Success Stories on Public Speaking and Communicating Success

'The following testimonials are genuine stories from real people who now speak with confidence as a direct result of my exciting sessions and self-paced programs. They are grouped under the headings ‘Public Speaking’, ‘Effective Conversation’, ‘Job Interviews’ and ‘My Credibility as a Speaker’.

Public Speaking

Many thanks Laurie for curing my crippling fear of speaking to an audience. Since completing your half-day coaching course I have had to present many times and although initially nervous, I speak comfortably and confidently. I am no longer afraid. I can walk to the front of an audience without feeling weak with fear, which is extremely liberating. My husband has noticed the difference; he has said to me on numerous occasions that he can see that I now enjoy public speaking. And my university marks have reflected my new ability to express myself well - thanks to you. Laurie, your job is a noble one. You have helped me enormously and I love your work.
Jean Baigent

This person had lived with this fear all his life and simply didn't believe such ingrained fear could be decisively dealt with in one day:      Many thanks for the wonderful session I had yesterday. It was exactly what I needed and I enjoyed it very much. I will follow your advice and change the way I think about myself and the fact that I've earned the right to be there. This complete paradigm shift and me being in control instead of my fears will make a big difference to me.

Warm regards

Abdullah

It's been three months since I took your half-day, one-on-one course and I would like to report that IT WORKS! Before making your acquaintance I found it very difficult to prepare for and execute a talk to a large audience. It seemed that no matter how detailed my speech I always felt that I was boring them to death. Knocking knees, dry throat and losing the place in my carefully prepared text exacerbated this. Since you showed me the light, I've had a number of opportunities to talk with large, medium and small gatherings and I just love having them in the palm of my hand. The easy conversational communication, which you showed me, attracts listeners and holds them. Once again many thanks for your contribution; it's certainly made my life easier and more rewarding.
Allen Williams, Managing Director, James L. Williams

Recently I was nominated as a finalist in the Telstra Business Woman awards.
Although extremely proud of my achievements, the notion of accepting my finalist award at Crown Casino and addressing audiences as guest speaker was overwhelming.
An online search led me to the website of Laurie Smale.
The most appealing aspect of Laurie’s technique included an offer which suited my busy lifestyle. Unbelievable as this may sound, in three inspirational hours my public speaking fears had totally left me and I was back in control of myself and my ideas. Thanks to Laurie, I am no longer a victim of fear. I now tell my story with confidence and engage my listeners in an interesting way.
Thank you Laurie!
Amelia Wilson Owner / Operator The Haymarket Hotel, Geelong www.haymarkethotel.com.au

Amelia and I have proof that your coaching skills deliver what you promise: Towards the end of last year Amelia and I were approached to act as guest speakers at a business breakfast with a half hour on the topic of “The Challenges of Employing Generation Y Staff”. We both followed your principles (in particular linking key points in a narrative, conversational style) and were both amazed to discover we felt relaxed and presented in an informative and entertaining style. After the first breakfast (which had its moments!) the organizer invited us to present at a further three breakfasts throughout South West Victoria. Accomodation was provided at each engagement and we were even well paid for our insights!! Thanks again for your help.
Tom Richter (and Amelia)

This person thought that this fear was her lot in life and nothing could be done about it:
I had a procession of people coming to thank me for my presentation. At least 20. They told me I was genuine, interesting, warm and engaging. That they thought most advertising people were bold and I was real. I was not nervous. I followed all of your advice.
Thank you Laurie
Bec

This from a person who was literally debilitated by her panic and fears:
I’m pleased to report I managed not to panic today, and I almost looked forward to it! I got a little nervous, but managed not to completely panic and everyone said I did well. Though it was a fairly minor part I had to play today, I’m really pleased with how it went and it gives me so much hope for the future. There were about 40 people, including the country management team and lots of other high profile people and I kept it pretty much together. It’s such a relief. Thank you so much.
Lorraine

Niv Neyland was so fired up after our life-changing session the moment he got home he penned this poem and emailed it to me. It says it all:

Before I met Laurie, I had plenty of worry
‘bout how I would get up and speak
the audience scared me, and even dared me
to be bold and open my beak

Come time to declare, my two cents worth; I share
t’was a frightening experience to tell
Outside I was calm and full of aplomb
But inside reduced to mere jell

Then a meeting with Laurie, and I wasn’t sorry
For he unlocked the secrets inside
Of the years of pain, the fear and the shame
And the skeletons I tried hard to hide

Now, I stride onto stage, to the audience, engage
And minus the worry and fear
For the secrets he shared from the vault of his laird
To be sure, are to what I adhere

Laurie, you’ve got, what others have not
And to this, grateful, I will be:
To find you by chance, thru an internet glance
And remove that knock in my knee

This from a young university student who was absolutely petrified of ‘blowing’ her thesis presentation:
My thesis presentation couldn’t have gone any better. They loved the manner in which I presented my work and the scenario I set up for them at the beginning. Thanks for all your help. I’m going out to celebrate!
Marissa

This is a classic example of not knowing your own self-worth from a CEO who lived with his fear of ‘formal’ public speaking for more than 60 years!
I'm very pleased to report that my speech at last night's networking event went very well and I experienced that same 'good feeling' afterwards that I had only experienced once before ' by accident'. We had 150 people along last night so it was an important occasion for me to represent our Association well. Thanks again for your valuable assistance in helping me to overcome my long held problem of believing in myself.
Geoff

