Speaking Business podcast

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I'm joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo's journey from Barbados to the stage isn't just inspiring, it's instructive. Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you? That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business. We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always comes before speaking, and how being easy to work with gets him booked again and again. You'll also hear his take on purpose, failure, storytelling, and what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career without shortcuts or hype. If you're looking for clarity, relevance, and a reminder that speakers succeed by solving real problems — this episode is for you.

This week I'm joined by the dynamic duo behind Oratore Speakers, Steven Piessens and Magali De Reu. Steven, a speaker strategist based in sunny Malaga, and Magali, a branding and AI expert from Antwerp, share how they've built a thriving speaker ecosystem in under a year—spanning over 5,500 speakers across Europe, the US, and the UK. We talk about what really builds a speaker business (hint: it's not more time tweaking slides), how AI is quietly reshaping how speakers work, and the biggest blind spots holding speakers back from being booked. We also dive into their six-month Rising Speakers programme, what makes a brand story land, and why clarity beats charisma every time. If you've ever felt stuck between wanting impact and chasing stages, this one's for you. And this is the link promised in our chat for the Speaker Strategy Wheel: https://www.oratore-speakers.com/speaker-strategy-wheel  

When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus' Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek. In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about visibility, trust, systems, and Sha's unique way of making the complex simple, whether it's for HR professionals or C-suite leaders. It's a joyful, practical episode full of insights for speakers who want to be booked, trusted, and remembered.

This week I'm joined by Kay Korsh, former celebrity stylist turned speaker style strategist. After 20 years dressing A-listers and working with luxury brands, Kay now helps professional speakers align their wardrobe with their message. We talk about what speakers get wrong with their style, why being fashionable isn't the goal, and how your wardrobe can either build or break audience trust. Kay explains why digitising your wardrobe is a game-changer, how mindful consumption applies to speakers, and what you should consider before buying one more jacket. If you want to feel confident on stage and look like the fee you're charging, this one's for you. Kay has shared some useful links: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/   Colour Quiz for Professional Speakers: https://kkorsh.outgrow.us/speakers-colourtest   Ultimate step-by-step guide to looking great on stage: https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/look-great-on-stage-as-a-professional-speaker  

This week I'm joined by leadership communication expert and bestselling author Mark Leruste. Known for helping thousands of leaders at Google, Nike, and the Premier League tell better stories, Mark shares why most speakers are focusing on the wrong thing. It's not your bio that gets you booked—it's how you connect. We talk about building a “vending machine” of stories, how to introduce yourself so people lean in (not glaze over), and why being a little imperfect in public can make you more powerful. If you're ready to tell a better story, this one's for you.

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, I'm joined by the unstoppable Brad Burton, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, and top motivational business speaker. Brad built a multimillion-pound national company from scratch and has no time for excuses. We talk about his extraordinary journey from a council estate to the stage, how he created the UK's largest joined-up business network, and the power of showing up as your full, unfiltered self. Brad shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of speaking engagements, the importance of resilience, and why being memorable is more valuable than being liked. If you're serious about building a speaking business, no excuses, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Maria Franzoni welcomes Niall Ratcliffe, co-founder of the story-driven marketing agency Noticed, to share proven strategies for speakers to get noticed on LinkedIn. Niall explains why LinkedIn is essential for reaching key decision-makers and reveals how consistent storytelling can set speakers apart. They cover practical tips for crafting content that keeps you top of mind, using lead magnets to convert followers into clients, and building genuine authority through your unique experiences. If you're looking to attract more bookings and grow your speaking business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on mastering LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, host Maria Franzoni sits down with award-winning speaker and Professional Speakers Association founder, Rikki Arundel. Rikki shares their inspiring journey, from early beginnings to receiving the Speaker Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, revealing valuable lessons for speakers at all stages. They discuss the power of finding your niche, the importance of resilience through career shifts, and what it takes to craft a message that truly resonates. Tune in for Rikki's insights on building a brand, making an unforgettable impact, and navigating the challenges of a speaking career that speaks volumes.

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I sit down with world-renowned futurist and keynote speaker Nikki Greenberg. With a background in real estate and technology, Nikki transitioned from designing skyscrapers to designing impactful keynote speeches on the future of cities and innovation. Nikki shares how she built her speaking career from scratch, including the challenges she faced, the strategies she used to stay ahead in a competitive market, and the importance of being both relevant and memorable. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, Nikki's insights into breaking into new industries, using technology to amplify your message, and mastering the art of storytelling are not to be missed. Join us as we explore how to take your speaking career to new heights—literally and figuratively!

