Peter Stephens: theatrical skills.

Emergency service

Now, presenters preparing for an important meeting have their own ‘emergency service’ to help them bring content to life and avoid embarrassing mistakes. Styled as the ‘emergency public-speaking antidote for business presenters’, Pitch Doctor is the brainchild of training company BOP (Behavioural & Observational Practice.

BOP founder Peter Stephens said: ‘The number one fear, above death, snakes and heights, is actually the fear of public speaking. Most people can tell a story among friends but when asked to formalise their presentation, often a deadly wet blanket descends and smothers all those interesting personality traits that help keep an audience engaged. Our training techniques use theatrical skills to “turn up the volume” on the individual’s own presentation style.’

Help is at hand

BOP claims that whenever preparation hits a difficult patch, a professional trainer can be on hand to help direct or fine-tune a presentation – whether there are days, hours or minutes to spare before it’s due to be revealed to the waiting audience.

BOP works by blending its management expertise with ‘tried and tested audience-engaging techniques from the theatre’: the team’s experience – from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – has helped it develop courses that mix commerce and show business to bring out the trainee’s natural skills and personality.

Speaker training: about presenting personality.

One of BOP’s popular programmes involves a three ‘act’ concept, with each act made up of two days’ training. The course takes trainees through the theory and technique behind effective delivery of presentations, the application of these techniques and the end product – actual practice at speaking in front of an audience.

Body language and tone of voice

Stephens continues: ‘Above all, people buy people, which means it’s not only the content of a presentation that secures an audience’s attention; it’s the way the presenter’s personality comes across. Body language and tone of voice account for 93% of the impact of communication, whereas most businesses focus their activity on the remaining 7% – PowerPoint slides over personality.’

For further information, call 07973 316 955.

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