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The Art of Self-Introduction: Structuring Your Speech for Maximum Impact
By Sophia Baker
Introduction Making a great first impression can be a game-changer, and your self-introduction plays a crucial role in this. It’s not just about stating who you are but presenting yourself in a way that captures attention and fosters connections. Whether you're stepping into a job interview or mingling at a party, a well-structured self-introduction can make all the difference. Understanding Your Audience Identifying Your Audience Before you craft your introduction, it's essential to understand who you're speaking to. Are you addressing colleagues in a corporate setting, potential clients, or new acquaintances at a social event? Knowing your audience helps tailor your message to their interests and expectations. Tailoring Your Message to the Audience Different audiences require different approaches. For a professional audience, focus on your career achievements and skills. For a social setting, you might emphasize hobbies or personal interests. Adapting your message ensures relevance and keeps your audience engaged. Crafting Your Introduction Key Elements of a Self-Introduction A solid introduction typically includes: Name and Current Role: Start with who you are and what you do. This sets the context for your audience. Relevant Background Information: Share a bit about your background that adds value to the conversation. Unique Selling Points: Highlight what makes you unique or what you bring to the table. Structuring Your Introduction for Clarity Organize your introduction in a logical flow. Start with your name, move on to your current role, share relevant background information, and end with your unique selling points. This structure ensures your introduction is clear and impactful. The Power of a Strong Opening Creating a Memorable Hook Capture your audience's attention right from the start. Use a compelling hook, such as an intriguing fact about yourself, a brief anecdote, or a relevant quote. A strong opening piques curiosity and draws your audience in. Using Anecdotes or Quotes Incorporating a brief story or a quote can make your introduction more engaging and memorable. Choose anecdotes that reflect your personality or achievements, and quotes that resonate with your message. Building Your Narrative Crafting a Compelling Story People connect with stories. Weave a narrative around your experiences, challenges, and successes. This approach makes your introduction more relatable and interesting. Highlighting Achievements and Experiences Focus on significant achievements and experiences that align with the context of your introduction. This helps establish credibility and shows what you bring to the table. Keeping It Concise Importance of Brevity While it’s tempting to share every detail, brevity is key. Aim for a concise introduction that covers the essentials without overwhelming your audience. A brief, well-crafted introduction is often more effective than a lengthy one. Techniques for Staying on Point To stay on point, practice your introduction and focus on the most relevant information. Avoid tangents and ensure every part of your introduction adds value. Engaging with Your Audience Asking Questions Engage your audience by asking questions or inviting them to share their thoughts. This interaction not only makes your introduction more engaging but also fosters a two-way conversation. Inviting Interaction Encourage dialogue by showing interest in your audience’s responses or reactions. This approach helps build connections and makes your introduction more dynamic. Non-Verbal Communication Body Language Tips Non-verbal cues play a significant role in communication. Maintain good posture, use open gestures, and avoid crossing your arms. Your body language should complement your verbal introduction. The Role of Eye Contact Maintaining eye contact shows confidence and helps build trust with your audience. It demonstrates engagement and sincerity in your introduction. Tailoring Your Introduction for Different Settings Professional Settings In professional settings, focus on your career achievements, skills, and professional interests. Be formal and concise, and ensure your introduction aligns with the context of the meeting or event. Social Gatherings For social gatherings, highlight personal interests, hobbies, or interesting facts about yourself. This helps create a friendly atmosphere and fosters personal connections. Virtual Introductions In virtual settings, ensure your introduction is clear and engaging despite the lack of physical presence. Use visual aids if possible, and maintain a positive and professional tone. Practicing Your Delivery Rehearsing Your Introduction Practice your introduction to build confidence and ensure smooth delivery. Rehearse in front of a mirror or with friends to refine your approach and timing. Adapting to Feedback Be open to feedback and adjust your introduction based on what resonates best with your audience. Continuous improvement helps keep your introduction fresh and effective. Common Mistakes to Avoid Overloading with Information Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. Focus