ENTREPRENEUR0:

At some stage in life, everyone has to make a speech. But even if you're not a politician or a business leader, and your speech is only in front of family and friends, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. It may be as the best man at a wedding, where you'll tell a few funny stories about the bride and groom, before getting serious and wishing them the best of luck. Or it may be on your birthday, perhaps a significant one like your eighteenth, twenty first, fortieth or sixtieth, and you stand up to thank all your friends and family for being there, then invite them to have a good time. Or, and this may be a few years away yet for most of you, it may be on the day of your retirement.

At some stage in life, everyone has to make a speech. But even if you're not a politician or a business leader, and your speech is only in front of family and friends, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. It may be as the best man at a wedding, where you'll tell a few funny stories about the bride and groom, before getting serious and wishing them the best of luck. Or it may be on your birthday, perhaps a significant one like your eighteenth, twenty first, fortieth or sixtieth, and you stand up to thank all your friends and family for being there, then invite them to have a good time. Or, and this may be a few years away yet for most of you, it may be on the day of your retirement.
ENTREPRENEUR1:

Imagine you've worked for a company for, say, thirty years, and it's time for you to step down and take life easy. There's been a big dinner, your boss has just made a speech, and now it's your turn. You get up onto the stage, holding your retirement gift and face the audience. Every kind of speech has its own special conventions. It's best to follow these conventions, and rely on your own personal experiences to provide the content.

Imagine you've worked for a company for, say, thirty years, and it's time for you to step down and take life easy. There's been a big dinner, your boss has just made a speech, and now it's your turn. You get up onto the stage, holding your retirement gift and face the audience. Every kind of speech has its own special conventions. It's best to follow these conventions, and rely on your own personal experiences to provide the content.
ENTREPRENEUR2:

Start with some humor, about getting old, your job or your boss. For example, a one liner: The best time to think about your retirement is before your boss does. Good, that's got them relaxed. Next, let's take a walk down memory lane. Tell your younger colleagues about how much has changed since you first started.

Start with some humor, about getting old, your job or your boss. For example, a one liner: The best time to think about your retirement is before your boss does. Good, that's got them relaxed. Next, let's take a walk down memory lane. Tell your younger colleagues about how much has changed since you first started.
ENTREPRENEUR3:

Change is a good theme for a retirement speech but keep it light - this is no time for tears. Describe some of the challenges your company has overcome over the years. Talking about milestones and achievements makes everyone feel involved and positive, and it also shows how hard you worked for the company without making you seem arrogant. Then, it's time to talk about the future, both the company's and yours. Start with the company, mention some of the younger employees make them feel special.

Change is a good theme for a retirement speech but keep it light - this is no time for tears. Describe some of the challenges your company has overcome over the years. Talking about milestones and achievements makes everyone feel involved and positive, and it also shows how hard you worked for the company without making you seem arrogant. Then, it's time to talk about the future, both the company's and yours. Start with the company, mention some of the younger employees make them feel special.
ENTREPRENEUR4:

Then, tell the audience a little of what you're going to be doing in the next few years. This will give them a sense that, although you're sad to be leaving, you're also looking forward to the next exciting stage in your life. Now all that remains is the toast. Don't forget to thank them for your retirement gift. Then: Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses, to wish me a fond farewell and a happy retirement.

Then, tell the audience a little of what you're going to be doing in the next few years. This will give them a sense that, although you're sad to be leaving, you're also looking forward to the next exciting stage in your life. Now all that remains is the toast. Don't forget to thank them for your retirement gift. Then: Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses, to wish me a fond farewell and a happy retirement.