Dr
Makwiranzou
told
Senate
on
Thursday
that
the
new
law,
H.B.
1,
2025,
aims
to
end
long-standing
conflicts
between
mining
companies
and
rural
communities.
He
was
responding
to
a
question
from
Senator
Chief
Chikwaka,
who
raised
concerns
about
communities
being
displaced
by
mining
operations
without
proper
compensation
or
suitable
living
conditions.
Chief
Chikwaka
said
that
although
Zimbabwe
welcomes
foreign
mining
investors
under
the
“open
for
business”
policy,
many
villagers
are
being
relocated
to
inhospitable
areas
without
their
livelihoods
being
improved.
“We
are
glad
that
Zimbabwe
is
open
for
business…
However,
we
have
a
challenge.
What
is
government
policy
regarding
the
allocation
of
licences
where
miners
displace
local
communities?
You
find
that
people
are
just
relocated
without
improving
their
lives,”
he
said.
Dr
Makwiranzou
said
that
mining
cannot
begin
without
an
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
(EIA)
outlining
how
affected
households
will
be
compensated
or
resettled.
“Before
giving
permission
to
miners,
we
require
an
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
report,
which
looks
at
the
community
to
be
affected
and
where
they
will
be
relocated.
If
they
are
to
receive
houses,
that
must
be
shown
in
the
report.
Only
after
receiving
that
report
can
we
allow
mining
to
proceed,”
he
said.
He
added
that
under
the
new
law,
farmers
will
have
the
right
to
negotiate
for
shares
in
the
mining
company.
“The
new
law
allows
that
if
someone
has
a
field
or
farm
where
mining
is
required,
that
person
is
given
the
first
option.
They
are
asked
whether
they
agree
to
mining,
and
they
can
negotiate
with
the
investor,
including
discussing
the
allocation
of
shares,”
he
said.
Dr
Makwiranzou
emphasised
that
relocation
must
be
based
on
consent.
“They
must
give
consent
because
the
previous
law
caused
disputes
due
to
conflicts
between
the
Minerals
Act
and
the
Agricultural
Act,”
he
said.
In
its
latest
report,
WHO
provides
a
comprehensive
assessment
of
the
TB
epidemic
and
progress
in
prevention, diagnosis and
treatment
at
global, regional and
country
levels.
The
2025
edition
draws
primarily
on
data submitted annually
by
national ministries
of
health.
In
2025,
184
countries
and
areas,
representing more
than
99%
of
the
world’s
population
and
TB
burden,
reported
their
data.
According
to
the
report,
progress remains far
behind
End
TB
Strategy
targets
as
funding
continues
to
stagnate.
“Despite
many
gains,
global
progress
levels remain far
from
meeting
the
End
TB
Strategy
targets.
A
major
obstacle
is
global
funding
for
TB,
which
has
stagnated
since
2020.
In
2024,
only
US$5.9
billion was
available
for
prevention,
diagnosis,
and
treatment,
just
over
a
quarter
of
the
US$22
billion annual
target
set
for
2027,”
the
summary
noted.
It
further
warned
that
looming
cuts
to
international
donor
funding
from
2025
pose
a
significant
threat.
Modelling
shows
that
sustained
reductions
could
lead
to
up
to 2
million additional deaths and 10
million
more
TB
infections between
2025
and
2035.
Global
TB
research
funding
is
also
lagging,
reaching
only
US$1.2
billion in
2023,
24%
of
the
target.
However,
scientific
activity
continues
to grow: as
of
August
2025,
63
diagnostic
tests
were
in
development
and
29
drugs
were
undergoing
clinical
trials,
compared
to
just
eight
in
2015.
In
addition,
18
vaccine
candidates
are
in
clinical
trials,
including
six
in
Phase
3.
WHO
continues
to
steer
global
vaccine
development
efforts
through
the
TB
Vaccine
Accelerator
Council.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva,
Director
of
the
WHO
Department
for
HIV,
TB,
Hepatitis
and
STIs,
urged
countries
to
reinforce
political
commitment
and
increase
domestic
investment
to
avoid
reversing
gains
made
in
recent
years.
“We
are
at
a
defining
moment
in
the
fight
against
TB,”
she
said.
“Funding
cuts
and
persistent
drivers
of
the
epidemic
threaten
to
undo
hard-won
gains,
but
with
political
commitment,
sustained
investment,
and
global
solidarity,
we
can
turn
the
tide
and
end
this
ancient
killer
once
and
for
all.”
HARARE
–
The
government
has
extended
operating
hours
at
the
Victoria
Falls
Border
Post
to
run
24
hours
a
day,
according
to
an
Extraordinary
Government
Gazette
published
on
Thursday.
The
post
was
previously
open
between
6AM
and
10PM.
General
Notice
2265A
of
2025,
issued
under
the
Immigration
Act,
declares
that
the
border
post,
one
of
Zimbabwe’s
busiest
ports
of
entry,
will
now
operate
around
the
clock
with
immediate
effect.
The
notice
was
signed
by
Home
Affairs
and
Cultural
Heritage
secretary
Raphael
Faranisi.
The
move
is
expected
to
facilitate
tourism
and
trade,
and
improve
cross-border
movement
between
Zimbabwe
and
Zambia.
The
announcement
came
ahead
of
Friday’s
meeting
between
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
and
his
Zambian
counterpart
Hakainde
Hichilema
in
Harare
for
the
inaugural
session
of
the
Zambia-Zimbabwe
Bi-National
Commission.
HARARE
–
Zimbabwe
Defence
Forces
commander
Phillip
Valerio
Sibanda
is
set
to
leave
the
post
on
November
23
at
the
expiry
of
his
contract,
which
was
extended
by
a
year
by
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa.
