Panel discussion on "Setting Up As A Consultant" sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators B.C. chapter

The focal point of a panel discussion ought to be the panelists – the experts invited to share their knowledge and experience on a particular topic. We need to have good, specific questions ready for them and give each panelist a chance to answer them. It helps if the panelists know these questions in advance and take time to organize their thoughts before facing the audience.

Asking questions during a panel discussion

Depending on the topic and the audience, it might be a good idea to review the process of the panel at the outset, so everyone knows what to expect. The moderator could announce that each panelist will have X amount of minutes to answer the question and that this will be followed by questions – not statements – by the audience.

Last year I went to a great panel discussion hosted by a group of professional communicators in Vancouver (the B.C. chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators) – pictured above. The topic of the panel was “Setting up as a Consultant” and each of the panelists shared their personal story at this event held on Feb. 4, 2009.

It was billed as a chance to: “Listen in and ask your burning questions to a unique panel of knowledgeable speakers from diverse communication fields – they’ll tell you how and why they began consulting, the dos and don’ts of getting started and ways to be successful.”

Get that? Ask your questions. For after all, it’s an opportunity to ask questions, listen, and learn – is it not?

At the IABC event, the audience of communicators asked the panel questions about: the most effective way to get new clients, fee structures (hourly vs. per project), differentiating yourself, how to get the confidence to go it alone as a consultant, what kind of insurance you need, how to estimate the number of hours a project will take, what to put in a contract, and more. The session could have been much longer than the 90 minutes scheduled – with so many interesting stories from the battlefield of consulting and so much good advice for working as a consultant in our town.

The recent Social Media Club / Vancouver Blogger Meetup event is a step in the right direction when it comes to dialogue on important topics, and I’m looking forward to more. However I would like to see people arrive at panel discussions with a desire to learn, instead of using the panel as a vehicle for expressing their own opinions. If people are that eager to share their opinions (which has its place) it’s important to find the right venue for that – like a blog!

Last fall I heard the sad news that Virginia was dealing with cancer and had to decline an invitation to carry the Olympic torch on Vancouver Island. Then yesterday I read a story by Vancouver Sun reporter Gerry Bellett who reports that Virginia rearranged her chemotherapy schedule so she could take a second chance carrying the torch. She just had major surgery in December along with six rounds of chemotherapy – but this didn’t stop her from carrying the flame in honour of all people having chemo and everyone who offers them support.

“I now have an enormous regard for the kindness and help that has been shown me especially from people who are going through the same thing,” Virginia told the Sun.

I send my best wishes to Virginia and thanks again for the advice, which I tried to encapsulate in this post from my other blog on Jan 29, 2009:

Virginia Greene shares a new expression at IABC event in Vancouver

The expression is “hidden wiring” and Virginia Green picked it up a few weeks ago at a business event during the U.S. election campaign. Virginia, president and CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia, says the expression was used in reference to the bonds that exist between business people who work together from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Their personal relationships are held together by “hidden wiring” that is stronger than a change in the U.S. administration.

Virginia spoke before an audience of communicators at “Networking 101” – an event hosted by the B.C. chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators at Steamworks Lounge in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

“These relationships are so deep – so interconnected, personal, and one-on-one,” says Virginia, who networks all day long as a part of her job as Council president / CEO.

Virginia told us Business Council members reported in a recent survey that networking is the main reason they are members. Virginia described three different networking situations:

1) The optical opportunity – This is a “see and be seen” situation that shows your organization was represented at an event. You might just whip in for 20 minutes, circulate, says hello to a few people, and leave after making a quick appearance.

2) The serendipitous opportunity – You run into someone you haven’t seen for a long time – maybe someone who used to work at a company you just took a job with, or perhaps the ex-wife of your new boyfriend! These conversations can turn out to be very illuminating…

3) The strategic opportunity – This is a situation that is important to your business. You are there to work and you are approaching the event mindfully with a purpose.

Vancouver is “a nicely networked community”
We’re considerably more casual than other cities, and Virginia says our community is friendly, open, and entrepreneurial. People make time for each other and return each other’s calls nine times out of ten.

It’s “personal courage” that keeps us going in networking situations, as we follow up with contacts and try to get past receptionists who might say: “Will he know what this is about?” (though now most executives use email and blackberries and iPhones and it’s not as hard to get through the old school “receptionist filter”)

I leave you with two final tips I took away from Virginia’s talk. They are just so wonderfully basic and obvious – and important to keep in mind for those of us who might feel shy or “not on” or lacking in “personal courage”… (or self-conscious about our outfit choices LOL) We are all told that “confidence” is attractive and important – and this is very challenging for people who are naturally more introverted. So it helps to be prepared…

What do you do when you arrive at an event? Look for someone you know. That helps to get you relaxed, geared up, and social. Have a bit of a chat, then politely move on to someone you don’t know. What are some good ice breakers? “Hi. How are you?” is always a good stand-by – along with “What business are you in?” or “Where are you from?”

Jennifer Wah

It was the September kickoff for the B.C. Chapter of IABC (International Assn. of Business Communicators) and, as we took in the amazing view of Burrard Inlet, Jennifer told us what she found out this morning.

The past president of IABC/BC won the Master Communicator Award – IABC Canada’s recognition of life time achievement. Only 40 or so people have won this award since it was inaugurated in 1980.

According to the IABC Canada website: “The Master Communicator Award, sponsored by the IABC Canada Western and East Regions recognizes up to two outstanding Canadian communicators whose work has brought credit to IABC, the profession, the organizations they have worked for or with and whose contributions have raised the standards of organizational communication in Canada.”

Jennifer cried when she told us how touched she felt when she read the letters from people who nominated her. She has been an active mentor and volunteer leader for many years, and in 1999 she won our chapter’s “Volunteer of the Year” award.

Congratulations Jennifer!