When was the last time you were asked to say a few words, and suddenly, those words vanished? In a world that rewards precision and conviction, public speaking is your competitive edge. Think about the voices that stop you in your tracks: a gripping TED Talk, a moving award speech, or a pitch that effortlessly wins the room. What makes them so memorable? Whether you're in the boardroom or on stage, the way you speak can be your most powerful asset.
Guided by our curatorial philosophy #LearningNeverStops, this public speaking workshop marks the first episode in Avid Learning’s new series. This immersive session led by Actor and Communications Specialist Avantika Akerkar will equip you with practical tools, theatre-inspired techniques, and real-world strategies to help you structure your message, speak with flair, and leave an impression that lasts. Through case studies of what works (and what doesn’t) and hands-on exercises, unlock the secrets of impactful communication and compelling delivery. Learn how to manage nerves, shape your voice, deliver with intention, and speak so people listen.
Join us for an interactive experience and learn to speak with clarity, confidence, and charisma.
Highlights:
● Discover practical techniques to organize your thoughts into engaging messages.
● Learn to use pauses, pacing, and silence as powerful communication tools.
● Practice delivering concise and persuasive elevator pitches.
● Understand how to contextualize your expression for varied audiences.
● Receive feedback to fine-tune your speaking skills.
Note: Avid Learning workshops are now ISO 29993:2017 certified, an international standard for non-formal education and training services.
A participation certificate will be provided for the workshop.
Avantika Akerkar has been in the training profession for many years. She has run multi- faceted programs for diverse portfolio of clients that range from the Hospitality Industry (The Taj Group of Hotels) to Banking (Deutsche, BNP Paribas and more) and Investment Houses (JP Morgan, DSP Blackrock). She has also worked with IT Companies (Accenture and Tata Interactive Systems) and BPOs and KPOs. Her workshops are non-traditional using a combination of both theoretical and practical experiences. She is able to draw upon her vast experience gained in both the corporate and not-for-profit sector in the fields of public relations and program planning. Avantika also uses her skills in the dramatic arts to bring the workshops ‘to life.’ She is completely committed to transforming her participants into highly effective people, professionally and personally.
Read moreIntroduction to Public Speaking
Public Speaking is defined as the art of conveying a thought, an idea or a concept to a group of people. The two main components of public speaking are content and delivery. Content is what you say, while delivery refers to how you say it. Public speaking is a powerful tool that can unlock numerous opportunities for individuals in their professional journeys. One of the most significant benefits of honing this skill is the ability to demonstrate competence and confidence in various settings. When you articulate your ideas clearly and engage an audience effectively, you position yourself as an expert in your field, which can lead to greater recognition and reputation within your industry. Moreover, public speaking fosters professional growth by enhancing critical leadership skills. Embracing public speaking can significantly impact your career trajectory by showcasing your abilities, fostering leadership qualities, building industry reputation, and providing opportunities for travel and networking. Informative, persuasive, demonstrative, inspirational, and entertaining speeches are different types of public speaking.
Organising Thoughts for Better Communication
Brain dump is a technique used to transfer all the thoughts onto paper or a digital tool to clear the mind. It helps to prioritise thoughts, discard unwanted thoughts and thus brings more clarity. Another interesting method to organise thoughts can be through a mind map. It helps to connect concepts and is a great tool for brainstorming, planning and improving the writing process. It is easy to recollect significant points with a visual representation of a mind map, as ideas are structured around the central concept. The next step can be to visualise thoughts using flowcharts, Venn diagrams, with the help of design tools like Canva. These help to organise the content that needs to be communicated and ease the overall process.
An Overview of Elevator Pitch
Elevator pitch, also popularly known as elevator speech, is a professional summary designed to introduce oneself ot their idea in around 75 words within a minute. Three main elements of an elevator pitch include clarity of language, conciseness that involves sticking to essential information and lastly projecting confidence with eye contact, body language and speech tone, making the pitch unforgettable.
Mastering the Art of Public Speaking
Confidence, enthusiasm, authenticity, professionalism, adaptability, and awareness are the qualities needed to become an excellent public speaker, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Some techniques that can be used to become a powerful public speaker start with practice. Once a presentation idea is ready, one must start practising it in a private space or maybe in front of a mirror. In a later stage, practice can be done with a small set of known audience while receiving feedback and working on improving the same. Visual aids like slideshow presentations, photographs, or physical props in combination with other multimedia tools can be used to connect with the audience during public speaking. Storytelling is a technique that helps to connect with the audience on a profound level. The speaker can evoke emotions and initiate imagination with the language of stories and real-life experiences.
