What I Learnt From Martin Sorrell

So Sir Martin Sorrell has stepped down from his position as CEO of WPP.

His name was always bandied around over the dinner table by my father and my uncles. You see my father had been in the employ of Sir Martin’s father Jack, but that was a very, very long time ago.

More recently, I had the opportunity of listening to Martin Sorrell speak at a business breakfast event in London.

He spoke for about twenty minutes on business topics of the day, including the future of the EU, advertising in the Far East and business growth.

His delivery was immaculate, smooth even sublime. The content was interesting and relevant. There was very little hand-waving and gesticulation. He came across as the consumate, urbane international businessman we’ve got to know over the years. And there it is in a nutshell…to be a great speaker you’ve got to come across as a great speaker.

I guess it’s all about doing the nuts and bolts of speaking and presenting better than others. Body language, eye contact, pausing, voice modulation are pivotal so speaking and presenting success…and above all honing and practising your skills.

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