WHO IS THIS FOR?
This workshop is for those whose ability to communicate in public is essential to their work and lives and for those who are motivated to improve their public speaking skills. Those who are comfortable with public speaking and are willing and interested in assessing their current skill level and moving into new public speaking territory will also benefit. The workshop is for those who have had little or ineffective training and provides a foundation of skills from which to begin. For individuals with more advanced public speaking skills, the workshop provides a "tune-up" with more challenging skill sets and exercises.

WHAT IS IT FOR?
From presenting information with peers or superiors at work to sharing your message with large audiences, public speaking is an essential skill that—like other skills—can be improved and strengthened through practice, allowing you to gain new skills and self- and professional-assessment.

HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Participants benefit from an optimal learning environment that combines challenging exercises (high expectations) in a safe (low threat/high support) environment. In addition, participants will be:

• introduced to new techniques;
• afforded the opportunity to practice those techniques in "bite size" pieces;
• given the confidence that comes from developing a toolbox of public speaking skills to have at the ready.

WHAT COMPETENCIES WILL BE DEALT WITH?
Knowing Your Public Speaking Toolbox: A well-rounded public speaker brings a variety of tools to any situation, 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. These include: volume, pitch, tone, projection, pacing, diction and how to make your breath work for 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Taking Control/Projecting Confidence: The fact is that shy, embarrassed, withdrawn people are uncomfortable to watch, so we look away.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.

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:

• identify the public speaking skills you already have;
• assess your current skill level;
• develop a priority list of public speaking situations where you wish to concentrate your effort;
• learn and practice the tools of your public speaking toolbox;
• understand how to be more "present" when you speak;
• identify new skills you wish to acquire in the future and develop steps to acquire those skills;
• gain greater overall confidence in your public speaking.

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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