What we do

We offer our portfolio of one day Public Speaking Skills training courses for:

  • Beginner / Refresher: Confident Public Speaking Skills
  • Experienced / Improver: Professional Public Speaking Skills
  • All: Reading Aloud to an Audience

We can also tailor courses to your individual needs.

Here’s an overview of the subjects our public speaking courses can cover:

Creating a Speech or Presentation: Structure, material and support

Planning

  • What you need to know before you begin, including learning about your audience and their needs
  • Setting aim and objectives

Preparing

  • Mind mapping your initial ideas for content
  • Focusing,  prioritising and structuring  your material
  • Beginning – the importance of a good introduction
  • Middle – suggestions for structuring your talk and creating a compelling argument with a toolkit of useful tricks and tips including writing using humour, positive language and the rule of three, analogy, mnemonics & memory aids, anecdotes & storytelling
  • ‘Signposting’ your way through the speech
  • Ending / Conclusion – how to reinforce your key message at the closure of the speech
  • Visual Aids: The different types and how they support your presentation, their pros and cons, their design and use
  • Getting it down on paper: Reading from a full script, working from a presentation guide, powerpoint notes or notecards? The different methods and their pros and cons
  • Delivery methods: Formal lecture or speech, practical session and role play exercises, question and answer,  discussion sessions… which is best for you?
  • Rehearsal: How to rehearse for success

You: How you come across to your audience

  • Image: Planning and creating your image in advance – web presence, the business card, letter of introduction, establishing your credentials and achievements
  • Appearance: Confidence through appearance, looking good on stage and camera
  • Nerves: Dealing with nerves and building confidence, how to control and channel nerves to power your presentation
  • The Elevator Speech: Selling yourself as a speaker
  • Speaking: Relaxation, breathing, voice and microphone
  • Non-verbal communication: Expression, body language and gesture
  • Out and About: Conference confidence, Trade Show tips for visitors and exhibitors, networking and the business card

Skills and techniques: Further professional knowledge, skills and attitudes  you need to succeed in public speaking, training and management:

  • How adults learn
  • Reading aloud means business
  • Ice breakers, energisers and group exercises
  • Building your listening, questioning and answering skills
  • Assertiveness and how to deal with difficult people and situations
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Corporate roleplay skills for business
  • An introduction to Facilitation: Skills and techniques, Facilitation Challenge
  • Being interviewed on the radio, TV and by the Press
  • Extra skills: Delivering bad news, speaking off the cuff, learning lines, team presentations and pitching for business

Practical Exercises: Putting it into context and learning by doing

  • A speech to the class
  • Presentations to class and camera
  • Facilitation Challenge event to class and camera
  • Discussion and peer review
  • Private feedback
  • Evaluating and reviewing a presentation
  • Post course: Continuing personal and professional development

Each course is tailored to your individual needs. If you don’t see what you want here, we can swiftly develop a session for you. Do contact us to discuss your requirements.

Philippa Hammond