Workshops
„Step into your strength and make an impact“
If you want to become better at communicating your ideas, come across well in the media or provide better service, María offers workshops that are both effective and enjoyable.
Workshops
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Presence and public speaking
In this workshop you gain the skills to communicate your knowledge, ideas and views in a way that is powerful, engaging and credible.
In the first part you learn the basics that strengthen you as a speaker: body language, presence, use of voice and clear delivery. You also learn a simple, focused structure for speeches and presentations, and practise getting to the heart of the matter so that the purpose of your talk is clear and it achieves the results you want.
In the second part you learn techniques for delivering your text, whether you use slides, notes or a speech written word for word. You are trained to deliver your message in a personal and lively way that moves and inspires your audience.
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Media training
This workshop gives you insight into the world of the media and the confidence to act as a strong spokesperson for your organisation, in good times and bad. You learn to prepare for the different formats – news interviews, talk shows and print interviews – and practise in front of a camera.
María has many years of experience in both journalism and television production, which she draws on to strengthen you in this area.
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Private coaching
This workshop is tailored to each individual and is valuable for anyone with an important talk coming up, in Iceland or abroad, who wants training and "direction" in delivering it. It is also well suited to those struggling with a block, stage fright or insecurity who want supportive one-to-one guidance.
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Customer service presence
Good service is what gives companies a competitive edge. The workshop begins by strengthening participants' presence and communication. Service is then looked at from an entertaining angle, discussing the main challenges and how attitude affects wellbeing and performance. Participants do exercises in which they put themselves in the customer's shoes. The course builds service awareness and staff skills, and increases job satisfaction.
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Talks and short workshops
Talks and mini-workshops can serve as inspiration or add some spice to conferences, staff days, evening seminars and gatherings. María can tailor a talk or short course for your group, weaving in fun exercises and games that bring people together. Topics can include: Confidence in presentation. A positive attitude. Cooperation and trust. The course "How to survive a cocktail party" has been popular on company staff days.
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Testimonials
On the workshop in presence and public speaking
Over the past years María has worked with most of the LS Retail staff who give presentations and talks. Our people need to present their material clearly and efficiently at events all over the world. María has succeeded in training our staff to be focused, organised and entertaining, so that the audience is drawn into the subject. This has resulted in greater satisfaction among our staff, with more self-confidence and a better self-image. Last but not least, our customers have praised our staff for their engaging and professional presentations. The result is simple – greater satisfaction and higher sales of our solutions.
On private coaching in presence and public speaking
I have had the pleasure of working with María on presentation and public speaking in recent years. María has a unique wealth of experience and is a true master at sharing it with others, bringing out the best in you. She always has a technique or method up her sleeve to teach you to tackle tasks you never imagined you could handle.
As one of the founders of the games company Solid Cloud Games, it has been my role to give presentations to investors, and María Ellingsen has advised me on making them more effective. Her help has been invaluable and her advice is worth every penny.
Taking part in María Ellingsen's course in delivery and public speaking has truly paid off. María is a wonderful teacher who radiates strength and experience. I am now more confident in front of a large audience, more assured in my delivery, and not least I have a better understanding of what kind of language works at the podium. What stands out are the practical tasks and exercises the group tried out, and guidance that is useful in everyday life and work.
I think this is the most useful continuing-education course I have attended. The course goes through exercises to improve presentation and delivery, and gives recipes for structuring presentations and using slides. These recipes are easy to put to use right after the course to make meetings and presentations better. The feedback given during the course is very helpful and easy to take on board.