Many people have a deep seated fear of public speaking. The cliché is of course that it’s more scary than the fear of dying! Whether that is true or not, I have met many individuals for whom it is one of the biggest barriers to their progress. Being pushed back after an interview and told you are not getting the job, when you yourself know you have what it takes, can be deeply demoralising.

This is almost inevitably the result of the dreaded gap! The gap between the technical skills that they have spent years acquiring, and their ability to deliver those ideas, visions or strategies with clarity and power.

Even if the CV ticks all the boxes, I’m sure most of us will have heard comments like, – ‘I knew as soon as they walked through the door, they were right for the job.’ So how can we as individuals tap into this apparently intangible power that makes people listen and want to have us in their team?

The good news is that it’s not magic, it’s a skill!

Often people I work with have had 1 presentation skills day as a part of their induction and very little else.

Of course, very few organisations can afford to offer their more junior or less experienced staff 1-1 coaching, hence the idea behind the Master class. This is a sensibly priced open 4 hour course for up to 12 people and is designed to give everyone a sound introduction to the principles of powerful, charismatic communication, and the chance for them to actually have a go at presenting on their feet in a supported and protected environment. Not on their own possibly in front of a large group of strangers where learning can often go backwards because of the fear engendered in the situation.

This master class can be delivered within an organisation or to a group of individuals from different organisations

Who is it for?

Everyone who wants to achieve their potential in any career or organisation.

How much does it cost?

Please Contact Us to discuss your specific needs and your personalised quote.

Although there is a broad acceptance of the idea that ‘people buy people’, this still does not always translate into the approach organisations and teams make towards the process of pitching for new business. Across a broad spectrum of industries, I have noticed a tendency for there to be a disproportionate amount of time spent on the pitching document, book or slide pack – all important components but not the whole story.

Pitching training incorporating learning some of the key psychological triggers that get the potential client hooked can create a real ‘edge’.

I have personal experience of working on over 50 competitive pitches and although there is no magic formula (such as ‘refuse to lose!’) which can answer every challenge, there are ways of approaching this process which can ensure a much higher success rate.

How does pitching training work?

It will start with a meeting between me or one of my associates and the pitching team. We will collectively work out a strategy and timetable taking into account any relevant time or budgetary constraints. This will be followed by preparation of the approach – who is talking about what, are the roles on the team really clear, what are the possibly hurdles to getting the potential client over the finishing line – cost, long standing relationship with another supplier etc.?

What will be covered?

• Individual impact coaching for team members
• Clarifying of implicit and explicit messages
• Best use of Powerpoint for maximum effect
• Structured practice and rehearsal
• Effective use of other materials e.g. diagrams, flipcharts, overheads, objects, video inserts
• Detailed examination of the target organisations values, concerns and objectives
• Best use of the space available, whether on the client’s premises or those of the pitching team

How long does it take?

This depends entirely on the size of the team, the importance of the pitch and the existing time frame. Please contact us for a detailed quote.

How much does it cost?

Please Contact Us to discuss your specific needs and your personalised quote.

The more senior you become, the greater your exposure – to board meetings, team meetings, individual review and feedback conversations, external client meetings, events, presentations and media interviews etc..

This goes with the territory of greater seniority. It cannot be avoided but many people with whom I work have a growing sense of a gap between the length of time they have spent becoming technically brilliant and the length of time they have had to concentrate on learning the skills required to put their ideas, thoughts, strategy and vision across with clarity and real impact. Much director coaching and training that I have come across centres on technical and strategic ways of working and not on delivery.

This is the harsh reality for many as they achieve higher levels in their organisations. There can be a wide ‘skill gap’. Those used to being ‘bullet makers’, operating at a high level of technical detail, now have to also become ‘bullet firers’ with an ability to communicate with clarity, spontaneity and gravitas and to get their vision across in a way that motivates and inspires those around them. Directors of companies have to be able to direct, which means winning hearts and minds. This cannot be done by email

My director training programs are designed to tackle these challenges head on and to equip each individual with the skills to become more dynamic, compelling and magnetic in their communication. This is achieved through a focused, individual coaching approach. We are all unique individuals with particular strengths as communicators and any training or coaching in these areas must be conducted with this in mind. Blanket ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ tend to miss the point.

Who is director training for?

• Non-executive Directors
• Chief Executives
• Sector Business Heads
• Business Owners
• Any leadership role involving larger teams and more direct reports

What’s the duration of a typical director training program?

I suggest an initial commitment to 4 x 3 hour sessions to cover the vital basic skills and then move into examining key messages and how to deliver them effectively.

How much does it cost?

Please Contact Us to discuss your specific needs and your personalised quote.

While many C- level executives formerly relied on functional know-how and technical skills to climb the lower rungs of the corporate ladder, most have cultivated more visionary perspectives needed to make sound upper management decisions

Investopedia Business Leaders page

While the above is undoubtedly true it does tend to beg the question – ‘how do I develop those visionary perspectives and then deliver them with clarity and impact to the board, my investors and analysts and my staff?’ The imbalance between the time these individuals have spent acquiring their high level of technical and operational brilliance and the time they have spent receiving the necessary coaching support to deliver their key messages effectively is often enormous. But not insurmountable.

Jim Collins in ‘Good to Great’ emphasises the importance of getting the ‘right people on the bus’. In order to do that, the business leader, whether Chief executive or anyone operating at board or key decision making level, has to be able to communicate their vision and strategy with power and clarity.

This is where corporate and C suite coaching can be so vital. I have delivered and continue to deliver high level corporate coaching packages to senior executives in both the public and private sector in industries as diverse as mechanical and electronic engineering, retail and private banking, investment and restructuring, the hospitality and luxury goods sector and advertising.

In all cases the corporate and C suite coaching I offer addresses any gaps as described above and equips individuals and teams to communicate with dynamism, clarity and effectiveness.

How does it work? Coaching Options

• 1-1 For middle to senior management leaders and executives requiring individual coaching.
• Groups For small groups of executives and business leaders focussing on particular events, presentations or board room reports, dealing with such challenges as changes in corporate direction, vision, strategy, remuneration or working practices.
• Surgeries. For teams. 1 hour 1-1 sessions to address individuals needs and challenges. 6 individuals can be seen in 1 day.

How much does it cost?

Please Contact Us to discuss your specific needs and your personalised quote.