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How to make special speeches: introducing a speaker
Managers usually get asked to make more short speeches than long speeches. One short speech that you may be called on to give will be to introduce a speaker before their presentation. For such occasions, here are a few guidelines worth remembering...
1. Introducing a speaker
To introduce a guest speaker, you’ll need to do a little homework and then structure your speech as follows:
- Welcome the speaker and announce the title of the talk.
- Elaborate briefly on the relevance of the topic.
- Outline the speaker’s qualifications and experience. Indicate any link the speaker might have with your organisation or the audience. Briefly describe the speaker’s other interests, if relevant.
- Conclude with the following statement: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…’, and lead the applause.
2. Stay focused.
Your introduction must prepare the audience for the speaker by concentrating the listeners' attention on the new presentation. Keep your comments compatible with the focus and tone of the talk.
3. Be brief.
Keep your introduction to two minutes’ duration and don’t indulge in your own pet views on the subject. Do not commit the speaker to any particular line of approach.
