Talk your way to the top

MJ Consulting offers a fresh approach to public speaking and making presentations. This dynamic communications company offers clients advice on all aspects of spoken communication, ensuring that their employees are confident in every aspect of presenting in the business world. Maryanne Johnston, founder of MJ Consulting commented:

ìEveryone is different, with his or her own individual style of communicating. Itís really important that public speakers or people making presentations come across as themselves in every situation rather than following a list of things you should do and shouldnít do, which is more like acting.î

MJ Consulting works on a variety of levels, providing tailor made guidance for a variety of circumstances. The company is involved primarily in corporate communication coaching where delivering key messages in a high-pressure environment is often a necessity. Clients currently include the Royal Bank of Scotland and Graham Tiso Ltd.

However, Johnstonís personalised approach has seen the company transferring skills and techniques used with clients for business presentations to offer coaching for wedding speeches and other social events. This call for assistance in social settings reinforces research from America stating that at least 5.3 of Americans (almost 4 percent) suffer from social phobia, an overwhelming anxiety and self-consciousness in social settings. Public speaking regularly tops the list in surveys of peopleís biggest fears, worse than heights, flying or even dying. MJ Consultingís approach is based on showing clients that the most effective way for them communicate is to use their relaxed conversational style.

Competitive pitches, Initial Public Offerings and Result announcements are a vital part of getting messages across to analysts and shareholders. In each of these circumstances, a good reputation and a decent presentation is often not enough to win business. Each audience is different so each pitch needs to be different to suit the audience. Sometimes it is not so much about winning the pitch that is key, but more about eliminating the competition and making sure you stand out above the rest.

In many industries companies are competing for the attention of investors and analysts to try to make their product stand out against the competition. For example, Biotech companies have amazing and innovative product ideas and require funding for development and marketing. More often than not the people behind these products are incredibly academic and technical but find it difficult to communicate the strengths of their products to potential investors.

MJ Consulting believes that natural spoken communication skills can be forgotten when working under pressure, causing key messages, statistics and the credibility of the speaker to be lost. With advice and Speech Writing assistance MJ Consulting can improve the quality and content of all communication. Working around each clientís needs, steering them through the entire preparation process of public speaking, MJ Consulting help to structure presentations, pitches and aid performance on the day.