Principals

If you've never used an "outside" writer before, you may not know what to expect. Well, here's what one brand new client had to say about the first speech I wrote for her:

"This was fantastic. I thought it was going to take a lot more work than it did, but the draft you put together was right on...I look forward to working with you again."

Another client--a longtime collaborator--said this about my first draft of a speech for his CEO:

"In this instance, John, I didn't publicize that you wrote the basic speech. On the other hand, I'm not claiming credit for the remarks, either. People can think what they think. As a writer to a writer, I apologize, but as a speechwriter to a speechwriter, we know how it goes. Essentially, 'we' wrote this speech. As you know, though, I always recommend you 1st and foremost when somebody needs a writer... I really appreciate your help. Made a tough stretch tolerable for me."

The common thread? When you invite me in on a project, you get a problem-solver--not a prima donna. My goal is to help you get the message across, clearly and effectively. And being able to draw on my 25-plus years as a business professional? That's just a bonus, at no extra charge!

• I've written sales meeting presentations and business speeches for dozens of companies (in almost as many industries), so I can get up-to-speed quickly on your issues and market dynamics.

• I offer dependability in a crunch--such as the time when a good client took on a new job, and discovered that her CEO/boss was scheduled to speak at not one...not two...but three high-profile venues in a couple of weeks. She asked me to write the speeches, even though I'd never done work in her new industry before. Why? Because she knew I'd get the words right--and she could count on me for speed, reliability and insight, too.

• I find power in patterns. A big part of the value I deliver is helping you "connect the dots" in unexpected ways--offering inventive opportunities to communicate, persuade, motivate.

• I'm naturally curious about my clients' big ideas--even the ones that, to some, might seem incredibly esoteric. And I try to make sure that excitement shows in the work I do.

Outside the office...

I'm not quite the voracious reader I once was...but I still enjoy page-turners in a variety of genres. I play a little golf, too. And I spend a fair amount of time leading and participating in men's retreats--encountering both profound mystery and bountiful opportunity for personal growth in the Christian fellowship shared during such weekends.

My wife Gerri and I officially became empty-nesters in 2010, when our daughter Ellen graduated from Xavier University in May. (Feel free to ask me about Ellen's senior thesis art show--what a happening!)

We became in-laws in 2010, too--when our son Brian joined hands with Sarah, to begin their new life together as husband and wife.

Meanwhile, our first-born, Chris, is beginning Theology studies in the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)--inching ever closer to his ordination to the priesthood.

Curriculum Vitae

People have been introducing me lately as a strategist/writer. It's supposed to be a compliment. The fact is, I write, and what I write has to make sense. When there isn't enough strategy to support the speech writing, well, I do strategy.

I was writing a speech a few years ago that required me to seek input-that didn't exist, as it turned out-from a corporate attorney. She told me, "This company will NOT make policy through speeches." Maybe not in that speech, but every other speech I've written for her company since 1994 has set a policy, manufactured a vision, or foreshadowed a strategy.

My favorite relationships have been those in which I was part of the thinking process for leaders such as:

• The president of Volkswagen of America, who would call and say, "Meet me in Atlanta on Monday. I want you to sit in on a regional meeting and then turn it into a speech."
• The president of Fisher Controls, who would tell me, "We're taking Nabisco through the Pensacola plant next week. I want you to be there, listen to what everybody says, and find something new for my ISA speech in Pittsburgh."
• The president of Multimedia Broadcasting, who would call from Cleveland and say, "We're up here doing due diligence on acquiring the NBC affiliate. I want you to fly up tomorrow, sit in on our debrief, and then write up our proposal to the Board." Speech writing and strategy are like music and lyrics. Which comes first? How does it happen? We don't know; it's a mystery.
• Read more about my approach to speech writing at www.seylewords.com.