Siddhant Bhansali - It's Important To Remember That Your Speech Should Be Focused On Your Audience, Not On Yourself (Speaker, Business Coach from India)

While delivering your speech, it's important to stay attuned to your audience's reactions and adjust your message accordingly. Be yourself, use humor and personal anecdotes to connect with your audience, and utilize effective language to convey your ideas clearly.

1. Tell us more about what you do and what led you to speak on this platform.

I’ve been an entrepreneur and a business coach for almost 20 years. I’ve worked in large organizations like Microsoft and I’ve also set up new companies from scratch! I’ve worked in tech firms as well as non-tech firms. But the most joyous part of my career is the fact that I’ve had the pleasure of guiding more than 300 entrepreneurs over the years and I cherish their success as my own!

Given my extensive experience guiding entrepreneurs; schools and colleges typically reach out to me for talks and workshops around entrepreneurship. This is because they are trying to get their students to be more self-reliant and become job creators rather than job seekers.

Companies reach out to me because they are looking for help in creating an “intrapreneurship setup” within their organizations. I have some specialized training on this topic.

Combined with my experience with hundreds of startups, I am uniquely placed to help companies leverage the energy and dynamism of a startup, and leverage the strength and resources of an established company. I work with organizations to create the right culture and environment, sort of like a mini-accelerator to promote ideas from both within and outside the company.

2. How do you choose and prepare for a talk?

When it comes to the actual preparation for a talk, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Firstly, it's important to understand the audience and tailor the talk to their needs and interests. This can involve researching the demographics of the audience, as well as understanding what specific outcomes the client wants to achieve from the talk.

Secondly, it's important to structure the talk in a way that is engaging and easy to follow. This could involve using anecdotes or stories to support the context, incorporating visual aids to add impact, and including various forms of humor and activities to keep the audience engaged.

Practice is also essential for delivering a successful talk. Rehearsing multiple times and asking for feedback from trusted sources can help to identify areas of improvement and refine the content. It's also important to anticipate any potential questions or concerns that may arise and have the necessary research done in advance.

Finally, choosing the right topic is key to delivering a successful talk. It should be something that resonates with both the speaker and the audience. It should be something that enlightens and inspires the audience. Whatever the topic, the objective should be to create a powerful impact so that people get motivated to act.

3. Tell us about your career before being a public speaker and what led you to this career path? 

After working as a Computer Engineer for several years and subsequently pursuing an MBA from ISB, I was helping two American companies set up operations in India. It was during this time that I got some insightful advice from my friend Varun Chawla, who is one of the co-founders of 91Springboard, one of India’s largest co-working spaces. He observed that I was going out of my way to help some of my fellow entrepreneurs with their various challenges. He said that I might be well suited to become a professional mentor and business coach!

I know I am able to build a great rapport with people because I pay attention to what they are saying. Combining that with the knowledge and experience that I had, I am able to delve deeply into the root causes of the problems they are facing and help them solve them.

That was back in 2012. Now, I’ve guided hundreds of entrepreneurs, given talks in various countries, and never looked back. Being involved in this space is now core to my identity and I love helping people through their various business and personal challenges!

4. Can motivational speaking become a full-time career?

Yes, motivational speaking can become a full-time career for those who have a passion for inspiring and motivating others. However, it may not be suited to everyone, so I would urge caution before jumping into this field (or any other field for that matter) without having a good understanding of what it entails.

Motivational speakers are typically hired to deliver speeches at various events, or conduct workshops. You will need to use your experiences, stories, and expertise to motivate and inspire the audience to take action, work towards their goals, and overcome whatever obstacles that may come their way.

To become a full-time motivational speaker, you need to have excellent communication skills, and the ability to connect with your audience. You should also have a niche or a specific topic that you want to specialize in – and that should be something in which you have at least some experience.

Regardless of whether you have these skills right now or not, you just need to work on developing them. Remember – these are JUST skills and skills can be learned. No one, repeat, NO ONE, was perfect the first time they did anything. All you need to do is focus on making the next time better than the last time.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.” – James Clear

5. Which is your favorite talk ever and how did it change your life?

A long time back I watched Brené Brown's talk, "The Power of Vulnerability," and it left a profound impact on me. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop whatever you’re doing and watch it right away!

As entrepreneurs, we often feel the pressure to maintain a strong and confident facade at all times. We're expected to be the leaders, the decision-makers, and the problem-solvers. But what Brené Brown's talk reminded me is that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength.

She explained that vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities. We become more empathetic and compassionate towards others, which helps us build stronger relationships and ultimately, a better business.

I realized that vulnerability doesn't mean being weak or helpless. It means being honest and authentic about our experiences, our failures, and our struggles. It means being willing to ask for help when we need it and being open to feedback and criticism. This kind of vulnerability takes courage and strength, and it's what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who simply go through the motions.

Overall, Brené Brown's talk on "The Power of Vulnerability" was a game-changer for me. As entrepreneurs, we must learn to be comfortable with discomfort and uncertainty. And when we do, we can unlock our full potential and achieve our greatest success.

6. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?

In order to deliver the best speech possible, there are a variety of strategies that can be adopted. It’s best to explore and see which ones work for you.

First and foremost, it's important to remember that your speech should be focused on your audience, not on yourself. Before crafting your message, take the time to learn about your listeners so you can tailor your words, information, and overall presentation to best suit their needs and interests.

In addition, it's essential to organize your material in a clear and effective manner that will help you achieve your desired outcome. Start by creating a framework for your speech, including the topic, general and specific purposes, central idea, and main points. And remember, it's crucial to capture your audience's attention from the start.

While delivering your speech, it's important to stay attuned to your audience's reactions and adjust your message accordingly. Be yourself, use humor and personal anecdotes to connect with your audience, and utilize effective language to convey your ideas clearly.

Nonverbal communication is also key to a successful speech, so be mindful of your voice and body language. Avoid nervous gestures and focus on delivering your message in a confident and engaging manner.

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow.” – Dalai Lama

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

“Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!”

An outstanding book about this theoretical physicist which completely turns whatever opinion you may have about scientists! Here was a person who not only was stellar in his field but applied that love to all aspects of his life. I would be robbing the reader of the joy of reading this book if I were to describe it any further, but I would strongly suggest people read this to get inspired at any time, at any stage of life.

Brief Bio:

Siddhant Bhansali has been a long-time mentor and advisor to over 300 startups across the world. With over 20 years of technology and business experience, he has helped and guided hundreds of entrepreneurs from all walks of life. He’s given talks on entrepreneurship to several schools, and colleges, and at esteemed national and international forums such as NASSCOM FinTech Summit, Franchise India, 91Springboard, NASA Space Apps, and Startup-Chile, amongst others. He has an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and a B.Tech. from the University of Illinois (UIUC).

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Interviewed By - Mitali Jain