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria Franzoni reconnects with her very first boss, Steve Sumner, a trailblazer in high street sports retail and a pioneer of online business strategies. With over 40 years of experience, Steve has helped build multi-billion-pound businesses and launched five successful startups. In the episode, he's sharing his insights on how speakers can unlock growth in their own businesses. From navigating the challenges of legacy mindsets to leveraging digital tools like LinkedIn, Steve provides actionable advice for speakers looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your speaking career to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on innovation, strategy, and staying true to yourself. Tune in to learn how you can apply the principles of business growth to your speaking career and keep your audience coming back for more.

Join us in this exciting episode of the Speaking Business podcast as we dive deep into the world of leadership, resilience, and high-performance teamwork with multi-award-winning speaker Mark Denton. Mark shares his incredible journey from leading a team to victory in the world's most challenging yacht race to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker. Discover how Mark turned a standing ovation at a corporate conference into a thriving speaking career, captivating audiences across diverse sectors. Learn about the techniques he uses to make his speeches unforgettable, including the use of multimedia, gripping storytelling, and powerful music scores. Mark also opens up about the challenges he has faced in the speaking industry and how he stays adaptable in a constantly evolving market. He shares valuable strategies for securing consistent bookings and the importance of treating speaking as a business. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or an established professional looking to grow your business, Mark's insights and advice will inspire and equip you to navigate your own path to success. Don't miss this episode packed with practical tips, real-life examples, and the wisdom of an experienced speaker who has mastered the art of engaging and moving audiences. Tune in now and embark on a journey of learning and inspiration with Mark Denton

In the latest episode of my Speaking Business podcast, I interview AI expert Ben Gold, delving into his extensive experience in technology and AI. Ben shares insights from his 20-year career in tech sales, particularly focusing on the transformative impact of generative AI. He discusses practical applications of AI, emphasizing how speakers and businesses can harness these tools to enhance productivity and engagement. Our conversation touches on the ethical considerations of AI, the future of AI in professional speaking, and the innovative ways Ben uses AI to streamline his own speaking business. This episode provides valuable perspectives for anyone looking to integrate AI into their professional toolkit.

My guest today is the Founder and Director of Behind The Mic, a speaker management and consulting agency in London. With over 15 years experience in the speaking industry, she has worked in both the US and UK markets. She has made a career out of helping inspirational, thought-leaders share their expertise on stages across the globe."    

As CEO of Human First Ltd, Jaz Ampaw-Farr helps leaders who want to influence, inspire and motivate their teams with greater engagement in order to grow their businesses and leave a lifelong legacy. Jaz combines lessons learned from a challenging and often brutal childhood with those from her rise TV presenter, TEDx Speaker, stand-up comedian and Z-list reality TV star.  Her authentic honesty and humour consistently empower people to think differently about leading themselves and others. Jaz has managed to go from a market where she is highly established and a bit of a rockstar into a brand new market, and that transition, is not easy. We'll find out exactly how she did that and how she has now become very successful in her new market.  Jaz will also share how she runs her business and what her products and services are. Links Connect with Jaz on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher

Intentional Storytelling Steve Ashton is an expert in Executive Presence and Storytelling.  He became an expert in both of these disciplines through personal experience of being the sales and marketing director of a business that grew from £7m turnover to £68m in 3 years, through thousands of hours of live tv, radio, theatre acting, stand-up comedy and podcasting as well as more than 30 years working in Learning and Development. He recently left a role as Chief Leaming officer for an international Division of American Express and has set up his own practice focussing his efforts on helping people increase their presence and ability to engage, connect and inspire people with storytelling. Steve shares why storytelling is such a popular subject these days, why it's important to be a good storyteller and some top tips and tools to use for storytelling. Links Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How every speaker could benefit from having a manager. Who better to be looking after your speaking career, than a manager used to dealing with bookers, promoters, and agents in one of the toughest of all businesses – the music business? QJ is very familiar with the notorious rogues, the dodgy dealings and the pitfalls that we come across in the speaking business – to this day. When he started out in the business, he was an artist, songwriter and producer signed to a couple of major record labels himself, but eventually ran his own record label, signing other artists, and dealing with the likes of record pluggers, radio DJs, in order to get publicity, exposure, and radio play for those he signed. He says, ‘You really have to be pretty ruthless in the music business to get anywhere. So having honed my skills in that industry, I find that the challenges of making progress in speaking are not dissimilar, but a lot easier.' QJ shares his passion for ‘other people's talent' and why he believes that a good manager can take your speaking career to the next level. Links Connect with QJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

