Client Reviews on:
Presentation Skills Training & Workshops - Individual Coaching

Presentation Skills Training and Workshops

FROM THE ORGANIZERS:

"Suzannah Baum put on a dynamic and inter-active presentation on Public Speaking for Professionals in a way that firstly, put participants at ease, and then secondly, allowed people to talk about a subject that is often challenging to most people. She covered the main points to keep in mind when preparing to give a presentation and how to avoid some of the pitfalls. All participants added their own experiences, both good and bad, doing public speaking, and everyone felt they had gained a good insight into the secrets of public communication. All in all, a great evening."
- Jim Colmer, Entrepreneurial Development, Laval, Laurentians and Lanaudiere CEDEC

"The Community Business Network (TCBN) was treated to a 45-minute seminar that was both fun and informative, and all came away with valuable tips on improving their presentation and public speaking skills. Suzannah Baum is an engaging and well prepared speaker, and you will be too if you follow her advice. "
- Bob Coley, Brand X Promotions

"Suzannah Baum has been a key presenter of one of our Leadership Skills Development Workshop Series at McGill University once again! Her workshop was of great value for all the attendees regardless of their level of experience and comfort with public speaking. She truly knew her audience and provided an informative and entertaining workshop with great participatory activities! Everyone left with new tools to become better speakers. Once again, it was a complete success, and we look forward to having Suzannah back again next year!"
- Joan Butterworth, Leadership Training Facilitator, McGill University

"Thank you for two fantastic presentations. Our attendees thought 'Six Steps to Public Speaking Excellence' was engaging, informative and inspiring. Your session was very well-received because you offered valuable presentation advice that attendees found to be immediately applicable to their needs. What’s more, you entertained the audience with interactive exercises, colorful stories, and relevant examples. It was a pleasure to have you speak at our conference."
- Iris Unger, Executive Director, YES Montreal

"Thank you very much for the excellent presentation that you delivered to the Healthcare Businesswoman's Association of Canada on how to deliver a reputation-building and career-enhancing presentation. We very much enjoyed hearing you and we all walked away from the talk having learned a great deal. The feedback was very positive as the participants appreciated learning so much in such a brief period of time. It will be our pleasure to have you back next year."
- Corry Robertson, President - The Healthcare Businesswoman's Association of Canada

"Suzannah Baum's return participation as a presenter of one of our Leadership Skills Development Workshop Series was one of the highlights of this year’s programming. Her workshop was informative, entertaining, and full of helpful tips that gave all of the participants the tools that they needed to get started with developing their public speaking and presentation skills. Only positive feedback was returned: attendees said that they better understood how to manage their speaking anxiety, connect with an audience, and create and deliver a great speech. It was a complete success, and we look forward to having Suzannah back again next year!"
- Leslie Copeland, First-Year Coordinator, McGill University (2009)

"For the second year in a row, you energized and inspired our audience with your workshop, “Easy Ways to Create and Deliver a Great Presentation.” The points you made were practical, understandable, and useful, and your delivery was entertaining and motivational. The attendees especially liked the interactive components of your presentation, as well as how you ‘deconstructed’ the public speaking process, leaving them with tips and techniques that they could easily apply to their next presentation. Thank you for helping us show graduating students how to be polished representatives of McGill University, like you are."
- Temilade Akinaina, Student Programs Development, Alumni, McGill University

"I wish to thank you on behalf of the women of WE2 for sharing your knowledge and experience during your lively talk "Easy Steps to Presentation Excellence"! It was so enjoyable, the time seemed to pass very quickly as we learned all about the art of public speaking.
Aside from your charisma and professionalism, you have an extraordinary, even superior, ability to connect with your audience. You were completely engaging with your storytelling abilities and your generous sense of humor, which makes your audience that much more receptive to your message. Whether you were touching on the benefits of speaking, the delivery of our speech, overcoming nerves, body language, and what is undoubtedly your forte - connecting with the audience - the useful tips we learned were practical enough to start immediately putting them into practice.
All of your passion for your subject came through, and after a welcomed q & a, we left feeling inspired and encouraged to better ourselves by rising to the challenge of public speaking, the launching point being the clues you shared to making them (our speeches) as good as they could be, (all the while remembering that we are all human, we feel nervous, but that we can begin where we are at - and with a little support and research - we could be great)!
The Women's Entrepreneurial Exchange (We2) wishes you continued success in your career and on your quest to share your valuable message with others! Thank you again, and we look forward to the chance of having you return to our group for another great talk! "
- Sarena Miller, We2, The Women's Entrepreneurial Exchange

"Thank you for participating in Graduate Career Week. The audience really seemed to connect with you and was very energized from your workshop. Here are some of the comments from your highly-rated session:

• 'Very interesting. You are a great speaker, but make it seem like it is possible for everyone to be a good speaker too.'
• 'Excellent'
• 'I loved how you connected with the audience by sharing a story at the beginning, and with the participation exercise. It really made me feel better about public speaking!'
• 'Very useful and inspiring content'
• 'This is a very informative workshop and should be repeated in the future'
• 'Great presentation'
• 'I learned a lot'
• 'I liked how Suzannah demonstrated how to put her tips into practice'
• 'Good variety, interactive, very engaging'
• 'I found the presentation very informative AND enjoyable!'

