ServicesKeynotes & Presentations
I’ll help communicate your organization’s most important messages with a combination of data, anecdotes and inspiration.
Readiness→ Awareness→ Acquisition→ Application→ Utilization
A conference organizer was hiring me to speak for thirty minutes at his company’s annual meeting. He wanted me to speak about the importance of employee engagement. After we landed on the right conceptual framework and the most important messages, he asked one final question: “What new skills will everyone have as a result of your presentation?” “None”, I said; “not a single-one. I guarantee that they will know what I mean by ‘engagement’ and why it’s critical. They might even have some sense of what some engagement looks like. Hopefully, they’ll be inspired to learn more. Also, those who already have engagement skills might choose to use them. However, if you want new skills, then you need training. I promise to influence their readiness to attend one, when it’s offered.” That wasn’t the answer he was looking for. He was hoping that people could easily translate concepts into new skills.
I help leaders of employee development organizations to discriminate between various interventions and programs, in order to accurately plan for realistic outcomes. Here is a model for understanding the ROI of the multiple ‘development’ forums today:
| Event | Outcome | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Keynotes | Readiness | 15 minutes to 1 hour; to inspire people regarding the ‘what and ‘why’ of an initiative. The major focus is on ‘purpose’. |
| Presentations | Readiness/ Awareness | Typically, 30 – 90 minutes: the focus is on what it looks like, why it is important, and how it’s typically done (e.g., a best practice). Ideas are generally shared at the ‘concept’ level. |
| Training | Awareness/ Acquisition | Duration is content dependent: the process goes beyond concepts toward skills and their resultant behaviors. The emphasis is on insights, discriminations, and new behaviors. |
| Coaching | Application/ Utilization | The emphasis is on using skills when and where they are needed. The focus is on applying skills in the needed setting (e.g., on a sales call, giving feedback during a performance review). |
Watching the PGA tour on television will not make you a golfer. However, watching golf, and listening to the commentary, might give you some helpful tips if you are already a golfer.
New behaviors do not emerge magically. Keynotes and presentations impact attitudes and understanding. Training and coaching bring new insights and behaviors to be used as needed.
Bill and His Team are Ready. Are You?
Contact me personally if you’d like to learn more about building your organization’s capability and commitment.