High-Impact Public Speaking and Presentations Training Course

Duration 5 days 10 modules · 33 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Managers and Team Leaders, Project Managers and others
Fee from USD 1,100 KSh 95,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-CS-187

Before you join: Participants should have experience contributing to meetings, briefings, presentations or stakeholder discussions in a professional setting.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Professionals are often judged by the clarity and authority of their presentations before their technical work is fully understood. A proposal can lose support because its purpose is unclear, a briefing can create confusion through excessive detail, and a capable speaker can appear uncertain through rushed delivery or weak responses to challenge. This course addresses the practical requirements of speaking to senior leaders, clients, project teams, public audiences and decision-making panels.

Participants learn to define a presentation objective, analyse audience needs, develop a persuasive message and structure content for attention and recall. The course covers message mapping, the Pyramid Principle, SCQA, Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle, storytelling, visual design, vocal control, body language and question handling. Participants practise adapting the same core message for executive briefings, technical updates, sales proposals, stakeholder meetings and formal presentations.

Instruction combines short faculty briefings, structured analysis, individual speaking practice, recorded presentation simulations, peer feedback and facilitator coaching. Participants prepare and deliver several short presentations during the programme, receiving specific feedback on structure, language, presence, slides and audience interaction. They leave with a completed presentation plan, audience analysis, message map, slide-review checklist and personal speaking improvement plan.

The course suits professionals who already present as part of their role and need greater control, persuasion and credibility in visible speaking situations. It is particularly relevant where decisions depend on concise recommendations, clear explanations of complex information and confident responses to scrutiny.

What you will be able to do

  • Analyse audiences using stakeholder needs, decision criteria and communication preferences
  • Construct persuasive presentation messages using the Pyramid Principle and SCQA framework
  • Apply Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle to strengthen credibility, logic and audience connection
  • Design presentation structures that lead audiences toward a clear decision or action
  • Create slides that support spoken messages through visual hierarchy and evidence selection
  • Deliver presentations with controlled voice, body language, pacing and audience engagement
  • Handle challenging questions using bridging, acknowledgement and concise response techniques
  • Produce a personal presentation improvement plan based on structured performance feedback

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Greater confidence when presenting recommendations to senior audiences
  • Clearer methods for turning complex information into concise messages
  • Stronger control of nerves, pace, voice and physical presence
  • Practical techniques for answering difficult questions without losing focus
  • A repeatable preparation process for meetings, briefings and formal presentations

For your organisation

  • More concise executive briefings that support timely decisions
  • Clearer communication of project risks, recommendations and performance data
  • Improved consistency in customer, stakeholder and board-facing presentations
  • Reduced reliance on dense slides and unfocused technical explanations
  • Greater confidence among staff representing the organisation in high-visibility settings

Course modules

10 modules over 5 days

Participants can define a presentation purpose and adapt their approach to audience needs.

  • Presentation purpose defined through desired audience decisions, actions and attitudes
  • Audience analysis using stakeholder interests, influence, knowledge and likely concerns
  • Primary, secondary and unintended audiences mapped before content development begins
  • Decision-maker expectations distinguished from technical audience information requirements
  • Communication context assessed through time limits, stakes, format and power dynamics
  • Audience questions anticipated from evidence gaps, objections and competing priorities

Participants can build a focused central message supported by relevant evidence.

  • Message maps built from one governing thought and three supporting points
  • The Pyramid Principle used to state conclusions before supporting detail
  • SCQA structures situation, complication, question and answer for business messages
  • Key messages tested for relevance, specificity, credibility and memorability
  • Evidence selected according to audience decisions rather than available information
  • Recommendations framed with benefits, risks, trade-offs and required actions

Participants can organise a presentation that moves an audience toward a defined outcome.

  • Openings establish relevance, credibility and a clear reason to listen
  • Problem-solution-benefit sequences organise proposals requiring audience commitment
  • Monroe’s Motivated Sequence applied to presentations seeking action or change
  • Signposting language guides audiences through complex arguments and transitions
  • Logical sequencing separates background, analysis, recommendation and implementation requirements
  • Closings reinforce the decision, action, owner and next required step

Participants can use persuasive appeals and relevant stories without weakening professional credibility.

  • Aristotle’s ethos, logos and pathos balanced for professional audiences
  • Credibility established through expertise, candour, evidence quality and preparation
  • Stories structured with context, tension, choice, outcome and lesson
  • Data narratives connect numbers to consequences, people and decisions
  • Analogies clarify unfamiliar concepts without oversimplifying technical or policy issues
  • Ethical persuasion distinguishes informed influence from manipulation and unsupported claims

Participants can design slides that clarify rather than compete with spoken content.

  • Slide purpose determined before selecting charts, images, diagrams or text
  • Visual hierarchy directs attention through contrast, alignment, scale and whitespace
  • Assertion-evidence slide design pairs a conclusion with relevant supporting proof
  • Charts selected according to comparison, trend, distribution or relationship questions
  • Dense text converted into speaker notes, diagrams or concise visual prompts
  • Accessibility considered through readable fonts, colour contrast and meaningful labels

Participants can use voice and body language to project authority and maintain attention.

