follow your evolution in this matter. Good luck.
Best regards,
Ángel
Jul 9, 2015
Other factors that can influence your choice of topic are:
1. What is the overall theme of the event you're invited to speak at? If your target audience includes entrepreneurs, salespersons, and corporate executives that's quite broad since there are quite a few topics that are relevant to this group. So the event theme can help guide your choice.
2. Who are the other speakers at the event and if it's possible to know, what are they speaking about? Then you can choose a topic that either relates to or really stands out from the others--whichever option you think is best. Even if you don't know the topics they are speaking about, just their name, company and title/job role can often provide an indication.
3. Who will be attending the event? Depending on the type of event, it may not cater for entrepreneurs, salespersons, and corporate executives all together. For example, perhaps it's an event where it will be mostly salespeople in the audience, or mostly entrepreneurs. Then develop the topic from there.
On a different note, I've also found it can be useful to request a specific speaking slot from the organiser. Of course this isn't always possible but it never hurts to ask. Undesirable speaking slots include right before lunch and the last speaker on the last day of the event, or even the last speaker on any day. Desirable slots include the last speaker right before the first morning break (especially on the first day) and the first speaker after lunch.
Jul 9, 2015
Based upon the keywords and comments you provided it appears you have expertise that would serve your audience well. I see two distinct possibilities here: 1) when invited to speak you can ask what they are interested in. If the topic is in your purview, bingo. If not offer a list of what you are adept and comfortable speaking about and 2) if you know the person who made the invite you can offer a particular topic (within your field) based upon what you feel would benefit them most. Either way, the invite clearly suggests they want you to speak; it's up to you to provide them the options. As to what the topics are, that's up to you and I think you know best.
Jul 10, 2015
Ed, Tks for your advise. I open the question is to brainstorm more ideas as we all are individual human, we need to live in a group and not by oneself and more heads always better than one.
your point 1 reignite my thought, tks for this.
Hi Oleg, thanks, likes the Chinese proverb goes "looking far to search and only realize it is just in front of you", good tip