on key points and keep your introduction relevant to the context. Being Too Vague or Generic Generic introductions can be forgettable. Be specific and highlight unique aspects of your background or achievements to stand out. Using Visual Aids Enhancing Your Introduction with Slides or Props In some settings, visual aids can enhance your introduction. Use slides or props to highlight key points or add visual interest. Ensure they support your message without overshadowing it. When and How to Use Visual Aids Effectively Only use visual aids when they add value to your introduction. Keep them simple and relevant, and practice using them smoothly in your delivery. The Role of Confidence Building Self-Confidence Confidence can be built through practice and preparation. Know your material, rehearse regularly, and adopt a positive mindset to boost your confidence. Projecting Confidence Through Speech Your tone, pace, and clarity of speech reflect your confidence. Speak clearly, at a steady pace, and with enthusiasm to convey confidence effectively. Feedback and Improvement Seeking Constructive Feedback Request feedback from trusted friends or colleagues to gain insights into how your introduction is received. Use this feedback to make improvements. Continuously Refining Your Introduction Refine your introduction based on feedback and personal experiences. Regular updates ensure your introduction remains relevant and impactful. Conclusion Crafting a powerful self-introduction is both an art and a skill. By understanding your audience, structuring your message clearly, and practicing your delivery, you can make a memorable first impression. Remember to tailor your introduction for different settings, engage with your audience, and continually refine your approach. With these strategies, you'll be well-equipped to introduce yourself effectively in any situation. FAQs 1. What should be included in a professional self-introduction? Include your name, current role, key achievements, and relevant skills. Tailor it to the context of the professional setting. 2. How long should my self-introduction be? Aim for 30-60 seconds. It should be concise yet comprehensive enough to convey your key points. 3. How can I make my introduction more engaging? Use a memorable hook, incorporate personal anecdotes, and engage your audience with questions or interactive elements. 4. What are common mistakes to avoid in a self-introduction? Avoid being too vague, overloading with information, or appearing uninterested. Focus on relevance and clarity. 5. How can I improve my self-introduction over time? Seek feedback, practice regularly, and refine your introduction based on experiences and audience reactions.
Online Options
Show all 5717Join us for a fun, friendly, and seriously useful networking event designed for business owners, creatives, and content-curious businesses who want to up their marketing game online. Each session features a guest expert sharing tips and real-world insights on topics like video creation, SEO, design, and more – followed by relaxed networking where you can meet like-minded people, ask questions, and share your own experiences. Whether you're a complete beginner or already posting content regularly, you'll leave with ideas you can use immediately – and maybe a few new contacts, too!
Existential Dialogues 2025: “In-Sanity, Who is Sane?” with Prof E. Spinelli
By Therapy Harley Street
Ten live dialogues between Prof Ernesto Spinelli and International Existential Therapists followed by an Experiential Study Group. A phenomenological approach to re-view psychopathology: We aim to explore the lived experiences of irregular perceptions of reality with an open mind. Each Saturday includes a live dialogue between Prof Ernesto Spinelli and an International Existential Therapist; a moment to share your thoughts and feelings with the teachers; and a final integration facilitated by Bárbara Godoy. This series of ten Dialogues set out to explore the multifaceted dimentions and complexities associated with Existential Therapies. It attempts to engage with various interpretations of insanity through the lens of patients' often painful, confounding, and deeply unsettling life experiences. TIMES AND DATES 2025 25 Jan. “Knots” with Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 2 Feb. “Healing” with Dr. Michael Guy Thompson 22 Mar. “Difference” with Dr. Todd DuBose 12 Apr. “Polarization” with Prof. Kirk Schneider 3 May “Character” with Prof. Robert Romanyshyn 21 Jun. “Opening” with Dr. Yaqui Martinez 19 Jul. “Meaning” with Dr. Jan Resnick 25 Oct. “Invention” with Dr. Betty Cannon 15 Nov. “Hallucination” with Prof. Simon du Plock 13 Dec. “Hysteria” with Bárbara Godoy Full course (including dialogues): £1260 (2 pm to 5 pm – UK time) Only Dialogues: £630 (2 pm to 3 pm – UK time) Venue: Online Zoom Read the full Programme here > Course Organised by:
Existential Dialogue 2025: "Character" with Prof. Robert Romanyshyn
By Therapy Harley Street
