Public Speaking: Testimonials

Polly Platt's speech was highly informative as well as entertaining and inspiring. It received top marks from the delegates.
KAREN MCLELLAN, marketing manager, EVCA symposium, about Polly Platt's keynote speech to a congress of 360 European Venture Capital Associates, from 13 countries in Barcelona, Spain

Polly Platt's presentation in French before a large group of French directors, without support-visuals, was greatly appreciated, as much for its content as for her display of eloquence. With much humor and with her knowledge of the subject, her acute perception and powerful personal anecdotes, she made the subject of cross-cultural differences in professional and social cultural behavior come alive. Her talk was instructive, stimulating and motivating -- a real dose of oxygen for the spirit.
MICHEL LEGER, partner, Arthur Andersen, after a talk a the New York Hotel, EuroDisney

At my request, as Chairman of the Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) World-wide Information Technology Committee (composed of 30 Accenture Senior Partners coming from all over the world, and all specialized in leading-edge information technology), reporting directly to Accenture's then CEO George T. Shaheen, Culture Crossing's Polly Platt was a guest speaker at our March1995 Session, organized at the Trianon Palace Hotel in Versailles.

For 90 minutes, she addressed the whole Group on the importance for Global Senior Management 1) of understanding in quite some depth the roots of some fundamental cultural differences that do exist between countries in their people's basic values in life and spontaneous behaviours, and 2) of finding ways to prevent/solve the sometimes rough interpersonal or even strategic clashes that those fundamental differences do trigger at times in business contexts.

Much of the content of Polly's speech caught this 'unprepared' audience (whose cultural dominance was vastly U.S./anglo-saxon, and English speaking) by surprise, and even more so did some of the 'live role-plays' she went through with some of the most Senior and mostly U.S. Partners in that Group.

She was quite remarkable at 'blowing up' with kindness and smiles a number of pre-conceived ideas that the visitors coming form America actually had about 'typical individual behaviours' from people in various European countries, and vice-versa, and at explaining what was really behind those sometimes widespread preconceived images ... The limited amount of interaction that such a 'surprise' topic triggered among the audience was a great catalyst to revealing the sort of self-censure that strong differences in cultures do trigger until the people really understand their roots and ways around.

Overall, a very much 'eye and ear opening' event, which I would definitely strongly recommend to multinationals' Senior Management, especially when dominance of one particular country is very strong.
JEAN-CLAUDE GUEZ, former Chairman of the World-wide Information Technology Advisory Committee, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting)

All my congratulations on your brilliant presentation... I found it stimulating and original... clear and professional, it had a great impact (on the audience) and helped them to better understand our country.
PATRICK GOYET, Director USA of Maison de la France, after a talk for the French Travel Spectacular, in Houston, Texas

As a veteran presenter at international related seminars, I can attest to the fact that Polly Platt's cross-cultural presentations are superb. Attendees are bound to have a better, more fulfilling and more enjoyable trip abroad after listening to her extraordinarily helpful hints and fascinating stories of traveling and living abroad.
DICK ATKINS, chairman, International Visitors Council, Philadelphia

Polly Platt's presentation at my university in November 2000 was a smash hit. Students, faculty, and others in attendance found what she had to offer about American and French cultural differences not only fascinating but humorous as well. Polly Platt clearly has her finger on the pulse of Franco-American relations.

A faculty member, who is French but has been living in the US for about 10 years, declared that she now understands why her actions were misperceived by Americans during her early days in the US.

In sum, Polly Platt's presentation was informative, entertaining, and eye opening. Thanks, Polly.
ROBERT FISCHER, Chair, Department of Modern Languages, Southwest Texas State University

Year after year, students of all ages who attend our International Media Seminar in Paris have rated Polly Platt's presentations among the very best events of the entire week. She opens new worlds for them -- and they remember what she says. Not only are her insights based on broad experience and careful research -- but she also presents them in such a compelling and entertaining way that the audience invariably is captivated.
LEE HUEBNER, Professor of Communication Studies and Journalism, Northwestern University, Chairman, Center for the Study of International Communications, Paris

Vous êtes intervenue à notre demande et celle de l'Association France Etats-Unis de la Somme à la CCI d'Amiens le jeudi 21 février 2002, pour une conférence sur le thème: "Differences culturelles entre la France et les Etats-Unis".

Je tenais par la présente à vous remercier et à vous féliciter pour votre prestation trés remarquée et appréciée par un public de 70 personnes composé d'étudiants, de chefs d'entreprises locaux et de cadres supérieurs.

L'analyse des bulletins d'appréciation des visiteurs est éloquent :
   70% ont jugé votre intervention trés intéressante
   30% intéressante
   0% peu intéressante

Je tenais personnellement à vous indiquer ces bons résultats, et j'espère que vous aurez l'occasion de présenter votre conférence dans d'autres CCI ou associations départementales France-Etats-Unis.
DANIEL CHENAL, Directeur du service Entreprises à la CCI Amiens

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