A client recently called to say she was going to facilitate a panel for the next business meeting. She had never done so before and asked if I could coach her. After the session, she realized that there are some basic skills needed when facilitating a panel of speaker.
To create a seamless and smooth panel discussion here are some tips every facilitator must know:
Meet the panelists in advance: The meeting can be a phone call. Get a sense of their styles and message points. Decide how long each person will speak and in what order. Have them send an introductory paragraph.
Consider logistics: Contact the meeting planner and visit the room. Discuss room set-up, lighting, refreshments, microphones and AV equipment. Decide whether the panelists will sit or stand during their presentations.
Arrive one hour early: Check the room, test the microphones. Check seating visibility. Be ready to greet the panelists with a smile. You're the host. Make them feel welcome.
Prepare a short bio:. Give your bio to the person who will introduce you as the facilitator. Keep it brief-no more than a paragraph.
Make your opening remarks: A statement about the topic and the benefits for the audience will prepare the audience to listen. "We expect to have a lively discussion tonight about the state of the economy. Our three speakers have differing view about where to put your money?. Our first speaker?."
Set the ground rules: Let the audience know what to expect. "There will be a 30 minute question and answer period after the presentations. Please hold your questions until the end."
Introduce the speakers: It works best to introduce the first panelist. After the presentation, introduce the next panelist. If you read all the introductions at once, people will forget the information. Practice saying their names and write them out phonetically if the names are difficult.
Act as time keeper: Sit in front of the panelists and give them a 5 minute time signal. You can write the number 5 on an index card or you can hold up 5 fingers. If the panelist is running over, give the speaker a wrap up signal. Or interject, "You have 30 seconds to summarize."
Facilitate questions: It's your job to keep order. Thank the panelists, applaud with the audience and open up the floor for questions. Explain the process. "Please stand, say your first name, and be brief." If somebody is rambling on, jump in and paraphrase or ask them "What is your question?"
If nobody asks a question, the facilitator can ask the first question. So have one ready. Or choose somebody in advance to ask the first question. At the five minute mark, let the group know that you'll have time for a couple of more questions. Then announce, "Last question."
Summarize and acknowledge: "That was an interesting discussion. You've given us a new way to look at our investments. Please help me thank our panelists. (Applause)
Copyright Diane DiResta 2005. All rights reserved.
Diane DiResta, President of DiResta Communications, Inc. is an International speaker, training coach, and author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz. To subscribe to Impact Player, a free online newsletter visit http://www.diresta.com
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
The social skills of a small businessperson, franchisee, independent contractor... Read More
Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More
Whether you are speaking in front of a civic group... Read More
Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the... Read More
There are five key elements that can make... Read More
I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More
Whenever and whatever you're pitching, dozens of factors will figure... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More
Although there are any number of different networking groups and... Read More
Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More
LESSON PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Lesson plans, believe it or not, are... Read More
DEVELOPING LESSON PLANS: In developing lesson plan formats, two things... Read More
"There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be... Read More
(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
Flip charts are so common that we all think we... Read More
Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More
Summer is here! It's time to bring out your summer... Read More
Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More
Communication is a complex and often difficult process for both... Read More
You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More
MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More
Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More
Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More
"I didn't have 3000 pairs of shoes. I had only... Read More
Cattiness is something no one ever wants to be accused... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More
Does the thought of speaking in front of others send... Read More
As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More
Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More
There are four different ways that audience members assimilate information.... Read More
Whether you are speaking in front of a civic group... Read More
Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More
Whether you need to address large groups or small, familiar... Read More
A top complaint from audience members is that many presenters... Read More
Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More
ALTERNATIVES TO THE LECTURE FORMAT: How often do you use... Read More
If you are taking your newest products to a trade... Read More
Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More
Allowing the audience to ask questions after your presentation is... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
What is stage presence? Can it be learned?There are, undoubtedly,... Read More
If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More
Most people love to hide behind the lectern.. It makes... Read More
KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More
As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More
The communication process can be much more difficult than a... Read More
The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More
Although there are any number of different networking groups and... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
Believe it or not, preparation is a better determinant of... Read More
Delivering humorous speeches involves a lot more than simply having... Read More
MORE and more corporations in Malaysia have awoken to the... Read More
Audiences around the world are all different. Cultural, social and... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes most presenters make is in... Read More
What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More
Super Preparation ?Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every... Read More
No matter what your business is, you will enhance your... Read More
Since the events of September 11th and the economy slipping... Read More
We all fear that moment. You look out on a... Read More
Presentation |