Professional panel moderator Kristin Arnold asks Ian Cleary Founder of RazorSocial and frequent panelist, to share his opinion on if it’s possible to OVER-prepare for a panel discussion at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Ian, do you think it’s possible to over-prepare for a panel discussion?
Ian: That is a good point, I suppose what I have witnessed is under preparation, so I haven’t seen the over-preparation yet. So I think you’re right, that it’s somewhere in the middle. Sometimes the conversations can get really interesting. Somebody may be having a heated debate which gets really interesting and if it’s too scripted, you may cut out that heated debate. So I think you’re right. There needs to be a balance of having preparation, having the right people on the panel, the right topic, good preparation, but not overdoing it either. Then also having actions at the end. So people need to walk away with specific things at the end.
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Kristin Arnold, professional panel moderator, and high stakes meeting facilitator is on a crusade to make all panel discussions informative, interactive, and interesting. Specifically, she wants to help YOU become a better panel moderator. Why? Because 95% of annual meetings have panel discussions – and according to the 2014 Panel Report, it’s a fifty-fifty proposition they are any good at all! Expectations decrease dramatically when your attendees walk in and see the traditional draped head-table with microphones on short stands. There are sooooo many other ways to have a stimulating conversation! So let’s increase the probability of success for your next panel discussion with these resources.
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