Sibanda,
who
turns
71
in
December,
has
led
Zimbabwe’s
armed
forces
since
2017.
He
replaced
Constantino
Chiwenga,
who
became
vice
president
after
leading
the
military
coup
that
ousted
Robert
Mugabe.
His
reappointment
last
year
sparked
controversy,
with
lawyers
arguing
that
the
statutory
retirement
age
is
70.
Mnangagwa’s
decision
to
revive
an
already
expired
term
was
“flawed”
and
an
“absurdity,”
they
said.
A
ceremony
is
planned
for
November
24
to
mark
Sibanda’s
exit,
but
both
his
future
role
and
his
successor
remain
uncertain.
There
has
been
speculation
that
Sibanda
could
be
elevated
to
the
vice
presidency,
but
without
a
vacancy
Mnangagwa
would
need
to
remove
either
Chiwenga
or
his
other
deputy,
Kembo
Mohadi,
to
accommodate
him.
Precedent
would
suggest
that
Zimbabwe
National
Army
commander
Lieutenant
General
Emmanuel
Matatu
–
appointed
only
in
March
–
would
succeed
him.
But
at
72,
well
past
retirement
age,
Matatu
could
also
be
heading
for
the
exit.
That
scenario
would
open
the
way
for
Major
General
Walter
Tapfumaneyi,
appointed
chief
of
staff
in
May
after
leaving
his
post
as
deputy
director
general
of
the
Central
Intelligence
Organisation.
A
wildcard
prospect
is
Gatsha
Mazithulela,
the
former
CIO
deputy
director
general
and
chemical
scientist
now
serving
as
the
president’s
drug
tzar.
Unlike
Tapfumaneyi,
Mazithulela
is
not
a
career
soldier
but
could
be
elevated
for
his
administrative
strengths.
He
previously
served
as
vice
chancellor
of
the
National
University
of
Science
and
Technology.
The
changing
of
command
at
the
apex
of
Zimbabwe’s
military
is
never
a
routine
administrative
matter.
Since
independence
in
1980,
the
armed
forces
have
been
deeply
intertwined
with
the
politics
of
the
ruling
Zanu
PF,
functioning
not
just
as
a
security
institution
but
as
one
of
the
central
levers
of
political
power.
Senior
commanders
have
openly
declared
they
would
not
salute
anyone
without
liberation-war
credentials,
a
position
that
has
shaped
national
politics
for
more
than
two
decades.
The
military
has
also
played
an
outsized
role
in
elections,
frequently
accused
by
opposition
parties
and
civil
society
of
voter
intimidation,
mobilising
ruling
party
structures
and
directing
state
institutions
behind
the
scenes.
In
2008,
the
military
intervened
after
the
late
opposition
leader
Morgan
Tsvangirai
defeated
Mugabe
in
the
first
round
of
presidential
voting,
triggering
a
violent
runoff
that
forced
Tsvangirai
to
withdraw.
The
2017
coup
that
removed
Mugabe
cemented
the
military’s
status
as
kingmaker,
with
generals
proclaiming
their
takeover
a
defence
of
the
revolution
and
the
ruling
party.
Since
then,
Mnangagwa’s
authority
has
rested
partly
on
maintaining
the
loyalty
and
balance
of
competing
military
factions.
Control
of
the
command
structure
is
central
to
managing
Zanu
PF’s
succession
battles.
Some
analysts
say
Mnangagwa
has
sought
to
sideline
generals
perceived
as
loyal
to
Chiwenga,
who
opposes
a
plan
by
the
president’s
loyalists
to
force
through
constitutional
amendments
and
extend
his
term
beyond
2028.
The
choice
of
Sibanda’s
successor
–
and
the
political
alliances
they
bring
–
will
have
ramifications
not
only
for
the
military’s
internal
balance
but
for
Zimbabwe’s
wider
political
direction
as
Zanu
PF
edges
towards
its
elective
congress
in
2027
and
general
elections
in
2028.
GWERU
—
After
a
dramatic
international
manhunt
spanning
four
years
and
multiple
countries,
fugitive
murder
accused
Peter
Dube
has
been
convicted
of
two
counts
of
murder
and
two
counts
of
attempted
murder
by
the
Bulawayo
High
Court.
He
now
awaits
sentencing
after
a
damning
judgment
by
Justice
Munamato
Mutevedzi.
The
court
found
that
Dube
unleashed
“unmitigated
violence”
on
the
night
of
April
22,
2021,
killing
Shelton
Chiduku
and
Gamuchirai
Madungwe
and
shooting
Nyasha
Nharingo
and
Nyaradzo
Nharingo,
leaving
both
women
seriously
injured.
Nyaradzo
later
died
from
the
complications
of
her
wounds,
a
fact
the
judge
noted
with
concern.
He
was
accusing
his
friend
Chiduku,
who
was
a
gold
dealer
based
in
Kwekwe,
of
having
an
affair
with
his
girlfriend,
Nyasha.
“The
medieval
ruthlessness
with
which
the
violence
manifested
was
said
to
have
shaken
the
usually
sleepy
town
of
Gweru,”
Justice
Mutevedzi
wrote.

The
judge
rejected
Dube’s
claim
that
he
had
been
suffering
from
mental
illness
at
the
time,
describing
his
defence
as
malingering,
calculated,
and
unsupported
by
evidence.
After
the
shootings,
Dube
–
who
ran
a
popular
car
sale
in
Gweru
–
vanished
from
Zimbabwe.
The
judgment
reveals
for
the
first
time
the
full
details
of
his
escape.
Justice
Mutevedzi
detailed
how
Dube
fled
Gweru
the
same
night,
assisted
by
his
senior
wife,
Nomatter
Chawana.
He
crossed
into
South
Africa,
moved
on
to
Eswatini
and
acquired
a
false
Mozambican
identity.