Finding your 'True Funny'  Paul Dornan has worked in the TV and film and comedy world for over two decades as a writer, producer, director, teacher and mentor. Specialising in character comedy and comedy-drama, he's written and helped create sketch shows, sit-coms, series and films that have won awards, stormed the box office and sold around the world. Along the way he's worked with a galaxy of stars – from Dame Edna to Mrs Merton aka Caroline Aherne from Boy George to Downton's Hugh Bonneville, from Lenny Henry to the Spice Girls. A natural collaborator and team player, he's acted as writing mentor for rising comedy talents and once co-wrote the massive Sunday Times No 1 bestseller ‘The A-Z OF Behaving Badly with Simon Nye – one of the biggest comedy books ever. Away from page and screen, he has used his narrative skills in the business world too, helping a range of international brands with creative brainstorming and story. He's now the founder of a new venture – True Funny – a service offering creative consultancy and coaching to help professional speakers bring more humour, warmth and likeable storytelling to their work. Paul shares how his work as a writer and director can help speakers make great main-stage speeches, what true funny is and why this is so important for professional speakers and whether making people laugh is a god given gift, a magic trick, or is this something anyone can learn. Links Connect with Paul on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

Owning your own story. With a background in Public Relations, Lesley Woods has 20 years' experience of curating and creating compelling stories.  Her career has taken her around the world, working with international partners to shine a light on the work of her military colleagues, from celebrating Christmas in Kandahar to delivering humanitarian aid to the Central African Republic.   As a current serving senior Royal Air Force Reserve Media Officer, she shares unique perspectives gained from her operational experience.  Her mission is to get you out of the (communication) trenches and into new territory, to get you thinking differently about how you can emotionally engage your audiences.   In her civilian ‘day job' role she leads campaigns in the UK Ministry of Defence Communications Directorate, a team that aims to ‘give a voice to the men and women who serve so that their stories can be heard'.   To help the UK Armed Forces reach new audiences she has led collaborations with films, TV series and documentaries, from influencer events with Disney to a PR partnership with the producers of James Bond.  She once lost half an eyebrow evacuating a TV documentary crew from a burning toilet tent in Afghanistan....whilst wearing ballistic pants.   Lesley shares the importance of using your OWN story along with tips on the concept of bullet-proof storytelling.  For those speakers that are interviewed, Lesley has lots of advice from her media training background.   And if you ever fancied climbing a tree for Tom Cruise, well Lesley can tell you how. Links Connect with Lesley on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How Santa, chocolate, questions and acronyms help you be a better speaker George Nagle might be best described as a breakthrough thinker. He is a former executive director for multi-billion-dollar organisations and launched 19 products in 14 months at one point. George is also a bit of a nerd with a MS and MBA but also multiple certifications in different innovations. Currently he is a leading creative innovator as a consultant but also as a speaker. We are going to get a peek into how his creative approaches. Links Learn more about George Connect with George on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

