Everything In Moderation: How To Chair, Moderate And Otherwise Lead Events

By Tony Hallett

What is the best way to run a panel, orchestrate a debate, chair a conference or introduce a keynote speaker? Tony Hallett, an experienced editor, publisher, trainer and advisor has fronted hundreds of live events. In this practical, often humorous how-to guide he demystifies what it takes to shine on stage – whether your stage is a broadcast news panel, an industry conference or just the front of a company meeting room.

Throughout the book chapters are illustrated with anecdotes. Hear how he separately coped with mobile interruptus (twice in one panel session), conquered the tweetwall and sucked up to Bill Gates.

Find out why you should never leave panellists to introduce themselves (“Big tip: Avoid this at all costs. Seriously, this is rubbish.”) but why it is a good idea to let them conclude one after another – as long as they only use a single word.

His book, unlike materials used by expensive corporate trainers, goes into detail around key subjects. These include:
- pre-event preparation
- environment
- introductions, question-asking and flow
- time-keeping
- Q&A
- tools of the trade.

He concludes with a section containing various tips and tricks, with no subject too lofty (eg political even-handedness at a civic meeting) or too low-level (eg don’t let that wacky pair of socks spoil your on-stage image).

Tony has worked with numerous blue-chip companies at all kinds of events – and distilled everything he learnt into these pages.

Benefit from the kind of insight that didn’t exist when he started out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tony Hallett
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465801883

Tony Hallett

Tony Hallett is an editor, publisher and consultant living in London and on the internet. He has spent over 15 years working in digital media and has presented at hundreds of live events.

Book preview

Everything In Moderation

How to chair, moderate and otherwise lead events

Tony Hallett

Copyright 2012 by Tony Hallett

Smashwords Edition

Ever had to take to a stage, to introduce colleagues, guests or various VIPs? If you have, well done – it’s not for the faint-hearted. This guide takes a simple starting point: that you need to perform this role. Maybe you’ve done it before, maybe not. Maybe you want to. Maybe you’ve just been told by your boss to make it happen. Whatever the scenario, for all of us improvement is possible. And most of you can come to enjoy moderating, however often you’re called upon.

The default scenario I’ll have in mind is that of a panel moderator, where the panel of three or more people either comprises a standalone event or is part of something wider, such as a conference.

Having said that, much of what follows should work well if you are introducing a single speaker, chairing a whole day of sessions or even hosting a debate on TV or radio.

What will you find in these pages? Let me briefly tell you what this guide isn’t. It isn’t a guide to speaking in public, overcoming nerves and so on. Nor is it a primer on speechwriting or presenting using PowerPoint slides. And it certainly doesn’t pretend to be some sort of high-fiving psychological boost to anyone, whether novice or accomplished presenter.

This is a practical how-to guide to – as it says on the cover – moderating, chairing and otherwise leading events.

I illustrate my points with personal anecdotes along the way – many of which have almost driven me to a psychologist’s couch - and at the end you will find a list of further tips and tricks.

About me

Why listen to me? That’s a fair question. I’ve taken to various stages and fronted all kinds of debates, panels, awards and more on many occasions. A little while ago it occurred to me there are few practical guides for those who want to learn about this subject, especially from those who have been front and centre over and over again – and I am perfectly placed to bridge that gap.

By background I am a journalist and over the past 15 years have been called upon to moderate all kinds of panels (real-world, TV and online). I have fronted corporate events for many companies including Google, Gartner and T-Mobile, organisations such as The Prince’s Trust, the Communication Managers Association and IT industry body Intellect, and various other brands including those of media owner CBS, where I worked for a number of years across technology publications including CNET, silicon.com and ZDNet.

About you

If you’re reading this I’m betting you want to improve your on-stage skills. (Throughout this e-book I will refer to the stage – even when your platform might be something as simple as the front of a room or as grand as a major slot on network TV.) Or you’d like to sanity check what you know and