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Author:
John Di Frances

Since the events of September 11th and the economy slipping into recession, many organizations have been faced with deep budget cuts. Given the current financial hardships and wide spread layoffs, some managers are questioning whether they should continue to invest in bringing professional speakers into their organizations.

A "Far Side" cartoon by Gary Larson aptly makes the point. Standing in his tent, a king is putting on his armor, sword and shield for battle. His attendant has just told him that there is a salesman waiting to see him. To this he responds with great bluster, "Can't you see I'm busy, tell him to go away. I'm going into battle!" Meanwhile, standing just outside the tent is the salesman beside a large crate labeled, "MACHINE GUN".

How often do we, like that king, fail to understand that the urgent frequently overshadows the truly important? Today many organizations, from corporate to government and nonprofit are struggling in a severe budget squeeze. Thus, cutting costs becomes our battlefield. But what about the war? Have you ever heard the expression, "Winning the battle, but losing the war?" It is very apropos for many organizations today.

Professional speakers fill a very real and critical gap, especially in the tough economic times we now face, further clouded by the advent of an unexpected war of a kind we have never before fought. The darker the future, the greater the need to instill hope in our people and to provide them with the cutting edge knowledge and tools they require to get the job done when faced with diminished manpower and other resources.

To quote Torre Blomgren, of FREEDOM SPEAKERS & TRAINERS in Madison, Wisconsin: "The advantage a professional speaker has over an individual within an organization is that the speaker works with many different organizations in complimentary as well as widely divergent industries. They have what can be called a "Top View." Integrating the issues, problems and opportunities they see across these organizations endows them with a broader and dispassionate perspective, an ability to see the forest for the trees."

Professional speakers offer a unique perspective as an outsider to the organization as well as extensive background encompassing many types of organizations and perspectives. Blomgren continues: "The other responsibility of a professional speaker is to show people how to rise above their challenges and grow. A trained professional does this through their ability to advise, lead and motivate. The professional speaker is a seasoned communicator, who functions on the platform and in conference rooms across continents. Furthermore, the audience, whether a corporate boardroom with senior executives or an auditorium filled with employees, has no pre-set relationship to the speaker which facilitates learning."

Professional speakers help organizations to adjust much more quickly to a new environment. They assist the organization's leadership in empowering its people to again become victors over circumstance. Experienced speakers are far more than mere motivators. Demonstrating leadership and sound judgment, they help their audiences to think strategically through difficult issues and to take action based upon solid information and understanding. They also present a message of hope and possibility, yet one that is grounded in the reality of the situation. Bringing a professional speaker into your organization in this time of crises is a clear statement of your organization's commitment to its people and confidence in our nation and economy.

Copyright 2005 by John Di Frances

John Di Frances is an internationally recognized organizational legacy expert and professional speaker. www.difrances.com

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Professional Speaker... Public Speaking: Alliteration When you are speaking in public, humor need not be knee slapping funny to be effective. Here is a mild form of humor to add to your public speaking engagements. Alliteration is the repetition of the same first sound or the same first letter in a group of words or line of poetry. You find alliteration used in advertisements and titles all the time because it tends to catch your eye and ear. One of my humorous public speaking topics is titled 'Pranks for Profit: Confessions of a Paid Practical Joker'. It has four 'p' sounds. Here is an example of a positive message delivered with alliteration: 'We (B)agged the (B)aldridge award (B)ecause our (B)rainy, (B)eautiful (B)usinesspeople are the (B)est.' In a negative message you can soften the blow of the message without appearing frivolous or uncaring. Example: 'The strike by one of our suppliers has put a (C)runch on our division. Even though we are (C)runched, we are still (C)reative. We are still (C)redible. And we will (C)onquer this problem.' Copyright © 1998 - 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book "Wake 'em Up Business Presentations" and "Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing." It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients' needs. http://www.antion.com Advanced Public Speaking Institute 3105 Sergin Ct. Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 431-1366 Fax (757)...