Ditch perfection and create connection with Lisa Braithwaite Do you seek a more human connection with your in-person and remote audiences? Do you feel like you're holding yourself back from fully expressing yourself onstage? Do you hope to make a powerful impact and move your participants into action? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Lisa Braithwaite is here for you! Lisa Braithwaite is a speaking coach, trainer and author who started her speaking career more than 40 years ago at high school speech tournaments, presenting her controversial topic of “Brown Bag Lunches.”  More recent achievements include publishing her first course on LinkedIn Learning and discovering that her speaker superpower is instantly and magically recovering from presentation mishaps. When she's not working with her coaching and training clients, she can be found cooking, eating, reading about cooking and eating, or managing her cats' Instagram account. (See show notes!) Lisa shares her tips for ditching perfection and creating connection. Learn more about Lisa Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How to license your content to grow your speaking business. David Lim is best known for leading the 1st Singapore Everest Expedition in 1998. He delivers unforgettable presentations on leadership and bouncing back from setbacks. As a leadership coach, he delivers solutions in negotiation and creative teambuilding for groups of up to 12,000 at a time.  For over a decade, he was on the adjunct faculty for INSEAD business school's programmes, engaging leaders on self and team leadership. He excels in helping people believe they can be more than just ordinary. Often speakers are stuck when they're trying to scale their speaking business.  If they cannot be in two places at once, how do they grow their business?  David shares his tips about how to bring in revenue to your speaking business without you actually being there. Learn more about David's coaching Learn more about David's speaking Connect with Carole on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How to beat stress and avoid burnout. Carole Spiers is a leading international Business Stress Consultant who shows senior executives how to thrive under pressure. She has published books such as "Managing Stress in the Workplace" and "Show Stress Who's Boss!"  Carole is also frequently invited to comment on stress-related issues on TV and radio   She has a background in psychology, and  over 25 years of experience as an industry expert. She serves as CEO of the Carole Spiers Group, an international stress management and wellbeing consultancy. As an international Motivational Speaker, she has provided keynote addresses at international conferences in the UK, Europe, and Middle East.    Carole is Chair of the International Stress Management AssociationUK.  On their behalf, she founded Stress Awareness Day in 1998 and to recognise its anniversary in 2018, established International Stress Awareness Week.   Carole is a Fellow and past President of the Professional Speaking Association.  Learn the difference between stress and pressure, the causes of stress, the signs and symptoms of stress and how to live and work in stressful environments. Learn more about Carole Connect with Carole on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How to grow your (speaking) business Donnie Boivin is an entrepreneur and serves as CEO and Founder of Success Champions and Success Champion Networking. He is considered one of the leading global minds on sales, business development and business growth. He is described as the first person to make sales and business development relatable and human. A community builder at heart — he builds champions. Today he helps small business owners leverage sales and business development to grow then scale their businesses. In addition to running multiple businesses, he runs a full working farm with goats, chickens ,ducks, turkeys and geese. His podcast ‘Growth Mode' ranks among the top podcasts globally. He is a five-time Best Selling Author and a highly sought-after public speaker. Learn more about Donnie Boivin Connect with Donnie on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How to transition from low paid entertainer to highly paid keynote  Tim David dropped out of university to become a professional magician.  When 300 dates a year became too much, he turned his sights to the speaking world so he could work less, earn more, and help people in the process. His success in the speaking and publishing industries speaks for itself, which is why thousands of speakers from around the globe seek him out for advice on how to get speaking gigs and grow their following. He's the founder of GetSpeakingGigs.com and the host of the Next Stage Speaking Summit - at which I was a guest presenter this year. If you're looking to transition into the speaking world or just starting out with your speaking business, Tim has some great advice. Learn more about Tim David Connect with Tim on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

What is going on in the Speaking Industry in Canada, US and Europe? Tami Adams is a dedicated and passionate Speaker Agent, Manager, Coach & Events Professional who thrives in bringing people together for engaging and life-changing experiences. She believes that when people come together, that is where the magic truly happens! She loves using her voice to help raise others.  For those speakers wishing to expand their business internationally or for those already in the international market, this is an information packed podcast that will enrich your speaking business.  Find out what is happening in the Speaking Industry across Canada, US and Europe, the trends, virtual vs in-person, what it takes for a speaker to succeed in today's speaking world, what clients should be looking for in a speaker, why the industry needs to change when booking female speakers and what the future of speaking looks like. Learn more about Tami Connect with Tami on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

What's happening on the international speaker circuit? Philipp Kristian has made some big changes to his speaking business and there are some lessons for us to learn from him and his transformation. His topic is pioneering human transformation for good and he's applying it to his own business. He's a global TEDx speaker, voice of Gens Y to Z and author of RESET and The Trust Economy.  He has been driving innovation and digital transformation for Fortune 500s in APAC and working with CEOs of Singapore's most successful start-ups on reimagining entire industries. He is deeply passionate about putting the human in transformation.  Learn more about Philipp Connect with Philipp on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify  

