Welcome to my second annual blog on the best use of humor at global annual meetings across investment, private equity, and financial services. (For the first blog from 2025, click below) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eight-moments-got-big-laughs-annual-investor-meeting-sjrme/ As always, I spent most of May with some trusted colleagues, helping with speaker coaching for their annual investor meetings. After the coaching, whether for solo presenters, pairs, or business‑unit groups, we’re often onsite for the dry run and the event itself, timing
Don’t Talk Too Much!
Most of us have common questions at work. Take your most frequently asked question and think about the answer that is most relevant to the inquirer. Often we want to showcase the depth of our knowledge. Instead, boil your response down to only what you think is essential to the person in front of you; if you can describe the benefit of this information to them specifically, even better. Apply the W.A.I.T. theory: Why am I talking? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-nourishment/202008/do-you-talk-too-much
Set a timer and practice your answer. A great way to build credibility is to say first: ”Bob, I can answer that in less than 60 seconds….”
Then proceed with the information being sure to keep that commitment! You will find that you will develop an unconscious competence of what you can communicate in one minute with practice. More importantly, your listener will agree to give you their undivided attention for 60 seconds if you open with the phrase above. As you do this consistently by staying within the 60 seconds you promised, your ethos will build, and you will find people seeking your input instead of dodging you in the hallway!
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Welcome to my second annual blog on the best use of humor at global annual meetings across investment, private equity, and financial services. (For the first blog from 2025, click below) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eight-moments-got-big-laughs-annual-investor-meeting-sjrme/ As always, I spent most of May with some trusted colleagues, helping with speaker coaching for their annual investor meetings. After the coaching, whether for solo presenters, pairs, or business‑unit groups, we’re often onsite for the dry run and the event itself, timing
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I’m sitting in a meeting, internally rolling my eyes, because “Chad” has hijacked it again. At this point, his voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, as he repeats the same tired axe that he always grinds. This meeting isn’t even about what he’s talking about! And I can’t help noticing that he’s wrong about some of the things he’s saying. I choose not to engage because I’ve learned from past attempts that
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