He
subsequently
flew
to
Ireland,
where
he
lived
undetected
for
years.
“By
his
own
admission,
he
escaped
with
the
aid
of
his
senior
wife…
acquired
a
pseudonym…
and
used
it
to
fly
to
and
settle
in
Ireland,”
the
court
said.

His
cover
was
blown
abroad,
resulting
in
him
being
deported
first
to
Mozambique,
where
he
was
disowned,
and
then
to
Zimbabwe.
The
judgment
paints
a
vivid
and
harrowing
picture
of
the
violence.
Earlier
that
day,
Nyasha
and
her
sister
Nyaradzo
had
travelled
to
Masvingo
with
their
friends,
the
now-deceased
Shelton
and
Gamu,
to
collect
a
passport.
On
their
return,
they
found
Dube
had
locked
himself
in
their
apartment.
When
police
briefly
intervened
and
left,
the
situation
deteriorated
quickly.
Dube
went
downstairs,
armed
himself
with
a
gun,
and
confronted
Shelton
and
Gamu
in
the
car
park.
“At
point-blank
range,
he
shot
Shelton
and
killed
him
instantly…
Gamu
tried
to
flee.
Unfortunately,
she
couldn’t
go
far.
She
was
also
shot
and
died
on
the
spot.”

Consumed
by
what
the
judge
called
an
“implacable
rage,”
Dube
then
stormed
upstairs.
Justice
Mutevedzi
went
on:
“From
very
close
range,
he
shot
Nyasha…
The
bullet
entered
her
cheek
and
exited
the
other
side
of
the
neck.
He
then
took
aim
at
Nyaradzo…
The
bullet
found
its
mark
just
above
her
right
eye…
Her
eye
was
ruptured.
Satisfied
with
his
grisly
handiwork,
the
accused
nonchalantly
walked
out
and
left
the
scene
which
resembled
a
graveyard.”

Dube
claimed
he
suffered
from
temporal
lobe
epilepsy,
saying
he
had
no
recollection
of
the
shootings
and
that
he
was
mentally
incapacitated.
But
Justice
Mutevedzi
found
the
testimony
of
State
psychiatrist
Dr
Nemache
Mawere
compelling.
The
expert
described
Dube
as
evasive,
inconsistent,
and
deliberately
theatrical
during
examinations.
The
judge
cited
Dr
Mawere’s
observation
that:
“The
accused
was
simply
play-acting…
His
gestures
were
not
sequential…
He
was
trying
to
run
away
from
punishment.”

The
court
also
noted
that
Dube
managed
a
sophisticated
escape
across
several
countries,
maintained
relationships
with
both
wives,
managed
his
businesses,
and
navigated
foreign
immigration
systems
–
actions
wholly
incompatible
with
severe
mental
illness.
“The
conduct
of
the
accused
after
the
commission
of
the
offence
did
not
align
with
a
person
who
had
lost
his
memory,”
the
judge
said.

Ultimately,
Justice
Mutevedzi
concluded
that
the
defence
had
“failed
to
prove,
on
a
balance
of
probabilities,”
that
Dube
was
mentally
disordered
at
the
time
–
the
legal
threshold
required
for
a
special
verdict
of
insanity.
Justice
Mutevedzi
expressed
disquiet
about
Nyaradzo’s
later
death.
She
never
recovered
from
her
gunshot
injuries
and
later
died,
yet
prosecutors
did
not
charge
Dube
with
her
murder.
“Why
then
that
death
was
not
added
to
the
list
of
murders
can
only
be
explained
by
prosecution,”
he
said.
The
role
of
Dube’s
senior
wife
also
bothered
the
judge.
She
helped
him
flee,
yet
was
never
questioned.
“She
possibly
committed
a
crime…
but
nobody
ever
raised
an
eyebrow
against
her,”
the
judge
remarked.

With
the
insanity
defence
rejected,
and
with
Dube
admitting
he
shot
the
victims,
while
claiming
memory
loss,
the
court
found
him
guilty
of
all
four
charges
–
two
counts
of
murder
and
two
counts
of
attempted
murder.
Justice
Mutevedzi
said
that
the
killings
were
deliberate,
targeted,
and
executed
with
chilling
calmness.
The
call
was
made
during
a
community
workshop
in
Cowdray
Park
hosted
by
the
Ministry
of
Women
Affairs
in
partnership
with
the
Zimbabwe
Republic
Police’s
Victim
Friendly
Unit
(VFU),
UNFPA
and
other
stakeholders,
including
residents’
leaders,
community
health
clubs,
support
groups
and
church
representatives.
The
engagement
comes
ahead
of
the
annual
16
Days
of
Activism
Against
Gender-Based
Violence,
running
from
November
25
to
December
10
under
the
theme, “Unite
to
End
Digital
Violence
Against
All
Women
and
Girls.”
Representatives
from
the
One
Stop
Centre,
which
opened
last
year,
said
the
facility
was
established
to
ensure
survivors
can
access
counselling,
health
services,
police
support
and
legal
assistance
in
one
place.
“Since
opening,
we
have
handled
a
significant
number
of
cases,
with
survivors
receiving
support
and
perpetrators
being
arrested.
We
encourage
anyone
who
needs
help
to
come
forward.
The
centre
is
meant
to
make
the
process
easier
by
eliminating
the
need
to
move
from
office
to
office,”
a
representative
said.
A
VFU
officer
also
urged
residents
to
report
disputes
early,
warning
that
delayed
reporting
often
leads
to
severe
physical
assault
or
death.
“VFU
units
are
available
at
all
police
stations.
It
is
important
to
seek
help
early
before
issues
escalate,”
she
said.
