A good introduction, well delivered, accomplishes four things.
1. It makes YOU look good. The audience recognises that you did your homework and that you are somehow ‘connected’ with the speaker. This helps build the bridge between Colin as guest speaker and the group.
2. It positions Colin in the audience’s mind and makes it easier for him to get on with the program. This means you get more of your money’s worth.
3. It makes the audience ready to accept Colin straight off. You can see them unfolding their arms of resistance and relaxing into the atmosphere.
4. It makes the organisation [or the executives or owners] look good. It is clear from the introduction that the organisation has made a considered decision to bring someone to the meeting who ‘knows’.
The introduction follows the reliable formula: T.I.P. Topic, Importance, Person.
Yes you say it all – as if you researched it yourself. Belt through it with a bit of fun in your voice.
Don’t ad lib. Don’t read this bit above the line.
Don’t say, “Here’s what he wants me to say about him.” It’s to make you look good so make it sound like you researched it and wrote it yourself.
Say:
In introducing our guest speaker Colin Pearce, I have to say his topic,”<NAME OF TODAY’S TOPIC>” is certainly in sync with what is hitting the news lately.
With all the mergers, upsizing, downsizing, and capsizing going on at the moment it is timely that we give ourselves a little booster today.
Colin was inducted into the Australian Speakers Hall of Fame in 2007 and he takes his feisty messages all over the world. He has spoken in 15 countries and 28 states of the US. Once he was flown to Spain just to speak at a dinner for European business heads.
He is just as comfortable speaking to nuclear reactor engineers in Florida as he is to kids on the story mat in Sydney. In fact, his favourite testimonial comes from a girl in grade three who wrote, ‘My little brother thought you were well worth the $2 ticket.’
He has written 10 books, audio albums, and online training systems. As a mark of his generous character, he gives all the sales proceeds to the Commonwealth Bank and his long list of creditors.
He’s been Christine’s husband for 45 years. They have four children and five grandchildren.
His testimonials tell us he’s a little bit unusual with a dozen faces and a hundred voices so prepare for a few surprises. Stand back. Here comes Colin Pearce and “< NAME OF TODAY’S TOPIC>”