Reaction, Behavior, Results

When a speaker is making a presentation to an audience there are three observable indicators of effectiveness:

1. Reaction - How do audience members respond to the speaker while the presentation is in progress? What kind of feedback do they offer following the presentation? Were they informed, inspired, and entertained? Were they glad they attended?

2. Behavior - What observable changes in behavior have taken place following the presentation? Can participants cite changes in their own behavior? Do they take steps to alleviate problem situations? Are they better able to perform their jobs as a result of something that they learned at the presentation?

3. Results - Here's the ultimate payoff; what long-term changes have ensued as a result of what participants learned from the presentation? How have they been more effective at their jobs? How have they supported the overall goals of their organizations? Was the presentation sufficiently worthwhile such that they want to hear more from the same speaker?

A Speaker's Responsiveness

You can tell about a potential speaker's responsiveness early on.

From the first time you made contact until the time the speaker is to actually make the presentation, to the follow-up, is this speaker responsive? You can gauge a speaker's level of responsiveness best, obviously, prior to the presentation. Are the materials that you request promptly submitted or readily available? Does the speaker readily return phone calls? Or is the speaker in hiding and generally inaccessible before the presentation?

You can gain a sense of this immediately from each interaction after your initial call. If you
sense that the speaker's level of responsiveness is less than you desire, be wary. This may be a clue as to how the presentation and overall interaction with the audience may go. What was supposed to be a customized program may only be tailored. What was supposed to be tailored may only be a slight modification of off-the-shelf. Responsiveness and attentiveness prior to
the big event is the best clue that you've chosen the right speaker for the job.