Effective communication is a key part of etiquette and how we relate to other people, both in our business and personal lives. Whether you are speaking to an audience of 200 people or meeting your new boss for the first time, being a skilled and confident communicator will ensure that you elicit a positive response wherever you go.
“Etiquette is about the rules of engagement. Being a confident and skilled presenter ensures you execute those rules of engagement at the highest level, in whatever field you employ them.”
– Cindy Ferrara, Leading Business Coach, Internationally Renowned Speaker and Creator of the British School of Etiquette’s Presentation Skills course.
How many times have you sat through presentations that were long-winded and confusing or simply dull and uninspiring? The presenter failed to grab your attention and your mind began to wander as he or she plodded through endless slides in a monotone voice.
Now, think back to the last powerful, engaging and informative presentation that you attended. Did you sit up a little bit straighter in your seat? Perhaps you leaned forward to make sure you didn’t miss a word or made notes to refer back to at a later date?
Chances are that the speakers in both these scenarios were equally knowledgeable about their subject. However, they were miles apart when it came to their skills in presenting the material and engaging with the audience. Being a confident presenter does not just mean knowing how to put a set of Powerpoint slides together. Your words only start to have an impact when you connect with the audience in a meaningful way.
From the classroom to the boardroom, public speaking is one of the key ways in which we express our thoughts, ideas and opinions. Presentation skills are not only critical to professional success; they will benefit you in any area of life that brings you into contact with other people.
The British School of Etiquette has launched an elite Presentation Skills course to complement our comprehensive offer of etiquette courses and ensure that you never miss a golden opportunity to position yourself as a leader, positive thinker and someone worth listening to.
One of the reasons why so many people dread public speaking is because they do not want to be the centre of attention. When you are standing up in a front of an audience all eyes are on you and – make no mistake – these people will be judging you.
Gaining the skills and confidence to speak in front of a group of people, will carry you far in all of your social interactions, whether with your other half, your neighbour or in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. Good presenters know how to make a great first impression and understand how to connect with people in a meaningful and positive way.
You will not only come across as more approachable and self-assured, you will also be better placed to deal with any awkward situations or tricky questions that might arise.A key skill of a good presenter is their ability to analyse the audience and adapt their communication style to the people they are presenting to. This is invaluable when you are meeting people for the first time and want to make them feel comfortable around you.
We have already established that a great presentation is about much more than just content. You are your most powerful visual aid and your body language can make all the difference between a dull, static presentation and an engaging, dynamic one.
The vast majority of our communication is non-verbal and body language is a powerful tool that you can use to send messages to your audience. Knowing how to adjust your body language to come across as more confident will boost your self-esteem and ability to interact with others in any social or business situation.
Being able to read other people’s body language will also help you to better understand and interpret the people you interact with. This is an especially valuable skill in situations where there is a language barrier and you want to make sure that you observe the correct etiquette rules.
In business every conversation is a presentation, whether you are speaking at a conference, addressing your internal team or pitching to one high-profile client. If you want to close the deal, secure your dream job or impress your boss, you need to make sure that your communication skills are up to the job.
Presentation skills will also help you stand out from the crowd when you are looking for new opportunities and promotions. In today’s workplace, employers actively seek out employees who can demonstrate excellent communication and the ability to build rapport with clients and co-workers. If you are being interviewed for a new role, these skills will give you the edge over other candidates with similar qualifications and levels of experience.
Do you break out in a cold sweat just thinking about speaking in front of an audience? If so, you can take comfort from the fact that you are in the majority. Nearly 75 per cent of people suffer from speech anxiety according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While it is true that some people seem to have a natural flair for public speaking, many others cite speaking to an audience as their biggest fear.
Even seasoned presenters sometimes get nervous but the key is to not let the fear hold you back from taking advantage of opportunities to develop yourself and your career.
Our presentation skills course will teach you effective techniques to calm your nerves that you can use before a job interview, important meeting or any other potentially anxiety-inducing situation.
At The British School of Etiquette we aim to connect our students with trainers who are at the very top of their field and bring their unrivalled expertise to each and every course. To this end, we have teamed up with Cindy Ferrara to launch a new Presentation Skills course that we believe is the best on the market.
Cindy will not just teach you the mechanics of presenting. She will tap into your personal strengths to create a powerful and memorable style specific to you, based on your voice, body language and rapport-building skills. She will empower you with invaluable skills to analyse your audience, connect to any crowd -whether you are presenting one-to-one or one-to-1000 – and speak with impact, clarity and confidence.
This is a dynamic and unique one-day workshop, which will leave you confident and fully equipped to deliver a powerful talk on any topic, with limited time to prepare and no nerves. It will not only revolutionise your professional capabilities but also make you feel more at ease in any situation that involves social interactions.
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