Expensive words

This from the BBC today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7086474.stm

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been paid $500,000 for a speech he has made in China. Now, my first response is, that must have been one hell of a speech. Sadly not. It was described as like "listening to some domestic county or city-level official". Ouch. It was also described as containing "nothing new". Double ouch.

Which leads me to ponder the question, if you were asked to give a speech for $500,000, how could you possibly plan to say something that would make your audience feel like they had got value for money?

It's one thing if you are someone with renowned charisma and gravitas. If people already know you as an amazing speaker, some of your work will already have been done for you. Like him or loathe him, Bill Clinton has a reputation for being an excellent and engaging speaker. I have not heard Tony Blair speak, and from what I know although he is a good public speaker, he aint no Clinton. So, if your reputation doesn't precede you, you
really need to make sure that the message stands out.

From the feedback he received, it sounds like Mr Blair didnt stand out...at all. I want to know how a former PM of a country in the thick of world affairs, can end up sounding like a domestic county official. Did he talk about rat catching, subsidised transport for the elderly or building a new playground? Was his vision limited by the new plan for recycling in Guangdong?

So, also bearing in mind, they thought he contributed nothing new, what could he have provided for $500,000?

1. Insights into his prime ministerial career
2. Tabloid gossip about the current prime minister
3. A new car for each member of the audience
4. He could have got Bill Clinton to give the speech