Speak First Blog
8 steps for effective listening
Humanity has evolved from Neanderthals, who communicated with grunts and points, into having complex systems of language and words that we use to impart information and share ideas with each other. ...
Read more5 types of difficult questions and how to answer them
When you’re giving a presentation, or when giving a report at a meeting, you might be asked questions that you don’t have answers to. Or maybe you do have the answers, but you don’t know how to ...
Handling email overload
Your inbox rarely takes a break. In our increasingly connected world, where you’re always expected to be contactable, how can you stay on top of your emails without it feeling like climbing Everest ...
How to show that your learning and Development solutions pay for themselves
For those of us working in the Learning and Development field, we know the benefits that come from an organisation running training for its staff: increased employee productivity, engagement and ...
10 Secrets to handling questions well
You have done the research, prepared the slides and rehearsed your presentation. You are in control of everything. Well, almost everything. A question and answer session can be a daunting experience ...
10 Secrets of Successful Networking
Have you been to networking events but just ended up chatting to your colleagues and friends all evening? Do you meet lots of new people but struggle to stay in touch? Then you need our tried and ...
How to make an impact in meetings
Meetings can be a great opportunity to sit down and talk to staff, managers, clients and colleagues that you may not usually have time to. Some meetings might be a group discussion and some might be ...
6 Steps to Developing Personal Effectiveness
Every day, it’s the same old story – everyone has too much to do and not enough time to do it. So how are you supposed to achieve your goals when you can only just stay on top of the urgent tasks? ...
Amanda Vickers, Speak First CEO, visits the cape flats youth programme
Imagine growing up in a house with corrugated iron walls and roof, with no heating and where the electricity is drawn from a nearby street light. In this area there are no public services provided – ...
How to Adopt a Marketing Approach to Increase Staff Engagement with your Training
Picture this: You have lost count of the number of hours you spent typing emails, on the phone and in meetings, but you have finally managed to confirm that the world's greatest business coach is ...