It's always a pleasure to visit our clients across the ditch. Great fun was had by all and our team was warmed up ready for the New Year of consulting. Next stop Adelaide and Melbourne. Feels like we'll be run off our feet this year. We love it though! Wishing everyone a great start to the year. 

It's the year for you to stop hiding your talents and finally let go of your fear. Did you know that fear is just "excitement...without the breathing!" Presenting and Public Speaking are learnable skills. You don't have to be a natural "show off"...you just need to understand what to do. We can show you how. Come join us...we're here to help you perform at your best. Make 2019 your best year yet!

How many parties are you going to this season? And how many parties are you avoiding because you're shy, don't know what to say or just give up in noisy, crowded environments? If this is you...come and learn how to rev up your speaking style, mobilise your conversation starters and safely project your voice so people can hear you.

We've had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Blair, sailor extraordinaire, who's off on yet another adventure, this time, circumnavigating Australia. (She's already conquered Antarctica!) She has a great story to tell about being out at sea alone when her mast broke...read her upcoming book "Demasted" to find out how she handled the fear...and look out for her speaking tour where she tackles everyone's fear of public speaking with the same courage.Be inspired.

Many people want to voice their own podcast and take sounding good seriously. One such person is Journalist Nina Young, who wrote and recorded her very personal story of her emotional journey into uncovering the truth about her own father in "My father, the Murderer" a six part true crime story. Be sure to tune in on Foxtel.

Time for reflection. If you are a natural introvert, or maybe feel you have become more introverted as you've got older, you are going to find taking a course in presenting skills will help your confidence immeasurably. In her book  Quiet:The power of Introverts in a world that can't stop talking, Susan Cain gives some great insights into how an introvert can thrive by facing their fear and learning public speaking. A good read.

We've been back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne this month training the Unions on how to sound good on the phone;executives on how to reduce their accent and improve their possibilities for promotion; entrepreneurs in how to pitch their start up and writers in how to podcast. Big month and lots of fun too. 

Ever seen someone talking to themself and thought... Whoh! Talking to yourself used to be considered the first sign of madness. However, a recent study by Nottingham Trent University in the UK has discovered we are considerably more successful at problem solving if we talk out loud rather than puzzle it out in our head. Apparently it focuses your attention (not to mention the curious attention of onlookers!)

Have you had fun with this hearing test yet? It just hit the net and is sending people crazy! Why? Because people who hear this sound are utterly convinced that they are hearing YANNY....no LAUREL!...No YANNY!! ...no....LAUREL!!!!!. We'll give you the secret as to why this is happening in our next post. Stay tuned. 

Researchers at the Univerity of York have run multiple tests on dogs and it has been proven that they love being talked to in a "soppy tone" . No surprise here! They like hearing speech directed at them such as " you are a good doggy" "good boy/girl" etc especially if it is in sing-songly voice. We think it is good practice for you too...as it helps you relax your throat and vary the pitch of your voice. A reward for both of you! 

You might be suprised to know that the saying "stiff upper lip" that is used to commonly refer to a particular English vocal trait, is in fact a US invention. It was an early phrase referring to a poem by a US women's rights advocate. An early #metoo reference perhaps. The Brits liked the power behind the sentiment. Emotional Resilience in face of a challenge. Try holding your top lip stiffly and you'll get the feel for the mouth position required to produce an English Upper Class accent. It's fun to do and timely...with Royal Wedding fever in the air!

Smart shoppers have taken to ordering their clothes by speaking to their Artificially Intelligent Speaker Systems. We've heard that the order can come out 3 sizes too big if you mumble your instructions! See...you even need to have a good voice to talk to a THING! ...OMG!

According to the latest discoveries by scientists, bats along with birds and dolphins have regional accents! Apparently, when bats are moved away from their mother colony and put into a new one, they listen to the sounds of other bats around them and pick up the exact same squeals. Humans often do the same (particularly if we're having fun!)...it's a way to fit in with the tribe.

We've had a busy start to the year. It seems lots of people want to sound good this year. And we are happy to help. We are running trainings in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne in February and March and then have a full program in all capital cities during the rest of the year. Book in early via the website or phone to secure your place. We look forward to meeting you and your team.

What will this exciting year bring for you? What topics will you need to present? What will you be speaking about in business? to your family? to your friends? Hot topics this year will be cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, organics, new styles in leadership, engaging relationships and cooperative teamwork. Come and upgrade your virtual presenting skills and learn how to keep the important "human" touch and authenticity in all you do. 

Everywhere you turn you'll find yourself either talking or listening to "things'. Chatting to Siri or Cortana: commanding Alexa or Google to find things for you or turn on the lights. Bet you didn't know that they have a hard time helping you if they can't clearly hear your words. To spruce up your pronunciation...be sure to move your lips!

Researchers have found that two out of five people own up to using a fake voice to make a better impression on their caller. However most people can't keep it up for long.Women do it more than men but are often unaware they are doing it. The report also says that older people put on a "phone voice" less than younger people. So we don't just "dress to impress"...we "talk to impress" too.