A reporter asks you a question you don’t like. You don’t want to answer it, but you don’t want to seem like you’re avoiding it.
Watch any tape from a presidential candidate in a debate. Well-trained presidential candidates use transition devices to change the subject. You can do the same.
Pretend you’re asked, “Why are so many of your employees leaving the company?” You can answer with, “More importantly, let me tell you why so many people are so anxious to work here.”
In that case, “more importantly” are two transition words used to change the subject.
Here are some more transition phrases:
The fact of the matter is…
What we should focus on is…
The reality is…
I think what you should be asking is…
What people really are interested in is…
The real question is…
What my customers are asking is…
What my employees care about is…
In the business world…