How to move your audience to action. Sarah Archer is on a mission to show coaches, experts, leaders business owners and aspiring change makers how to create talks with passion, personality and purpose that also get results. She teaches you how to combine storytelling, humour, performance and marketing principles so that you don't just engage, entertain and inspire your audience but also move them to action, whether that's buying your book, product or service, or booking you for another gig. Sarah is a speaking and marketing coach, playwright, performer, ex-HR Director, and host of The Speaking Club Podcast, (which is in the top 1% of podcasts and in over 180 countries). This mix means she is uniquely qualified to share how to create content that makes your audience stop, engage and fall in love with your message. Learn more about Sarah Archer Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How to get started as a paid speaker A self-made, flourishing entrepreneur, Liza Pavlakos is a fast-rising motivational speaker and a powerful voice on successful entrepreneurship. At prestigious international events in Australia, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere she has energised thousands towards discovering their hidden potential and attaining their goals in the face of the toughest challenges. Her life-changing talks focus on the development of a winner's mindset and empowering entrepreneurs, business owners, and others to discover innovative strategies for transforming their hopes and ideas into phenomenal success stories. She has been featured on CNN as an influential thought leader from Australia, motivating and empowering aspiring women entrepreneurs. Winner of the prestigious Golden Gavel Honouree, please welcome my guest Liza Pavlakos.  Liza shares how she transitioned into speaking from her tailoring business, the lessons she learnt starting out as a speaker,  how she's learnt to deliver content when her story is so raw and how she debriefs and calms herself after delivery. Learn more about Liza Pavlakos Connect with Liza on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify

How to stay relevant and bookable as a speaker In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Orvel Ray Wilson. Orvel is a veteran of the profession.  He is co-author of 6 books in the legendary Guerrilla Marketing series, which has been translated into 63 languages and more than 25 million books in print. He's spoken in more than 1,000 cities, in 47 countries, on 6 continents. He received his CSP in 1997, and in 2001 was honoured as “Speaker of the Year” by Meeting Professionals International. In an international Internet poll, he's has been voted one of the world's “Top 5 Sales Speakers” a record five years straight. After 30 years on the international circuit, he now coaches other speakers on writing their books, and growing their business.   Orvel shares with us the importance of writing a book to enhance your speaking business, the difference between writing a book and writing a book that sells you, what meeting planners look for when booking a speaker, how to set speaking fees and position yourself as an expert and some marketing and sales tips for speakers who need more bookings.   Learn more about Orvel Ray Wilson Connect with Orvel Ray on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify

How to take a topic and make it unique to stand out as a speaker  In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Paul Spiers. Paul Spiers is Founder of The New P&L® Brand Purpose Institute and host of the internationally respected global business podcast series, ‘The New P&L® – Principles & Leadership in Business'.  He is focussed on helping leaders to solve one of today's big business challenges:  how to rediscover and re-engage Purpose in their business, then use it to underpin and drive its commercial, strategic and operational arteries - the critical cornerstones of any successful business. A respected thought leader and advocate for a ‘New P&L' for Business – one based on Principles & Leadership not just Profit and Loss, Paul is on a global mission to rid businesses of their ‘vinyl values' – empty slogans, propositions and statements that are as thin as the office walls they so often reside on, and replace them with an intentional commitment to authentic and principled leadership and purpose-led business; to inspire leaders, engage employees and ignite innovation and growth. Learn more about Paul Connect with Paul on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Dave Daniel. After 25 years at CSA - Celebrity Speakers, Dave Daniel became part of ‘the great resignation' during Covid and went freelance. He is the corporate agent for rock star turned businessman, Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden amongst others. He has worked with speakers from Pele to Neil Armstrong, Bob Geldof to Lars Ulrich and says he's probably forgotten more about the world of speaking than he would care to admit.   He's also recently started working with Speakers Associates. Dave explains why being exclusive isn't right for all speakers, why the speaking industry needs a shake up as well as some insights into managing Bruce Dickinson and working with other music icons.  There is so much advice in this podcast about working with speaker bureaus, all your questions will be answered.   Connect with Dave on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and edit

