Speaking Well In Public

I’ve just added a new subject to the portfolio:

Introduction to Investigative Interviewing

For employers, the ability to conduct an effective investigative interview can be a useful skill for your employees, with many professional and business applications including anti-fraud action, disciplinary procedures, investigating complaints and allegations and fact-finding exercises.

For job-seekers, transferrable investigative interviewing skills can be an attractive selling point to feature on the CV and a confident beginning to new career directions.

Introduction to Investigative Interviewing is a one-day foundation course for Beginners and Improvers who need a clear grounding in investigative interview technique.

I’ve just added a brand new event to the Beginners’ Public Speaking list:

Spring Into Public Speaking

is a fast, fun introduction for complete beginners or those who want to brush up on their skills and practice in a small friendly group.

I’ll be announcing dates, times and venue when they are confirmed.

“Thanks for putting on the excellent seminar on public speaking and script reading today. I found it very useful.”  Chris Wardman

Saturday 18^th June 2011:  I was happy to be part of this year’s Critical Incident on the theme of Connection. Around a hundred and fifty people attended over the thirteen-hour event at the Phoenix Gallery and Caffe Moksha in Brighton, merging business and creative worlds in debates, workshops and dramatic performances.

I presented a workshop “Reading Aloud to an Audience from the Script” for business people, actors, writers and poets, parents and teachers – anyone who needs to read in public for business, performance or pleasure. We explored the concept of nerves, looked at how breathing, relaxation and body language can support the voice, and how to ensure the most information goes from the reader to the listener in the most interesting and engaging ways.

The whole event was a great success, and I’m looking forward to next year’s.

Photographs by Paul Levy

Dealing with nerves

Is it ever a good idea to have ‘just the one, to steady my nerves…’?

You may think you’re more fluent, confident, relaxed and amusing after a drink.

But this is you making a judgement – while your judgement is impaired.

So why do people want to drink before speaking, and what effect does alcohol have on the speaker – and their audience?

Any manager has some element of public speaking among their duties.

You might be holding a one-to-one meeting with a staff member for disciplinary, development or assessment purposes, requiring the delivery of some important information.

You might be presenting the morning shift briefing, chairing a meeting or cascading some information or training to a small group of staff.

You might be speaking to a large group of employees at conference or an emergency meeting.

Whether the audience consists of one person, several or many, the same principles apply.

Learn useful public speaking skills to help you become a more effective manager with Speaking Well In Public. Contact us and we’ll be pleased to discuss your needs.

Dragons’ Den – public speaking for pitching

Last night I watched an episode of Dragons’ Den, where an applicant pitched for business investment. Her performance did not impress the Dragons, who were rude to her in their reaction to her proposal. Following the roasting, one of them said “You look uncomfortable. Are you feeling uncomfortable? Because you should be.” The Dragons were reacting not only to what they had heard but to what they had seen of the speaker, whose performance did not impress. Clearly very nervous and not in control of her breathing, speech or body language, the impression she gave was chaotic.

Speaking Well In Public provides business training courses in public speaking at all levels. Contact us and we’ll be pleased to discuss your needs.

Reading aloud to children

Helps vocabulary, knowledge and understanding to grow
Helps the development and love of language
Encourages creative writing, imagination and and the exploration of ideas
Introduces new concepts and themes for discussion
Helps develop concentration and paying attention
Shows your child how much you enjoy and value books and reading yourself
Encourages families to spend time together, to bond and share in calm, restful moments
Supports formal literacy teaching at school
Helps children to enjoy learning
Encourages better behaviour and attendance, self-esteem, concentration and results

Reading-aloud skills can be developed to enhance your and your children’s enjoyment.

Speaking Well In Public offers courses in Reading Aloud to Children, ideal for parents, teachers and children’s authors. Contact us and we’ll be pleased to discuss your needs.