To understand psychopathology, one must learn a foreign language, lend an ear as it were to a language that is complex and symbolic. We aim to explore the lived experiences on irregular perceptions of reality with an open mind. Each Saturday includes: a live dialogue between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and an International Existential Therapist; a moment to share your thoughts and feelings with the teachers; and a final integration facilitated by Bárbara Godoy. This series of ten dialogues set out to explore the multifaceted dimentions and complexities associated with Existential Therapies. It attempts to engage with various interpretations of insanity through the lens of patients often painful, confounding, and deeply unsettling life experiences. Character- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Prof. Robert Romanyshyn “I begin with the term psychopathology to emphasize that the word is about the logos—the thinking/speaking—about the sufferings of the psyche. To understand psychopathology, one must learn a foreign language, lend an ear as it were to a language that is complex, symptomatic, symbolic, and embodied. As complex, psychopathology reveals and conceals the sufferings of psyche. As symptomatic, psychopathology reminds one of things too important to forget but which are forgotten because they are too painful to remember. As symbolic, psychopathology is neither about facts nor ideas but about images, alchemical vessels that not only hold and contain psyche’s sufferings, but also cooks them. As embodied, psyche’s sufferings are inscribed in the flesh, etched as lines of character. To practice psychotherapy as an existential therapist situates therapist and patient in a dialogical field that is complex, symptomatic, symbolic, and embodied as a gestural field between them.” Prof. Robert Romanyshyn. Prof. Robert D. Romanyshyn, an Affiliate Member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, a Fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, and a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, was recently awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Contributions to Humanistic Psychology Award from the Society for Humanistic Psychology APA Division 32. He has published eight books and numerous articles in psychology, philosophy, education, and literary journals. He is also a published poet and has written a one-act play about Frankenstein. In 2009 he created a multi-media DVD entitled Antarctica: Inner journeys in the Outer World, which offers a psychological reflection on the melting polar ice. In addition to online seminars and interviews, he has given lectures and workshops at universities and professional societies in the U.S., Europe, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand. Prof. Ernesto Spinelli was Chair of the Society for Existential Analysis between 1993 and 1999 and is a Life Member of the Society. His writings, lectures and seminars focus on the application of existential phenomenology to the arenas of therapy, supervision, psychology, and executive coaching. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as an APECS accredited executive coach and coaching supervisor. In 2000, he was the Recipient of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. And in 2019, Ernesto received the BPS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice. His most recent book, Practising Existential Therapy: The Relational World 2nd edition (Sage, 2015) has been widely praised as a major contribution to the advancement of existential theory and practice. Living up to the existential dictum that life is absurd, Ernesto is also the author of an on-going series of Private Eye novels. Date and Time: Saturday 3 May from 2 pm to 3 pm – (UK time) Individual Dialogue Fee: £70 Venue: Online Zoom FULL PROGRAMME 2025: 25 January “Knots” with Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy 22 February “Healing” with Dr. Michael Guy Thompson and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 22 March “Difference” with Prof. Tod DuBose and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 12 April “Polarisation” with Prof. Kirk Schneider and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 3 May “Character” with Prof. Robert Romanyshyn and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 21 June “Opening” with Dr. Yaqui Martinez and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 19 July “Meaning” with Dr. Jan Resnick and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 25 October “Invention” with Dr. Betty Cannon and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 15 November “Hallucination” with Prof. Simon du Plock and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 13 December “Hysteria” with Bárbara Godoy and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli Read the full programme here > Course Organised by:
BOOKINGS CLOSED! 6th May Julie Gourinchas #Agent121. Looking for: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION
(3)By I Am In Print
