| So, you've been asked to give an acceptance | | | | the award if it was given to you on behalf of |
| speech on behalf of your organization and you | | | | your team or organization. Under no |
| don't know what to say. You do know however, | | | | circumstances is it appropriate to imply that you |
| that you want to leave your audience with a | | | | are not worthy of receiving the award. This is |
| presentation that is funny, emotionally moving and | | | | insulting to the people who gave it to you. It is |
| memorable. But where do you start? Here are a | | | | appropriate however, to praise everyone else |
| few tips that will get you through the experience | | | | who was under consideration for the award. |
| with flying colors. | | | | 2. Acknowledge the people in your organization |
| Before you begin crafting your presentation, take | | | | who made it possible for you to win the award. If |
| a moment to understand the psychology of an | | | | your team is a small group, ask them to stand |
| award ceremony. Consider the role the people in | | | | and acknowledge them individually while mentioning |
| the audience played in your standing before them | | | | their specific role in your success. If you are |
| with an award in hand. What do they want from | | | | accepting the award on behalf of a large group, |
| you? What do they expect from you? What can | | | | ask them to stand and acknowledge them as a |
| you do or say that will make them feel good | | | | group. |
| about themselves and their decision to present | | | | Here is a quick rule of thumb. If you have time to |
| you and/or your association with this award? | | | | say something nice about everyone in your group, |
| Once you understand the answer to these | | | | do it. If you don't have time to say something |
| questions, you'll be well on your way to giving the | | | | nice about everyone in your group, don't call out |
| acceptance speech of a lifetime. | | | | anyone individually. It is better to avoid mentioning |
| I've had the opportunity to give more than one | | | | anyone than it is to forget even one person. The |
| acceptance speech in my career, and this is what | | | | only exception to this rule is if everyone in your |
| I've learned from those experiences. If you do a | | | | group knows that a particular individual played a |
| good job, you will quickly discover that the | | | | key role in you receiving this award. Then, and |
| appreciation the audience had for you before your | | | | only then is it OK to call them out by name. |
| speech will pale in comparison to how they will | | | | 3. Tell a story about how you got involved with |
| feel about you after your speech. Giving a | | | | this organization or how this project has impacted |
| humorous and gracious acceptance speech that | | | | you, your family and/or your business. It's a good |
| makes the audience feel good about themselves, | | | | idea to list at least three things and be as specific |
| is the most powerful, career enhancing, | | | | as possible. |
| relationship building experience you will ever have. | | | | 4. If anything funny or inspiring happened during |
| Please don't take this speaking opportunity lightly. | | | | the project, mention it here. What did you learn |
| Generally you are going to find three different | | | | from the wonderful people you associated with |
| groups of people in the audience. The first group | | | | on this project? How are you going to be a |
| is composed of the people on your staff or within | | | | different and better person because of your |
| your organization who helped you achieve the | | | | association with this organization? How is the |
| award. The second group is made up of the | | | | world a better place because of what this |
| people responsible for giving you and/or your | | | | association has done and is doing? Answer one or |
| organization the award. And the third group | | | | more of those questions in a funny and inspiring |
| includes people who have nothing to do with your | | | | way and you will move the audience to tears. |
| award. They typically include spouses and invited | | | | 5. Pause to thank the people responsible for giving |
| guests. Your job is to make certain that all three | | | | you the award. This is the most important part of |
| groups are acknowledged and rewarded by your | | | | your speech. This is your opportunity to be |
| comments. That's all there is to it. And it's not a | | | | sincere and thankful and appreciative for the |
| bad idea to give them something to chuckle about | | | | wonderful opportunity you have been given. |
| along the way. | | | | If time permits, thank everyone involved in |
| One quick word of warning. It is not appropriate | | | | making this award possible. Don't rely on your |
| to brag about why you won the award or tell the | | | | memory. Take a piece of paper with the names |
| audience what you did to overtake your | | | | of everyone you want to thank to the podium |
| competition. This is a time to be gracious and | | | | with you. You don't have to look at it, but if you |
| thankful. You're only goal is make everyone in the | | | | need it, it's there in your hand. |
| audience feel good about themselves and this is | | | | 6. Close your speech with a moving comment. |
| how you do it. | | | | Your audience will remember you and leave the |
| 1. Start your presentation by immediately thanking | | | | event with complete confidence that they gave |
| the people who gave you the award. Make sure | | | | the award to the right person. |
| you thank them on behalf of all the recipients of | | | | 7. Have fun, be humble and be brief. |