Briefing for the Boardroom and the Situation Room: A Brief Guidebook

Briefing-a specialized form of public speaking tailored to a powerful audience, such as presidents, CEOs, and generals-requires developing a specific use of skills. In Briefing for the Board Room and the Situation Room, novice and seasoned briefers will explore such issues as: - How do you get past your nervousness? - How do you determine the needs of an audience? - How does the environment affect the likelihood of an effective briefing? - How do you organize a briefing and otherwise prepare it? - What makes for an effective handout, graphic, talking point, and visual? - How should you answer questions? - How does your personal speaking style affect your effectiveness? - What should you do after the briefing is over? This guidebook gives you clear, straightforward tips and techniques to make you a confident, effective briefer who will be invited back by your audiences. About the Author Dr. Edward Mickolus is the President of Vinyard Software, Inc. He served a 33-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, has written 30 books, and has taught intelligence tradecraft courses at numerous federal agencies. "I loved the book and wish I had it 40 years ago! Very comprehensive and while somewhat slanted towards intelligence briefings (no surprise there), I think it provides valuable information for any setting. It was informative and a pleasure to read. Loved the mnemonic SUCCESS. "Know your audience" is so critical." --Robert M. Heffernan, Lt.Col., USAF (Retired), former Command Briefing Officer, HQ 13th AF, who briefed General Norman Schwarzkopf "Where was this book when I was a young, introverted CIA analyst stumbling over my words? It took me many painful years to learn all of the things covered so well here by Ed Mickolus--from strategies for handling nerves to follow-up after the briefing. Skill at briefing can put your career on the fast track. Lack of skill can sink it even faster. This book is a must-read for anyone who must face a conference table full of VIPs. It will even tell you why your hands are sweating." --Susan Hasler, former speechwriter for three Directors of Central Intelligence and author of Intelligence, Project Half Sheep, and The Flat Bureaucrat "Dr. Mickolus is a sure-footed guide to the techniques for effective oral presentations and careful study of this book will repay the reader many times over." --Dr. Michael D. Smith quondam briefer of The President's Daily Brief