Chairing or facilitating a panel discussion is a particular skill. When many experts and specialists in their field are asked to do this, they discover that it is not as easy as they imagined. Pitching and introducing the session, involving everyone, promoting audience engagement, dealing with difficult panellists and ending the discussion can all be […]
Planning a presentation: key questions to ask yourself
When planning a presentation you need to think about your audience and ask what you want them to learn and take away from it. Our presentation trainer Sue Carruthers says that knowing your objectives will give you clarity and enable you to see how much potential content you can discard. For example, if you want […]
The importance of storytelling
The value and importance of storytelling has been growing in prominence over the past few years. However, it has been recognised for centuries – way back to Ancient Greece and beyond, and a study by the University of Liverpool found that 65 per cent of all human interactions are storytelling. At the moment, I’m reading […]
Twelve steps to online presentation confidence
Presenting in virtual meetings has become THE business skill of 2020. However, many people find it uncomfortable and feel they are lacking in audience connection and engagement. Here our presentation trainer Sue Carruthers explains how to come across confidently and engagingly with any virtual audience. Twelve steps to online presentation confidence 1. Make sure your […]
International Chamber of Shipping case study
What is the International Chamber of Shipping? The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for shipowners and operators. Formed in 1921, it is made up of national shipowners’ associations in the Americas, Asia and Europe whose member companies operate over 80% of the world merchant fleet. What does ICS […]
Virtual presentations: harnessing your inner Gruffalo
In this Zoom chat, Ann caught up with our presentation skills expert Sue Carruthers to discuss the best way of giving virtual presentations – and why you need to harness your inner Gruffalo. Read more: the Six Ps of Performance For more information about the courses we have available to help you with virtual presentations, […]
Online interviews: 10 golden rules
Social distancing and self-isolation have both had a major impact on how TV news is gathered and transmitted. Nowadays it is rare to see an interviewee in the studio. Rather they are sitting in their living room or spare room, staring straight down the webcam of their laptops, a clutter of book cases, pot plants, […]
9 steps to perfect your conference panel performance
If you’re an academic, an expert, or an entrepreneur, you may well be asked to be part of a conference panel. Here our trainer Paul Curran explains nine steps to making sure you give a good performance. Being invited as a guest on a discussion panel is a great way to boost your profile, and […]
Good communication skills: using the right words
There is an oft-quoted statistic that the words you say make up just seven percent of successful communication skills. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about them carefully. Here are three quick tips: The art of listening The first key to communicating well is to learn the art of listening. This is really the […]
Communicating well as a CEO
“For a business leader, building reputation and trust IS the day job, which makes communications the day job too.” That quote is by the former head of Marks and Spencer, Stuart Rose, who knows a thing or two about the importance of good communicating well, and how it can protect and enhance your reputation. It […]