  • Breathing routines manage tension and support steady vocal delivery
  • Vocal pace varied to emphasise decisions, transitions and important evidence
  • Pauses used deliberately after key points, questions and recommendations
  • Volume, pitch and articulation adjusted for room size and online delivery
  • Purposeful posture, gesture and movement reinforce rather than distract from messages
  • Eye contact patterns include individuals while maintaining whole-room connection

Participants can prepare for high-pressure speaking situations using practical confidence techniques.

  • Performance anxiety identified through physical, cognitive and behavioural warning signs
  • Pre-presentation routines combine preparation, breathing, grounding and focus cues
  • Rehearsal plans test timing, transitions, technology and opening delivery
  • Recovery techniques address memory lapses, interruptions and unexpected technical failures
  • Perfectionism replaced with audience-focused standards for useful professional communication
  • Personal confidence triggers identified from prior successful speaking experiences

Participants can sustain audience attention and adjust delivery using audience signals.

  • Audience engagement planned through questions, choices, examples and reflection points
  • Rhetorical questions focus attention before introducing important evidence or arguments
  • Live polling and show-of-hands methods used with a clear purpose
  • Listening for verbal and non-verbal signals informs pacing and explanation depth
  • Technical content adjusted when audience confusion or resistance becomes visible
  • Participation managed without losing control of time, scope or presentation purpose

Participants can answer questions confidently while protecting the central presentation message.

  • Questions classified as clarification, challenge, objection, detail or diversion
  • Acknowledgement techniques show respect before answering difficult stakeholder concerns
  • Bridging returns responses from side issues to the main message
  • Answer structures state conclusion first, then evidence and implications
  • Objections addressed through common-ground statements, evidence and practical options
  • Unknown answers handled honestly with ownership, follow-up and defined timescales

Participants can prepare concise executive briefings and apply course methods to future presentations.

  • Executive briefings prioritise decisions, implications, risks and required sponsorship
  • Three-minute presentations compress context while retaining recommendation and evidence
  • Briefing packs distinguish spoken messages from supporting reference material
  • Presentation review criteria assess purpose, structure, evidence, delivery and engagement
  • Feedback converted into specific behavioural targets and rehearsal priorities
  • Personal application plans schedule preparation steps for upcoming workplace presentations

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Audience analysis template
  2. Presentation message map
  3. SCQA briefing structure
  4. Assertion-evidence slide checklist
  5. Question-handling response model
  6. Personal presentation improvement plan

Who should attend

  • Managers and Team Leaders — communicate decisions, priorities and performance expectations clearly
  • Project Managers — secure alignment on scope, risks, milestones and resource needs
  • Technical Specialists — explain complex findings to non-specialist decision-makers
  • Sales and Business Development Professionals — present proposals and recommendations with greater persuasion
  • Policy and Programme Professionals — brief stakeholders on evidence, options and intended actions
  • Subject-Matter Experts — build confidence and structure for visible speaking responsibilities

Skills and tools covered

Audience analysisMessage structuringPersuasive speakingSlide designExecutive briefingsQuestion handling

Tools and standards

Pyramid Principle, SCQA Framework, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short instructor briefings to introduce frameworks, followed by case analysis, group work, presentation planning and speaking simulations. Participants prepare messages for realistic workplace situations such as executive updates, project recommendations and client proposals. Faculty coaching and peer feedback focus on observable behaviours: opening impact, structure, evidence, slide use, voice, body language and responses to questions. Recorded practice may be used where appropriate. Each participant develops an application plan for an upcoming workplace presentation.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have experience contributing to meetings, briefings, presentations or stakeholder discussions in a professional setting. They should be prepared to speak in front of colleagues, receive constructive feedback and work on a current or recent presentation topic. Basic familiarity with presentation software is useful because slide design is addressed, but advanced PowerPoint skills are not required. No prior public-speaking qualification, acting experience, formal debating background or specialist communications training is assumed. Participants do not need to bring a finished presentation, although one is useful for application work.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

You should have some workplace experience of meetings, briefings or presentations. The course does not require previous formal public-speaking training, but participants should be willing to speak and receive feedback.

Bring a current or recent presentation topic, briefing paper or proposal if you have one. A laptop is useful for slide work, although the course does not depend on advanced presentation software skills.

It is designed for professionals who present to managers, clients, project teams, stakeholders or formal groups. It is especially useful for people whose technical expertise must lead to decisions or action.

General communication courses usually cover broader interpersonal communication, listening and workplace conversations. This course concentrates on preparing, structuring and delivering spoken presentations under professional scrutiny.

Participants use the methods for executive updates, project briefings, client proposals, technical explanations and stakeholder meetings. The message map, audience analysis and presentation checklist can be reused for future speaking assignments.

The five days provide approximately 32.5 contact hours, normally from 08:30 to 16:30 each day. Time is divided between faculty input, case work, preparation, delivery practice, feedback and personal application planning.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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