Case Study - Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama Conference at Chichester University

The Background

Having done a half day session at the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama Conference (STSD) a few years ago on How to take your skills into the corporate and business world; I was keen when invited to do a session this year to do something different, relevant, stimulating and enjoyable. Talking to experienced practitioners is always a challenge, getting the balance right between the tone, style and content is a real challenge; making the session as interactive as possible with a large number was another consideration.

The Approach

I wanted to achieve a combination of sharing of my experience and passion for the subject with humorous demonstrations and practical experience. I decided to base my approach on the importance of physical, emotional and intellectual preparation and chose the title:- Great Communication a Skill and not a Gift.

My opening premise was that �an audience hears how you feel before they listen to what you say�. I drew on over 20 years of experience of presentation and media training and coaching in the corporate and business sectors and two colleagues, Dominic Singleton and Barbara McGeary, gave periodic light hearted demonstrations of some of the more entertaining incidents I have experienced.

We included such things as nervous entries, full scripts read without full understanding from behind a large podium, a learnt and then forgotten speech, and some hilarious examples of PowerPoint delivery, unreadable slides and equipment which did not work.

Having discussed the crucial importance of having a powerful opening, the delegates were invited to prepare the opening to a speech of their choice during the coffee break. A selection of these were performed, filmed and analysed for impact, style and presence, and to give the delegates a sense of how I work with the camera and replay to help the trainees on my courses to develop.

My aim was to engage, entertain and inspire the audience both as speakers and as teachers of Public Speaking.

The Results

The sessions (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) were dynamic, vital, well varied, lively (and exhausting). I accomplished the balance of information, engagement and entertainment for which I had aimed and was delighted with the enthusiastic response.  The delegates were given many strategies including how to structure speeches, how to handle prompt cards and how to prepare both physically and vocally.

To conclude a couple of quotes from the STSD Newsletter

�From her opening words the audience was enthralled. This was Susan Ford, Professor and Fellow of Speech and Communication, and a leading authority on presentation and Communication skills at her most eloquent. This was not just a session on the techniques of Public Speaking, it was a master class� Cally Foster

�The highlight of the Conference for me was Public Speaking with the wonderful Susan Ford�
Arzhia Habibi.