These GateHouse courses are applicable to employees at every level and at all stages of their careers. Effective communication will enhance the productivity of directors, managers, board members, office managers, administrators and secretaries alike.

Courses available (click on the link for more details and dates):

Presenting and speaking with impact >>
Writing for results >>
Successful business writing >>

Courses offered with John Illman Communications:

Polishing up your media performance>>
Writing press releases>>

• Take a look at our course leaders >>
• Interested in taking some of these courses in-house >>
• Return to GateHouse Courses home page >>

Communicating with the media is not something which comes naturally to most public sector professionals and managers, but the skills can be learnt. This highly practical one day course focuses on essential techniques and skills, with the main emphasis on interview preparation and practice.

COURSE CONTENT:
• Understanding the media
• Communication skills
• Identifying key messages
• Preparing for an interview
• Different types of interview
• Interview practice and analysis

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Anyone who may be called upon to speak to the media

FEEDBACK FROM LEARNERS
“Good media training is all about making people feel comfortable and well prepared. John Illman not only meets these needs. He makes it fun. I recommend him highly." Deborah Hart, director of press and PR, Royal College of Psychiatrists.

“John won major awards as a specialist correspondent and now he's at the top of the media training class, with realistic, no-nonsense training, based on simple, solid advice to prepare people to deal with real reporters in the real world. An absolutely first rate professional and great teacher who knows how to help executives define key issues, formulate appropriate statements and cope with the demands of all kinds of media interviews." Jill Phillipson, Jill Phillipson PR

As well as these open courses, we can provides tailor-made training in your organisation to ensure that your key spokespeople can perform effectively in the media. Call 020 8334 4525 to speak to our co-ordinator of in-house courses.

Being able to present your ideas and arguments clearly and powerfully is a vital skill at whatever stage you are at in your career. Whether leading a team or presenting at meetings and conferences the ability to seize the moment and speak with power and passion is a skill which can be learnt. This practical workshop offers you plenty of tricks of the traded an the opportunity to hone your skills in a constructive atmosphere.

COURSE CONTENT
• What makes a good public speaker
• Preparation and structure
• Opening with a bang
• Controlling nerves and stress
• The importance of body language
• Tactics for meetings, interviews and presentations

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Those who would like to develop effective techniques and personal style to enable them to speak with confidence in any situation.

FEEDBACK
“Some really helpful tips ” Anne Coleman, NHS Heart Improvement Programme,April 2007

Does your writing have the impact that you want? Do you produce written work that others want to read and act upon? Does the time you invest in writing yield a good return?
Written communication is a vital competence in many jobs. Lacking the confidence and skills needed to write effectively can reduce performance, waste time, damage relationships and reduce your credibility. This practical programme will equip you to write with confidence and impact. It will enable you to produce accurate, clear and concise written material, improving your effectiveness and increasing your credibility.

COURSE CONTENT:
• Preparation and planning to achieve impact
• Systematic writing skills
• Effective use of words, language and grammar
• Structuring letters and reports
• Practical writing exercises
• Written presentation skills.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
All support staff who wish to improve their written communications.

LONDON
Friday 9 April 2010

BIRMINGHAM
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Wednesday 21 July 2010

This highly participative workshop guides delegates through the skills necessary to present with power and passion. Whether leading a team, presenting at meetings or dealing with the media, the ability to seize the moment and be remembered is vital if we want to present with impact.

AT

COURSE CONTENT
• Preparation and structure
• Clarity of purpose
• Opening with a bang
• The stress response – channelling nervous energy
• Using the whole body
• Managing an audience
• Using questions to your advantage

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Managers, supervisors and team leaders who regularly present and wish to develop their technique and personal style.

FEEDBACK
“Some really helpful tips ” Anne Coleman, NHS Heart Improvement Programme,April 2007

John Illman specialises in media training, presentation skills, crisis management and writing skills. He spent five years as medical correspondent on The Daily Mail; eight years as health editor on The Guardian; and three years as medical correspondent on the Observer. Founder editor of New Psychiatry and a former editor of General Practitioner, he spent four years as a columnist for Woman magazine, and six years until 2001 as chair of the UK Medical Journalists Association. As a visiting tutor at the University of Westminster in London, he has helped to pioneer Europe’s first BA (Hons) Medical Journalism course for medical students. John has extensive broadcasting experience, both as an interviewer and interviewee, and also works as a facilitator and chairman.

Derek Ayling is a specialist in communications with an unusual
background in engineering, marketing, financial control, project and change management. He holds an MBA from City University where he is a regular tutor.

Alison Rushworth has been a trainer in personal development and communications skills since 1992. She is an expert in training
techniques, presentation skills, course development, personal
effectiveness and training needs analysis. Alison possesses a Joint
Examining Board Teaching Diploma, and is a certified NLP
Practitioner. Her style is extremely interactive and incorporating such skills as counselling and feedback methods.

Andy Overton is an experienced and effective training professional. He has presented training programmes throughout the UK for 26 years – 20 years in the health service. Delegates describe his training as “confidence building, practical and easy to listen to”.

Got a question?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions, call Samantha Zoratto on 020 8334 4525 or email gatehouse@chamberdunn.co.uk