The Team Boost Their Communication Skills with Public Speaking Workshop
At Personnel Checks, we believe investing in our team’s development is crucial for fostering a strong, connected, and resilient workplace. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming acclaimed vocal coach and actor Liz Long to the office to deliver a comprehensive three-day public speaking workshop.
The team celebrating completing their presentations
Liz has been a friend of the business for some time, and has delivered this training for us multiple times. However, following a recent swathe of new hires, it seemed like the ideal time to invite her back again.
Liz uses her extensive performance expertise to deliver a workshop that helps our team members gain confidence, improve communication, and refine their presentation skills.
Delivered to team members from across Personnel Checks, as well as our sister business TaxiPlus, it also helped build relationships between team members who may not always have the opportunity to work together.
As we offer both remote and hybrid work options, building inter-department relationships is something fundamentally important to our culture.
Building Skills in Stages
The public speaking workshop was designed as a three-part journey, each stage delivered on a different day to give the team time to absorb their learning and plan for the next stage:
Day 1: Best Practices in Communication
Liz shared essential tips and techniques for effective public speaking, covering everything from body language to vocal projection. Team members were tasked with finding a topic that they would be interested in presenting back to their group.
Day 2: Personalized Feedback
In one-on-one sessions, Liz provided tailored feedback on individual presentations, helping each participant sharpen their approach and boost self-assurance.
Day 3: Final Presentations and Peer Feedback
Culminating in a series of presentations on topics of personal significance, team members had the chance to present to their colleagues. This setup fostered a sense of camaraderie and allowed everyone to see and celebrate each other’s progress.
CEO Jack Mellor, who arranged the training, said:
“I had the pleasure of sneaking into a handful of today's final presentations and was overjoyed to see the confidence, camaraderie and team building that these sessions deliver!
“It was inspiring to see our team step out of their comfort zones and really shine. From topics on history and family legacy to fun takes on popular culture, each presentation was a testament to the diverse passions and personalities within Personnel Checks.”
The benefits of communication training extend beyond individual skill-building. Effective communication is a cornerstone of personal development and a significant driver of organizational success.
Here are some of the core benefits:
Enhanced Team Dynamics and Cohesion
Public speaking workshops encourage team members to connect on a deeper level. This experience fosters empathy and respect, improving overall team dynamics. When employees understand each other’s communication styles, collaboration becomes more fluid and productive.
Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem
Mastering public speaking builds self-confidence—a crucial asset in both personal and professional spheres. Liz’s tailored feedback helped team members recognize and harness their strengths, leading to newfound self-assurance and willingness to tackle new challenges.
Improved Emotional Communication
Communication isn’t just about words; it’s about making an emotional connection. As noted in studies, emotional communication strengthens trust and engagement with others. Our team learned techniques to express themselves authentically, making their interactions more impactful and genuine.
Refined Persuasion and Presentation Skills
In today’s workplace, the ability to persuade and present ideas compellingly can be a game-changer. Communication training enhances these skills, equipping employees to deliver their messages confidently and convincingly, whether they’re speaking with clients, colleagues, or wider audiences.
Adaptability in Dynamic Environments
Our fast-paced, competitive world calls for adaptability. Communication training equips team members with the ability to think on their feet, respond effectively, and maintain composure—a crucial skill set for navigating various professional situations.
At Personnel Checks, we know that our mission to support safer recruitment decisions starts with our own team’s development.
This workshop is one of many initiatives aimed at empowering our people to thrive, communicate, and lead. By investing in our team’s skills, we’re also investing in a workplace culture that values trust, empathy, and excellence.
Whether they’re speaking with clients or working alongside colleagues, our team members are now better prepared to communicate with purpose, clarity, and confidence.