talking Presentations Testimonials

Up to and including 29 Jul 2010, we have run 105 talking Presentations workshops in the GCC. To date, 863 Executives, including; 35 Managing Directors, 130 Directors and 422 Senior Managers have participated in this powerful 2-day professional development programme .

Prepare to be inspired! Take a moment to read what these executives have to say about the impact talking Presentations had on them and their business;

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  "I participated in talking Presentations 7 months ago. The training has lifted my confidence in public speaking to a level I could only dream of. It also proved that we do not need to imitate public speaking gurus but learn from them and develop our own style to positive effects. Our business has definitely benefited from the training of our senior staff and has tremendously increased our pool of people to speak on behalf of the company. talking Presentations delivers two winners: the individual and the business."

  Allel Hadri, Client Director WS Atkins and Partners Overseas (Participant May '08)

• "I participated in talking Presentations 8 months ago. It provided me with the tools and structure to successfully present to a large audience and the confidence to do it! This has led to stronger and more effective communication within the business.The workshop coaches were experienced and were able to mix discussion, video and feedback. However, to make the most of your investment be prepared to be open, uncomfortable and commit your full energy to learn. When you do, the benefits are immediate."

  Richard Hinchliffe, Head of Commercial Banking, Abu Dhabi HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (Participant May '08)

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  "talking Presentations has enabled me to realise that a good presentation can be the single most important deciding factor in determining success. I was a participant 7 months ago. It helped me to come out of my shell and transformed me from being conservative to dynamic and effective. This has helped me to make the most of every situation - not just at work but in life in general. I feel that people now understand and appreciate me more and the message I have conveyed remains with the audience long after the words have been forgotten."

  
  
  Alcide Coelho, Corporate Quality Manager, Centre of Excellence LIMITLESS (Participant June '08)

• "talking Presentations gave me more confidence in the way I prepare for and deliver a presentation. NO slide is required, it's great! It organised my thinking process enabling me to ensure I deliver my message. This has added much value to business; more professional presenters give better a impression to the audience, I'm much more convincing and sell my ideas more effectively. Since participating in the programme 15 months ago, I have recommended talking Presentations to many colleagues. All my teams have now also participated."

  Nick Nawfal, Regional Sales Manager - MEAP Baker Hughes INTEQ (Participant Oct '07)

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  "talking Presentations is the most useful workshop that I ever attended. I participated in an in-house programme 12 months ago. It is an easy to follow methodology that allows you to formulate your thoughts, practise speaking, experience visual feedback and have guided improvement all the way through. From a business, as well as a personal viewpoint, my presentation skills increased well beyond expectation. Mike and his team really managed the sessions with utmost professionalism and not only did we become better presenters, but had fun doing so... Bravo! I review the feedback Mike gave me before every presentation I make.

  For those thinking whether or not to attend talking Presentations, don't delay - it is one of the best investments you can make in yourself or your staff."

  Neville Perry, CSE Manager - MENA & Turkey AVAYA Intelligent Communications (Participant January '08)

• "talking Presentations is a highly effective and life altering training program, with immediately apparent tangible results even after just a two day course. It is an encapsulated version of some of the proven top-end practices associated with the top success stories of our time.

  The skills I walked away with are going to stand me in good stead in any business setting I happen to be a part of, enabling me to influence key decision makers with highly structured, logical and cogent presentations/pitches."

  Hasan Makansi, Head of Partner Development, Dubai Knowledge Village (Participant: July '07)

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  "Since enrolling in talking Presentations a year ago, my communication and presentation skills have improved tremendously. Moreover, my self-confidence in delivering speeches and presentations in major conferences such as NAFSA, AIEA and Going Global was enhanced significantly because of the effective tools that I learned to use in the training course"

  
  
  Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village (Participant: June '06)

• It is now 6 months since I participated in the talking Presentations workshop. I have personally benefited by becoming more confident in what I say and how I present it. I have since made presentations to both internal staff and customers. They have all been well received and crucially more focused; saving time and improving the message.

  My advice to anybody who is not 100% confident in making presentations is to participate in the workshop. You will immediately feel the benefits."