“If
you
notice
constant
quarrelling
or
lack
of
peace
at
home,
you
can
visit
our
offices
for
counselling.”
She
raised
concern
over
cases
of
child
sexual
abuse
concealed
within
families.
“There
are
cases
where
a
child
is
raped
by
a
family
member
but
the
matter
is
covered
up
until
the
child
becomes
ill
or
pregnant.
Such
cases
must
be
reported
promptly
to
protect
the
child
from
pregnancy,
HIV
and
other
infections,”
she
said.
The
officer
also
encouraged
men
to
report
abuse,
saying
many
suffer
in
silence.
“Men
can
also
be
victims
of
verbal,
emotional,
physical
or
sexual
abuse.
Some
hesitate
to
speak
out,
yet
this
silence
contributes
to
rising
suicide
cases
among
men.
Our
officers
are
trained
to
support
everyone,”
she
said.
During
discussions,
residents
highlighted
several
drivers
of
GBV,
including
financial
strain,
dishonesty
and
family
disputes.
One
resident
shared
an
incident
involving
a
man
who
later
discovered
that
his
wife
had
been
secretly
receiving
maintenance
from
her
former
partner
for
a
child
born
before
their
marriage.
“When
he
confronted
her,
she
left
him
and
later
took
him
to
court
for
maintenance
for
the
child
they
had
together,”
the
resident
said.
Another
participant
noted
that
financial
dynamics
can
fuel
conflict.
“Money
plays
a
big
role
in
GBV.
Sometimes
when
women
start
earning
more
than
their
husbands,
they
lose
respect.
The
economy
is
already
tough,
and
when
men
are
blamed
for
failing
to
provide,
some
become
emotionally
overwhelmed
and
may
turn
violent,”
he
said.
Residents
also
cited
inheritance
disputes
as
an
increasingly
common
trigger
of
violence.
“Siblings
often
fight
over
houses
and
property
left
behind
by
parents.
These
conflicts
easily
escalate
into
physical
confrontations
or
worse,”
one
resident
added.
Lawyers
Try
To
Get
Away
With
Serving
Motions
To
A
Deceased
Lawyer:
Thankfully,
the
judge
stepped
in.
Judge
Orders
Handover
Of
Over
20
Million
Private
ChatGPT
Conversations:
Judge
Wang
thinks
anonymization
will
fix
the
problem.
Big
if.
Rainmaker
Reflects
On
Windsor:
Roberta
Kaplan
shares
how
creativity
can
move
your
career
forward.
Take
Your
Sorry
And
Get
Out:
Trump’s
billion-dollar
BBC
suit
is
DOA.
As
we
continue
our
journey
through
“Lights,
Camera,
CLE:
Making
Your
Presentation
a
Blockbuster,”
we’ve
covered
the
essentials
of
preparing
for
a
successful
CLE
presentation
and
engaging
your
audience
like
a
pro.
In
Part
3,
we’ve
focused
on
how
meticulous
preparation
and
dynamic
audience
engagement
can
set
the
stage
for
a
memorable
and
impactful
presentation.
But
even
the
most
well-prepared
presenter
will
face
challenges
—
whether
it’s
the
nerves
that
surface
before
stepping
onto
the
stage
or
the
unexpected
technical
hiccups
that
can
throw
off
your
rhythm.
In
this
article,
we’ll
tackle
how
to
manage
these
inevitable
obstacles
with
grace
and
professionalism.
From
staying
calm
under
pressure
to
dealing
with
difficult
audience
members,
we’ll
equip
you
with
strategies
to
keep
your
presentation
on
track
and
ensure
that
your
CLE
remains
a
standout
performance,
no
matter
what
challenges
arise.
Turning
Stage
Fright
Into
Stage
Might
Even
the
most
seasoned
presenters
experience
nerves.
It’s
natural
to
feel
a
rush
of
adrenaline
before
speaking,
but
the
key
is
to
channel
that
energy
into
a
confident,
compelling
delivery.
Remember,
you’ve
prepared
meticulously,
and
your
audience
is
here
to
learn
from
you.
You
are
the
Expert!
Staying
Calm
Under
Pressure
•
Preparation
is
Power:
The
more
prepared
you
are,
the
more
confident
you’ll
feel.
Rehearse
your
presentation
multiple
times,
focusing
on
the
flow,
transitions,
and
key
points.
Familiarity
with
your
material
is
your
best
defense
against
nerves.
•
Visualization
Techniques:
Before
stepping
up
to
present,
take
a
few
moments
to
visualize
success.
Imagine
the
room
filled
with
engaged,
attentive
listeners.
Visualization
can
help
calm
your
mind
and
boost
your
confidence.
•
Controlled
Breathing:
Practice
deep
breathing
exercises
to
calm
your
nerves.
Inhale
slowly
for
four
counts,
hold
for
four,
and
exhale
for
four.
This
simple
technique
can
lower
your
heart
rate
and
help
you
feel
more
centered.
When
Technology
Takes
Center
Stage
In
our
tech-driven
world,
even
the
best-laid
plans
can
go
awry.
Whether
it’s
a
malfunctioning
microphone,
a
glitchy
slideshow,
or
a
lost
connection,
technical
issues
can
disrupt
your
flow
and
rattle
your
nerves.
But
remember,
it’s
not
about
avoiding
problems
—
it’s
about
how
you
handle
them.
Strategies
for
Managing
Tech
Glitches
•
Tech
Rehearsal:
Always
do
a
full
run-through
of
your
presentation
with
all
the
equipment
you’ll
be
using.
This
includes
testing
microphones,
projectors,
slides,
and
any
other
tech
you
plan
to
incorporate.
Identify
potential
issues
ahead
of
time
and
have
a
backup
plan.
•
Stay
Composed:
If
something
goes
wrong,
stay
calm.
