What Will I Say to the President?
In my post on my nomination for the Presidential Award for Innovation, John over at OneMansBlog wonders what I’m going to say to the President when I meet him (if there’ll be time for it). Good question. I’ve been wondering and to be honest, beyond the obvious greeting and stating that it’s an honor to meet him — I still haven’t decided on something specific. Being that I will be meeting him for the first time and around a handful of other people, my options might be limited.
The President did, however, recently discuss potential future energy resources in Iceland with Bill Gates, who believes Iceland has a great future in telecommunications due to pure energy resources. Here’s a quotation from local media:
[President] Grímsson told RÚV the Microsoft founder and CEO expressed an interest in Iceland’s technological knowledge at the meeting and said he believed the country had great potential in the field of telecommunications due to its pure energy sources.
According to Iceland’s president, all electrical power in Iceland comes from pure energy sources. That, combined with the fact that internet penetration rates and mobile phone usage in Iceland is very high, makes the country an ideal location for technological development.
Similarly, I’d heard that Google representatives had approached him on the same issues, but unfortunately I can’t find any news on it. In light of this, I’m tempted to try and strike up a discussion (if possible) on how he sees the future of software/telecommunications industry in Iceland. I’m quite interested to hear his opinion, actually — I’ll be working in that field full time soon enough. Software development in Iceland has been slowly coming about, but there’s still a lack of proper support for start-ups and innovation.
I’ll definitely be considering all the possibilities until the 28th when I meet him. Let me ask you; what would you talk to the president of your country about, provided that you’d be able to choose the topic? Internal matters? Personal matters? Comment away or drop me an email — I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
John Pozadzides
First of all, I think it’s a good idea to stick to what you know. So something technology related sounds like a good plan.
If it were me, I think I’d take a different approach. Politicians are well versed on a wide range of topics, but their knowledge of any given subject is usually fairly shallow. For this reason you’ll probably just get a concise and canned answer that is not very satisfying in the deeper sense.
If I were going to meet the President tomorrow I think I’d walk right up to him and say something like, “Mr. President, it is really an honor to meet you. I appreciate your stance on technological development, housing for the poor, and putting monkeys on the moon (…substitute your own three examples…).
I was wondering… personally I am globally recognized as an expert on Web development, Internet technology, and accessibility issues… Is there a way I could participate in helping your administration with any of the programs that deal with the Internet?”
Now, what does this do for you?
1.) Most importantly, you’ll make an impression. Everyone asks boring questions, you’re actually offering your expertise to help your fellow citizens. Politicians can relate.
2.) He might just take an interest in you and put you in contact with someone from his administration.
3.) This could result in an offer for you to serve in some voluntary capacity on a Presidential advisory committee, or something like that.
As soon as you are finished making your introduction be prepared to hand him a simple business card with just your personal name and contact information on it. Not your business information – just a personal calling card.
Here are a few other tips:
– Dress like you expect the President to be dressed. This most likely means a nice suit. If you don’t have one, go get one – not a cheap one. And get a nice shirt and shoes to go with it. You’re going to need this for a job interview anyway so make the investment. Think conservative.
– You’re going to be nervous, so prepare by memorizing your 30 second quip and practicing with several different friends. Put on your suit, walk right up to your friend and give them your speech. Actually DO THIS at least 20 times.
– Remember that although he is the President, he’s also just a man. He can be amused, entertained and impressed just like you and everyone else you know.
– Make sure and read up on him. It is empowering to have a lot of information on another person that you are meeting. But don’t mention anything you know about them unless they bring it up. Then only ask questions, don’t make statements.
Meeting the President face to face is an honor you’ve earned, and an opportunity. I would advise you to sieze it and take a chance at turning it into something a little bigger.
Good luck,
John
Feb 21st, 2007
Frank Roche
Ho Hrafn,
First, congratulations! That is a great honor.
Being yourself is key, I’d say, with talking with the president. He’s obviously a very smart and engaged man. And his interested in technology shows. I bet he’d like to hear from you about your enthusiasm for technology development in Iceland. I think you will find him as cheered to meet you as you are with him.
We will cheer you on from different places. I will cheer you from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S.
Feb 22nd, 2007
Endlessmix
I honestly don’t know what I’d say to Stephen Harper if I ever got the chance to meet him.
I’d probably ask him what his favourite Tim Horton’s donut is.
Feb 23rd, 2007
hthth
John, regarding political shallowness you had me giggling
I think the upside of asking him about this issue of all people is that he’s bound to have an overview of all the possible options, and so he’d be more apt to predict where things are headed/where he wants things to be headed.
You’re absolutely spot on with your advice — and it applies to almost any given circumstance where you’re meeting with important people. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write that, it helps! Maybe you should turn it into a blogpost?
Thanks Frank for your input as well, I appreciate it. I think your advice combined with John’s tip on a 30 sec. pitch is a strong move. You want to wave an idea without sounding like the dozens of opportunity seekers who follow business formulas. A sprinkle of personality might be correct remedy for that.
-hthth
Feb 23rd, 2007
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