Speaking to SMSF Adviser, Inside 80 Performance chief executive Vanessa Bennet said public speaking is a useful skill for any practice principal of an accountancy or financial advice firm and that it is “good for accountants to position themselves as experts”, especially if they have a particular niche on which they can focus.
“It’s all about communication really, so if a practice principal is used to speaking in front of a crowd this can be useful when you’re presenting to staff or presenting to clients,” she said.
Ms Bennet said that in order to be involved in public speaking, practice principals need to determine where they want to present.
For conference-type events, Ms Bennet said getting in touch with the organisers and offering your services can be a good way to start.
“If you’re with a particular group to start with then that certainly helps,” she said.
Meanwhile, SMSF practitioners speaking at their own events should consider what the aim of the event is.
“Is it a client appreciation night or are you looking to hopefully get some more referrals out of it?” she said.
“If you’re looking to position yourself as the expert with your client, they don’t necessarily need to know everything that you know; they just want to know that you’re in control.”
