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