On a quest to empower leaders and brands to attract attention and amplify their online influence Kirryn Zerna draws on over 15+ years helping corporate, govt & small businesses as a keynote speaker, trainer and author of The Stand Out Effect. Her highly visual and interactive presentation style helps to translate the challenges, opportunities, and power of consumer engagement, branding and social media in the context of any audience; from a small business thinking about their business brand through to a senior executive contemplating their personal brand.
What kind of presenting do you do at work?
I present in a mix of face to face on conference platforms, through to virtual facilitations or webinars. I will be booked to speak at conferences to help people discover how to engage the post covid consumer in the digital space, through to more practical workshops or facilitated sessions on key topics like branding, digital storytelling or online strategy and this can be delivered in a classroom style in person or on Zoom. I usually present at least twice a week and I LOVE it.
What prompted you to study with Michelle?
I had worked in a corporate job for 15 years and I wanted to write, speak, and teach people. My good friend Michael McQueen suggested I do a course to sharpen up my unique IP and he highly recommended Michelle’s presentation course. It was the first presentation and speaking course I did, and I’m so grateful to Michelle.
How did Michelle's teaching change your attitude to presenting in business?
So, so much! Working with the fabulous Michelle helped me to structure my ideas simply and logically for a message, the 4Mat model, and the beginning elements of how to present, how to manage nerves and then actually presenting to the class to bring all the learning together.
How have improved presentation skills have impacted on your job and your career in general?
Not long after I completed Michelle’s course, I was offered my first speaking job in Brisbane. Then I entered the video from this presentation into a scholarship and I was the successful recipient of an emerging speaker scholarship for Professional Speakers Australia! Woohoo! Not only that, I draw on what I learned from Michelle’s course throughout my career on a regular basis. I highly recommend this course.
In what specific ways have your presentation skills improved since learning with Michelle?
In every way. It was the foundation of my speaking career, so it helped me overall. And just knowing Michelle these last few years, has been a gift with her endless positivity, generosity and encouragement.
What were your top three takeaways from Michelle's teachings?
– The 4-Mat model – how to structure a pitch/argument or presentation. I use this all the time.
– No but’s and no assumptions of the audience – Removing but’s and generalisations as much as I can from my everyday or presentation language has helped with my ability to influence or persuade.
– And the many presentation tips I picked up – arms, managing nerves, how to present with screens… it’s endless
Basically, if you’re thinking about doing the course. Stop thinking, and book now. It’s worth every penny.
© Michelle Bowden 2021. Michelle Bowden is an authority on presentation & persuasion in business. Michelle is a CSP (the highest designation for speakers in the world), Creator of the Persuasion Smart Profile (a world-first psychometric indicator that tests your persuasiveness at work), best-selling internationally published author (Wiley), and a regular commentator in print, radio and online media. www.michellebowden.com.au