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Shelley Walters. Shelley Walters believes in the ability of the individual. In people being able to surprise themselves and those around them. And this is what she aims to unlock with everything that she does. Raised in a difficult environment, she quickly realised her background needn't dictate where she went in life. That lesson, and many others along the way, helped her to see that we all have the potential to achieve more if we simply put the right steps in place to get there. As the founder and CEO of The Sales Counsel, she established a first-of-its-kind on the African continent: a remote sales education platform that empowers sales teams to deliver better results. As the host of The Shift Show podcast, she shares her experience and lively personality with an ever-growing audience. And as she continues to take on ever more interesting projects, she always remains true to her guiding principles and the belief that we can shed our self-doubt to achieve and surpass our potential. Shelley gives us a whistle stop tour of Sales, the highs and lows, the risk of technology on sales, tools to use in your sales process, sales cycles, how to build a sale and so much more. Learn more about Shelley Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Hugh Montgomery. Hugh Montgomery is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at UCL, London. As a researcher, he has published over 500 papers, and is perhaps best known for discovering the first gene for human fitness. He is also a runner, diver, mountaineer and award-winning author of children's books and, most recently, a thriller. During the 2020-21 Covid pandemic, he sat on the council of the UK Intensive Care Society, engaged in an £800k fundraise to support ICU workers' mental health, co-authored national clinical guidelines, coinvented two new machines for respiratory support and gave extensive media interviews as well as working round the clock on the Intensive Care units at UCL. Much of his work is now focussed on the immediate and grave threat posed by climate change. Connect with Hugh on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Adam Levitt. Adam Levitt is the Founder of Covered Speakers Bureau. Covered Speakers Bureau are experts in matching corporate organisations and professional associations with the very best keynote speakers, hosts, presenters, moderators and entertainment for your virtual and in person events and conferences. He offers his clients (corporate companies and associations) a truly personalised consultation and booking service. Drawing on years of experience working in the events sector and carefully listening to briefs, he matches his clientele with the right keynote speakers based on their individual briefs and he ensures that the client's event is truly memorable for your audience. We take a look inside Covered Speakers Bureau, what Adam looks for in a Speaker, what his bureau offers clients and speakers and so much more.   More about Adam Levitt Connect with Adam on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Melanie Goodman. Melanie Goodman specialises in providing LinkedIn network growth & business generation strategies and LinkedIn training services to business owners and companies. Melanie had an original career path practicing law before emigrating to Switzerland in 2005 where, for the subsequent 8 years she worked in business development and social media marketing for both a large international law firm and a financial services company which gave her the impetus to start her own LinkedIn marketing and training company, Trevisan.   If you'd like to know how to position your LinkedIn profile so you rank above your competitors, what content resonates on LinkedIn currently, what you should be posting to elicit positive responses and so much more, this podcast is just for you. More about Melanie Goodman Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Phil M Jones. Phil M Jones is the best-selling author of Exactly What To Say, Exactly How To Sell, and Exactly Where To Start. He had his first business at just 14 years of age and is the youngest recipient of the “British Excellence in Sales and Marketing” award. To date, over two million people, across 57 different countries have benefitted from his lessons. And as a result, they now know exactly what to say, when to say it AND... EXACTLY how to make more of their conversations count. Phil talks candidly about his speaking business, how it started, what it consists of today, the strategy behind it, working with speaker bureaus, the trends he is seeing in the speaking industry, staying relevant and so much more. More about Phil M Jones Connect with Phil on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Pegine Echevvaria. Pegine Echevvaria is a Leadership speaker, best-selling author, award-winning businesswoman, an advisor to US Presidents and their task forces as well as Fortune 500 executives to be effective at engaging their people and stakeholders. Pegine educates leaders and businesswomen on influencing, impacting, and inspiring others to increase profits productivity, and positivity. She coaches women CEOs, Admirals and Generals, College Presidents, and entrepreneurs on influence, impact, and presentation skills. She is the founder of Power Women Worldwide. Her newest book is “Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women”. Pegine shares advice about working with big audiences and big stages. How to keep the energy up, how to keep everyone engaged and how to use the stage. Everything you need to know about delighting a large audience.