  Kevin Bickerstaffe, Vice President Sales, Chloride UPS Systems (Participant: April '07)

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  "I participated in talking Presentations 18 months ago. The course was unlike any other Adrian Hayes I had ever attended. It blew away the lot! As someone who does a lot of presentations, my objectives were continual improvement rather than overcoming fear/gaining confidence. For my fellow participants who were not accomplished presenters, it enabled them to grow massively in self-confidence and develop effective communication techniques. For those of us with experience, it provided the skills to make our presentations far, far more dynamic.

  I recommend talking Presentations to anyone seeking to become good, or the best, in this vital business area"

  
  Adrian Hayes, Corporate Coach & Keynote Speaker (Participant: March '06)

• "It has been almost a year since I participated in talking Presentations. The impact has been great:

  • My day-to-day business presentations have benefited immensely in terms of delivery and result achieved. I've pushed numerous projects forward through presentations made since the course!
  • Preparing presentations has become a lot less painstaking, therefore less time consuming.
  • The main message is clearly communicated. There is no chance of information getting 'lost in translation' In addition, it enabled me to become and even more confident communicator.

  It's a must-attend experience for anyone in business. Communication is key! "

  Jimmy Poon, Managing Director, Boqin Group (Participant: September '06)

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  "I found it very interesting that almost everybody has a fear of public speaking. While I am an accomplished presenter in my first language, for me the workshop was very useful because English is my second language.

  talking Presentations - in which I participated 9 months ago - gave me confidence in effectively delivering speeches in English. We live in the era of good PR and impeccable image. This workshop will definitely help any professional improve the way they communicate their message."

  Elizabeth Filippouli, TV Presenter & Producer, Al Jazeera International (Participant: December '06)

Conference Testimonials

• "I am writing to thank you for your invaluable help and contribution during the preparation for the Society's Annual General Meeting. You provided first class coaching and ensured that the presentations made by our Chief Executive and Finance Director were delivered at the meeting in an interesting, enthusiastic and polished manner"

  Ian C Adam, Chairman 4,500 employees (April '05)

• "Thanks once again. You have made an outstanding contribution to the confidence and presentation skills of the whole senior management team and you can take a huge amount of satisfaction from that and the success the Society has enjoyed during your time that you have been involved."

  Andrew Messenger, Chief Executive 850 employees (May '05)

• "I have seen the influence of Mike's work, to develop the self confidence, communication skills and personal impact of colleagues, create events where audiences' expectations have been exceeded."

  Phil Lee, Group Finance Director 4,500 employees (April '04)

• "Just quick note to say thanks for all your work in preparing the young people for the conference on Saturday ....... It did just what I wanted, it set the tone for the day."

  Ian McCambridge, Regional Officer The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (November '01)

• "Many thanks for the part you have played too in our success, bringing on our executives and managers in terms of public presentations and confidence."

  Andrew Messenger, Chief Executive 850 employees (October '01)

• "Whilst this is sometimes a painful process of self-learning and development, the results can be objectively measured from audience reaction, which seems to have been universally positive."

  Stephen Karle, Directory and Secretary 850 employees (March '01)

Other Testimonials

• "I have worked with Mike Atack for 6 years and wish to commend him to you... I recommend Mike Atack to you without reservation."

  Elspeth V Inch OBE

• "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the whole team and Business Link Humber for excellent facilitation of our events last week"

  Sally Stedman, Marketing Manager

• "Mike is a professional, powerful and motivational speaker and we would definitely use Mike again and would happily recommend others to do so."

  Martin Bird, Senior Operations Manager

• "The impact of the course was surprising. As a result, over 12 months on, I am still filled with enthusiasm and energy, still holding my broader vision while capable of making adjustments as necessary to achieve it."

  Catherine M. Seress, Corporate and Personal Coach

• "WOW! What an experience! I wish I’d been able to benefit from the course when I was a teenager."

  Steve Dobson, Managing Consultant BKR Haines Watts IT & Professional Services

• "It was a life changing experience. I now have new skills and confidence, which have been applied in areas I thought were beyond me. A must for every serious manager or executive."

  Mike Burrows, Chairman WHCF Ltd

• "A revelation. Well above expectation. A real ‘wake-up’ call. Very relevant. Really challenged me."

  Bob Young

• "This course is truly excellent. It has given me another set of tools to use in order to get me to live "My Life's Purpose!' Well done!!"

  Alexandra Mann