Communication and Presentation skills have always been important, and will continue to be important as we move further into the 21st century. Surviving, competing and leading in today’s conditions, however, requires new levels of communication and presentation abilities.

Leaders, teachers, and business owners today compete with new and growing levels of competition for peoples’ attention, their engagement, their support, and their dollars. They are needing to find new ways to engage their audiences, to inspire and to lead. Can you relate?

The problem is that being ‘pretty good’ in your presentation and communication skills means missing the mark by a long shot today- something none of us can afford.

In today’s markets, schools, businesses and conditions you need world class command of your communication and presentation skills. Your career, your relationships, and your business depend on it.

* 9 spaces available in June

We believe that great presentation and platform skills are not enough to give you the edge. That’s why we give you more.

Look at it this way- if you wanted a peak performance car, would you get the best paint job or focus on the capability?

Both, you might say. And we’d agree. But you wouldn’t focus all your energy on the paint at the expense of the engine, would you? And yet, in our communication, and often in presentation training, the empahsis goes on the ‘paint,’ so to speak.

It is a widely accepted statistic that only 7% of our communication is based on the words we use. 40% of our message is expressed by our tonality and our voice, and a whopping 53% is communicated through our physicality.

And yet, so much empahsis goes onto the words: the format; the structure; the content. . . it doesn’t make sense, does it? That’s why you can have all the content, the stories, the format . . . and still feel awkward and nervous, unable to tap into your true authenticity and power, and lack the ability to influence, present and lead with confidence.

This is what sets the Strategies for Sound workshops apart. In our world class (this is what our participants tell us!) immersion program you will get what no other program in the world offers - a personalised, in-depth analysis and transformation of your communication style.

Created by Dr Louise Mahler through the combination of her award winning PhD research on Vocal Intelligence, her career as a soloist with the Vienna State Opera, and her years in the corporate sector, Strategies for Sound is the x factor that no other speaking, leadership or presentation training in the world provides. It is based on the science of anatomy, the art of singing, the wisdom of ancient cultures and the skills of leadership developed over decades in the business world.

Strategies for Sound addresses three areas:

1. The physiology of our breathing, our posture, our gestures movement and energy levels
2. Our mental approach, especially emotional response to vocalizing
3. Our volume, pitch and vocal tone

If you ever thought that just trying to speed up or speak louder will improve your communication and presentation abilities, you do not want to miss this workshop.

Vocal styles and behaviours- such as speed and pitch- are THE SYMPTOM and not the cause of ineffective speaking styles, and can not be transformed by just trying to speed up and speak louder. Over the weekend you will understand this and much, much more … this is where the magic of our work comes in.

* 9 spaces available in June

It is an action packed, experiential, transformative weekend.

Over the course of the weekend you will:

• Experience how to access vocal power with muscle, not stress
• Discover a sense of play in communicating with others
• Acquire ease in beginning your sound, carrying your sound and changing your sound so that when you speak, people listen
• Understand how to judge what you are doing and how others are hearing you
• Learn how to harness the ‘fight or flight’ response
• Understand why presenting yourself in front of others is not always about ‘relaxing’
• Feel comfortable within yourself when speaking
• Be authentic when you communicate
• Improve your appearance
• Turn the table on nervous energy
• Acquire a new range, depth and richness in your voice so that you can engage your audience with ease
• Develop a new sense of confidence and a positive frame of mind
• Experience the incredible power of new mind, body and voice habitual patterns
• Shatter old beliefs about who you are

Through a combination of information, instruction, exercises and activities you will watch your fellow participants transform, as you feel yourself shift and express yourself in new ways. Workshops with Dr Mahler are packed with high doses of humour, fun, wisdom, energy and intensity. You will be laughing as you shatter old beliefs, habits and manners of speaking and become a truly charismatic and powerful communicator.

* 9 spaces available in June

Who is this workshop for?

• Leaders in their career, your industry or your community
• Anyone who faces communication challenges in the work place or your relationships
• Individuals needing to inspire and influence others in their personal or professional life
• People who feel self-conscious in the presence of others
• Anyone who hates the sound of your voice
• Leaders and speakers who want to become more charismatic and influential
• Individuals wanting to harness their authentic power

We will help you transform the way you present, communicate and feel about your voice and yourself. You will not come out of the workshop the same. Guaranteed.

