PROGRAMS:

Training Program Features

Our training focus is unique because we teach our clients both the Essential Communication Skills and Positive Impact Behaviors.

Essential Communication Skills

1. Pronunciation of vowels and consonants
Standard American English sounds are not directly represented by written letters. Our programs teach the relationship between spoken American English sounds and letters as well as the specific production/articulation techniques for these sounds (Accent Reduction).

Did you know that American English has 26 written letters that represent 56 combinations of consonant sounds and 20 vowel sounds?

2. Intonation (tone of voice)
Every word in Standard American English has a unique musical tone associated with it.  This tone is used to correctly pronounce a word and also express the intent behind it.  Our programs provide in depth speaking and listening exercises so that clients can successfully comprehend the intent of messages and speak with clarity and influence.

Did you know that in words with multiple syllables, the primary stressed syllable will always be said longer, louder, and higher in pitch than the others?

3. Voice Projection (quality and volume)
American conversations and business meetings are frequently loud and fast paced.  A speaker's credibility is often judged by his or her ability to project.  During our training programs, clients will learn how to successfully maintain strong voice projection in order to “command, not demand” an audience.

Did you know that very quiet speakers are often labeled as insecure and unprepared while very loud speakers are labeled as brash and overconfident? 

4. Fluency (speech delivery)
Face-to-face communication allows a speaker to add meaning to his or her content. This is achieved in the purposeful and dynamic delivery of the message. During our programs, clients learn how to speak purposefully by controlling their speech rate, using meaningful pauses, and eliminating fillers.

Did you know that in American English, written grammar forms and spoken grammar forms are different?  If you speak using written grammar forms, you may be perceived as boring, rigid, and unfriendly.

Positive Impact Behaviors

1. Focused Content:  
Effective speakers readily identify what their listeners “need to know, want to know, and have to know.”  They are always prepared to execute their message in low or high pressure environments.  We teach our clients content organization strategies, enabling them to clearly and succinctly convey the most important information with maximum impact.

Did you know that the most frequent criticism of technical presenters is too much content (aka. “the data dump”)?  Data dumping immediately confuses and disengages the audience from the intent of the speaker’s message.

2. Professional Image:  
Speakers who visually appear credible and confident are better able to build rapport with their audience and have better outcomes.  This is done through strong and welcoming body language (gestures, facial expressions, posture) and positive vocal tones.  Our programs effectively integrate verbal and nonverbal communication skills so that our clients appear genuine, confident, and in control when speaking.    

Did you know that as much as 70% of a speaker’s message is understood from what is not said (i.e. tone of voice, body language)?

3. Self–Awareness:
Professionals must have an accurate and in-depth understanding of their communication strengths and weaknesses before successful growth/change can occur.   As a result, all of our programs utilize systematic self-assessment and feedback measures.

Did you know that “speaking in public” frequently ranks in the top-5 fears of all time?