Speeches and Seminars

I give seminars, workshops and speeches on a broad variety of subjects, categorized into four main areas: Strategy, Client Relations, Management and Careers.

You can read about some seminars topics here, and specific seminar materials in each of these areas are available for download.

These materials are NOT a fixed presentation, but are meant as choices from which management can discuss with me the themes, specific topics (and specific messages) that they wish to be conveyed.

To ensure that what I have to say is in line with what management is trying to accomplish, it is almost always necessary to discuss and plan my role at meetings with firm management, rather than only planning committees or (just) people in an administrative role.

In designing sessions together with clients, I place a great deal of emphasis on trying to understand and clarify the business goals that management has, and how any meeting presentation fits with achieving these goals. See my article Why (Most) Training Is Useless.

When the time comes to discuss the presentation, I believe it essential that the meeting not only has an agenda, but that clear goals for the meeting are selected. Among the choices are:

1. Is the session designed to serve the individuals in the group as individuals, or is it intended to discuss what the firm should be doing?
2. Is the session meant to be broad, covering many topics, or deep, exploring a few topics in depth?
3. Is the session meant to be informative, educational or stimulating, or is it designed to result in decisions and action plans?
4. Is the audience best served with insight, understanding and new ways of thinking, or are they primarily looking for practical “hot tips”?

1. Do you wish for me to work with you as a general industry expert, or do you want me to comment and give advice on the specifics of your firm?

   Each of this will require different use of time, and different amounts of preparation. Given session time limitations, hard choices usually must be made among these differing goals.

   Where the client approves, I often make extensive use of voting machines at seminars and speeches, allowing extensive interaction and a continuous explicit understanding of what issues and proposed actions are supported by the group (see Meeting Goals in the “materials” section of this website).

   To discuss my involvement in speeches, seminars and workshops, contact me directly at

   Email: David [at] DavidMaister [dot] com
   Telephone: 617-262-5968

   To discuss the costs and availability of using voting machines at your meetings, contact:

   Jennifer Johnson
   President
   Express Interactive Solutions
   433 S. 7th Street, Suite 2005
   Minneapolis, MN 55415
   602.740.4700 (Direct)
   602.992.5588 (Fax)
   JJohnson [at] expsolutions [dot] com