Full Description

A/E firms readily invest time and money into technical training for staff. But how often are communication and presentation skills training provided? Not very often and yet technical staff’s ability to communicate comfortably in a clear and compelling way is paramount for firm success. Firms rely on staff to serve as the face of the organization and articulate the firm’s direction and strategy both internally and with outside stakeholders. For many, speaking in public is a major challenge and something that is commonly feared and avoided. Giving staff at all levels the support they need to communicate the firm’s value, interest and brand makes every staff member a working part of the marketing team.

This 90-minute webinar shares a workshop approach that can be used in your firm to help your staff become better communicators through public speaking training, and enhance their message delivery through improved verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Topics include:

• How to develop and implement a communications training program in your firm that provides ongoing improvement for your staff
• Top 10 speaking flaws and ways to overcome them
• Tips for a variety of common A/E firm scenarios that require strong speaking skills
• Top 10 public speaking “tricks of the trade” that will immediately make staff more comfortable
• Incorporating improved speaking skills without losing individual style 
• Providing feedback: what information to provide, and how to encourage improvement
• Promoting self awareness so staff can better connect with areas they would like to improve or enhance

Who would benefit from this information?

HR directors, marketing directors, principals, directors of education/learning or anyone who can create a training program for their staff.

Presenter Info

Susan Dell Orto is a consultant in ZweigWhite’s Chicago office and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Services group. She specializes in strategic business planning with a focus on marketing and human resource strategy. Susan is a certified Toastmaster, a frequent speaker at ZweigWhite conferences and other events, and a frequent webinar presenter.

As a management consultant and project manager, Susan works with A/E and environmental consulting firms to design strategic business plans focused on propelling firm success. In this role, she conducts comprehensive management audits and assists clients with strategic planning initiatives. She also advises A/E firm leaders on issues related to strategic human resources management, including recruitment and retention strategy, performance appraisal systems, employee rewards and recognition programs, and compensation. She has experience conducting audits of clients’ human resources functions, benchmarking firm performance and salaries, and designing and implementing tailored incentive compensation programs.

Susan frequently contributes to The Zweig Letter, Marketing Now, and CE News.

Prior to joining ZweigWhite, she gained experience as a systems analyst at Ascential Software in Westboro, MA and as a marketing intern at both easyGroup in London, England and U.S. Mills Inc. in Needham, MA. She received her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Boston University’s School of Management, where she was a summa cum laude graduate.