We spotted the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel (from Accounts) Reeves at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference this week. Now there was a time if you had to give a speech at the CBI then it was a big event. However those days are probably gone. Because the employers organisation is still trying to restore its battered reputation after the sex scandals and mishaps of a few years ago.
How You Can Give Your Conference Speech and Bank on Success
Not all CBI conference speeches are exciting. Certainly the Ed Davey energy speech more than ten years ago wasn't. So, we hoped that Rachel Reeves' effort would be more enthralling. But it wasn't.
Fireside Chat with Energy Chief Leaves Audience Cold
That's because it was really a "fireside chat" with the Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Power, Keith Anderson. Effectively it was a question and answer session with comfy chairs. Now, we've got nothing against this format of interrogation at a conference. Since they do feature at many conferences. And indeed, many of us will experience such panel question and answer sessions.
And how well did the Chancellor of the Exchequer perform at answering conference questions? Not very well if the lack of applause is something to go on.
I have been to a lot of speeches by senior politicians at CBI annual conferences over the past three decades but few have ever been received in such awkward silence as this question and answer session with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. @CBItweets
— Christopher Hope? (@christopherhope) November 25, 2024
Yes, her answers were a steadfast defence of her performance as His Majesty's Government Chancellor. But it wasn't pretty. The best line from the Chancellor?
I am going to be honest with you.
Really. I don't think anyone is buying that.
So, this question and answer session proved as good as it gets for the embattled would-be economist and former chess champion.
Tips for When You Give a Conference Speech
When you next plan to give a conference speech, these tips should help you on the day.
- 1Once you're fully rehearsed and you're at the venue, do make sure you work through the set-up arrangements with audio-visual, lighting and autocue. Because you don't want to repeat the Prime Minister's speech performance at the CBI conference
- 2Relax by meeting your audience beforehand. Don't isolate yourself.
- 3Prepare an introduction for the event organiser to read out. Follow with a thank you, pause and get started.
- 4Keep to your allotted time.
- 5Be prepared for questions. You might not get the comfy chair offered to Rachel (from Accounts) Reeves, but you'll get a warmer reception.
When it's your chance to give a conference speech, then you'll always discover plenty of tips for speakers at Time to Market. And with more than 100 top public speaking tips and presentation tips there really is something for every event.
What's more, when you're ready to take your skills to the next level, then you're always welcome to enroll on an online public speaking course. Designed and developed to help you get the most from your public speaking this course is everything you need to get going.
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