Who we are

Gayle Cohen Heller, president and founder of Well Spoken, Inc. is a graduate of the Julliard School. She has coached hundreds of CEOs, senior executives, and professionals in industries including financial services, high tech, marketing, telecommunications, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, automotive, politics, and consulting.

Her approach draws on her background as a professionally trained actress and extensive work in television and theater. Ms. Cohen Heller is also a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she graduated with honors. Cousrse work in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and at the Sorbonne in Paris further developed her expertise in the areas of voice and speech. In coaching, Ms. Cohen Heller uses a combination of methods including performance techniques and a thorough investigation of individual strengths and weaknesses to build personal confidence, style, and ability. In addition, she emphasizes body and audience awareness, voice comfort and control, gestures, and movement.

Her coaching sessions include methods for effective rehearsal, relaxation, and visualization for success. Concrete suggestions and techniques allow the client to be his or her own message and to learn to be distinctively him or herself.

Well Spoken also provides instruction using staff Ms. Cohen Heller has trained in her coaching methods.

1. Assessment

We encourage the client to define the problem by getting feedback from appropriate sources. Skill strength/weakness assessment and extensive critique including techniques is also given during the video analysis portion.

2. Objectives

We set training objectives with the client based on the feedback of others and upon the client’s own personal desires. Objectives are defined as specifically as possible.

3. Training Methods

Training is conducted one-to-one or in a group depending on the needs of the situation. This could mean setting up a formal group presentation situation with a microphone and teleprompter, or a one-to-one informal meeting between peers. Once the physical conditions are established, a role play is conducted. This is designed to elicit the behaviors that are problematic for the client. This is videotaped. The videotape is then reviewed with the client. The client is given instruction on what to observe and techniques are given to develop skills.

4. Follow Up

This consists of revisiting the objectives and rehearsing the newly acquired techniques with the client (and others, if appropriate), together we will revise and update the practices, and plan future sessions, as needed.

How to present yourself and your message

Using materials from your environment, you learn to:

– Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses
– Acquire techniques that enhance style, image, and message
– Assess how you look and sound to others when presenting
– Control nervousness and inhibitions
– Develop greater executive presence and interaction in meetings of all sizes
– Use your voice and body to be convincing and enthusiastic
– Analyze the audience and organize a talk
– Maintain control and handle questions, objections, and answers
– Use visual aids effectively
– Learn negotiating techniques

Our program is designed to give you the skills and techniques to take control of your anxiety, reduce audience pressures, read and understand their responses, develop a personal style, and create vocal and body awareness so you can think and present yourself and your ideas more clearly.

• Multiple practice sessions with each individual
• Frequent videotaping and individual review
• Individual coaching by and instructor
• Instruction manual with techniques implemented during session

Bankers Trust

Deloitte & Touche

Delphi

General Motors Corporation

Lazard

The Limited

Baltic Capital

Braxton & Associates

Ford Motor Company

Skila Inc.

New York Stock Exchange

United Nations

JP Morgan

PaineWebber