"You explained public speaking as an easy, step-by-step process in which everyone can participate and excel...you were very highly rated in our feedback forms and the students all enjoyed and valued the information you presented. It was a great experience for everyone in the room."
- Temilade Akinaina, Student Programs Development, Alumni, McGill University

"Thank you for today's session. The presentation content was very valuable, and was given in a very clear, professional, and entertaining way.  The evaluations were all extremely positive – many of the attendees felt empowered to put your public speaking process, tips and techniques into immediate action."
- Tracey Greenberg, Corporate and Employability Trainer, Agence Ometz

"Thank you for your time, support and expertise in helping our clients with by providing an insightful and enlightening approach to delivering effective public speaking [in the two-hour workshop]."
- Olivia Corning, Director of Development and Communications, YES Montreal (Youth Employment Services)

"I had the pleasure of working with Suzannah in my capacity as course program coordinator at McGill's graduate center.... She was one of the more popular instructors....Her students returned great praise about Suzannah in their evaluations, noting specifically her competence and preparedness, her careful attention in catering to individual needs, and her ability to create comfortable and entertaining environments to facilitate learning. Most salient was the consistent feedback of Suzannah's enthusiastic and appealing teaching style. I would most certainly recommend Suzannah to any program, organization or company seeking to include public speaking instruction...."
- Johanne O’Malley, Owner, WordCrafting
(formerly Program Coordinator at the McGill Post-Graduate Student Society)

"Her Public Speaking workshop was right on the mark and left us in no doubt that she had tailored her material to suit the needs of our audience.  Student feedback included comments such as: 'The presentation was lively, funny, useful and to the point.  Excellent!' and 'Kept me hooked through the presentation.'  We look forward to bringing her back next year!"
- Leslie Copeland, First Year Coordinator, McGill University (2008)

FROM THE ATTENDEES:

"Your public speaking class helped me a lot in controlling nervousness before and during a presentation and I also think to have now more confidence in my own presenting-style. So, thank you!"
- Cyrill Cattin, PhD Eng.

"My business partner and I were so happy that we attended your workshop because it was fun and gave us incredibly valuable tips that we really need at this point in our lives. It was the relaxed and trusting environment you created that made me feel comfortable enough to get up and do the impromptu speech. Thank you so much for your encouragement, Suzannah, it's a big motivator."
- Sabrina Rowe, Owner, Freedomtogo.com

"Very engaging, interesting, informative and entertaining. I could have listened to you all morning."
- Didi Calder, Isagenix

"Love the humour. You followed your suggestions well. Open with impact, tell a story, etc. You were a good model to follow. You never bored me. I feel inspired!"
- Helen Segal, Home Touches Decorating

"Great animator, can really engage the audience. Full of life and energy."
- Shirly Stupik, Nikken Wellness Consultant

"I learned a lot, and I am going to put into practice many of the tips you recommended!"
- Jennifer Boudewyn

"Excellent course! It definitely helped with my personal speaking skills. I feel like I had a safe, warm space to practice. I highly recommend it to all students. Suzannah is superb! Her honest feedback is essential!"
- Zehra Rizvi, BioResource Engineering, McGill University

"Your class was highly rewarding for me. It definitely will be a reference point any time I stand before an audience to make a presentation. I have learned so much watching others present and also from the constructive criticism from you and the class."
- Akinbode Adedeji, PhD Bioresource Engineering, McGill University

"…Not only have I only been getting A's in all my presentations for all my classes since I took your course, but I have also not given a single presentation without getting complemented on it by both my bosses and colleagues here at work.... I actually like giving presentations now…This class has been a tremendous help and I am very glad I did it. Thanks once again for everything, and be sure that wherever I go from here I'll always remember where I learned my basic public speaking skills."
- Maria I. Dimitrova., M.A. student, McGill University

