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Let’s look in more detail at how we handle the Core, Skill Areas and Methods

Content Skills

Structure

The structure of a presentation or communication has a fundamental bearing on whether the message is understood by the audience. Failure to follow a consistent structure confuses your audience and loses their attention.
We are experts at analysing the structure and helping the candidate simplify and clarify the message. Our trainers have vast business and technical experience, while the actors are a good sounding board for the likely comprehension by the audience.
We have developed very powerful templates for structure, which you can use for various types of communications.Top

Visual Aids

These are vitally important in presentations and meetings to illustrate and explain complex ideas.
While we discourage the use of tedious Powerpoint templates populated by bullet points and pointless clip art, we encourage the use of meaningful charts, graphs, photographs, images, movies, sound bytes. We are expert in the effective use of Powerpoint and coach you how to use the pc and projection devices to greatest effect.
You can explore alternatives to complement the all-purpose pc projector, such as flip charts, posters, hand-outs, props etc. We are experts in simple and clear visual aids. Top

Rhetoric

Rhetoric is defined as the technique of speaking or writing persuasively; the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion, the effective use of speech.
The keywords in this definition are 'effective' and 'persuasion': these go to the heart of what we train in presentation and communication.
Rhetoric is a very rich and complex subject, and the ancient Greeks and Romans studied it in depth, often taking 6 or more years.
We have distilled the 5 most effective forms which can most easily be used in everyday presentations and communications. Top
 

Acting Skills

Voice

Our voice is the most important instrument of communication.
Used effectively it conveys confidence and the complete spectrum of human emotion.
Our trainers are actors and voice coaches who have been formally trained in leading drama schools, and by world leading authorities in the field of voice.
We provide very accessible, simple but effective techniques to short-cut the long learning cycle for managing the voice. Top

Posture

Posture is a key element of body language.
As well as a means of projecting confidence or other emotion, posture is fundamental to correct breathing technique and hence proper voice control.
Our actor trainers are expert in postural techniques and qualified in Alexander Techniques and Pilates. We have evolved simple physical exercises that can help you quickly achieve balanced posture. Top

Gesture

Gestures, including movement, are our bodies' way of punctuating what we are saying or thinking.
Very often, nerves will inhibit our gestures and our audiences think we look 'wooden' or 'stilted'.
By combining video feedback, diagnosis from our actors, and exercises, we can both raise your awareness, and with practice, overcome any problems you may have. Top

Methods

These methods outline our ways of working, fundamental to how we achieve such outstanding results.

Intense Trainer/Pupil ratio

We maintain a high ratio of trainers to candidates. Typically 2 tutors to 1 or 2 candidates, up to a maximum of 3. This ensures a very high degree of individual attention; you are never sitting around just waiting. You get immediate and direct feedback and plenty of practical exercises.
Our trainers are specialists in different forms media and performing arts. Individual trainers specialise in voice, camera work, large events, etc. We cater for most requirements. Top

Candidate Diagnosis

With our extensive stage, acting, language and business skills we diagnose mannerisms in voice or body language, poor use of language and visual aids and many other things that can detract from the delivery of the message. Top

Instant Video Replay

We video everything throughout the day. Our technology enables instant replay - no delay while rewinding. We can give instant visual feedback, both to reinforce good practices and to eliminate poor performance. Top

Personal Action Plans

Because we maintain such a high ratio of trainers to candidates we can work with individual action plans throughout the days. That means we work on the specific needs of the individual, rather than to a generic ‘one size fits all’. Top

Practice Exercises

We have a range of different practice exercises to cover most situations and training needs. Together with the role play we can play out many scenarios. Top

Speaker Role Models

The best way to understand just how effective the coaching techniques can be is to see them in action. We have a large audio-visual library of many of the great speakers in action. We analyse these with the candidates to learn why the great speakers are great, and hence how best to emulate them. Top

Templates

Over the years we have developed a set of highly effective templates for both content skills and acting skills.
We provide templates for Large and Small Presentation Structure, Meetings, One-to-One, Phone Calls, Interviews and many more. Top

Best Practices

Together with the exercises and templates we coach some best practices. Areas covered include Multi Presenter coordination, Question handling, Interruption control, and many more. Top

Scripting

Some parts of the presentation or meeting must be scripted. We identify the critical areas and provide everything from guidelines through to a full scriptwriting service with professional writers. Top

Rehearsal

We approach a presentation or communication like a stage performance. No professional actor would go anywhere near a stage without a script and many rehearsals.
The improvement that rehearsal achieves has to be seen to be believed.
Together with instant video feedback, the improvements can be immediately seen, and reinforced.
The resulting final performance does credit to the individual. Top

Role Play

This provides invaluable opportunities to play out difficult scenarios. Like many other simulation techniques, these provide valuable insights and the opportunity to experiment in safe environments. Top

Follow-up Care

Our interest in the candidates does not stop at the end of the course, because we stay in touch to offer ongoing advice, reinforcement and encouragement.
Within limits this is a free service, and provides invaluable help with that important event that looms large. Top