Speakeasy Inc.

Each one of us has the ability to touch and influence others, yet no two of us can do it in the same way. Connecting as a communicator isn’t about trying to become someone else – it’s about reaching inside yourself and bringing out the best of what is uniquely you.

Our team had some very special needs when it came to planning our presentations and this process gave us all the tools we needed to address them. The way it keeps us focused, both as individuals and as a group, has really had an impact. And the basic concepts go even further — they really help keep us aligned as a team. We’re much more consistent across all of our communication.

Frank and honest communication among team members helps create an energy that makes anything possible. When you openly share ideas and feelings you reach a higher level of trust — and working from trust is critical to getting results.

I’ve taken other programs, and this is one I believe in strongly. The coaching and the practice were great. I’ve seen a marked improvement in my communication skills — but more importantly I’ve felt a real increase in my confidence. I left knowing what to do and really believing that I could do it.

How you deliver a message is every bit as important as the message content — and a smooth, polished delivery is no substitute for believability! That’s exactly where Speakeasy has helped me be more effective in understanding, and speaking to the needs of my audience. The exercises and colleague critiques are done in a very supportive, non-threatening way that really help you work on your individual needs. The basic learning’s are still effective in my day to day communications — they really help me bring “myself” to any communications setting.

To remain competitive in a global economy driven by human, as well as intellectual capital, it’s critical that leaders at all levels develop the ability to connect with and motivate others — and that they commit to developing that ability in those they lead.

Great communication takes more than knowing the result you want for yourself. When you also focus on your listeners – and their needs – you connect in a way that makes things happen. You create an energy that helps everyone move forward together.

To communicate in a way that makes things happen, you must shift your focus from your concerns to the concerns of your listeners. By seeing the situation and yourself through their eyes, you’ll find a link that will move everyone together.

The program certainly reinforced the Speakeasy methods I learned previously — but this is far more than just additional practice time. The program provides critical insights on how to really reach your audience. In my opinion, this is simply the best training available to take you to the next level.

At this stage in my life it’s important that I interact on a more complete level with adults — in social, as well as interview situations. I have to get beyond just being comfortable and establish credibility. What I got most out of this program was the ability to speak more convincingly — a way to be more assertive and thoughtful with my communication — to be as commanding and as graceful in everyday conversation as the most engaging adults. That’s what it takes to get the edge I need.

Time is a precious commodity at our firm and this planning process is certainly making communication more efficient. But, beyond that, it’s making us more effective — more focused and results oriented in all forms of communication. It’s providing a framework for our professionals to work together and is fostering better teamwork. Effective communication, both internally and externally, is a key to corporate success, and this program is definitely positioning us to excel.

I was amazed at how much progress could be made in such a short period of time. The video taping, the straight feedback — everything combined to help me begin making real improvement immediately. And not just in formal presentations, but in all of my communication.

I use what I get from my work with Speakeasy to deal with the communication challenges I face every day. You can’t just go through the motions in these programs. They force you to stretch — to find real ways to get the real results you need.