College of Public Speaking Corporate Challenge 2010
The College of Public Speaking Corporate Challenge is an innovation to promote and encourage communication excellence in the corporate world. We are also looking to find the UK's top corporate speakers.
Popular TV programmes like The Apprentice and The Dragons' Den underline the need for excellent communication skills. How many times have prospective entrepreneurs faltered at the first hurdle of their sales pitch? We know that these problems can be resolved with supportive guidance, structure and practice.
The theme for the 2010 competition is: 'Creating long term economic prosperity...'
The first heats of the competition will take place on the English-Speaking Union on Wednesday 22nd September, Tuesday 28th September, Monday 4th October with the Grand Final on Monday 25 October.
The English-Speaking Union is found at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED. The ESU's Mayfair venue is wonderfully atmospheric and it is certainly a venue to add to your speaking CV. The Nearest Tube: Green Park (Victoria and Piccadilly Line) which is 400 yards away. Registration begins at 18:00 ready for a 18:30 start. Please bring a guest or two. Entrance is free for both contestants and spectators. There will also be a bar for our use after the events. Map to Dartmouth House
The College of Public Speaking will appoint a panel of experienced judges for the heats and finals. The guest judges for the final will not have attended the heats, so the same speech can be used without losing impact. We propose to have three heats of ten speakers with the first three contestants going through to the final on Monday 25 October.
Each speaker will have 60 seconds to tell us about their company, products and services. Last year's event was an excellent networking opportunity for those participating.
Speakers will be expected to demonstrate skills in terms of gestures, speech construction, speaking with conviction, vocal variety, vocabulary and word pictures, humour and audience rapport. 6x4" cards can be used, a lectern will be available if required, but most importantly, the speech must not be read.
The speech duration will be a maximum of 6 minutes and speakers will incur penalty points for speaking beyond this limit. Lighting arrangements: Green light 3mins, Amber light 4mins, Red light 5mins leaving 60 seconds to round off the speech. The red light will go off at 6 minutes. At six minutes thirty seconds, the speaker will be gavelled.
This is a marvellous opportunity for individuals to develop themselves in a friendly, supportive and pressurised environment. Speech contests emulate the rigours of a tough business world where millions of pounds can be won and lost on one strong presentation. It's also a development opportunity for contestants and companies alike.
Initially, please send an indication of interest to Richard at richard@collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk
The closing date for entries is 15th September 2010.
Entrance to the contest is free for both contestants and spectators.
Previous Winners of the Corporate Challenge
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| (Left to right) Presenting the trophies is Gwyn Redgers, National President of the Association of Speakers Clubs 2007-08. In third place Francesca Lagerberg, Rod Sloane (winner), John McKay (runner up), lead judge Cliff Hunter (a trustee of the Speakers Trust). |
| Rod Sloane tells us about the inspiration for his winning speech. mp3 file - 47 second interview. |
The College of Public Speaking would like to thank the organisers and judges of the event who all volunteered their time and creative energies on this project.
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No amount of words here could explain just how high the standard was in the contest. A DVD of the event is now available priced £6. All profits going to support the Speaking Olympiad 2010. Please contact Vince Stevenson for your copy. vince@collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk |
We are indebted to John Cassidy for volunteering these top quality images. Follow the link to see many more pictures that he took on the night. John Cassidy Photos
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Here is a video and transcription of William Buist's speech on the Societal Web Blog - William Buist
The College of Public Speaking would like to thank the organisers and judges of the event who all volunteered their time and creative energies on this project.
Next year's event will be an even bigger and better speaking extravaganza, so please watch this space.
Also watch out for the College of Public Speaking's major event on May 29th in the Strand. Public Speaking Olympiad 2010.
- The College of Public Speaking donates a percentage of its profits to the Speakers Trust, a charity dedicated
to the development of effective communication throughout all strands of society.