Larry Waddell

I completely agree. I suggest running analysis twice a year where you lose your largest account, or you're suddenly down 5% or 10%, etc. Huddle with your leadership and game out what you do. You can add scenarios: what happens if it gets worse, etc. What are the layers of potential response. How would you handle internal comms, external comms (to banks, investors, etc.). Put the plan on the shelf and work hard to avoid needing it.

I like to start with the P&L for the business, business unit or clients in consideration and calculate the leading and lagging KPIs. So, lagging metrics like gross margin and net margin. But then leading metrics like revenue per headcount, labor cost per revenue ratio, utilization, average hourly wage, etc. Then choose a lagging KPI target that represents strong performance or is aligned with an industry benchmark. I've had success, for example, picking a Net Margin target for a cohort of clients and then solving for how certain, leading KPIs need to improve to achieve it. This approach led to some awesome brainstorms with my teams, which resulted in new processes, new tools to consider, and new services for clients.

If you have the chance, mingle with the attendees or audience ahead of time. Ask anyone you can chat with for their perspective on your topic or how they approach it. Try to talk to at least 5 people at random and ask them similar questions. Your slides might be done/submitted but you can still adjust tone or add an anecdote during your delivery on the fly. You can emphasize different points or content elements. As you build out your slides, see if you can send out a survey, or reach out to 3 to 5 people you know may attend to get their take. Interview the organizers to get their perspective on attendee demographics, pain points or points of view.

For me, feeling prepared is key to managing stress, generally. Having the slides done in enough time to do a few solid run throughs is huge. Then, right before I go on: - I do some stretching. - I do 10 pushups to burn off excess energy. - I do a few minutes of deep breathing To set my mental tone, I start my talk remembering that I prepped well. Then I make myself smile as I deliver that first slide.

I've used a few techniques: - Have your slides done at least 2 or 3 days in advance of your talk or final submit to the organizing body. - Invite members of your team, Dept, or company to a conference room where you do a dry run of your talk. Ask for raw feedback. - Run through your slides with a timer 2 or three times on your own. Get comfortable with your pacing, slide transitions. Strive to be able to give the talk even without slides. That way if something goes wrong with the AV you can still deliver the content.