If there’s one topic of conversation that keeps coming up time and again at our Lioness Lean In and Start-up Night! Africa events, particularly when I’m chatting to the women entrepreneurs who are our guest speakers and pitchers, it’s that they are not confident public speakers. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the word used most often by many of them is that they are nervous about taking to the stage and speaking in public to an audience. Yet, it’s a skill that is worth learning as it’s good for business. Chances are at some point you will have to talk to a group of investors, or perhaps do a live television or radio interview, or speak at an industry conference on your specialist subject, or address your employees. Public speaking is part of the journey for entrepreneurs, and remember there is no one better than you, as the founder of your business, to speak on its behalf. Fortunately, effective public speaking is a communication skill that can be learned. And, as I have seen many times before at our Lionesses of Africa events, often the most reticent public speaker can turn into a star on stage.
Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! - Melanie