Course contents based on ictnle.com authored materials:

Female sales person giving a presentation

  • How to use the structure of an elevator pitch for presentations                                                                                                                  
  • How to analyse a presentation & learn from mistakes                                                                                                                              
  • Evaluating sales pitches (presentation checklist)

presentations mindmap

  • Signposting                                                                                                                                                                      
  • Building rapport (understanding pitches vs public speaking)                                                                                                                      
  • Drafting a presentation                                                                                                                                                          
  • Scripting presentation notes & rehearsing for delivery

speech analysis of a rhetorical question with Praat

  • Speech analysis with Praat                                                                                                                  
  • Dealing with questions and sound bites                                                                                                                                           
  • Team presentation

Presentation Techniques under the Eye of the Camera

Training to presentation techniques & public speaking

  • Sharing Tv experience in shooting documentary films, commercials, castings, interviews and multimedia instruction videos helps bringing a new light to the image one may want to give of him or herself without impeding communication. Depending on final context the course may cover issues such as: facing the camera, answering pyramid questions of journalists, body language, voice rhythm and pitch (high-key theatre techniques, sales pitch, low-key negotiator...), using alternative means to the sacrosanct MS Power Point, breaking down the audience into categories of listeners, making the supplier/customer feel at ease (or not), etc
  • Advanced training to presentation techniques consists in making use of existing narrative tools without advanced mastering of the language.
  • A follow-up presentation involves blending the newly-approached method, the specific project and its customising by the candidate; a second comparative video analysis validates self-control & use of new skills which make former intangible communication awareness eventually corporeal.

Prerequisites

    • Linguistic skills should not prevail over communication skills because:
  • the candidates' level of English language may seem occasionally insufficient
  • a minimum level of upper-intermediate (B1+/B2 according to the scale of the European Council) is enough if speakers are adequately prepared

Candidates' profile & needs

    • Candidates want training because they are requested to:
  • attend a job interview in English (stress interview, case interview, ...)
  • validate or argue commitment to goals at an annual performance appraisal
  • give (descriptive) presentations (and / or sales pitches) in either their native tongue or in English
  • give lectures at a seminar on a regular basis
  • chair / hold meetings (brainstorming, solution finding, resolving a conflict...)
  • conduct negotiations
    • Candidates (usually) have the following common background:
  • had some experience in giving presentations, holding meetings...
  • attended some training, workshops (though perhaps not in English)
  • still lack confidence in both presentation and language skills
  • keep seeking ways to improve their preparation & delivery
    • Participants expect to:
  • overcome stage fright
  • implement a repeatable approach
  • be able to deliver without an eloquent speech at advanced level
  • achieve qualitative consistency
  • make communication time-effective but have a long-lasting impact

PTEC formulas

The PTEC course may be declined into different versions depending on candidates' profile.

  • 'PTEC sales' focuses on the acquisition & rehearsal of skills required by sales forces, usually in their native language (telephoning - 1st face to face contact - sales pitch - negotiating - following up).
  • 'PTEC management' responds to the needs of people who need delivering presentations in their native language and in their home country, usually in a business environment (self introduction - catching audience interest - developing a narrative - analysing visuals - drawing conclusions - stimulating collaborative work - heading a brainstorming session).
  • 'PTEC PR' embraces some aspects tackled in the other versions but targets presentations for an international audience and is conducted in English, it is usually for people working in multinationals, on a business trip abroad or requested to lecture at a seminar (hand shaking protocols - acknowledged best practice behavioural patterns - lecturing vs negotiating skills - replying to questions of journalists).
  • 'PTEC crash course' is an all-round survival kit for people who need to communicate in a convincing & repeatable manner, it is carried out both in English and the candidate's native tongue. This formula is the cheapest and may serve as a taster to other PTEC formulas which will review more in depth some issues tackled during the crash course (self-introduction - developing a narrative - lecturing vs. negotiating skills - presentation for a briefing).

Addressed skills

  • The training also covers the control of one's personality so as not to hamper communication rather than try to improve it in a zealous manner.
  • Attention is drawn to a more adequate choice & use of functional language thanks to numerous narrative tools rather than a wider range of lexical material.
  • Activities aim at proving that communication may be efficient without an advanced knowledge of the language.

Use of a database

  • Stimulating Conversation Books cover over 700 topics in approximately 2000 pages (General English, Public Administration, Business English, Economics, Ecology, Military English)
  • The availability of so many topics helps candidates choose an issue close to their professional needs, facilitates adapting support material to a given case, as well as can be regarded as a source of inspiration when drafting one's own presentation.
  • Individual coaching is also possible in the event of a specific project by writing from scratch new support materials.