I work with Associations, Societies and Federations and the Marketing, Design and Creative communities on their approach to interpersonal communication in the areas of: 
  • Presentations: to a small group
  • Conference Speaking: to a larger audience
  • Conference Chairing and Facilitation
  • Meeting Chairing
My approach
Prior to delivering any training, we will get together for a call to discuss your specific goals and challenges. And my background, experience and how I can help. From this discussion, I will create a clear brief for the training that enables me to design and deliver a session that will contribute to progress and forward movement for your team. I send this to you along with my fee for the session. Any suggestions or amendments to the content are welcomed. From here, we agree a date for the training and away we go! 
What to expect
  • Pre-Workshop: I provide a welcome pack which contains a welcome message, details of preparation for the attendees, my biography, session agenda and a guide to further reading and resources on the subject. The attendees are invited to send me their thoughts around what they want to get from the session, helping them to focus on the session and guide my preparation.

 

  • Interaction and reflection are encouraged: I build time into the session for pause moments. These allow the attendees to take in  what they are hearing, share counterviews, experiences or penny drop moments. In this way the group get to tap into each other’s knowledge and experience as well as the information contained in the training.

 

  • Safe environment: the tone of my training is welcoming and supportive. We begin with a share around desired take-aways from the session. I share my background as someone who has learned to present/speak/chair/facilitate rather than being a ‘natural’. These early exchanges create trust between myself and the group and within the group.

 

  • Action orientated: the session typically ends with some time to reflect on what they are leaving with and what they will do with it. And I encourage the attendees to keep in touch with me if they wish. I am happy to hear from them with further questions, insights and experiences that arise from their trying out what they’ve learned.
Feedback from those I’ve worked with
Content“The thing I’m taking away is that you CAN learn this.”“Thanks for such an inspiring session. I have come away with so many practical examples that I can take back to my team and it’s given me plenty of food for thought too.”“Shifted my thinking about the role of a Chair.”“Very useful tips and well-structured.”

“Very useful, in particular around providing good structure and confidence for Chairing.”

“A useful reminder and a potential source of new ideas.”

Style

“John is warm, friendly and immediately made me feel engaged and at ease.”

“We were immediately engaged and inspired. The sessions were straightforward to understand with challenging yet practical skills to hone and implement.”

“John created a good environment allowing everyone to feel comfortable to ask questions and contribute”

“Very engaging, I like how John practiced his techniques and provided examples.”

If my approach sounds like it would be useful for you or your team, feel free to get in touch and we can arrange a time to chat.