Speaking

Speaking | Topics | Tone | FAQs | Testimonials

I love speaking at interesting, inspiring, and positive events. If your next event needs an experienced, energetic, detail oriented speaker – with a dash of British humour –  I hope you will consider me.

Speaking

I’ve been speaking at events for more than two decades – and in over 40 countries worldwide. I have presented to audiences large and small as a keynote, contributor, panel member, and moderator. I use real life examples from my own experience in international sales and consulting, and from my clients’ success stories ensuring my presentations are relevant and compelling.

I present in English and can support non-English speaking audiences with translated materials and working with interpreters. I am comfortable working with presentations in Russian and German  – where I have some knowledge of the language.

Feedback from my presentations is always very positive and I am regularly invited back to conferences where I have spoken before. I’m confident I can bring value to your audience and contribute your event’s success.

My style is fast-paced and detailed. Like many speakers I thrive on audience interaction and take questions during or after a presentation. I aim to engage, inspire, and motivate the audience.

Speaking Topics

My message is simple being international is great for business and a lot of fun! I help the audience be more successful internationally by discussing sales strategies and techniques, global web presence, the use language and culture, and related technologies.

The topics I enjoy speaking about most are:

• International sales and marketing
• Multilingual websites
• Improving your global web presence
• Languages in business
• The business benefits translation and localization
• Multilingual WordPress websites (especially using multisite)
• International Search Engine Optimization
• International Social Media
• Languages and international careers (usually delivered to language students and school children)

I prefer to use examples and concepts directly related to your audience, so information about the audience in advance is really useful.

Tone, humour, and interactivity

Every event has its own ‘personality’, whether that is formal, serious, informative, upbeat, or celebratory. I adjust my style based on the ‘feel’ of an event when I’m there and ideally event organisers will give a indication in advance of the tone they require for my presentation.

FAQs

Can you send me a speaker biography and profile picture?

My bios and photos can be found on my Speaker Kit page.

How do I book you to speak?

Please use the form on my contact page.

Can we film and/or audio record your presentation?

Yes, providing:

• you correctly attribute my copyright (and any other in content)
• link to my website
• let me know in advance in case I need to remove any material from the presentation which should not be shared publicly.

Can you promote our event on your social media channels and website?

Yes and if you send logos and other images I will integrate those as appropriate in the postings.

Our audience doesn’t speak English, how can you help?

I’m happy to work with interpreters (consecutive or simultaneous, booth or on-stage). I can meet with the interpreters in advance so they can get used to my speech patterns and review my presentation materials. Please note I do not work with a prepared word-for-word script. I can supply presentation content in advance for you to translate.

Speaking Testimonials

Thank you once again for your valuable contribution to the NGTV anniversary congress NGTV and for your flexibility. Specifically about your presentation, we have received compliments like: “nice and informative”, “very useful”, interesting and entertaining”, “super!!!”, “very nice, charming speaker” “experienced speaker”, “interactive and educational”, “funny”. Most people have assessed your presentation by giving the numbers 4 (“good”) or 5 (“very good”).
Nederlands Genootschap van Tolken en Vertalers (NGTV)

First of all thank you for all your help and promotion of the TTT Conference, for all your Tweets and Facebook posts! I would like to thank you now officially for being a part of our TTT Conference Speakers Team and for a great and impressive presentation of the topic that is of high importance for all of us no matter if we are LSPs or FLs. And you already know, you made your presentation unforgettable with the music (and candies, of course)! I loved that! So, thank you once again for helping us make this TTT Conference such a pleasant and memorable experience and a great success!

TTT Conference

Dear Doug,

On behalf of the Madison International Trade Association (MITA) and its Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for speaking at the October 10th seminar, “5 Steps for International Sales Success”.

We’ve received many positive comments on you presentation from those that attended this popular MITA event. The knowledge and experience you shared at the event will be of great value to Wisconsin’s international business community. Your presentation on international markets, and your company’s expertise on sales marketing details as well as prospects and challenges when dealing with foreign marketplaces, was very important for our attendees who are currently exporting, and to those who are considering the sale of their products into these important
markets.

We look forward to seeing you at future MITA events when visiting Madison. Thank you again for sharing your expertise and helping us meet our goal of connecting, informing and empowering Wisconsin businesses interested in international trade.

Michael Gay
President
Madison International Trade Association (MITA)
View original PDF letter.