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Julie Gourinchas (she/they) is developing a selective list focused on upmarket and literary adult fiction across a wide variety of genres. Writers she represents have been nominated for the British Book Awards, the Hugo Awards, the BSFA Awards, and the Saltire National Book Awards, among others. In fiction, she's drawn to a uncommon voices, and striking, intelligent writing – whether vibrant and floral or tense, quick, and sparse – as well as texture in both tone and setting (particularly anything with a strong aesthetic). Above all, she is looking for hooky, high-concept work, but her taste can perhaps be best summarised as "the weird, dark, and gruesome." While literary-speculative is her sweet spot, she considers herself genre agnostic within upmarket/literary fiction, and remains open to compelling and well-executed genre overlap. These include: upmarket and literary horror: especially featuring feminist or cultural themes, body horror, mangled nature, or cosmic, Lovecraftian vibes and looking for a fresh, literary take on vampires. Think Mona Awad, Lucy Rose, Julia Armfield, Jade Song, Stephen Graham Jones. dark and spiky literary dramas with high emotional stakes - think Eliza Clark, Julia May Jonas. razor-sharp dark academia particularly with something to say about the complex and exploitative systems within academia, more The Secret History, less The Atlas Six. gothic fiction, specifically regional gothic anchored in an evocative sense of place in the vein of Alexis Henderson and Alix E. Harrow. grounded fantasy or otherwise speculative fiction with coherent, sharp worldbuilding that feels recognisable and familiar, or directly set in our world. Play with magic, faith, and technology in your story like Babel, or a more literary version like Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Blood Over Bright Haven, Metal From Heaven. Searing contemporary fiction centred on themes of identity and belonging: think Sally Rooney, Torrey Peters, or what Saltburn should have been. dark westerns, in particular any that play with the truth and false hopes of the American Dream. magical realism both whimsy with a touch of darkness, and darkness with a touch of whimsy. unhappy romances anything -punk: steampunk, solarpunk, silkpunk, clockpunk, dieselpunk, cyberpunk and more of these! Suffice to say: if you can successfully and smartly comp to Arcane, Julie wants to see it! character-focused historical fiction with a literary edge: think Lauren Groff, Anthony Doerr, Eleanor Catton, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries; including and indeed encouraging alternate history. Stylistically, Julie loves uncommon, thought-provoking experimentation with both prose and form, and anything spiky, toothy, and dark. Happy endings, to her, should feel earned. In all things, compelling character development should come first. First person narration is not impossible, but hard to sell. A smart genre blend is always welcome, as is any fresh-eyed approach to a well-trodden trope. Julie is also very much looking for her first romantasy – especially one that approaches this exciting new genre from a fresh, bold perspective. She is keenly interested in hearing from authors traditionally underrepresented in the industry, including but not restricted to writers of colour; queer, trans, and nonbinary writers; working class writers; disabled writers; etc. Her enduring favourite books include All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien, The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. More recent favourites include the masterful Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Babel by R.F. Kuang, Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters, Matrix by Lauren Groff, Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt, Brother Alive by Zain Khalid, and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield. In non-fiction, Julie is keen to read in the narrative and “big ideas” spaces, particularly in the realms of politics, history, and the social sciences. Please note: Julie is not looking for young adult, middle grade, and children’s books. Strictly no AI-generated content of any description. Please also bear in mind that, despite a deep and abiding love for all things Tolkien and Star Wars, she is not typically the right fit for epic or high fantasy, nor space-faring science fiction. She would also prefer to avoid pulpy crime and straightforward romance/romcoms. Julie would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Julie is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Tuesday 29th April 2025
META-Health Professional 2025
By META-Health International
Become a META-Health professional with our 6 months intensive training! Do you want to learn the scientific background of body-mind-interactions and how to integrate this knowledge in your practical work with your clients? This course contains both self-study and live training in online classes and covers the META-Health Level 1 and 2 material. It will take 6 months including 24 live sessions, 2 hours each, mainly in a weekly rhythm. You will get preparatory videos, reading material and tasks that help to understand and integrate the content, while the group sessions focus on demonstrations, discusion of the material, and practical exercises for you. All the time, our trainers and tutors will support you and we’ll be a learning family with an active chatgroup. Altogether you should reckon approximately 5 hours per week.
MHFA England Mental Health First Aid 2-day course With Mindmaps Wellbeing, your instructor will be a Registered Mental Health Nurse.
