The "Closer"

We had a super Franchisee Homecoming a couple weeks back and I learned something about myself as a speaker - I LOVE to be The Closer! Many professional speakers only want the opening keynote slot, I would guess because it is considered the most prestigious. The opening slot is the one that gets everyone fired up and ready to go, it is also the slot that gets the highest, most-focused attention. Okay, I can give you all that, and I certainly do enjoy being the lead and getting everyone fired up. But, what about the closing slot? The slot that can transform a good event into a phenomenal event! As a speaker, I love the challenge of the closing slot. People are tired, they are on information overload, many have caught early flights out or have decided to start their personal time early but, as The Closer you have the opportunity to make the pieces come together to show the beautiful picture of the overall event. The closing slot is an opportunity to grab attendees by the shirt collar (metaphorically, of course) and say, "Hey! Pay attention here. You can leave this event totally pumped, with a plan in hand of how to better your operation, better your staff, better yourself, but you gotta give me this last hour." I get very excited when I see an audience transform right in front of me from worn out and ready to leave to pen in hand and heads nodding along with what I'm saying - that's when I know I'm making a difference! I hope you'll think of not only Kyra Sedgwick, but Susan Black-Beth too, when you think of "The Closer". With Energy and Purpose, Susan

Gettin' Started

I am so pleased to be up and running as a professional inspirational speaker. My focus will be on two things I feel very strongly about: franchising (improving franchisee performance and franchisee/franchisor relationships specifically) and family businesses. I am very grateful to be able to keep my day job as the COO of Super Wash car washes AND speak to franchise companies and family businesses.

Next week is a big speaking week for me as I will be the closing keynote for the Super Wash Franchisee Homecoming Meeting. We have been working hard for weeks to get ready for our annual meeting. My goal for our franchisees is the same as it is for any other group I speak to: that they leave inspired and ready to take action!

As I try to learn more about Chicago's network of speakers, I attended my first Toastmasters meeting yesterday. This was a valuable experience for me. The meeting I attended was very agenda-driven and finished exactly on time (which was much appreciated by all the professionals in the room who had to get back to work). There was a portion of the agenda entitled "Table Topics". There is a general topic and then five specific questions that volunteers get to pick at random to give an impromptu speech about. After all five volunteers have gone, each individual votes who's presentation they liked best and that person wins "Best Table Topic" for that meeting. Well, I don't want to brag, but I've got a shiny white ribbon that says, "Best Table Topic" sitting right here beside me! :) Thanks to the Toastmasters for welcoming me to their meeting.

With energy and purpose,
Susan