Five questions that will make you a better public speaker

Public speaking is consistently rated as our worst fear – ahead of everything that can actually kill you! It is further estimated that 75% suffer from a degree of anxiety related to public speaking. The good news is… this can all change!

Our trainer, Ilona Alcock, was the shy girl at the back of the school play. Someone who would never willingly speak in front of a group of people. Someone who literally shook with fear on even the smallest stage. Thanks to JCI, she has developed her public speaking to a point where she competes internationally, hosts awards ceremonies for 100s of people and lives the mantra “never say no to stage time”.

So if it’s your New Year’s resolution to overcome your fear of public speaking or just to improve presentations, handle Q&A sessions or win a few more arguments, you don’t want to miss this workshop.

In this interactive session, Ilona will offer top tips on creating an impact and share her expertise on how to plan a great speech. By following a simple process of answering five questions, you will be able to prepare effective pitches, keynote speeches and business updates.  

This event is also the launch of JCI Manchester’s flagship “Better Me, Better We” project – stay tuned for more updates to make sure 2018 is your best year yet!

About our speaker

Ilona Alcock - Employer Liaison Consultant, University of Salford and Co-ordination Director, JCI Manchester

Ilona works at the University of Salford to create employment opportunities and career insights for students and graduates. Having held a diverse range of roles in the past – everything from Commercial Litigation Solicitor in DLA Piper UK LLP to running a bespoke software development company with her husband – Ilona has a gained a real insight into what makes different businesses work.

Outside of her day jobs, Ilona has been an active JCI member since 2011 and was President of JCI Sheffield in 2014. Highlights of her JCI career include making the European finals of both debating and public speaking, launching the JCI UK Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awards and winning European awards for two local projects (one of which was also shortlisted globally). She utilises her experience to run training courses on public speaking and networking for a range of audiences, including the JCI UK Public Speaking Academy.

Since losing a friend to suicide in August 2015, Ilona has become a passionate advocate for mental health issues. This has included running trail marathons for Mind, climbing the national three peaks for Anxiety UK and taking part in numerous panel discussions.