Mastering The Last Mile: Google Cloud’s Approach To Speaker Training and Readiness

Table of Contents: 

Introduction

Part 1: Laying the Groundwork: Crafting Compelling Content

• Milestones in speaker development
• Program planning and content creation
• Script writing and refining content 
• Building an authentic story

Part 2: Commanding the Stage 

• Body language: the unspoken message
• Harnessing the power of breathwork 
• Mastering vocal work and delivery
• Supporting a speaker on-stage

Part 3: The Last Mile 

• The culmination of preparation
• Creating the best environment for a speaker 

Conclusion

Introduction:

In the world of high-stakes events, the difference between a good presentation and a great one often comes down to the final moments before a speaker steps on stage—the "last mile." At Google Cloud, speaker training isn't just about teaching someone to speak; it's about preparing them to deliver their message with impact and confidence. 

Through a combination of meticulous content development, mastery of stage presence, and thoughtful preparation, Google Cloud has crafted a framework that ensures their speakers shine when it matters most.

Mark Ferrone, Head of Event Content at Google Cloud, and Allison Pearce, Lead Speaker Coach, shared their insights into this process in a recent interview hosted by Sessionboard. Their approach is not only about the logistics but also about fostering a deep connection between the speaker and the audience, making the content come alive.

You can watch the entire conversation on-demand here:

‍

‍Part 1: Laying the Groundwork: Crafting Compelling Content

Milestones in Speaker Development

Every successful speaker's journey begins with clear milestones. Setting these milestones early—well before the event—helps speakers focus on content rather than logistics. 

This involves scheduling the following as soon as a speaker is selected:

• Content meeting dates (minimum of 2) 
• Script locked deadline
• Rehearsals and table reads

Clear milestones help ensure that speakers can concentrate on refining their message without distractions. 

Program Planning and Content Development:

Planning is at the heart of Google Cloud’s approach. The content development process is long and iterative, often starting with the problems the speaker is helping customers solve, followed by a focus on what's new and how it differentiates them from competitors. 

Each presentation is uniquely designed to educate and engage the audience, which is why every session has its own audience learning objectives to help align the speaker to the goal of their presentation. 

Content development takes place up to 6 months prior to the event date, and the role of production plays a crucial role in training speakers in their content development. 

In the early production meetings, event content teams and speaker trainers can learn about all the elements at play, including: 

• What is the design and scale of the stage itself
• What are the technical aspects including teleprompters, mics, video equipment, and more
• How the selected speakers play into the live environment including their strength and weaknesses, areas of expertise, and what they bring for the audience. 

Once the speaker training and content teams have a grasp on production, they can begin to hold speakers accountable to the milestones in script writing and refining content. 

Script Writing and Refining Content:

Realistically, within the 6 month timeframe, the event content and speaker training teams aim to meet with speakers at least twice on script development.

The speaker training team is looking to for two core areas: 

1. Building an authentic story and hook
2. A round of development to ensure it resonates with the audience

Once these two milestones are set, the focus shifts to creating and refining the script. This involves not just writing the content but also making sure it resonates with the audience. 

As Allison Pearce notes, “it's crucial that the speaker trusts the content and is comfortable with it. This trust allows them to focus on delivery rather than the message itself.” 

Building an Authentic Story and Hook:

Creating an authentic story is key to engaging the audience. Allison enters the scene early in the content creation process, helping speakers find their hook—the element that draws the audience into their journey. This involves working closely with the speaker to build a narrative that feels genuine and compelling​

A great presentation is more than just a well-written script; it’s about passion. 

Allison works with speakers to reignite their excitement about the content, reminding them that although they may have rehearsed it many times, it's new to the audience. 

Techniques such as videoing themselves telling their favorite stories or using teleprompter cues to highlight key points help keep the delivery fresh and engaging.

From the outset, speakers are made aware of what is expected of them, not just in terms of content but also in terms of delivery. This includes understanding the importance of the first 30 seconds, which Allison describes as “the most critical moment in any presentation, where the speaker either hooks the audience or loses them”.

Part 2: Commanding the Stage: Mastering Presence and Delivery

The script is locked. The story is architected. The program is set. Now, our speakers move from content development into training for delivery. 

Body Language: The Unspoken Message:

How a speaker holds themselves on stage can be as important as what they say. Becoming aware of posture, gestures, and movement onstage is a major component that pairs with the words being spoken from stage. Body language builds trust and connection with the audience. 

Pro Tip: have speakers record video of themselves talking to gain awareness of body language and help eliminate ticks that could distract the audience. 

At Google Cloud, the team actually builds a replica of the stage on the company campus, and brings speaker onsite to rehearse in the event space so that they can get a feel for how they will move around the stage and interact with the audience. 

The value of practice also helps speakers get more comfortable with the teleprompter, clickers, microphones, and other technical assets that factor into their stage presence. 

Harnessing the Power of Breath Work:

Breath is the foundation of good speaking. Allison teaches speakers various breathing techniques, such as the box breath, to help them stay grounded and present. This not only calms nerves but also ensures the speaker’s voice remains strong and steady throughout the presentation​. 

Mastering Vocal Work and Delivery:

Vocal work is about more than just speaking clearly; it’s about conveying emotion and connecting with the audience. Allison helps speakers develop their vocal delivery, ensuring they can modulate their voice to keep the audience engaged and convey the importance of their message.

Supporting a Speaker on Stage:

On-stage support can make or break a presentation. From using cue cards to managing live demos, ensure that speakers are fully prepared for any situation. And always have a back up plan for live demos as technical difficulties can be more common. 

When it comes to a speaker navigating a live demo from stage, the selection of this speaker in particular is critical to the success of the session. 

Speakers performing live demos must be: 

• Quick on their feet 
• Able to fill empty space spontaneously
• Navigate technical issues with ease 
• Humorous and engaging 

Part 3: The Last Mile: Perfecting the Final Moments

The Culmination of Preparation

The last mile is where all the preparation comes together. It’s the final few minutes before a speaker steps on stage, and it's critical to get it right. Mark describes how his team creates a rehearsal space that mimics the actual event environment as closely as possible, helping speakers visualize and feel what it will be like when they’re in front of an audience​. 

The last mile is more than just the final moments before a presentation; it’s a mindset. It’s about transitioning from content development and rehearsal to live delivery. This transition is crucial, as it prepares the speaker to move from ideation to execution, ensuring they are ready to deliver their message with confidence​. 

And the environment must be right to have the speaker in the best frame of mind before stepping out on stage. 

Creating the Best Environment for a Speaker

The environment in which a speaker prepares can significantly impact their performance. These are the final critical moments that a speaker can feel supported and boost their confidence. This includes ensuring that the energy backstage is calm and positive, and the speaker has exactly what they need to focus entirely on their delivery. 

Conclusion:

Google Cloud’s approach to speaker training is a testament to the power of preparation, passion, and precision. By focusing on content development, mastering stage presence, and perfecting the last mile, they ensure that their speakers are not only ready to deliver but are set up for success. This framework can serve as a model for any organization looking to elevate their speaker training programs and ensure their events are impactful and memorable.