If you thought that there were ONLY 45 places available for these weekend trainings around Australia in all of 2010, how would much you expect them to be? If you knew that you would be in a group of just 6-9 people, with continual personalised attention and instruction from a truly world class leader, how much would you expect to pay?

Many presentation courses- where you are side by side 20, 30, even 200 participants cost thousands of dollars. $3,000 and beyond. No kidding. With a fraction of the content and the individualized attention that you will receive from us.

You’re going to think that we’re kidding, but in 2010 we have decided to keep the investment of these 2 ½ day workshops at just $1100 INCUDING fabulous on-site accommodation AND gourmet meals for the duration of the course.

With room and board costs factored in, that’s about $700 for 2 ½ days of World Class, original, cutting edge presentation skills AND personal transformation in a group of between 6 and 9 individuals. We know. It’s crazy. But Louise is so committed to bringing her work to the world and to giving you THE BEST experience and transformation that this is her offer. It won’t last. But it is her offer in 2010. Don’t miss out on this unbelievable experience at this amazing price.

Will you be one of these?

Testimonials....

‘Mastery at a very high level. Great balance of specific techniques and open learning – experiential/personal. Your coaching is strong, direct and needed! World class! I always thought you were good and now I know you’re brilliant!’
Geoff, professional speaker

‘Absolutly brilliant! With surgical precision and world class expertise Louise gave me techniques and tools tailored specifically for me, to not only find my own vooice but to express it with commanding clarity and confidence. I vow to send anyone who wants to learn how to speak powerfully to this course. It is an absolute must!’
Anneli Blundell

‘Louise-thank you so much for holding a BIG MIRROR and a BRIGHT SPOTLIGHT on me (& everyone else)- it was exactly what I wanted and needed! Thank you.’
Helen Canny

‘Louise, you made a big difference to me. Your skills in getting me to ‘let go’ and try to excel in voice, personal presentation, commanding space and attention got me a role in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’ … This was an unbelievable moment in my life. Thank you Louise.’
Paul Wilcox, Main Roads

‘This was one of the most rewarding, practical, relevant and fun workshops I have ever done! Everyone should do it!’
Sarah Hearn, Manager Community Engagement and Education, Fire and Emergency Management

‘Funny, on the ball and incredibly accurate in all of her observations. One of the best seminars that I have attended.’
Aaryn Lasdans

‘Great. Practical strategies that can be put into play straight away. Outstanding facilitation. Thank you for all the nurturing (no matter how brutal) and sharing all the info with us. Thank you for an amazing weekend. My body will never be the same.’
Andrea, Naturopath

‘Content was fabulous. Super rich but not dense. Filled with wonderful learning and structured for absorption.’

‘Brilliantly facilitated! 2 key things- firstly, Louise, you create such a fantastic energy of fun and laughter and secondly, you have such a backbone and courage in service of the individual and group. I love how you get your hands right in there and call it. Loved it all, loved the real stories and gags… Louise you are a superstar! Such a wonderful combination of realness, strength, fun, intelligence, comic brilliance and just a hell of a great person. Thank you. ‘
Natarsha, Executive Coach

‘Awesome program. Very easy to learn. Ideas were easy to understand. High energy. Lots of fun. I loved the singing. A transformational course for me. I had never realized how my voice/body and confidence were connected.’ Tony, Film producer
‘Excellent. The agend was perfect. The facilitation was excellent. This weekend I know will change my life and I just want to say THANK YOU!’
Doris, CEO Corporate Services

‘Louise, you lifted the performance bar for what it means to have true presentation skills. The paradigm shift that you create within your course attendees takes your holistic approach of Mind-Body-Voice to beyond any existing world class teaching standards on this subject …

The evidence of your outcomes will without any shadow of doubt positively impact not only financial performance, but importantly- client relationships, intra and inter organizational diaglogue and overall will contribute to a culture of supreme professional performance …

The value add even above this to the individual in building self esteem, confidence, perspective and therefore growth and fulfillment through their own potential is absolutely beyond the price tag!’
Joseph D’Souza, Executive Coach

Only 6 places available in each program!
Register here for Yarra Valley Weekend Immersions

May, June*, September, October, or November

*9 spaces available in Jun