Improve your Public Speaking and Communication Skills

Join a Class or Workshop

Classes are a great way to learn new skills while getting plenty of opportunity to practice in front of fellow learners. I offer both in-person and online group classes that address a variety of skills, from getting your feet wet with public speaking to becoming an amazing off-the-cuff speaker to creating killer content for your presentations.  Workshops give you an intensive burst of skill development, letting you hone a particular presentation or technique over the course of just a few days.  Generally limited to between 8 and 10 people, I will work with you and your fellow participants in an intimate setting that encourages fast learning, active skill growth, personalized coaching, and valuable peer feedback.

I hold public classes in the Edmonton, Alberta area and am available for custom corporate training sessions across North America.  In-person and distance/online services are available.

 

Upcoming Courses, Workshops, and Seminars

Univeristy of Alberta - Online Seminar: Persuasive Communication (EXGEN 5362)

  • Online Seminar Dates: June 8, 10, & 12, 2020
  • Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Online delivery – 3 live online sessions

Persuasion is a core professional skill, underpinning much of our communication. In this seminar, you will learn fundamental aspects of persuasion and how to apply them to become more convincing in presentations, arguments, and conversations. Topics covered will include fundamental persuasive appeals, how to context and bias modify persuasion, critical rhetorical tools, methods for leveraging the right tool or technique at the right time, and methods of developing and defending strong arguments.

Fees: $395

Click here to register for Persuasive Communication through the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension

Univeristy of Alberta - Online Seminar: Developing and Leveraging Executive Presence (EXGEN 5363)

  • Online Seminar Dates: May 25, 27, & 29, 2020
  • Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Online Delivery – 3 live online sessions

Executive Presence (EP) is a combination of the way we speak, look, and behave that helps others perceive us as competent and authoritative. This highly desirable trait can be crafted and leveraged to give you greater poise and impact on your work. We will explore key traits, behaviours, and mindset needed to project a strong and authentic presence. You will be taught practical methods for cultivating these traits, including activities you can incorporate into everyday work and life.

Fees: $395

Click here to register for Developing and Leveraging Executive Presence through the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension

Group Course (Level 1): Public Speaking for Beginners & the Truly Terrified

Next round of classes starts in September 2020.

Want to ensure you get a spot in the next round? Contact me at Lauren@LaurenSergy.com to be placed on the Advanced Notice list for the Fall 2020 round of Public Speaking for Beginners and the Truly Terrified – you’ll get first crack at securing your seat (and I’ll keep you in the loop for other upcoming workshops)!

Class is limited to 8 participants.

PLEASE NOTE:

The plan is to run this class as an in-person session. If the COVID-19 situation requires physical distancing at any point during this course, we will simply move to live online delivery on an as-needed basis.  It’s still a great experience with all the practice and individual attention you get with in-person classes.
  • Does the idea of giving a presentation make you break out in a cold sweat?
  • Do you need to give talks for your work but don’t know where to begin?
  • Do you need more skill in impromptu speaking or prepared presentations…or both?
  • Do you want to add more polish and panache to your presentations?

You are a driven, passionate business professional or entrepreneur who knows that public speaking plays a key role in your success.  You are ready to take the plunge and get started on your journey to becoming a confident, powerful public speaker.  Now if only you could stop that queasy, shaky feeling that comes whenever you think about standing up to give a presentation…

If this sounds familiar, then Public Speaking for Beginners and the Truly Terrified is the class for you!

All About This Class

Join fellow professionals for an in-person 8 class journey through the foundational skills of public speaking.

This small class is restricted to 8 participants, ensuring a supportive environment with lots of individual attention and feedback.

Regardless whether you are a complete newbie at presenting or have some experience with speaking and presentations, you will learn new techniques and approaches that will drastically shift your skills and gain confidence through competence.

This course is practical, challenging, empowering, and even – dare I say it – fun! 

Over the course of 8 classes, you will learn and hone key public speaking skills including:

  • overcoming panic and calming the physical symptoms of stage fright,
  • key vocal techniques to speak with greater strength and ease,
  • creating and maintaining a clear, focused message,
  • memory and content creation techniques to free you from relying on notes or scripts,
  • learning how to receive and deliver helpful, meaningful critique,
  • strategies for dealing with and answering questions from the audience,
  • adjusting your mindset so that you can approach speaking with positive, reasonable, realistic expectations

I care deeply about your success, and offer additional support for my group class participants. You will have access to four additional one-on-one telephone coaching calls as well as email support while the class is running. Worried that you might have to miss a class? No problem, it happens – you can use your one-on-one calls to get caught up on any class content you missed.

Class dates and time

This 8 session program meets once every two weeks from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Fall 2020 term will start in early September.

Location (Tentative):

NorQuest College, 10215 108 St NW, Edmonton AB .

Singhmar Centre for Learning

Should the COVID-19 situation require physical distancing measures at any point during the course, we will carry on using live videoconferencing. And yes, you’ll still be called on to speak!

Fees:

Fees for this course are $629 + GST.

Certificates of completion are available on request.

Contact me to get on the Advanced Notice list for the next round of classes

Got questions? 

Contact me at lauren@laurensergy.com if you’d like more information or have any questions. I’m happy to discuss the course with you to see if it is a good fit for your public speaking goals.

Email Lauren Sergy Today
Joanne Lieu, Associate Director, Principal Gifts Office of Advancement, University of Alberta

Lauren is an outgoing, kind, and knowledgeable public speaking coach. I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to improve their public speaking skills, strengthen their presence, and build confidence. Lauren walked me through tactics and strategies that enabled me to manage and overcome my fear of public speaking. If you’re looking for a safe space to work on your public speaking skills, I would definitely enroll in one of her workshops.

Nyssa Cromwell, Owner of Nyche Marketing

Lauren delivers a solid framework for getting over your fear of public speaking!

Stephanie Sonneman, Associate Director CFS Equipment Finance, Alberta Treasury Branch

I very much enjoyed the enthusiasm which Lauren brings to what she teaches. If you are like me and learn by practice and immediate constructive feedback then this is the course for you. I own my right to speak my mind at the same time with the ability to value and engage with my audience at the same time.

Uzair Ahmed, Co-Founder and President at InstaMek

Thanks Lauren for all your help! You’ve been great because you actually teach me how to apply the knowledge I’ve gained in real world scenarios. Your “drills” really work!

Dr. Zubia Mumtaz, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta

“You changed how I make and give presentations. The last presentation I gave at a large global health conference woke them up…people said they hadn’t seen anything like it!”