I just read this interesting article in the New York Times about the rise in demand for speech coaches, particularly for people in sales or small business owners.
Here’s a bit of the article.
Even though business owners may be experts in their fields, that does not automatically translate into being able to market themselves verbally. Many agree that speaking concisely — and in a compelling way — lends credibility. While poor communication skills are not necessarily deadly, they can make it more challenging to win over potential investors, prospective clients, employees and business partners.
“Small business is leaving money on the table because it is overlooking one of the most powerful marketing skills: speech,” said Diane DiResta, a speech and communications coach in New York. “Speech is the way a small business builds its brand, establishes expertise, gets free publicity and gets in front of its market.”
I think improv training can help with the speech skills and help you think on your feet in high pressure sales situations. To read the whole thing, click here.
Merlin Works is the brainchild of Shana Merlin: improviser, teacher, and performer. Since 1996, she’s been leading classes that stretch people’s imaginations, push them out of their comfort zones, and make them laugh out loud for hours at a time.
2 comments
Speaking skills are very important also for job interveiws. There are lots of tips that can help make for a more favorable interveiw.
And what is more improv than being questioned by a prospective employer?
Marilyn
I have been trying to instill “social” skills through improv to my portfolio students as part of my Portfolio for Animation class. We started this semester doing the “3 things” game, and I explained how this could really help them in a “meet and greet” social exchange. They were into it and may have learned something new (which is hard to do in the last semester)!
Even though business owners may be experts in their fields, that does not automatically translate into being able to market themselves verbally. Many agree that speaking concisely — and in a compelling way — lends credibility. While poor communication skills are not necessarily deadly, they can make it more challenging to win over potential investors, prospective clients, employees and business partners.
Speaking skills are very important also for job interveiws. There are
lots of tips that can help make for a more favorable interveiw.
And what is more improv than being questioned by a prospective employer?
Marilyn
I have been trying to instill “social” skills through improv to my portfolio students as part of my Portfolio for Animation class. We started this semester doing the “3 things” game, and I explained how this could really help them in a “meet and greet” social exchange. They were into it and may have learned something new (which is hard to do in the last semester)!