Comments on Panels Are For The Audience Not the SpeakersTypePad2009-01-31T16:29:35ZAndy Abramsonhttps://andyabramson.blogs.com/voipwatch/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://andyabramson.blogs.com/voipwatch/2009/01/panels-are-for-the-audience-not-the-speakers/comments/atom.xml/Alan Reiter commented on 'Panels Are For The Audience Not the Speakers'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451b99869e201116839e362970c2009-02-01T19:27:27Z2009-02-01T19:27:27ZAlan Reiterhttp://profile.typepad.com/reiterHi Andy, I completely agree. I've always considered panelists "fodder" for the audience! Unfortunately, too many moderators are suck-ups because...<p>Hi Andy,</p>
<p>I completely agree. I've always considered panelists "fodder" for the audience! </p>
<p>Unfortunately, too many moderators are suck-ups because they either are cut from the same corporate-cowardice cloth as the panelists or don't want to offend them by asking questions the audience really wants to hear.</p>
<p>I've been accused, with some truth, of being too nasty as a moderator. So several years ago I switched to being nicer, but no less aggressive in questioning panelists. </p>
<p>The worst format for a panel is typically where everyone presents PowerPoint slides, with little or no time for questions. The best format is typically no PowerPoints, with panelists answering questions directly from the moderator -- to get things started -- and then taking questions from the audience.</p>