Thinking & Speaking Off the Cuff

This workshop is designed to help you think and talk on your feet in situations that may arise unexpectedly, or without notice.

Speaking off the cuff is often required for meetings, impromptu presentations, supervising staff, job interviews and when responding to questions from an audience. Those who do speak well off the cuff are seen as credible, reliable and confident.

Course Times

• 8:30am to 3:30pm

Course Content

Respond to questions from the floor

• Be eloquent
• Be effective
• Be relevant
• Be succinct

Organise your thoughts

• Resists time pressures and think before you speak

Structure your response

• Follow a simple and tried speech structure

Master the platform

• Stop hiding behind the platform and use the stage effectively

The rule of “Three”

• The tricolon is one of the most effective tools in public speaking

Get to the point

• Less is often more
• Keep it simple

Leave them with a memorable message

• End strong
• Be memorable

Fail-safe backup techniques

• Simple models
• Simple tools
• Respond confidently and effectively

Job interviews

• What are interview panels looking for?
• How can I display this?

• Effectively respond to questions from the floor
• Buy time and organise your thoughts
• Structure your response
• Master the platform
• Use the rule of “Three”
• Get to the point
• Leave them with a memorable message
• Call on fail-safe backup techniques when you get stuck
• Respond effectively at job interview

This course requires no previous training or experience.

“Examples and take-home skills were very valuable and well thought out” Sammie from DMIRS

“Trainer encouraged, guided and explained all the way through” Daniel from PACT Construction

“Has given me the confidence and motivation to practice” Esta from St John Ambulance

“The best part of this course was identifying my problems areas and being given the right tools to improve.” Ceri from Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

“Excellent presentation of content” Tanya from DMIRS

“The best feature of this course was the 9 models which I can use in both my personal and work life” Breannen from DMIRS

“Wonderful insight into how to respond efficiently to off the cuff situations” Ian from DMIRS

“Provided us with a varied set of tools to help with speaking off the cuff and making presentations”  Karina from DMIRS

“Gave constructive feedback for each participant so they could improve their presentation skills” Karen from DMIRS

“I enjoyed learning about body language and self-confidence” Dannielle from City of Vincent

“Interesting speaker with great examples and easy to follow instructions” Rosetta from Department of Communities