The experiences of the Media Skills Agency show that it is fundamental for political and business leaders to work harder on their speech culture and more suitable communication styles. Fear of public speaking is often the most common problem
In the contemporary business environment and especially among business and other leaders, more and more attention is being given to public speaking and communication skills. The Media Skills Agency conducts its training courses in line with the highest standards while applying American methods in training clients for public speaking.
Unlike other similar agencies, Media Skills holds unique media and public speaking courses. How did the Serbian market react to the new opportunities that you offer?
Bearing in mind that our programme is geared towards middle and top management and that the pharmaceutical and health industry have expressed a great interest in it, we can confidently say that we are very satisfied with our results so far.
Since we opened in February, we have held seminars for over 30 national and international companies, in addition to various public speaking courses, attended by representatives from the 14 most influential national institutions. We are so glad to see that business leaders have recognised the importance of our programme at a time when a lot is expected from communication skills.
Could you elaborate on this comprehensive project?
– We offer our clients the opportunity to pick their trainers and the programmes they wish to attend. Our guest lecturers are reputable TV editors, anchors and reporters who have considerable experience in working for global media outlets like CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian and others.
Fear of public speaking is actually the biggest roadblock and to eliminate it we use american methods and advice from harvard university
Lectures can be individual or in groups, but our advice is to go for one-on-one education which brings the best results. One of the most renowned diction professors, Radovan Knežević, PhD, gives practical workshops featuring the most important speeches from the history of rhetoric.
We also prepare our clients for political, lecturing and other types of appearances.
Furthermore, we provide simulations of TV appearances and giving statements to the media in a lifelike environment with a camera, lights and the assistance from reporters, cameramen, directors, script editors and stylists, if required. Fear of public speaking is actually the biggest roadblock and to eliminate it, we use American methods and advice from Harvard University.
Media appearances and communication skills are very important in the US. What is the situation like in Serbia?
– Look at Donald Trump and you’ll realise just how important is to be convincing in public appearances. Whether you like him or not, his statements are always reported. I remember that, at the beginning of the election campaign in the US, many global analysts predicted that Jeb Bush would be the next US president.
As it turned out, Trump unexpectedly beat him in South Carolina, the traditional stronghold of the Bush family and the state where they had many supporters. Based on my TV experience, I think that our politicians need to improve significantly their speech culture and have a more suitable communication style. Businesses are also becoming more interested in our work. Business people are very keen to improve their presentation skills.
How compatible are your training courses with the EU standards and procedures?
– Media Skills conducts its courses in line with the highest standards, applying American methods in training our clients for public appearances. Also, we are cooperating with the Gustav Käser Swiss training centre in Serbia.