Persuasive Presentation

SAMPLE PERSUASIVE PRESENTATION

Who: As part of the interview process, I have been asked to give a brief, four-minute presentation to the President's Cabinet and well as senior staff, dean, and a member of two of the independent University Foundation, after which to be prepared to answer questions. I have previously been interviewed in person by many of those in attendance.

Why: I am interviewing for the position of Dean of University Relations, State Lobbyist, and Executive Director of the University Foundation.

Where: Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Text of Presentation: 16 pages Ð'- 26 Pica

PAUSE Ð'- ESTABLISH EYE CONTACT

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

SPEAK SLOWLY

Good morning / afternoon. As most of know, I am L. R. Hughes, a candidate for dean of university relations which includes responsibilities for lobbying the state legislature and coordinating the efforts of the Lincoln University Foundation, as well as directing the dissemination of internal and external information. I have enjoyed the interview process very much, and thank each of you for making me feel welcome.

When Mrs. Jones called and asked me to meet with President Frank, it caught me off guard. In fact, when she called, I did not know this position was vacant! Nevertheless I was pleased to learn that a former president of Lincoln University suggested that I might have the qualifications for which you are looking.

While serving as a Boone County Judge, I learned a little about dealing with state representatives and senators when I testified for the Missouri Association of Counties. And I am proud of the modest successes in which I played a role. Having managed the campaign of State Representative Reisch who was the first member of his party elected in Boone County in a century, I acquired first-hand information that has allowed me to provided me to achieve a certain degree of rapport with his legislative colleagues.

However, while I learned much about the General Assembly, I may have learned more about what not to do! Don't appear before the appropriations committees if you're not thoroughly prepared. Failure to prepare invariably leads to public ridicule and embarrassment; worse, the media may pick up and air your mistakes!

That, however, happens far less often now that I have learned when to keep my mouth shut and my head down. In time I developed an appreciation for the work of lobbyists; and much to my surprise, I've found that I enjoy working with legislators and members of their staffs.

When I was vice president of Columbia College, my chief responsibility was fundraising; however, I was also responsible for alumni affairs as well as public affairs. Why I was hired in the first place, however, may interest you.

Sometime before my appointment at the College, I had met a lieutenant colonel in the Lakenheath Royal Air Station Officer's Club during annual NATO Exercises. I never understood why he struck up a conversation with me, but when a colonel decides to speak to a captain, the captain stays put and listens respectfully! In addition to being on active duty in London, he was looking for a manager for one of his travel agencies in Independence, Missouri. I asked him why he came to London when he could have gone to a college in the states where they taught travel administration to which he answered, " . . . there are none!"

A year of so later in Columbia, Missouri, I recalled that conversation. At the same time I also remembered that Stephens College had its own for-profit, travel agency on campus. It seemed logical to me the College would be interested in implementing a course in travel administration. So during the next eight months or so, I conducted a little research and developed an academic curriculum.

President Smith turned it down flat, " . . . not the kind of liberal arts program that would appeal to our students," he said. I was embarrassed that my enthusiasm for the project allowed me to forget one of the basics tenets of public relations: first know your market! PAUSE

On the other hand, Columbia College was interested in academic programs that prepared their graduates for jobs. Not only were they excited about the program, President Hill offered me the opportunity to implement what turned out to be the first two-year, travel administration program in the United States. I was also offered an appointment as acting vice president which a year later became permanent.

As liaison to your independent Foundation, I believe I could make good use of the organizational experiences gained as a general, United Way campaign chairmen. And I suspect I could also make good use of the skills acquired as chief fundraiser at Columbia College.

PAUSE

No one yet has mentioned the front-page story that appeared several weeks ago in the St. Louis Post Dispatch alleging