How to Introduce a Speaker Professionally — The TIQS Model for Executives and MCs

Most MCs treat speaker introductions as a minor formality. They mumble, improvise, skim the Bio, or rush through it as if it doesn’t matter. But in business settings—especially in 日本企業 and 外資系企業—this moment is part of your personal and professional brand. The audience is judging you on clarity, confidence, and professionalism.

A poor introduction insults the speaker, confuses the audience, and lowers the perceived quality of the entire event. A great introduction sets the stage, builds anticipation, and elevates everyone.

Mini-Summary: Introductions shape first impressions of the speaker—and of YOU. Treat them as high-stakes communication opportunities.

Every experienced speaker has suffered through sloppy introductions. Typical problems include:

• The MC skipping important parts of the Bio

• Dates pronounced incorrectly

• Key achievements left out

• Improvised additions that are irrelevant or inaccurate

• A tone that feels casual, awkward, or unprofessional

As a speaker, you provide a carefully crafted introduction to position your credibility and prime the audience. When the MC mishandles it, it diminishes your authority and undermines the talk before it even begins.

Mini-Summary: A poorly delivered Bio weakens the speaker’s authority and disrupts audience confidence.

The MC is the bridge between the audience and the speaker. Their job is to:

• Quiet the room

• Focus audience attention

• Build anticipation and relevance

• Create a smooth and respectful transition

However, the MC must avoid overstepping by describing too much of the speaker’s content or trying to “take over” the moment. The introduction should be short, sharp, and compelling.

This aligns with Dale Carnegie’s プレゼンテーション研修 principles: prepare the audience emotionally, then hand the stage to the speaker without delay.

Mini-Summary: The MC prepares the audience—not by speaking long, but by speaking well.

The TIQS Model provides a simple, reliable framework for introducing a speaker professionally. It works in corporate seminars, webinars, executive briefings, academic events, and conferences.

Reconfirm the topic or title of the talk.

• Attendees may have forgotten what they signed up for.

• This resets their attention and aligns expectations.

• It signals the formal beginning of the content portion of the event.

Mini-Summary: Start by anchoring everyone around the subject of the presentation.

Explain why the topic matters for the audience.

• Reinforce the value they will gain.

• Sell the relevance of the session.

• Demonstrate the hosting organization’s commitment to bringing meaningful content.

The MC is essentially the salesperson for the talk—promoting its significance.

Mini-Summary: Highlight why the audience is lucky to be in the room today.

Introduce the speaker’s credibility.

• Use the speaker’s provided introduction—don’t improvise.

• Clarify titles, achievements, and career highlights beforehand.

• If no introduction is provided, do basic research to avoid errors.

This step reassures the audience that the speaker is the right expert for this topic.

Mini-Summary: Position the speaker as the authoritative voice the audience can trust.

Create a moment of anticipation—then deliver the name with energy and clarity.

• The audience knows the name, but this moment still adds formality and focus.

• Invite the audience to join you in a warm round of applause.

• Signal the speaker to come to the stage.

Example:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming today’s speaker, Dr. Greg Story.”

Mini-Summary: Build the final moment of excitement and transition the spotlight to the speaker.

Use the same model, but adjust the flow:

1. State your name and organization.

2. Briefly introduce the topic.

3. Explain the importance of the subject.

4. Mention your qualifications without sounding self-promotional.

Then segue directly into the talk.

Mini-Summary: When self-introducing, use TIQS as a quick, polished structure.

Because most people do introductions poorly, it is remarkably easy to stand out. With TIQS you can instantly elevate:

• Your executive presence

• Your brand as a communicator

• How others perceive your leadership

• The professionalism of your organization

This is one of the simplest “high-impact, low-effort” skills an executive can master.

Mini-Summary: Doing introductions well puts you in the top 1%—because so few people do.

• Introductions are branding moments—treat them as such.

• Avoid sloppy, inaccurate, or self-centered openings.

• Use the TIQS Model: Topic → Importance → Qualifications → Speaker.

• A polished introduction strengthens your reputation and elevates the event.

• Never freestyle a Bio; use the prepared version to protect the speaker’s credibility.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.