Last week, we kicked off our first-ever Expert Showdown, a 60-minute workshop featuring two experts sharing their knowledge in a friendly competition.
The event, hosted by yours truly, brought together professionals eager to learn and expand their horizons.
The Format
Each expert had 20 minutes to present their topic, followed by a brief Q&A. At the end, attendees voted for their favorite presentation. The format was a fun twist on professional workshops.
The Experts
Madeline Vu: Healing With Mother Earth
Madeline Vu, a healing expert, discussed the importance of reconnecting with nature for our well-being. She shared insights on humanity’s disconnection from the earth and led attendees through a quick 5-minute practice to rebuild that connection. Madeline’s session was both informative and experiential, leaving participants with a tangible tool to incorporate into their daily lives.
Ari Zelmanow: Building a Business Case in 60 Seconds
Ari Zelmanow, a user research expert and former detective, presented a framework called POSTER (Problem, Outcome, Solution, Tactics, Evidence, Risks) for creating compelling business cases. He demonstrated how to use this method to communicate ideas effectively in just 60 seconds, emphasizing its applicability in various professional settings.
The Outcome
While both presentations were well-received, Ari’s session on building business cases edged out as the winner.
But everyone was a winner—attendees gained valuable knowledge, and experts reached new audiences.
The mashup of two seemingly disparate topics—healing with nature and building business cases—proved to be unexpectedly refreshing. This unique combination offered attendees a diverse learning experience, touching on both personal well-being and professional skills.
Wins All Around
The Expert Showdown wasn’t just beneficial for attendees. Both presenters saw tangible gains from their participation. Madeline successfully promoted her course, while both experts gained several new followers and newsletter subscribers. This demonstrates the power of the format in not only educating but also in helping experts expand their reach.
The Expert Showdown proved to be a refreshing take on virtual workshops, combining learning with a touch of friendly competition and offering benefits for both attendees and presenters. We’re excited to see how this format evolves in future sessions!
Stay tuned for our next Expert Showdown, where we’ll continue to bring you diverse topics and expert insights in this innovative format.
(Interested in speaking or presenting at one? The speaker guide is here.)
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