In-House Training
You know that confident, clear, engaging and persuasive speaking skills are the ultimate advantage for any organisation or team.
And what can go wrong when these are missing.
You’re looking for tailored training that’s:
Practical | Simple to retain and apply | Engaging | Enjoyable
I’m an expert in this space and can work with you to create the program that you need for your organisation, at any level. One that gets often immediate results.
From graduates to emerging leaders or executives, sales teams to technical experts.
No waffle, no padding, no rigid format. Just clear, dynamic training that’s well designed AND flexible enough to flow with participant needs in the moment.
Trusted by leading organisations
Good business relies on great communication.
When your people speak effectively, they leverage your products, services and ideas. But if your leaders or teams lack confidence or skills it can cost you opportunities, time, effort and money.
Speaking to influence and motivate team members, having 1:1 meetings with clients, or persuading stakeholders – the ability of your people to speak well, with presence, conviction and energy in any situation, is a vital part of your organisation’s success.
A recent LinkedIn survey found that 9 out of 10 global executives agree that soft skills (aka “human” or “durable” skills) are more important than ever. So, it’s not surprising that communication ranks No. 1 on the 2024 list of overall most in-demand skills.
LinkedIn Talent Blog 2024
Numbers Speak
Experience
Recommendations
Clients
Google Reviews
How does this training improve your team’s capability?
Confidence and Presence
Step up and speak up successfully and get results – whatever challenges are in the room.
Trust
Inspire confidence, belief and action-taking through engaging with credibility – the right level at the right times.
Clarity
Replace ‘clutter’ or confusion with concise, clear structure, logical flow, impactful messaging and language.
You’ll receive interactive, practical, enjoyable training, using the latest adult learning principles. These programs get visible, often instant, results.
Research-based and proven to work, they’ve helped over 10,000 clients in the past 15 years.
Training is based on one or more of these Accelerated Speaking Results System levels, reflecting increasing mastery of both content and delivery.
Examples of what’s typically covered:
Speaking habits
These are crucial, because any habit that isn’t conscious will potentially make the speaker look either not self-aware, or nervous. Neither builds credibility and authority in audience eyes.
There may be unconscious or unhelpful habits or biases around elements such as:
- Gestures, mannerisms and body positioning
- Vocal style
- Energy levels
- Discomfort about speaking
- Selling with influence
- Small word choices that can diminish the message
Learn evidence-based, tested tools for these habits – what to add, tweak or drop.
Engagement and connection tools and pitfalls such as:
- The top filters that kill listener engagement.
- Ensuring ways to ‘Connect then Carry’.
- Story-telling or case-studies that work.
- My Speaking Disconnection Circles and what to do about them.
- How to read the room, and adjust style if required.
- And everything learned will still allow ‘realness’ and authenticity.
Learning Outcomes — examples
- Delivery and preparation skills to demonstrate confidence and presence.
- Being able to think clearly and coherently.
- Flexible, effective structures and frameworks for clarity, impact and influence.
- Sharp, succinct and refined language and key messages.
- Specific techniques to build trust and authority fast.
- Managing questions, difficult topics or audiences.
- Audience engagement and ability to retain information.
Business leaders estimate their teams lose an average of 7.47 hours per week to poor communication - almost one full work day
*The State of Business Communication, Grammarly 2022
Delivered in your choice of format:
And if you’re not sure, we can advise you.
1. Masterclass / Keynote
Presenter-driven, light interaction, Q & A.
1 – 2 hour
In this practical and engaging session, participants learn techniques and tools to increase their confidence, engagement or influencing skills.
Session content can be focused at a high level on one, two or all three of these areas.
Presenter-driven teaching with audience interaction plus Q and A and the opportunity to test the ideas. Non-threatening, safe environment making it easy to digest and remember new ideas. Can be supported with workbooks, post-session follow-up.
2. Workshop(s)
Teaching and discussion with participant practice.
Create your own ideal training fit using A and B
Choose 1, 2 or all 3 workshops below.
(2 or 3 sessions recommended for the greatest embedded improvement.)
Techniques and tools for:
1. Confidence and presence (workshop 1).
2. Engagement (workshop 2).
3. Influence and persuasion (workshop 3).
Each workshop duration: two hours.
- Practice in pairs or small groups.
- Individual presentations and coaching feedback.
- ‘Hot-seat’ coaching where a few participants volunteer to be coached briefly.
Over 15,000 participants have completed training, coaching and workshop programs with Improve Your Public Speaking since 2011.
