This was a bespoke programme combining confident public speaking and facilitation skills for managers.
The programme – and what they said
Day 1: Practical Public Speaking Skills
A day of concentrated practice with each delegate delivering an elevator pitch, a personal interest presentation and a business presentation, followed by feedback
To what extent were the course objectives achieved?
“At first, daunting to have to speak in front of colleagues, but by doing this exercise there was reinforcement in the ways in which we can / should engage through the spoken word”
“Activities were well-planned”
“Good feedback to improve future standards”
“Gave various methods to practice presenting and making you deliver something that you had not prepared”
“Enjoyable, informative day’
How enjoyable were the activities?
“Once moved on from embarrassment, the activities were enjoyable”
“Presenting in the afternoon became easier, as the group became more familiar”
“Very enjoyable and engaging”
“They were really good”
About the trainer Philippa Hammond
“Very helpful and insightful”
“Philippa gave tips and hints throughout the day which were very helpful”
“Excellent feedback throughout the day”
“Really good constructive feedback”
How useful will the techniques learned be to you at work?
“A number of comments made, such as “task, values and language”, “like, trust and understand” and “stop, start, continue” will be very helpful”
“I will take on board comments and try to use these in future”
“Invaluable!”
What was the most useful part of the workshop for you?
“Discussion and realise that others felt / experiences were the same”
“Standing up and presenting the materials that I had prepared”
“Practising presenting, preparing presentations”
“Discussion and peer feedback”
“Making me stand up”
“The realisation that my lengthy script really wasn’t required”
Comments
“The anecdotes and comments in between the presentations were helpful”
“All will be helpful”
Day 2: Persuading, Influencing and Facilitation Skills
A day exploring the skills needed to persuade and influence others, with a Dragons’ Den-style pitch, plus a set of ten professional facilitation skills ideal for meetings, training sessions and conference discussions
To what extent were the course objectives achieved?
“Fully met”
“The facilitation skills top ten pointers were very helpful”
“More opportunities to practice presenting / speaking”
“Good information meeting all objectives”
How enjoyable were the activities?
“Good and informative”
“More relaxed during second day – enjoyed Dragons’ Den”
“The facilitation skills activities were very helpful”
“Good fun – allowed for humour”
About the trainer Philippa Hammond
“Excellent facilitation skills”
“Philippa’s knowledge and preparation was excellent, well planned”
“Flexible approach, meeting needs of group”
How useful will the techniques learned be to you at work?
“All skills v useful”
“Tried to take on board comments from yesterday”
“The facilitation skills for team meetings”
“The techniques learned can be used in all aspects of my work”
“Feel so much better about next presentation!”
What was the most useful part of the workshop for you?
“General participation”
“Continued practice from day 1”
“Facilitation skills and different methods of facilitating”
“Different facilitation techniques”
Comments
“I have really enjoyed the 2 day experience”
“Very enjoyable / nerve-wracking, very helpful in my work”
“Good fun, very informative”
Responses gathered anonymously