Acknowledge
the
issue
without
letting
it
derail
your
presentation.
For
example,
if
your
slides
stop
working,
continue
speaking
while
the
issue
is
being
resolved,
or
invite
your
audience
to
discuss
the
topic
at
hand.
•
Backup
Plan:
Always
have
a
contingency
plan.
This
could
mean
having
printed
handouts
of
your
slides,
a
backup
device
with
your
presentation,
or
being
prepared
to
switch
to
a
discussion
format
if
tech
fails
entirely.
When
the
Audience
Becomes
the
Challenge
Not
every
audience
member
will
be
on
your
side,
and
sometimes,
you’ll
face
interruptions,
challenging
questions,
or
even
disruptive
behavior.
The
key
to
handling
these
situations
is
to
remain
professional,
composed,
and
assertive.
But
beyond
just
managing
difficult
interactions,
your
authenticity
can
be
a
powerful
tool
in
creating
a
genuine
connection
with
your
audience.
Handling
Difficult
Interactions
with
Professionalism
•
Set
the
Tone
Early:
At
the
beginning
of
your
presentation,
establish
ground
rules
for
participation.
This
sets
expectations
for
behavior
and
shows
that
you’re
in
control
of
the
room.
•
Acknowledge,
Don’t
Argue:
If
a
difficult
question
or
comment
arises,
acknowledge
the
person’s
point,
and
then
steer
the
conversation
back
to
your
main
topic.
For
example,
“That’s
an
interesting
perspective,
and
while
it’s
not
the
focus
of
today’s
discussion,
I’d
be
happy
to
chat
about
it
afterward.”
•
Be
Authentically
You—Always:
Authenticity
isn’t
just
a
fallback
when
you
don’t
know
the
answer;
it’s
a
strength
that
can
enhance
your
entire
presentation.
From
the
moment
you
step
in
front
of
your
audience,
being
genuine
builds
trust
and
rapport.
If
a
question
stumps
you,
it’s
perfectly
fine
to
say:
“That’s
a
great
question.
I
don’t
have
the
answer
right
now,
but
let’s
take
it
offline,
and
I’ll
get
back
to
you.”
This
not
only
shows
humility
but
also
opens
the
door
for
continued
conversation
after
the
CLE.
More
importantly,
being
authentically
you
throughout
the
presentation
fosters
a
connection
that
makes
your
audience
more
receptive
and
engaged,
turning
potential
challenges
into
opportunities
for
deeper
interaction.
Keep
Cool
and
CLE
On
Mastering
the
art
of
staying
calm
and
handling
challenges
not
only
ensures
that
your
presentation
runs
smoothly
but
also
leaves
a
lasting
impression
on
your
audience.
Your
ability
to
navigate
obstacles
with
grace
and
professionalism
sets
you
apart
as
a
speaker
who
can
handle
any
situation
with
poise.
In
our
final
article
of
this
series,
we’ll
focus
on
the
importance
of
closing
your
CLE
with
a
compelling
conclusion
that
leaves
your
audience
with
clear
takeaways
and
a
desire
to
engage
with
you
further.
We’ll
also
explore
how
to
maintain
momentum
after
the
presentation
ends,
ensuring
that
your
impact
continues
long
after
the
session
is
over.
Managing
Nerves
Like
a
Pro:
✔️Prepare
Thoroughly:
Rehearse
your
presentation
multiple
times
to
build
confidence
and
familiarity.
✔️Visualize
Success:
Use
visualization
techniques
to
calm
your
mind
and
boost
confidence.
✔️Practice
Controlled
Breathing:
Use
deep
breathing
exercises
to
manage
anxiety
before
presenting.
Handling
Technical
Issues:
✔️Conduct
a
Tech
Rehearsal:
Test
all
equipment
ahead
of
time
and
have
a
backup
plan
in
place.
✔️Stay
Composed
During
Glitches:
Address
the
issue
calmly
and
keep
the
presentation
moving.
✔️Prepare
for
the
Worst:
Have
contingency
plans
ready,
such
as
printed
materials
or
backup
devices.
Dealing
with
Difficult
Audience
Members:
✔️Set
Ground
Rules:
Establish
expectations
for
audience
behavior
at
the
start
of
your
presentation.
✔️Acknowledge
and
Redirect:
Address
challenging
questions
or
comments
without
getting
sidetracked.
✔️Be
Authentically
You:
If
you
don’t
know
the
answer,
admit
it,
and
suggest
following
up
after
the
CLE
to
continue
the
conversation.
By
mastering
these
techniques,
you’ll
not
only
overcome
challenges
but
also
deliver
a
CLE
presentation
that’s
memorable
for
all
the
right
reasons.
Sejal
Bhasker
Patel is
a
Rainmaking
Consultant
and
Author
of Rainmaker:
Unleashed
—
a
sharp,
strategic
playbook
for
attorneys
who
don’t
fit
the
traditional
mold.
She’s
the
founder
of
Sage
Ivy,
a
consulting
firm
that
works
directly
with
law
firms
and
attorneys
to
turn
relationships
into
revenue
—
without
selling
their
soul.
Her
work
is
blunt,
tailored,
and
built
on
one
core
belief:
Authenticity
isn’t
a
liability
—
it’s
your
strongest
competitive
edge. www.sageivyconsulting.com
Partners
in
the
largest
law
firms
may
have
dedicated
public
relations
staff
who
can
take
on
the
work
of
developing
podcast
guesting
strategies
to
build
on
their
existing
reputation
while
further
increasing
name
recognition
and
law
firm
visibility.
