Express Yourself: Never Be Lost for Words

Using the power of narrative, this two lecture series draws on real world business techniques and academic theory to help students learn how to present themselves and their ideas in as fascinating and interesting a way as possible. Be prepared to present and defend your ideas to project stakeholders, peers, investors, potential customers and even the media.

How to Speak "Off the Cuff"

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.”                                                   - Mark Twain

Whether its a big presentation or a simple project summary, whether you're making a TED talk or asking for a raise, at some point you'll need to tell the story of your success. With a few pointers, you'll be well on your way to delivering an amazing impromptu speech.

Here students will learn:

• How to always be prepared to speak
• Why you should make mistakes
• The most important lesson we can learn from Winston Churchill

Handling Q&A

"A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer."                           - Bruce Lee

Life is a series of questions so you should learn how to make the most from them. Here students will learn how to best offer an answer that satisfies, as well as how to deal graciously with the boring, the challenging and the outright hostile.

Students will explore:

• How not all questions are created equal
• How to respond appropriately to inappropriate questions
• The best response after dodging a projectile

Elevator Pitching

“When we are selling our ideas, the audience must first buy us.”                                                                             - - Peter Coughter: The Art of the Pitch

You've got that world-changing idea, but why should anyone care? If you can't convey your killer app concisely and convincingly, kiss those clients, customers, and potential investors goodbye. Here students experience what it's really like to pitch ideas for the biggest brands and companies in the world.

You'll learn:

• The 9 C's of a successful pitch
• How to turn off your Reality Distortion Field
• Ramble less with keywords

Telling the Story of Your Success

“People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around.”                                              - Terry Pratchett

Narrative is how we make sense of the world. We may all see ourselves as the heroes and heroines in our lives but how do we convince others that we're more than just bit players in their own personal narratives? This class will show you how to build an engaging, believable story of your success.

Here, you'll find out:

• How to free your inner storyteller
• How to have a fresh story for any occasion
• The real meaning of (your) life