I’m based in Melbourne, and deliver programs across both regional areas and capital cities across Australia. I’m also happy to travel to locations not always serviced by other training organisations, which is often welcome!
Online, hybrid or face-to-face: your choice
Every program can be delivered online, a mix of online and live in room, or fully face-to-face, depending on your location and preference.
Nearly 9 out of 10 business leaders have experienced the adverse impact of poor communication at work, including increased costs 45%, missed deadlines or increased time to resolution 39%, and eroded brand credibility or reputation 34%
*The State of Business Communication, Grammarly 2022
Our typical approach
Discovery
We speak to ensure we’re a good fit, discuss what’s important to you in the training, and your desired outcomes. I’ll then explain the best ways to achieve those outcomes.
Design
I design the ideal workshop(s) or program to give you the outcomes you require from the training. Your input is welcomed at this stage if desired.
Pre-work
Pre-training surveys or phone calls may be used to discover participants’ aims or concerns. Light pre-session video or similar may apply to orient prior to workshops.
Delivery
Interactive but safe training is delivered in the format and depth you’ve chosen. Workbooks are included, and your preferred type of practical speaking practice.
Follow-up
For embedded learning that’s retained, follow-up methods may be used e.g. post-event virtual check-in or emails with key message reminders.
What my clients are saying
Sarah provided training in public speaking to the LiverWELL team last week and we were able to see an improvement in our skills within one day! Sarah managed the diverse requirements of our staff and lived experience speakers with sensitivity and warmth. A combination of experience, expert advice, science and a little humour made it a highly valuable and enjoyable day. I would highly recommend Sarah.
Paulette Trevena
Communications and Engagement Manager - LiverWELL
“Sarah thoughtfully delivered a tailored program to our Leadership Team, covering presenting effectively in meetings – to support our staff presentation and speaking skills – successfully addressing both online and in-person presentation formats.
The team was extremely complimentary of Sarah and the program, finding the tailored content and her delivery practical, professional, and concise. Sarah made them feel safe from the start, which encouraged greater interaction and engagement. We were beyond pleased to have found Sarah and highly recommend her.”
Kimberley Varrasso
People and Culture Manager Cancer Trials Australia
Our consultants found it a delight and a pleasure working with Sarah Denholm. Sarah’s modules were constructed with content that was grounded in psychology and human behaviour. Her practical tips and approaches were well received too. During her workshops, Sarah was able to draw out the most reluctant of our consultants and make them participate enthusiastically.
The sessions were thoroughly enjoyable while being educational and practical. Thank you, Sarah. We have no hesitation in recommending Sarah’s course to others who are looking for such programs.
Arvind Krishnaswamy
Logic Information Systems
We engaged Sarah to provide 12 of our Team Members with the 3 Workshop training – feedback was overwhelmingly positive! Participants found the program “fantastic, great, and outstanding”. They mentioned taking away valuable insights that will aid in their work.
Sarah received high praise for being an excellent presenter with deep knowledge and subject matter experience. Overall, Team Members highly recommend the program and applaud Sarah as a “brilliant speaker and facilitator”.
Belinda Humphreys
City Holdings
My Team of certified Project Managers were delivering projects successfully, but I realized that good public speaking and presentation skills are an integral part.
The three workshops she did for us were a huge success.
In fact, a Team member who dreaded public speaking, did the best presentation during the third workshop! The workshops were fun, we learned from each other, we encouraged each other and more importantly the learnings are lifelong!
Personally, I kept taking guidance from Sarah even after her official engagement was over. She was very supportive, and I have no hesitation in saying that Sarah – you have been an integral part of my journey from Manager to Director.
Rohit Srivastava
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Our team engaged Sarah Denholm to deliver her program to our medical workforce. Clinicians and practice staff, particularly in a rural setting, are often placed in leadership positions without the skills to deliver their message effectively.
Sarah’s presentation was perfectly delivered to everyone that attended, whether they were a practice manager, nurse, doctor in training or specialist clinician. Her calm, approachable manner allowed all of us to feel at ease and practice our new skills. I would strongly recommend her for any organisation wishing to help their workforce around leadership and public speaking.
Dr. Carrie-Ann McKenzie
Director Limestone Coast Regional Training Hub, Flinders Rural & Remote Health SA
About me
I’ve been coaching, consulting and mentoring in public speaking and presentation skills for 15 years. Plus many years on stage as a classical pianist before that.
I work with clients worldwide in organisations from the UN, to Shizen Energy in Japan, to Deutsche Bank.
To find out more about my background and story, visit the About Sarah page, or my LinkedIn profile.