By Mindmaps Wellbeing
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England Training with Mindmaps Wellbeing Enhance workplace wellbeing and mental health awareness with MHFA England-certified training by Mindmaps Wellbeing. Our expert-led courses, delivered by Registered Mental Health Nurses and Healthcare Educators, equip you with the skills to recognize, support, and respond to mental health challenges. Whether online or in-person, our training ensures flexible learning options without compromising quality. Join us to gain certification as a Mental Health First Aider and access exclusive benefits like ongoing peer support, expert forums, and resources for self-care. Book now with Mindmaps Wellbeing and take the first step toward a healthier, more supportive environment for all.
Zen Yoga, Thursdays 10am (ONLINE)
By Mark Westmoquette
Join Mark on Thursday mornings to move, explore, and wake up to your true nature. Mark's classes are all about re-connecting the body and mind in order to find a sense of health, integration, freedom and kindness. Most of the time his classes are based around the seasons, since the Chinese energy system is very connected to the time of year and changing seasons.
EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner Workshop - May 2025
By Centre for Competitiveness
EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner Course A 2-day deep-dive workshop on RADAR and how to use it as an agile project performance framework. The essential course for anyone wanting to learn more about the RADAR logic and how to build a continuous improvement culture and mindset across your whole organisation. Who is it for? This course is suitable for anyone who wants to understand the RADAR logic and how it can be used to make their organisation more effective. Whilst this training is effective as a stand-alone course; it is also a Level 1 option for anyone considering one of the EFQM qualification routes as a way of progressing their management development and career. Benefits By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Explain the overall RADAR logic Explain the main principles of positive culture and mindset for driving performance Describe how RADAR can be implemented into an organisation to improve performance at every level Identify how to use RADAR to drive the management agenda Apply RADAR across day-to-day initiatives and key projects as an agile project performance framework. Programme The main topics covered during the EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training are: RADAR logic and examples of how it can be used Using RADAR to drive the management agenda Using RADAR to drive strategic initiatives Using RADAR to set up strategic KPI’s RADAR as a Performance Improvement Framework Case studies and group exercises RADAR Improvement Matrix self-assessment The training is spread over two days and is delivered in a virtual classroom setting (Zoom or Microsoft Teams), using videos, group discussions, case studies and activities in breakout rooms and presentations from the trainer. Further Development The EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training provides core knowledge about the RADAR Logic. In some cases, the training will have fulfilled an individual's learning needs. In many cases, the individual will want to consolidate their learning by applying the theory to a practical task. We encourage you to apply RADAR to a practical, work-based project, and we provide guidance on how to approach and complete your project. Completion of the RADAR Performance Improvement Project also allows you to progress to one of the advanced EFQM qualification programmes: EFQM Performance Improvement Leader, EFQM Assessor or EFQM Organisational Change Leader. EFQM Performance Improvement Leader If you successfully complete the EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training and the subsequent project, you are invited to apply for the EFQM Performance Improvement Leader assessment. You will be guided and coached by an EFQM trainer and asked to present your project to the EFQM expert panel. Here you will answer questions about how you applied the RADAR logic and principles (we provide participants with templates for running the project, as well as a high-level mid-term review). You will also receive feedback on how to improve and maximise the use of RADAR for future endeavours. Dates and time: This is a two day on-line workshop delivered on the 12th of June & 18th of June from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM GMT Cost: £1000 + VAT
Webinar: Mailchimp
By LUCA School of Arts
In deze webinar gaan we in op het gebruik van Mailchimp als platform om e-mails vorm te geven en e-adressen van je contacten mee te verzamelen en te beheren. Bovendien zorgt het systeem ook dat je voldoet aan de eisen van de GDPR en privacywetgeving In deze webinar gaan we in op Mailchimp, niet alleen omdat we hier als school zelf mee werken, maar ook omdat het platform gratis is zolang je minder dan 2000 adressen in het systeem zitten hebt. Voor beginnende kunstenaars en ontwerpers is dat dus een betaalbaar systeem. In deze workshop belichten we verschillende aspecten van een mailing, adresformulieren en sjablonen. We zoomen ook in op de account van LUCA en wat dit betekent voor studenten en docenten van LUCA. De webinar staat open voor studenten, alumni en docenten van LUCA School of Arts.