Laurie, you did not let us down. Not only were you inspirational as our keynote speaker at our end-of-conference dinner, all our presenters, including those presenting for the first time, were highly appraised by delegates as a direct result of your personal coaching sessions in public speaking. The amazing thing is they only had to experience you once!
Bill Farman General Manager,
ITT Fluid Technology International

What you helped me achieve in one three-hour session is quite remarkable. I am now comfortable speaking publicly and presenting to a room full of strangers.
Venessa Smit Manager, Client Management Australian Bureau of Statistics Victoria

As a direct result of your remarkable coaching in public speaking, my tutorials for graduate anaesthesia students on the topic of local anaesthetic techniques for eye surgery will never be quite the same!
Dr Craig Morgan

Thanks for a fantastic coaching session. It was quite inspiring. Next time I have to stand before groups and public speak I know I can do it!
Sue Bowman, Blood Bank Victoria

Not long back I had to give the most important presentation of my life - my wedding speech. I had absolutely no idea of where to begin or what to say and would lie awake at night dreading this looming public speaking ordeal. I still find it hard to believe that in one 4-hour session you turned all that completely around. My speech was fantastic and people actually came up and congratulated me on how wonderful it was and how confident I appeared! Now that I've made one successful speech, I know that I can do it again.
Craig Kloprogge

Laurie, just a short note to let you know how happy I am with the astonishing results of your inspirational session for my 15-year-old son Robert (after being somewhat sceptical that anything dramatic could be done in such a short space of time). For years he had suffered from a terrible public speaking fear, which affected all facets of his life. Thanks to you and your insightful teaching, this is no longer the case. He now walks tall, freely talks with people and can look them in the eye, and, most remarkable of all, he is actually looking forward to a talk he has to do in school next week! Hard to believe as it is, your 4-hour session transformed Robert into the confident person I always knew he could be. I couldn’t recommend your work highly enough.
Chris Francis, Manager, Davro Qld Pty Ltd, Anderleigh, Qld

Effective Conversation

Laurie, I'd like to thank you for showing me how easy it is to not only strike up a conversation with people I don't know, but to have something to say after I've broken the ice. Your simple strategies work like magic and have enriched my life. They've given me the confidence to get to know people, make friends easily, and discover just how interesting others can be.
Maxine Ribaux

Job Interviews

Laurie, I write to share my recent success for entry to the MFB training program to become a firefighter. Prior to your incredible session I was worried about all sorts of things that would stand in the way of me being accepted during the interview. At the end of our session you had me feeling in control and no longer at the mercy of others. At the interview I confidently said what I had to say and radiated that I could keep my head in time of crisis. I couldn't recommend your work highly enough.
Jennifer Thompson

I’d like to thank you for your valuable expertise as a speaking coach as the session I spent with you paid off. Yes Laurie, I made it through the panel interview with a great result. Furthermore I have been offered a place at the police academy, starting in Feb. I can’t thank you enough for the short time we spent together, and you were right, it was one of the best investments I’d ever make in myself!
Once again thanks, looking forward to advice from you in the future.
Tracy Karipi

My Credibility as a Speaker

What do you do when you have to schedule a workshop on public speaking for professional speakers and, in your heart of hearts, know they think they've probably heard it all before, done it and discarded it? Well, you call on somebody like you with special talents, skills and abilities. I marvelled as you went to work presenting exciting and inspirational material to an audience of your peers that literally brained them!
Winston Marsh, Past National President NSAA Conference Director

Laurie, a personal note of thanks for your wonderful effort as keynote speaker at our 63rd Annual General Meeting and dinner. With Olympic Gold Medallist Kieran Perkins as keynote speaker at another function we held last year you had a hard act to follow! But you more than met the challenge with your inspirational presentation on effective networking and relating to others. The feedback I’ve received is that you’re one of the best speakers we’ve ever had. Not only were you entertaining, your practical insights will be of real value because they’re so easy to use. You left a room full of people with the firm knowledge that they can now network with confidence to successfully promote their business and the region as a whole.
Malcolm Bradbury, Business Wangaratta, Wangaratta Chamber of Commerce Inc.

The committee of the Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Victoria has asked me to express our appreciation for your inspiring presentation at our recent development seminar on effective public speaking. Your words were thought provoking and your presentation style was a model that will enhance the celebrancy role of all those present.
Rod Gauld, Chairman, Seminar Committee

Your superb contribution as MC added significantly to our conference. Anyone who can bring together two hundred and fifty people and organize them to sit at twenty-five tables is a genius. But to have them change tables five times, enjoy themselves and learn, is a consummate professional.
Paddy Spruce, Past Victorian Chapter President NSAA

After your visit our members have very high expectations of the group and this is testimony to your world class training skills and knowledge of business presentations and public speaking. On behalf of the committee and our members, thank you very much.
Kayte Ashton, Australian Institute of Management, (FPSG Special Interest Group)

I found it truly remarkable to experience the fun way you tactfully lead people from the debilitating mindset of uncontrollable panic, to the firm belief that public speaking can indeed be enjoyable and attract success!
Dale Price, Manager Business Support, Corporate Security Group, Australia Post

Laurie Smale is a unique and original communicator who emotionally empowers his audience through the use of superbly presented true-life stories. The result is that those who listen to Laurie learn from his life. I for one love to listen to him.
Pete Crofts, Australia's foremost comedy coach

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