A lot of public policy talks are like Dr Meinheimer’s in Naked Gun 2 1/2.
Sincere, earnest, and sleep-inducing.
Some talks resemble an academic panel of 4 panellists who speak in a language with only a loose relationship with English.
A good talk should have most, if not all, of the following:
- Keep it brief.
- Have one central message, not 102.
- Tell a story.
- Make the story compelling.
- Make it interesting.
- Speak to interest the audience, not yourself.
- Engage the audience.
- Turn up on time.
- Finish early.
- If you have Q&A, answer any questions concisely. It’s not a post doc panel discussion.
- Rehearse. Record yourself with your iPhone to see how much you twitch or rub your nose.
If you are hosting an event with a view to persuade decision-makers, here are some additional points:
- Make sure they are in the audience and even better on the panel as well.
- If the decision-makers are not in the room, you are likely having a seance with true believers.
- Make sure some media are in the room to report on the event.
- You are trying to persuade decision-makers and influencers, so address the points that are of concern to them.
- Be civil throughout. I don’t know of any culture where coming across as an angry person is a good look.
- Make sure the talks are short and the Q&A shorter. Break to mingle and have side conversations.
- If someone in the audience wants to ask a question as a rouse to talk about their life-long obsession, say the Lizard People are responsible, politely cut them off, and move on.
- Don’t emulate Dr Meinheimer.