For
everyone
else,
appearing
as
the
expert
guest
on
a
podcast
whose
content
has
a
clear
connection
to
your
area
of
law
can
be
a
highly
effective
tool
for
accomplishing
the
same
goals,
but
you
will
likely
need
to
do
much
of
the
work
of
vetting
podcasts
and
pitching
ideas
for
a
guest
spot
yourself.
You
will
obviously
want
to
maximize
your
returns
on
those
“non-billable”
hours,
so
it
pays
to
take
some
time
upfront
to
consider
what
goes
into
an
effective
strategy
for
leveraging
podcast
guesting
to
grow
your
law
firm.
How
To
Pick
a
Podcast
Every
now
and
then,
an
attorney
may
be
lucky
enough
to
find
that
a
podcaster
is
seeking
them
out
because
the
podcaster
(or
their
programming/production
team)
already
recognizes
the
lawyer’s
expertise
and
has
a
specific
legal
topic
in
mind
for
presentation
to
the
podcast
audience.
This
scenario
may
sometimes
unfold
when
a
podcast
is
developing
an
episode
or
series
on
a
subject
with
which
a
specific
attorney
or
law
firm
has
substantial
experience.
In
most
cases,
however,
the
decision
to
try
podcasting
as
a
tool
for
increasing
awareness
of
your
law
firm
will
likely
come
first,
and
it
will
be
up
to
you
to
take
the
first
steps
toward
making
your
podcast
debut
a
reality.
In
that
instance,
you
will
need
to
start
by
choosing
a
podcast
to
which
you
can
pitch
effectively,
based
on
the
“fit”
between
your
legal
expertise
and
the
podcast’s
themes
and
target
audience.
Each
situation
will
be
unique,
but
there
are
a
few
general
factors
most
aspiring
podcast
guests
may
find
helpful
to
consider.
What
To
Look
For:
Audience
For
many
people,
their
first
instinct
in
identifying
a
podcast
where
they
might
like
to
make
a
guest
appearance
is
to
look
for
a
program
they
themselves
listen
to
and
appreciate.
It’s
natural
to
“start
with
what
you
know,”
but
unless
the
people
you
would
most
like
to
reach
are
very
much
like
yourself,
pitching
to
a
podcast
that
you
personally
listen
to
may
not
make
sense.
Ask
yourself
whether
your
priority
is
to
reach
other
lawyers
vs.
to
put
your
name
and
expertise
in
front
of
people
who
might
be
interested
in
hiring
your
law
firm.
Both
goals
are
valid,
but
they
imply
different
audiences
and
therefore
different
approaches
to
podcast
selection.
If
you
really
want
to
reach
other
attorneys
to
cement
your
professional
reputation,
then
a
podcast
aimed
at
unpacking
important
questions
and
challenges
confronting
the
legal
profession
may
be
worth
sending
a
pitch.
If
you
primarily
hope
to
educate
people
in
the
groups
from
which
your
own
clients
typically
come,
then
you
may
need
to
do
some
brainstorming
to
identify
content
areas
(and
therefore
podcasts)
that
enjoy
popularity
among
the
represented
groups.
You
may
also
want
to
consider
whether
there
are
groups
(defined
by
age,
by
interest,
by
location,
and
so
on)
that
seem
like
an
ideal
fit
for
your
law
firm’s
services,
but
from
which
you
get
fewer
clients
than
you
think
you
should,
or
than
you
would
like.
Identifying
a
podcast
whose
audience
has
substantial
overlap
with
your
base
of
prospective
clients
can
be
a
highly
effective
strategy
for
creating
targeted
awareness
with
the
people
who
can
“move
the
needle”
in
terms
of
your
law
firm
growth.
What
To
Look
For:
Topical
Coverage
There
is
really
no
point
in
developing
a
pitch
to
send
to
a
podcast’s
programming
staff
because
the
podcast’s
audience
has
a
strong
overlap
with
your
prospective
client
base
if
the
podcast
itself
does
not
consistently
handle
topics
you
can
speak
to
with
authority.
In
some
instances,
you
may
have
the
task
of
explaining,
in
your
pitch,
a
legal
question
that
connects
to
a
recent
or
(even
better)
recurring
theme
for
the
podcast.
For
example,
if
you
work
in
an
estate
planning
firm,
then
the
nuances
of
tax
planning
or
the
specific
details
of
state
law
concerning
homestead
property
might
be
useful
to
the
audiences
of
a
financial
management
podcast.
If
you
run
a
small
family
law
practice,
then
the
issues
people
commonly
overlook
in
drafting
their
parenting
agreements
may
be
of
interest
to
the
listeners
of
a
podcast
on
parenting
more
generally.
Make
sure
you
can
clearly
articulate
how
the
knowledge
you
offer
addresses
a
need
or
interest
of
the
podcast’s
audience,
and
aim
to
draw
explicit
connections
between
your
subject
matter
expertise
and
the
podcast’s
typical
programming.
What
To
Look
For:
Tone
and
Other
Guests
“You
will
be
known
by
the
company
you
keep,”
as
the
saying
goes.
This
is
not
an
argument
for
snobbery
but
be
sure
that
the
podcast
host
is
someone
whose
professionalism
you
trust,
and
that
the
program’s
(other)
guests
are
typically
people
you
feel
comfortable
being
associated
with.
Depending
on
the
type
of
law
you
practice
and
the
way
you
prefer
to
position
your
firm,
you
may
not
want
to
appear
back-to-back
with
guests
known
for
their
extreme
“hot
takes,”
or
in
a
context
where
the
overall
discourse
suggests
a
lax
commitment
to
ethics.
As
a
related
consideration,
reviewing
recent
episodes
to
get
a
sense
of
the
professions
and
perspectives
represented
by
the
selection
of
guests
can
also
help
to
clarify
whether
a
specific
podcast
is
truly
a
good
bet
for
your
pitch.