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Gail Davis of GDA Speakers. Gail Davis' decades of experience in corporate marketing and event management served as the launch pad for GDA Speakers. Before establishing the company in 1999, she spent 20 years managing the events of the Dallas-based global technology conglomerate - Electronic Data Systems (EDS) - founded by Ross Perot. While at EDS she discovered Nando Parrado, a heroic survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash. Parrado presented an unforgettable speech at EDS' marquee event. Shortly after his successful keynote, Parrado signed an exclusive agreement with our guest as it was her efforts that convinced him to share his story after so many years. It was this partnership with Parrado which eventually anchored the creation of GDA Speakers. She continues to discover new talent and under her passionate leadership, GDA Speakers has vetted and curated many highly qualified speakers who they deliver to clients with confidence. Gail shares insights into the US speaker market, what she looks for in an international speaker and any tips she can share for a non-US speaker to get listed with a US bureau. If you'd like to take your speaking business international then this podcast is a must listen.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Elin Hauge. Elin has built bridges between data-driven technologies and business value for more than 20 years, with AI as one of her key capabilities. She helps leaders to build relevant competence on artificial intelligence, understand responsible human-machine interaction, and outline sustainable practices around digital technologies. She has also mentored hundreds of tech start-ups across Europe on business and go-to-market strategy and pitching skills. Elin has taken her speaking business International after being in demand in her native Norway.  She has launched the international side of her speaking business and she's been hugely successful in doing so. Elin shares how she went from a Norwegian celebrity to an international star.  More about Elin Hauge Connect with Elin on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Graham Allcott. Graham Allcott is the founder of Think Productive, one of the world's leading providers in personal productivity training and consultancy as well as the author of the global best-seller, "How to be a Productivity Ninja". His podcast "Beyond Busy" explores the issues of productivity, work/life balance and how people define happiness in their lives. Graham shares tips on how we can make 2022 our most productive year ever for our speaking businesses and how to get a better work/life balance as well as insights into his speaking business. More about Graham Allcott Connect with Graham on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Simone Vincenzi. 100 million new businesses start every year and 90% of them fail within 3 years. How do we create sustainable businesses?  Simone Vincenzi is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and author who has helped people to launch more than 500 profitable businesses before he reached the age of 30. He writes for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine and regularly features on tv and radio. Simone also has a very successful speaking business and in this podcast he shares some tips on how to monetise your expertise. More about Simone Vincenzi Connect with Simone on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Caitriona Ellis. As speakers there is potential to make a lot of money and the more you have, the more you spend. But we also should be thinking about the future when maybe we don't want to work quite as hard as we are now and how we should be using our speaking fees to their best. Caitriona Ellis is a fully qualified Financial Advisor with an honours Commerce degree. She empowers people to master their money affairs for peace of mind now & in the future. She shares why financial wellness is crucial for speakers along with some tips and tools on how speakers can increase their financial wellness. Connect with Caitriona on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast I talk to Jasmine Birtles. Jasmine Birtles is a TV and radio presenter, a financial expert and founder of the popular consumer website MoneyMagpie.com, an entertainer and the author of 38 books.  She broadcasts, writes and speaks about all aspects of personal finance including investments, pensions, mortgages, credit cards, banking and apps, savings, debt, utilities, Fin Tech and cryptocurrencies. More about Jasmine Birtles Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast I talk to Raleigh Addington. Raleigh Addington is MD of Chartwell Speakers Bureau and has been in the speaking industry for 10 years. As well as working in the UK/Europe market, he also opened the Chartwell Asia office in 2014 giving him both experience in the Asia market but also "co-broking" with US-Based Agencies. Back in London now, his role mainly consists of handling "exclusive speakers" and managing the corporate speaking engagements for a range of high-profile economists, politicians, technology entrepreneurs & academics. Raleigh shares with us his thoughts on the speaking market for 2022, the do's and dont's when working with a bureau and more specifically Chartwell, insights into some of the big names he's booked and the topics he's being asked for in the market currently.  More about Raleigh Addington Connect with Raleigh on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast I talk to Gavin Ingham. What differentiates high performers from good performers? What helps one person to achieve in 3 months what others do in 12? These are the questions that have inspired Gavin Ingham for the last 20 years and have led to his #IAM10 methodology for high performance. The world is changing faster than ever. There is more competition than ever before. The global economy, AI, automation all mean that you and your people need to work with conviction, embrace change, maximise productivity and add more value to every situation. Good enough is not good enough anymore. You need to be the best. You need to be a 10.   