Public speaking & event chairing

Conversations that shouldn't be avoided - and how to have them
You may have noticed that some conversations - financial, legal, structural - sometimes just don't do anything at all to advance or improve things.

That's because while those conversations may be necessary, another kind of conversation needs to happen first.

Maybe about the fairness of distribution, or maybe about lacking trust owing to past decisions, or perhaps about initiating a change process while relations are still good and not yet strained or contentious.

And there are many more conversations that should happen, but don't.

Those conversations - the ones we tend to avoid because they seem to be too difficult - are the most common cause of problems in family business.

This talk names the patterns, normalises the discomfort, and offers a way through.

Succession is a family decision, not just a business one
The mechanics of succession are well documented, but the human reality of it - the complexity, the identity shifts, the unspoken expectations - rarely gets the attention it deserves. This talk changes that.

How to properly transition a founder-CEO

This is the first time the leader of the business will change, and it’s a huge step. And: there is no playbook to pull off the shelf.

I've learned the intricacies of doing this right, carefully guiding founder CEO's through this transition.

Supporting them to let go of their executive function, to define their new roles, to trust the new CEO and the leadership team with their legacy, be they family or not.

In this talk the audience will learn how to sequence this most meaningful passing of the baton, what pitfalls and challenges lie ahead, and how to create a successful outcome that suits both the family, the ownership group and the business.

What the next generation actually needs
Not necessarily a seat at the table, but a genuine understanding of what they're inheriting.

This talk helps people see why that conversation needs to start sooner than most families think.

For advisors: what your family business clients aren't telling you
The inbetween is where some of the most significant conversations happen - at the intersection of technical advising, and the interpersonal challenges that your clients live in.

A talk designed specifically for professional services audiences - lawyers, accountants, wealth managers, family office professionals - who work with business families and want to serve them better, and who want a better grip on topics and conversations that are outside their technical expertise.

For advisors:stuck with your family business clients?
Your client finding themselves in a tight spot with their family?

For advisors who find themselves desperate to help clients unlock their potential, while acknowledging that your ‘lane’ doesn’t extend into dealing with the whole family system or the business system.

This can be a tricky place to find yourself - contracted to only advise an individual or a family so representing the whole client system is impossible.

This talk gives advisors practical tools and frameworks to help your family enterprise clients with their challenges, so you can get back to doing what your were hired to do.

Note: This list of topics is not exhaustive. Contact me for a conversation on what kind of talk your group needs.

Keynote
A standalone talk, typically 30–45 minutes, suitable for conferences, association events, and professional dinners. Tailored to your audience and theme.

Panel Contribution
As an experienced and engaging panel speaker I’m comfortable challenging received wisdom in the room and contributing perspectives that shift the conversation.

Facilitated Session or Workshop
For audiences who want to move beyond listening into thinking together. A facilitated session gives delegates a direct experience of the kind of work The Mickel Practice does — and often sparks conversations that continue long after the room empties.

Private Client Event Chairing
For professional services firms, family offices, and advisors who want to place my expertise in front of their clients or candidate clients.

A powerful way to add value to an existing or potential client relationship whilst opening a conversation about something that genuinely matters.

Your investment will depend on the format, duration, location, and nature of the event.

My work is intended to have the most impact I can generate, so I can only accept invitations where the audience, theme, occasion and compensation are a genuine fit.

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and we'll find an arrangement that works.