What
To
Look
For:
Format
and
Frequency
Listening
to
a
few
past
guests
can
give
you
a
feel
for
the
overall
format
of
the
podcast,
as
well
as
who
appears
in
it.
Take
the
time
to
listen
to
a
few
complete
episodes
of
any
podcast
you
have
identified
as
a
good
potential
fit.
Pay
attention
to
pacing:
How
long
does
the
host
generally
allow
for
a
guest
to
develop
their
thoughts
on
a
question
before
moving
on
to
the
next
topic?
How
frequent
are
the
other
topic
changes?
How
long
is
each
episode
when
aired?
Are
multiple
guests
interviewed
in
each,
or
do
episodes
commonly
feature
several
short
conversations?
Very
importantly,
you
will
also
want
to
confirm
how
often
and
how
regularly
new
episodes
are
released.
Check
any
download
or
view
numbers,
if
you
can;
a
larger
audience
for
the
podcast
obviously
means
a
larger
potential
platform
for
your
expertise,
but
well-established,
already-popular
podcasts
with
large
followings
may
also
be
more
challenging
to
pitch
successfully.
Aim
for
a
balance
between
visibility
and
your
chance
to
craft
a
pitch
that
stands
out
among
those
received
by
the
programming
team.
Post-Pitch
Protocol
If
you
receive
an
instant
yes,
great!
You
can
coordinate
with
the
podcast
host
(or
their
program
development
staff,
depending
on
the
size
of
their
operation)
to
find
a
date
and
make
sure
your
talking
points
are
prepared
to
address
the
core
concerns
of
the
podcast
audience.
If
you
receive
an
immediate
rejection,
don[t
let
it
discourage
you;
take
the
moment
as
an
opportunity
to
review
your
pitch
and
look
for
ways
to
further
refine
your
technique
so
that
you
can
try
again,
with
a
different
program.
If
a
few
days
go
by
and
you
have
received
no
response
at
all,
there
are
a
few
“next
steps”
you
can
consider
taking
to
secure
your
best
chance
at
a
podcast
guesting
spot.
You
will
probably
want
to
plan
to
send
more
than
one
follow-up
message.
Similar
to
the
email
sequence
you
might
send
to
a
“warm”
lead
(but
with
different
content),
these
messages
can
be
staggered
over
a
few
weeks.
Aim
for
a
“soft”
check-in
to
touch
base
(and
put
your
name
in
the
podcast
host’s
inbox
again)
about
three
to
four
days
after
your
initial
pitch.
If
more
time
passes
and
you
still
have
not
heard
back,
write
a
follow-up
email
reiterating
the
main
points
of
your
pitch
and
underscoring
why
you
are
eager
to
work
with
this
podcast
and
how
you
think
you
can
serve
their
audience.
Aim
to
send
this
message
somewhere
between
10
to
15
days
after
your
previous
check-in.
If
this
second
message
also
gets
no
response,
then
let
this
particular
podcast
go
(for
now!)
and
look
for
an
alternative
program
with
which
you
think
you
might
be
a
good
fit.
Once
You
Land
a
Guesting
Spot
Of
course,
getting
a
slot
to
appear
on
a
podcast
is
only
the
beginning.
You
will
also
need
to
prepare
comprehensively
for
the
interview
itself.
While
preparing
for
depositions
has
undoubtedly
given
you
plenty
of
experience
in
anticipating
as
well
as
formulating
tough
questions,
the
informational
and
attentional
demands
of
a
podcast
interview
are
quite
different.
Even
if
you
and
the
podcast
host
review
potential
“leading”
questions
you
plan
to
work
from
as
the
conversation
develops
naturally,
on
a
podcast
that
accepts
calls
from
listeners
the
potential
range
of
questions
may
be
less
predictable
than
you
would
expect
to
find
in
a
more
controlled
setting.
If
you
are
appearing
on
the
podcast
because
you
submitted
a
pitch
that
was
accepted,
then
the
points
you
raised
in
that
pitch
will
obviously
be
your
first
consideration.
If
you
are
fortunate
enough
to
appear
on
a
podcast
by
invitation,
then
the
host
and/or
programming
team
will
likely
have
specific
topics
they
know
they
want
to
cover
while
you
are
on
the
show.
Either
way,
you
can
put
yourself
in
position
to
deliver
a
strong
performance
by
asking
the
podcast’s
programmers
tailored
questions
about
their
listeners,
based
on
the
topics
you
expect
to
come
up.
Take
the
time
to
find
out
if
there
are
any
particular
points
of
law
or
procedural
matters
about
which
the
individuals
behind
the
podcast
already
know
the
audience
consistently
has
questions
about,
and
spend
some
time
reviewing
the
details
of
case
law
and
any
technicalities
that
you
often
see
tripping
up
lay
people
or
your
colleagues
(depending
on
the
podcast).
You
may
also
want
to
consider
taking
the
time
to
prepare
some
hypothetical
or
anonymized
examples
that
you
can
pull
from
as
needed,
so
that
you
do
not
find
yourself
trying
to
avoid
potentially
compromising
client
confidentiality
as
you
illustrate
complex
concepts
and
processes
on
the
fly.
A
Word
on
Podcast
Guesting
and
Professional
Ethics:
The
Advantages
of
Educational
Content
for
Attorney
Advertising
For
many
individuals
working
in
the
legal
profession,
one
of
the
most
compelling
reasons
for
developing
effective
podcast
guesting
strategies
is
that
attorneys
tend
to
be
somewhat
limited
in
the
techniques
they
can
use
for
soliciting
new
clients.
Obviously,
law
firms
can
and
do
run
marketing
campaigns
of
various
kinds,
but
many
of
the
more
aggressive
options
for
reaching
out
to
potential
clients
that
might
apply
in
some
other
industries
are
off-limits
to
those
engaged
in
the
practice
of
law.
