How to Stand Out When Sitting On a Panel: Twenty-five Tips for Power Panel Participation©

By Karen Susman

You've been invited to speak on a panel with other leaders in your field. You plan to just show up, sit behind a table and fill your allotted five minutes with off the cuff remarks. What a painless way to look like a big Kahuna.

Panel participation takes unique preparation. Otherwise, you won't shine. Either your light will be snuffed out by high wattage leaders, or you'll blaze so brightly, the audience will wonder why you think you're so hot.

First ask:

1. What's the theme and purpose of the meeting and the specific topic of the panel?
   
   
2. Who else will be on the panel? Contact the other panelists. Discuss their appearance goals and individual viewpoints.
   
   
3. Who's the audience? Why are they attending and what do they want to hear?
   

Define ground rules such as:

1. What are the format, time frame, seating, room arrangement, and order of panelists? Are you first to speak, last, or middle?
   
   
2. Will there be opening remarks? If so, how long will they last? Who will introduce you? Be sure to send your introducer a brief introduction. Bring a copy with you. Ask the introducer to read your introduction exactly as you wrote it.
   
   
3. How will the question and answer period proceed? Will questions come from the audience members or from written questions? What determines which panelist answers a question?
   

Prepare your message:

1. Since each panelist has a message, make yours powerful and to the point.
   
   
2. Discover in what order you speak. If you're first, you don't know what the others will say. You can't react to what they've said because they haven't said it yet. On the other hand, going first lets you set the tone. You make a strong first impression. If you go last, you can comment on the others' remarks and have the last word.
   
   
3. Direct your remarks to audience needs and wants. Work the room first to learn what attendees want from the panel.
   

Be memorable:

1. Listen intently to the other panelists. Refer to their remarks (As Bob said earlier...).
   
   
2. If another panelist states a good idea, expand on that idea.
   
   
3. When you speak, maintain eye contact with the audience instead of with the other panelists.
   
   
4. Look at the other panelists when they speak.
   
   
5. Don't speak every time an issue or question is raised. But, do speak up. Be aware of how much time you're speaking.
   
   
6. Don't get into a debate with other panelists. Keep audience needs in mind at all times.
   

Answer questions effectively:

1. Restate questions.
   
   
2. Break questions into parts. Answer the easiest part first.
   
   
3. Ask questioner to clarify questions.
   
   
4. If you don't know, say so. Be brief. Don't give another speech.
   
   
5. Expand on someone else's answer. For instance, "Before we move on, I'd like to add something to what Joe just said."
   

Leave a lasting impression.

1. Develop quotable sound bites.
   
   
2. Provide a simple handout on your letterhead.
   
3. Offer to hang around for questions.
   
4. Offer more information in trade for a business card.
   

Now, you're ready to take full advantage of this opportunity to showcase your expertise. Welcome to big Kahunaville.

Karen Susman coaches individuals and groups on presentation skills. She speaks on Humor, Life Balance, Networking and Building Community Involvement. Her guidebooks on these topics are $5 and can be ordered at www.karensusman.com. Her free e-zine offers monthly tips on presentation and other success skills. Sign up at www.karensusman.com or at karen@karensusman.com.

Published in Networking Today, August, 2003.