"Your public speaking course has boosted my confidence enough to rid me of the dread I feel before going up in front of a crowd--quite an accomplishment! I had to present my research proposal...and it went incredibly well. Without the tips and practice I had from your course, I'm sure it wouldn't have gone so smoothly. I had several people approach me afterwards to compliment me on the clarity of my presentation and my answers, as well as on my friendly, engaging approach to the talk. Your course helped me to realize that it really is just a matter of knowing your audience, finding and capitalizing on the speaking qualities you possess, and of course, practicing. But the main thing I got from the course was confidence, which has made a world of difference. So this is a big "thank-you" for not only providing the opportunity to practice public speaking skills but to do so in a very positive, constructive, and low-pressure atmosphere."
- Gregory B., M.A. Student, McGill University

"Thank you for all the comments and encouragements. This course was a blast! I've really learned many things and especially improved my confidence level. I would like to thank you for your help and friendliness, and for always managing to establish a unique atmosphere of confidence, trust, friendship, and comfort in the room. In my opinion, that quality/skill, contributed so much to making this course the success it is."
- Mohamed L., M.A. student, McGill University

"I thought the course was very helpful and your teaching style was really encouraging and practical! Thank you!"
- Zoe Von Aesch, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

"Thanks to all your support throughout the course. This class was the place I really felt least stressed about presenting. And your comments have been very helpful."
- Sandy T., student

"Thank you very much for all your time and effort for us at the course and for the great feedback! I am very happy about having taken the course as I am now more aware of myself in presentation situations."
- Sonja H., student

Individual Coaching

"Suzannah provided useful insight to each of our presenters in preparation for a large national pharma sales meeting. Even the most experienced executives were made aware of useful ways to improve their stage presence and delivery of complicated material. "
- Michael Caplan, President & Creative Director, Sensix Inc.

"Suzannah, once again thanks for everything- your advice, instruction, patience, flexibility and for listening!!! I have evolved and grown a lot since we first met. You followed up professionally after every session we had which was very helpful. I still have a long way to go in becoming a great public speaker but it’s comforting to know that even after the few sessions we had I am already getting compliments from my audience. Thanks!"
- P.S., ALCAN Inc.

"From bland to brilliant. Suzannah worked with several top executives in advance of a company meeting held once every four years for an international construction company. They were initially hesitant to work with her, saying they didn't need the help. However, after spending time working with her, they all now endorse Suzannah and even exerted peer pressure on the execs who initially chose to not get coaching. Those holdouts are now advocates also."
- Wally Adamchik, President - President, Firestarter Speaking & Consulting

"While preparing for a series of presentations, I was fortunate enough to get some time with Suzannah. She really helped me appreciate the art and theatre of public speaking. Some of her concepts focused my presentation and enabled me to deliver a stronger message."
- Mitch Joel, President - Twist Image

"It is my sincere pleasure to recommend Ideal Communications for your public speaking and communication needs. I've seen Suzannah 'WOW' audiences numerous times. She is determined to teach her clients how to become outstanding speakers. I'm very fortunate to count on her expertise and insights every time I present."
- Monica de Liz, President, Image4Success

"Suzannah’s knowledge and experience was an enormous confidence builder in preparation for a speech contest. She worked with me to bring out my best qualities as a speaker, and provided invaluable insights to the content and delivery of my speech. Her wordcrafting empowered me to phrase my speeches in a coherent manner, enabling me to capture and maintain the audience's attention, engage them with humour and stories, and deliver a concise message. Suzannah's strict attention to details such as movement, facial expressions, pauses and voice control made a big difference in my speech. I recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone who has to deliver a stand-out presentation."
- Donald Venskus

"I worked with Suzannah Baum on a 1 1/2 hour presentation I was to give to a professional group.  This was my first presentation ever, and so I was extremely nervous before I began working with her.  I had about five sessions...and ended up presenting with such confidence that a number of people remarked that they did not believe that this was my first time.  She listened to my presentation each time with such attention, that I was surprised at the details she picked up.  Suzannah’s attention to both content and form helped me enormously, and I would have not been able to go through this experience and succeed without this coaching.  Furthermore, she has a very warm manner, and the ability to balance the encouragement and the constructive feedback in such a way that my confidence was increased."
- Mira Khazzam, Ph.D. Psychology, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

"Suzannah Baum’s assistance for a speech, which I had to make, was invaluable.  She was expeditious in all matters of help...and in providing me with advice on preparing for the speech and the occasion.  She helped me to perfect the speech and made time to meet with me and to coach me on how to deliver it.  Most of all, she gave me encouragement and made me feel that I was capable of standing before an audience when my courage was low."
- Marcia King, Administration, McGill University

Client Reviews on:
Presentation Skills Training & Workshops - Individual Coaching