Professional associations, business organizations and women’s groups are energized, educated, and yes, entertained when I’m at the front of the room.
They thrive on the human-to-human connection that’s been my hallmark since I was a talk show host. I know for sure that listeners learn best when they’re deeply engaged and active. Sitting back, reading bullet-points and hearing a bunch of blah-blah-blah doesn’t cut it.
In keynotes, breakout sessions and workshops, I skip the blahblah, get to the heart of things and share not just information but also inspiration. Of course I’ll customize a program for your group. Here are some possibilities.
Speaking with Authority: Make the Conversation Count
Even in our highly visual culture, the way you sound has enormous impact on the people you hope to influence. Of course that’s especially true when your meeting’s on the phone or web. (92% of sales conversations happen on the phone. How do you make the most of those calls?)
Outcome: Your members know how to use vocal nuance and subtle shifts in language to build rapport, direct a conversation and get results. They develop comfort and confidence that they can achieve their goals in phone conversations, conference calls and web-based meetings. And they’ll have an extra advantage in face-to-face conversations too.
Magnetic Introductions: How to Have Them at Hello
What’s more boring than listening to somebody drone on about their business and their bio and their background? There’s a better way describe your business and the value you offer so that you can make meaningful connections at every networking event, association meeting or social occasion.
Outcome: Your group discovers a new take on the old elevator speech. With a different way to talk about their work, they can deliver a quick, compelling intro that captures attention, keeps it, and opens the door to deeper business relationships. (And that won’t send their listeners into snooze-mode.)
Executive Presence: Embody Confidence and Charisma
People make up their minds about us in seconds. Then the way we look and sound continues to have a huge impact on every professional interaction. So how do you make the kind of impression that will serve you well? How do you show up and shine?
Outcome: Your people become aware of habits that undermine a strong personal presence. They understand how to use their physicality and voice to influence how they’re perceived—and how others respond to them. They discover how to pick up on feedback and adjust so they increase their influence. And they have a chance to practice so they can see, hear and feel the difference in themselves and each other.
Leadership: It’s Being, not Doing
Corporate executives can learn one more technique for running productive meetings. Or managing up. Or managing down, for that matter. None of it hits the mark if they don’t have Presence. Leadership Presence commands respect, creates connection, and cultivates a natural impulse to join in. And yes, Leadership Presence can be developed and enhanced.
Outcome: This is about doing the groundwork to become an individual people want to follow. Your team will discover how to make the most of their natural gifts and maybe change some things about the way they show up. That might mean coming out of hiding to step into a bigger role. Getting comfortable being at the forefront. And communicating like a leader.
Transition: What’s Next and How to Get There
Some people cave in completely when a job ends, a company closes, or a merger changes the landscape at work. They can’t do what they’ve always done in the way they’ve always done it. They can’t imagine doing anything else. They get swept into a downward spiral—and some never recover.
Others reinvent themselves when the rug is yanked out from underneath them. They figure out the next right thing. They prepare themselves for an altered role, a new employer, even a completely different career. They rise from the ashes of what was and create a new future.
This program is about becoming that resilient.
Outcome: Participants get new ways to think about the whole experience of transition. Specific strategies for sorting out their options. Exercises that help them get clear on what they have to offer—and who needs it.
They also get a fresh perspective based on my many experiences of “one door closing.” Sometimes you find that open window. Sometimes you have to cut a hole in the wall.
People said “useful,” “more like this” and “it was so great.”
Everyone had fun at Catherine’s program, definitely learned something about the way they present themselves that they previously weren't aware of and left with specific elements of their personal presentation that they were going to work on.
We saw a woman come to the realization she wasn't standing up to her boss in a very basic way, and you could practically see inside her head the way she was going to approach him next time. We had another woman whose timid presentation made everyone feel bad for her and by the end, she powerfully stated her name in a way that made you want to jump out of our seat and cheer for her.
It was incredibly gratifying to see such a clear before and after and know with certainly that all the attendees got something very valuable from the experience. We had feedback that our members "loved" Catherine's talk and felt it was very useful. It made everyone think about things they never realized or never knew they cared about -- and inspired them to want to change.
The Chicago weather was especially inhospitable that winter night, and not a single person left with regrets: It had been worth it for them.
Kim Bellware
Association for Women Journalists, Program Chair
Catherine is a game changer.
Bob Joynt
Director of Training, Auto-Wares Group of Companies
We got what we were looking for.
I heard so many people say, after Catherine’s talk, they were having to evaluate themselves as to how they are, perhaps, their own worst enemy. Looking at their posture, attitude, etc.
Speaking for myself, I had an important meeting with our very new Vice President for Academic Affairs and I did the “jumping jack” posture for the full two minutes before going into that meeting; I really did feel confident and I was definitely heard.
The evaluations for Catherine’s session were very positive — I am sure she has many new followers from the conference.
Kelley A. Still, Ph.D., CPA -
Executive Director, Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship
Associate Professor, Breech School of Business Administration, Drury University
Catherine Johns has performance in her soul.
Jimbo Marshall
Hell Yeah Studios
This will have lasting, positive impact.
Now, employees are standing taller, walking and speaking more confidently, and having fun coaxing each other to avoid the mistakes of weak-speak and poor posture.
The consensus at this morning's staff meeting was that Catherine’s workshop and her book have set us up to make "personal empowerment and confident presentations" part of our company culture.
Gary Whitaker
Publisher, 417 Magazine
There is no fluff and no hooey.
I appreciate that Catherine gets to the point and even when I thought she was going woo-woo with her body poses I realized even that segment had a purpose. Each time I attended one of Catherine’s events I met great people, learned about some unique businesses and yes, took home tips to refine my message and improve my speaking.
Let’s face it most of us don’t need more friends; we are at an event to improve something in our businesses. Make the decision to attend the Oak Brook event – you’ll be glad you did!
Sue Harrawood, CEO
Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance
Catherine far exceeded what I could have imagined.
Many of them have asked where she will be speaking in the future as they want to see her again. And there was a line of people wanting to purchase her book.
Fresh and encouraging!
Your presentation prompted us to take an honest look at ourselves and how we communicate to clients and other people we do business with. Taking the tips we learned from you, we are excited and ready to meet every business opportunity with a smile and a confident attitude.
Julie Ahearn
Interior Design Society
Incredible!
Body position, head tipping, hair flipping… these are all things that, as women, we need to be mindful of when in professional company. Catherine takes this a step further to show us how, with little effort, we cannot only show up with confidence, we can project a little testosterone of our own into the room…and still be as feminine as ever.
Our gals are still commenting on the difference it’s made in how they are perceived.
Victoria Andersen , Chicago Regional Leader B.I.G. - Believe, Inspire, Grow
Catherine is like one of those good summer storms that comes right when it’s gotten too hot.
Not many people can have that kind of gentle power that gets you to take action without feeling the strain - she does. And that is rare.
Suzanne Evans No-Fluff Business Coach