Sally is an Assistant Brand Manager at SouthTrade International and has previously worked in hospitality marketing in Sydney. Currently her role involves new product development processes as well as brand identity, look and feel, amplification and activity planning. Achieving buy-in from the team around her is super important in this role.
Here’s what Sally said after attending Michelle’s Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass:
“The masterclass was so great, thank you! It was excellent to be able to take away learnings that we can use everyday. I felt challenged so I knew I was learning something. I loved the practical examples that Michelle shared to help us better present our ideas. I now know I can persuade to internal and external stakeholders. Michelle was a great, encouraging facilitator. Yes I loved the feeling I got from this masterclass!”
Sally Turki, Assistant Brand Manager, South Trade International
What kind of presenting do you do at work?
At work I present mainly internally within the marketing team as well as cross functional teams like sales or logistics.
What prompted you to study with Michelle?
Sometimes while presenting I found it challenging to keep the audience engaged while remaining professional and on point. I also used to feel quite nervous pre-presentation and I think that showed through fidgeting and a crackly voice. I was keen to learn how to overcome these challenges.
How did Michelle's teaching change your attitude to presenting in business?
The skills Michelle taught me (and I have used them for every presentation I have had to deliver since) meant I was more prepared – both in the content of what I was speaking about as well as mentally. I feel less nerves and have a clear agenda on what and how I need to present. I know how to engage an audience and keep them listening and participating for the whole presentation.
How have improved presentation skills have impacted on your job and your career in general?
I’ve been able to present my ideas and processes both internally and externally in a way that is easy to understand and achieves buy-in. I’m excited that I my success in presenting has created extra momentum for me to continue to present those ideas and processes to other areas of the business.
In what specific ways have your presentation skills improved since learning with Michelle?
I feel I have a much better understanding about the flow of a strong presentation. My past presentations used to feel quite messy and I would look at slides to remember and deliver my points. Now I have a separate script that keeps the message clear and concise with accompanying slides that evoke the right emotional response. I have found this approach is much more effective for me and for my colleagues in my meetings.
What were your top three takeaways from Michelle's teachings?
– Prepare! The more you prepare, the better you feel.
– Get the structure right. The ‘why?’ and ‘what?’ and ‘how?’ of what you’re talking about is so important and should be delivered in that order.
– There’s always room for some personality and humour.
© Michelle Bowden 2021. Michelle Bowden is an authority on presentation and persuasion in business. Michelle is a CSP (the highest designation for speakers in the world), co-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