WHO IS THIS FOR?
The workshop is designed for those who would prefer to do just about anything else than speak in public! Whether you fear audiences of one, small groups or large audiences, this workshop will share effective methods, skills and tricks to communicate more effectively.

WHAT IS IT FOR?
Pure and simple: This workshop is for those wishing to "look" public speaking "right in the eye" and show it a thing or two. Put another way, the workshop is for dealing with your fear and/or hatred of public speaking. You may not get over your fear, but you will learn how to better deal with it, and you will build confidence in your public speaking.

HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?

• Optimal learning requires a challenging (high expectations) and safe (low threat/high support) environment, a place where you will benefit from being introduced to fundamental steps and skills to combat your fears and anxiety.
• You will learn how to use the energy of your fear to your advantage.
• By working with others who also fear public speaking, you will benefit by sharing ways to cope with such feelings and by experiencing the successes of each other.

WHAT COMPETENCIES WILL BE DEALT WITH?
Facing Fear: Explore what it is about public speaking that is so nerve-wracking and anxiety-producing, and learn how this energy can be used to assist you.

Knowing and Setting the Stage: Learn how to access the environment in which you will speak and what you can do to foster the clear reception of your message.

Making Your Point: First, you must clearly understand the point you wish to make, then you must "package" your message in a way that holds value and interest for the listener.

Taking Control/Projecting Confidence: The fact is that shy, embarrassed, withdrawn people are uncomfortable to watch, so we look away. You will learn key steps for sharing your information in a self-assured manner, thus focusing the attention on what you have to say and not how you are saying it.

Knowing Your Public Speaking Toolbox: We will begin to discuss some aspects of the toolbox as time allows. However, priority will be given to developing a core set of skills that participants are comfortable with. As appropriate, we will discuss toolbox items, including the use of gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, rate of delivery, effective use of pauses, sound effects (ones that you make, not taped) and body language. In addition, we will focus on the vocal aspects of presenting, such as volume, pitch, tone, projection, pacing, diction and how to make your breath work for you.

Capitalizing on Your Strengths — Minimizing Your Weaknesses: We are all better at some aspects of public speaking than others. Knowing which are which is essential to effective public speaking and leads to the proper utilization of skills and talents.

THE WORKSHOP WILL ENABLE YOU TO:

• use your internal "stress meter" to your advantage;
• identify the public speaking skills you already have;
• develop a priority list of public speaking situations where you wish to concentrate your effort;
• learn and practice basic steps for dealing with "nerves";
• understand and work towards being "present" when you speak;
• identify new skills you wish to acquire in the future.

SPECIFIC CONTENT
The specific information taught and the timing and sequencing of workshop components are dictated by time, participants' current real-life work situations and individual needs and goals. The content is determined based on

pre-workshop discussions with those coordinating the workshop and, when possible, workshop participants.

DO I NEED THIS WORKSHOP?
You are invited to contact me to discuss your needs, skills and objectives as they relate to this workshop.

HOW IS THE WORKSHOP STRUCTURED?
Workshop structure is based on instructional time available and desired goals. Content is provided to ground participants in thoughts and vocabulary about specific public speaking topics and skill sets. For each content area, group discussion is followed by individual and/or small group practice.

HOW LONG IS THE WORKSHOP?
Participants benefit, when possible, from a multi-day workshop, which covers areas of specific interest in greater depth. Multi-day workshops can be held consecutively or over a longer time period. A one-day workshop is available, which covers the basics of the content discussed above.

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE IN EACH WORKSHOP?
The workshop works best with six to ten participants. In most cases, a minimum of four participants are needed to provide the synergistic effect of learning from each other. Groups of three or smaller benefit more from an open discussion-style workshop, which can be provided. A workable maximum for the workshop is twelve participants.

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