21 Sep 2015

Winston Churchill, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, was hailed as one of the greatest leaders of his time, a charismatic and persuasive speakers who had the rare ability to rouse multitude to action, to daze and dazzle many with his moving speeches. 

Men like him are few and far between, however the founder and director of Public Speaking Professionals, a public speaking consultancy, Ms Tlhalefo Jackalas says it is possible to train any speaker regardless of their present skills level to help them acquire the necessary tools and ability to deliver a speech before any crowd with confidence and poise better than the great Churchill could.   

“At Public Speaking Professionals we have presentation professionals who can assist individuals to acquire skills and access their inner potential to become confident, competent and credible public speakers. We are able to train anyone to cultivate critical thinking skills and develop communication skills necessary to articulate their position persuasively regardless of their present skills,” she revealed, explaining that her Botswana Qualifications Authority accredited company exists to help individuals overcome the fear of public speaking.

 She said public speaking is important in that it boosts one’s self confidence and self esteem. 

“It helps business grow, increases leadership skills, helps with career development prospects and contributes to one’s overall  image development and personal branding,” she said.  She said the goal for her business is to train entrepreneurs, civil servants, CEO’s, leaders, students, individuals and the general public on the art of public speaking through offering practical workshops and skills training lessons. “I believe that the ability to articulate well is a necessity for the youth, entrepreneurs, business gurus, politicians and almost everyone. 

People also need to invest in personal development skills to compete in this cut throat era of a communications drive world,” she said.  

She said her company can also help entrepreneurs elevate their business pitches and presentation as well as to enhance sales and corporate networking. “I would love to see organisations and companies support intellectual talent like public speaking, not just have all the money being poured into sports. Individuals can also consult our company to get themselves a personal public speaking coach,” she revealed.  

She said her company also offers skills development and networking services, business presentation skills training, children and teens programmes, regular public speaking workshops, persuasive skills for marketing, sales, campaigns, presentations for business deals, and training in academic presentations.

“Our training in public speaking is about career development, our classes elevate people higher and helps our trainees acquire the necessary skills to be radio presenters, television hosts, newsreaders, motivational speakers, influential politicians and pastors. At Public Speaking Professionals we train and coach practical speaking skills to move individuals from the boardroom to the ballroom,” she said.   

Jackals, who holds a teaching degree and is an international public speaking coach who has adjudicated speeches at the World Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championship, says her company has conducted countless public speaking workshops across the country including one in partnership with the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation. Her company has also been engaged by HRDC and the Tertiary Education Council to train student representative council leaders on team building, negotiation skills as well as persuasion and influence  

“Our training elevates speakers to rise above the rest, this leads to them being eloquent speakers who can speak effortlessly.  Ends