Jeffrey Robinson

Speakers Corner: If you could speak at any event, past or future, what would it be?

Jeffrey Robinson: Davos. Being able to talk directly to that much power and maybe, just maybe, make a point that changes things a little bit, would be very gratifying. Also, the food is good.

Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?

Jeffrey Robinson: That’s tricky because I’m a much more generous “performer” than most people I’ve met. I’m happy to give way, most people aren’t, and I go home thinking, why did I do that? So, frankly, I prefer to work alone. Although if you change "platform" to "deserted beach in the Pacific," the answer is Michelle Pfeiffer.

Speakers Corner: On average, how many times a year do you speak at corporate events?

Jeffrey Robinson: Some years 6-12. Some years 12-24. It usually depends with me if I have a book out, or have been doing a lot of television. But that doesn’t matter because when I’m not working, I make my wife and kids listen.

Speakers Corner: Do you use powerpoint?

Jeffrey Robinson: Not even with my wife and kids.

Speakers Corner: Are you as happy speaking to 50 as to 1,000 people?

Jeffrey Robinson: Fifty is good. 1000 is better. In fact, the bigger the audience, the easier. I’ve done events with several thousand, and that’s wonderful. The nightmare is 8 people. I worked one night, many years ago, in Chester and the group was like maybe 11. They called dinner at 8 for 8:30 and at 9:45 they were still in the bar. The table was set up so that everyone sat together, and with each course --- there were four --- a different wine appeared. By the time I got introduced at 1:15 am, no one was still awake. I got introduced as, “We have a speaker... go ahead.” It was awful.

Speakers Corner: How do you like to be introduced?

Jeffrey Robinson: How do I LIKE to be introduced? Six foot one, blond hair, blue eyes, cat-like movements. Because that never happens, I always hand someone a very short intro and just hope for the best.

Speakers Corner: Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?

Jeffrey Robinson: It is absolutely vital. I always want to give the organizers what they want. If no one tells me, I ask.

Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?

Jeffrey Robinson: Way back when, in the days when I was writing books like The Risk Takers, I was always asked to talk about entrepreneurs, and to do motivational speeches. These days, with my books about money laundering, fraud, organized crime and the effects on big business... especially lawyers, accountants, brokers, bankers, etc... that’s the most sought after topic. What I never ever talk about is that week on the beach in the Pacific with Michelle Pfeiffer. However, if it happens, I’m telling everyone!

Speakers Corner: Is your speech at all interactive with audience participation?

Jeffrey Robinson: No. Occasionally, an organizer will ask if I’ll take questions. I’m happy to do that.

Speakers Corner: Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?

Jeffrey Robinson: Funny? Not funny in the hah hah funny sense, but there have been dozens and dozens of enjoyable appearances. So, fun, yes. Embarrassing? I’m afraid so. I have followed clog dancers at midnight, and a stripper at lunchtime. I always try to make the organizer understand that an early dinner and an early after dinner speech makes for an enjoyable evening, especially if people have been working all day and need to drive home. But then, some organizers want a before dinner speech --- I’ve never understood that --- and an in between dinner speech, which means you’re fighting for attention against the waiters. The most embarrassing of all? That night in Chester. And that troubles me, because I want the event to go well and when it doesn’t, I feel bad too. Luckily in Chester, I was the only sober one in the room, so I was the only one who noticed. Your favourite film? --- Very hard to say. After seeing Charades, I stepped into some woman’s shower fully dressed. I guess you have to be Cary Grant to pull that off. After Un Homme et Une Femme, I started hanging out in France. It was too fattening. After Casablanca, I started saying to women, “We’ll always have Brooklyn.” They wanted Manhattan.

Speakers Corner: Favourite book?

Jeffrey Robinson: Now you’re talking. Because I write books that I want to read.

Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination?

Jeffrey Robinson: I lived in the south of France for 12 years and once you know that part of the world, it’s tough to find anyplace comparable. Although a few years ago I discovered Savannah Georgia. It’s ranked high on the list of America’s great secrets. Hauntingly beautiful and one of the few places that remains in tact of the ante-bellum south. Otherwise, I’m good in New York

Speakers Corner: What’s your tipple?

Jeffrey Robinson: I’m not much of a drinker. But if you put a bottle of ’61 Petrus on the table, count me in.

Speakers Corner: Country or townie?

Jeffrey Robinson: Definitely townie. I was 22 the first time I met a cow. It was in Texas. I was on one side of the fence. She was on the other. Neither of us were terribly impressed.