See what Bob Layton can do for you!
Bob Layton’s seminars are unique. They are not gleaned from books written by academic eggheads or skimmed from the Internet. They are the results of over three decades of actual experience and national awards that show the breadth of Bob’s expertise. Bob has three times won “Editorial of the year”, three times won “Best Documentary” and three times, his 630 CHED news team has won “Best Newscast”.
Bob teaches not with dry principles, but with actual examples of things real people and actual organizations have done. Bob doesn’t show you boring overheads of the printed page and then read it to you – you’ll see actual pictures of successes and failures in PowerPoint or overheads. He knows what works and what does not work.
Just one of the myriads of examples: Bob was warned by “people in the know” that the powers-that-be had twice rejected a police helicopter as too expensive to buy, too much to maintain, and not really necessary. So, what’s that thing in the sky with the bright light we see helping with arrests in the wee hours of the morning? Bob will explain what principles were in play during this incredible campaign from three different vantage points in his various seminars.
WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE NEWS MEDIA
Unlike other news media seminars, this one deals with your situation from the reporter’s side of the desk. This is, after all, the first hurdle you have to overcome to get your information out or your story told. Out of dozens of news releases that arrive in a day, why do only one or two make it to “air”. Bob will reveal the “secret missing herbs and spices”.
You’ll learn how reporters follow up a story, and what could happen if you send them on a wild goose chase or (gasp) lie to them. If your factory was on fire, or your manager was arrested on kiddie porn charges and the media showed up (as they will) with cameras rolling to interview you – do you have a media plan in place? Does your receptionist know what to do when faced with an array of microphones? Where is the best place to assemble the reporters? Who is your spokesperson? What do you do until that person arrives? What will send the media away satisfied? How do you keep your company in the best possible light when you really want to say “no comment”? What do you do if you think a reporter’s story was unfair or inaccurate?
Remember when the river ice attacked the Edmonton Queen? Wait till you hear how the media was treated during that event! Bob has pictures! This seminar has been attended by local, civic, and provincial politicians and civil servants. Those trying to get elected to public office have also benefited, as have community groups, entrepreneurs, not-for-profit agencies, and service clubs. Basically, if you have a story to tell, Bob can show you how to present it in a manner that is more likely to get media attention.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Over the years, Bob has spoken to hundreds of organizations from Calgary to Inuvik, from Vancouver to St. John’s. He has studied other speakers as they score points with an audience or die an ignominious death and he’ll show you what keeps an audience’s attention and what has them looking at their watches. Did you know that at weddings, most toasts to the bridesmaids and groomsmen fall flatter than yesterday’s ginger ale? That’s because the ingredients that make a memorable occasion are missing. Bob will show you the exercises that will stop you from “tightening up” when approaching the microphone – and the do’s and don’ts of using that microphone. Where are you supposed to look when you’re speaking?
Effective speaking notes vs. memory. Journalistic versus narrative story telling – which will hold an audience better in a public forum? How not to be funny. The use of overheads, PowerPoint, flip-charts – the advantages and drawbacks of each. What makes an effective boardroom presentation?
Anyone with a speaking engagement coming up can benefit from this seminar – look what happened to Bob: The Better Business Bureau booked Bob for a second year to speak at their annual awards dinner. He approached the lectern on stage at the hotel, notes in hand. Then, a terrible thing happened. The hotel should not have let it happen, but Bob, an experienced speaker, should have caught it in advance. He didn’t think to check and suffered some minor embarrassment as a result. In just one of many examples, Bob will tell you what made his face red.
This seminar has been attended by people in every walk of life: Politicians, beginning emcees, professionals about to make their first public speech or boardroom presentation, youth groups, etc.
WRITING YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY
The greatest gift you can give your family. This presentation is designed for seniors but has been applauded by every age group. The winner of three national awards for documentaries, Bob will show you how to tell your life story with actual examples from his own life. You’ll learn what aspects of your life future generations need to know about that will sustain them in good times and in bad. What really happened to you during the depression or the great wars? As a child, what would you expect to get as a Christmas or birthday gift? How to relate the stories of births and deaths, tragedies, awards, and how important decisions were made. How did you keep going when times got tough? Why and how did the family move from one place to another? What was the glue that held your family together, or, what do you know now that would have made a difference? What have you learned in your life that you want to pass on to your grandchildren about marriage, debt, education, or religion? How do you want to be remembered? You need to include some “idiot” stories so your grandchildren will know it’s O.K. not to be perfect. Wait till you hear what happened when Bob tried to impress his future wife! We’ll explore the simpler times when we made our own fun instead of watching T.V. and Bob and one of his puppets will even sing to you – that alone is worth the price of admission! To help you along, Bob has designed a workbook and will work through it with you. This can be done as a one hour to ninety minute presentation, or a full day session as you write and Bob guides you along.
And, you’ll find this family friendly seminar very affordable.