With
podcast
guest
spots,
you
have
the
opportunity
to
enhance
your
law
firm’s
name
recognition
and
foster
associations
between
your
name
and
genuine
value,
which
in
most
cases
will
come
in
the
form
of
helpful
answers
to
questions
members
of
the
podcast’s
audience
actually
have,
and
offering
insights
into
perspectives
they
may
never
have
considered.
By
contrast
to
the
norms
you
may
see
with
some
other
creative
marketing
models,
in
a
podcast
guesting
strategy
education,
not
self-promotion,
is
the
name
of
the
game.
During
your
guest
spot,
keep
the
focus
on
providing
thorough,
helpful
answers
to
the
questions
the
podcast
host
raises
or
those
that
are
called
in
by
listeners.
Approach
your
explanations
as
if
you
were
teaching
a
class
or
helping
a
client
understand
crucial
procedures.
Demonstrate
the
expertise
that
makes
you
someone
clients
would
want
to
work
with
and
someone
to
whom
colleagues
might
feel
comfortable
sending
referrals,
and
leave
it
to
the
podcast
host
to
underscore
the
source
of
the
valuable
information
you
have
shared.
Annette
Choti,
Esq.
is
the
founder
of Law
Quill,
a
legal
digital
marketing
agency
that
helps
growth-minded
law
firms
increase
their
online
visibility
and
convert
more
clients.
She
is
also
the
author
of
“Click
Magnet:
The
Ultimate
Digital
Marketing
Guide
for
Law
Firms”
and
Click
Magnet
Academy.
Annette
used
to
do
professional
comedy,
which
is
not
so
far
from
the
law
if
we
are
all
being
honest.
I
just
finished
a
10-day
vacation
through
Central
Europe,
and
it
was
great
to
get
away
and
enjoy
some
time
off
from
work. This
was
the
longest
time
I
took
off
from
work
in
over
a
decade,
and
it
was
extremely
restorative
to
step
aside
from
legal
duties
for
a
while.
My
travel
companions
on
the
trip
were
medical
professionals
who
regularly
take
longer
vacations
at
least
once
or
twice
a
year.
For
a
variety
of
reasons,
it
is
often
easier
for
other
professionals
like
my
travel
companions
to
take
time
off
from
work
than
lawyers.
The
billable
hour
requirements
at
most
law
firms
make
taking
time
off
from
work
more
difficult
for
lawyers
than
it
is
for
other
professionals.
Such
requirements
necessitate
that
lawyers
bill
a
certain
amount
of
hours
per
year
regardless
of
whether
they
take
vacation
time.
Some
lawyers
might
find
it
difficult
to
bill
enough
hours
to
satisfy
such
requirements
if
they
take
time
off. Moreover,
some
lawyers
may
not
wish
to
work
harder
when
they
are
at
work
to
bank
sufficient
hours
so
that
they
can
take
vacation. Some
law
firms
condition
bonuses
on
the
number
of
hours
associates
bill,
so
lawyers
have
a
significant
incentive
to
stay
at
work
and
bill
as
many
hours
as
possible.
Many
other
professionals
do
not
have
anything
similar
to
a
billable
hour
requirement. Indeed,
other
professionals
are
assessed
more
on
job
performance
when
they
are
at
work
that
the
total
amount
of
output
they
generate
in
a
given
year. Accordingly,
when
other
professionals
take
time
off,
it
does
not
have
a
significant
impact
on
their
ability
to
meet
expectations
of
employers
since
their
vacation
time
is
not
part
of
their
work
evaluation.
The
schedules
of
many
lawyers
might
also
make
it
more
difficult
to
take
vacations. Many
lawyers
need
to
attend
court
appearances,
mediations,
depositions,
and
the
like,
and
attorneys
might
not
have
a
decision
about
when
these
events
are
scheduled. Although
it
is
often
possible
to
adjourn
some
of
these
events,
courts
and
adversaries
may
be
unwilling
to
reschedule. Indeed,
I
once
cancelled
a
planned
trip
because
I
was
unable
to
reschedule
a
court
appearance
even
though
my
adversary
consented
to
the
adjournment.
Other
professionals
do
not
have
such
scheduling
issues,
so
it
might
be
easier
for
them
to
take
time
off.
Moreover,
the
culture
at
many
law
firms
does
not
promote
attorneys
taking
vacations.
Law
firm
managers
often
extol
associates
who
bill
the
most
hours,
and
I
have
even
seen
managers
praise
attorneys
who
completed
tasks
on
vacation.
Attorneys
might
fear
that
they
will
be
punished
if
they
take
too
much
vacation,
since
this
might
possibly
show
that
they
are
not
sufficiently
dedicated
to
their
jobs.
Other
professionals
might
not
have
much
stigma
against
taking
vacations.
In
some
fields,
it
is
common
for
workers
to
take
all
of
the
vacation
days
they
are
assigned
in
a
given
year,
and
in
certain
finance
jobs,
it
is
even
mandated
that
workers
take
a
certain
amount
of
time
off
each
year.
This
culture
makes
it
much
easier
for
other
professionals
to
take
time
off
of
work.
All
told,
lawyers
can
learn
from
other
professions
and
prioritize
vacations
for
attorneys.
Vacations
can
have
a
number
of
positive
benefits,
and
law
firms
should
reduce
barriers
to
employees
taking
vacations
from
work.
Jordan
Rothman
is
a
partner
of The
Rothman
Law
Firm,
a
full-service
New
York
and
New
Jersey
law
firm.
He
is
also
the
founder
of Student
Debt
Diaries,
a
website
discussing
how
he
paid
off
his
student
loans.
You
can
reach
Jordan
through
email
at jordan@rothman.law.