Gavin shares what he thinks makes a bookable speaker, how this has changed over the past few years, why only a small percentage of speakers succeed and what speakers can do to make the difference. He'll also share the three things he'd recommend to a speaker wanting more business. Links: More about Gavin Ingham Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn IAM10 Roundtable More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast I talk to Olga Geidane. Olga Geidane is a thought-provoking speaker and award-winning mindset coach working globally with high achievers and C-suite executives. She is an international best-selling author, who has co-authored books with Sharon Lechter, Denis Waitley, Erik Swanson, Steve Sims, Jim Cathcart to name a few. She is the youngest foreign female to be a Regional President of the PSA (Professional Speaking Association) in the UK. If you want to take your speaking business to the next level but are facing mindset blocks and barriers, Olga shares how to remove these and continue your speaking journey. More about Olga Geidane Connect with Olga on LinkedIn Connect with Olga on Facebook More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast I talk to Jessica Killingley. Jessica Killingley is a Literary Agent, Publishing Consultant & Life Coach. She is an accidental serial entrepreneur, she runs a business that supports founders, consultants and coaches who want to write & self-publish books that grow their business and their profile. Her podcast, The AUTHORity Show, gives aspiring non-fiction authors the inside track into what it really takes to get a book out there that turns readers into clients. Jessica explains why writing a book is definitely worth the effort, how it can support your speaking business, the best ways to get a book published and how you can make the book work for you once published to grow your speaking business. Links: More about Jessica Killingley How to get a book deal workshop Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Connect with Jessica on Instagram To listen to Jessica's Podcast Series More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Book your space on the Speaker Bureau Seminar Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusinessPodcast I talk to Alex Staniforth. Too many people settle for base camp when the summit is out of view.  But Alex is no stranger to overcoming adversity. At just 26, he's a record-breaking adventurer, athlete, author and charity founder who has already survived the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history as a teenager. However, his biggest challenges have been much closer to home, suffering with epilepsy, stammering, bullying and mental ill health. He confronts these through extreme outdoor challenges, to inspire others to achieve their own peak. Now he regularly shares his adventures and ultra-endurance strategies with businesses and conferences internationally, helping them build their 'resilience rucksack' to beat burnout, re-define success and take advantage of the challenges ahead. He is also the founder of Mind Over Mountains, a charity helping people to restore their mental health through the outdoors. More about Alex Staniforth Connect with Alex on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on Facebook Listen here: Podfollow Libsyn  Apple Podcasts  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusinessPodcast I talk to Chris and Jude Wharton of Ready Steady Websites. Jude and Chris Wharton are the co-founders of Ready Steady Websites® an off the shelf website and membership site template service. They launched Ready Steady Websites® in 2019 and they have been running a successful digital design company, 2nd Floor Designs Ltd since 2010. They are a husband and wife team. Before starting 2nd Floor, Chris had worked in the web industry for 10 years as a designer and front end developer and managing a studio. He's successfully managed, consulted and worked on projects for bigname brands including RBS, Renault, Coutts Bank, IKEA, Mazda, Kia, WorldPay and Masterclass as well as some lesser-known but equally as amazing international and local brands and businesses. Before entering the world of web, Jude had a 10-year career in youth work, training and professional development. She has delivered workshops in Westminster and she has a degree in Education and Training and a Chartered Management Institute qualification in Management and Leadership. She brings all of her experience in these areas to the courses, challenges and tutorials that Ready Steady Websites® offers. In this podcast they share with us why speakers really do need a website, what the most common mistakes people make with their websites are and the key things a speaker should have on their website. For those looking to update or create a website, this is a podcast not to be missed. More about Chris & Jude Wharton Connect with Chris & Jude on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on Facebook Listen here: Podfollow Libsyn  Apple Podcasts  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusinessPodcast I talk to Mary Tillson. Mary is Head of Speaker Coaching and Momentum at Speaking Business Academy.  She helps speakers to develop their content and messaging, and to maximise their personal impact and delivery style.  She co-facilitates many of the company's workshops with Maria and is lead tutor on content specific workshops. She is a highly experienced Management and Leadership Development Consultant who has spent over 20 years designing, developing, and securing projects for global Blue-Chip companies so she is well placed to help speakers. More about Mary Tillson Connect with Mary on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on Facebook Listen here: Podfollow Libsyn  Apple Podcasts  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.

In this episode of #SpeakingBusinessPodcast I talk to Will Kintish. Will was a Chartered Accountant for over 30 years. For the last 20 years, he has been showing us how to be more effective and confident networkers when attending physical events. Since Covid he has been teaching us how to do the same online. He is the author of the best-selling book “Business Networking -The Survival Guide”. Will shares how networking has changed since the Pandemic, but how it is still possible to successfully network online as well as face to face.  He also shares the key skills needed to network and what mistakes people tend to make when networking. More about Will Kintish Connect with Will on LinkedIn More about Maria Franzoni Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on Facebook Listen here: Podfollow Libsyn  Apple Podcasts  Stitcher Spotify This podcast was created using Alitu.  Powerfully simple recording and editing tools for podcasters.  Record your show, edit it in minutes, and publish directly to your host. Find out more and join here.