5 Signs a Business Speaker Isn't Right for You

A business speaker at your next company event can motivate and get your employees excited again. To get the most bang for your buck, you should be are of what signs indicate the wrong business speaker for your company. Some qualities are more important than others, but there are some things you shouldn't overlook. For example, a person with years of experience means nothing if they are unengaging and drone on from a PowerPoint. Here are five things you should be on the lookout for.

1. They Are Telling You Vague and General Information

You don't want a speaker that drones on about common information. You want a speaker that can deliver a unique message and do it in a style that gets people thinking. Look for a speaker with a provocative message to deliver that will interest people. They may have some fresh spins on old ideas, or they may have some completely new ideas.

2. They Are Not Relating to Their Audience

If you're listening to a speaker, you don't want someone with non-existent experience in the topic, or someone who is extremely unrelatable. A personable speaker that is not afraid to admit their mistakes during their talk will get more attention than a speaker that sticks to the “how to” model. Humility is a great quality, especially in a speaker that is well-known for their level of success. The right speaker will relate to their audience and carry the “I did, you can too” message.

3. They Are Dull and Aren't Entertaining

According to UCLA( University of California, Los Angeles), communication is a mix of verbal and nonverbal messages. 7% of the message comes from spoken words, 36% comes from the voice, and a whopping 57% of the message comes from body language. One of the qualities to look for in a business speaker is their animation level while speaking. You don't want someone standing at the podium with their hands folded in front of them. Someone who delivers with their entire person is always more entertaining and honestly feels more human to people listening.

4. They Lack Personality

Every professional speaker should be able to get a chuckle or two out of their audience. A good sense of humor is a must-have quality. No one wants to sit and listen to someone that is dead serious throughout the presentation. A few laughs are a good thing and can keep the atmosphere personable.

5. They Don't Leave Room For Engagement

Don't choose a speaker working from a strict script. The presentation should be engaging and fluid. Audience members should be able to ask questions. Choose a speaker open to engagement and able to improvise. Talking about new ideas means nothing if you can't roll with new ideas, so moments where the audience and speaker engage create a more comfortable room and a more receptive audience.

A business speaker can make or break your event. Know what qualities to avoid when choosing a speaker, and your event will succeed. Joe Rivera can be that great business speaker you're looking for, so contact us today!