Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Training

"Chris has an extremely relaxed and professional approach to delivering speaker training. He was able to bring to the front the real issues behind presenting nerves, and offer simple and very effective tips to relax and deliver a great presentation. I would recommend Chris to anyone who would like help becoming a more effective presenter.

It was clear that the day was well prepared and thought out, and tackled in a systematic way, which built through the day, the key aspects which holds back a presenter. I liked the way it was an original approach, with your own experiences and self-taught knowledge used to teach me how I could improve.”

Stuart Salmon - Director of a specialist superstructure temporary works company providing expert solutions within the Construction, Civil Engineering and Railway sectors

"Chris was very knowledgeable and really helped to boost my confidence with public speaking. I also came away with some very useful tips and tricks for future presentations."

Georgia Sketchley

"Recently completed a 1 day course with Chris, he delivered an enlightening presentation with some fantastic take away tips to really help with confidence, content and most importantly delivery. Highly recommend."

Marcus Lifton

“Chris came in specifically to deliver a 90-minute taster session for Nationwide. This session covered the benefits, techniques and tips for presenting in a variety of situations. I was really impressed how Chris tailored the content for the group. In his unique style Chris role modelled and delivered an engaging talk on how best to present and conquer what can sometimes be all consuming nerves. Along with several anecdotes and real life practical tips, the group left motivated and ready to put this all into practice. If you need someone to help you deliver presentations and speak with confidence in any arena – then Chris can help you to Open Doors…” 

Mark Bates, Technical Development Programme Manager, Nationwide Building Society

"I got a lot from the day and with Chris's sales & media background, he made it very easy to open up and talk without even trying. It was very good and I hope I now have the tools to be better than I was. We may look to bring other drivers and key team members down so training the team as a whole."

Racing driver and team owner aiming for Le Mans 24 hours.

"Public speaking, presenting, OMG!!Apparently I appear calm and confident......... well I can tell you my stomach is in knots, I have sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat.... the works. Chris provided a group of us with some sound advice, some hints and tips and some background to enable us to improve. The course handbook with all my notes is still out, a quick read to remind me will happen often until I feel calm and collected. This may never happen but I feel better prepared for my next presentation already. For me, Chris's course has provided enough pointers for me to concentrate on one at a time to consistently improve my skills. At the very least, this course highlighted some Do's and Do not's. At the most it has provided me with a framework for constant improvement. Will I be a great public speaker? Maybe, eventually........ will I be a better presenter? Definitely"

Christian Lingard‎ (Key Solutions)

"Massive thanks to Chris Dawes at Open Dawes Training for all his help in preparing me for the Mazda road to Indy scholarship shootout next week. Would fully recommend their Sports Communications/Media training!"

Oliver White - Racing Driver

"I attended a recent public speaking session with Chris and learnt a lot. His consistent approach and ability to help you individually on how you can improve, the techniques that you need and he lets you know the things you don't even realise you are doing is really helpful. I came away with a lot that I can improve on and he gave me the tools to do this, and I realised that it is not just me that gets nervous and how to channel this into positivity. I would highly recommend attending any courses available, it will help everyone in a positive way"

Lucy (Customer Experience Team Manager), Key Solutions

"Open Dawes Training - Communication Skills that Remove Limits. I had the pleasure of attending this course and I took away so much knowledge and insperation. Confidence was an issue but Chris demonstrated how planning, and format of presentation can work"

Lloyd Ayers‎

"I attended a 1 day 'Open Dawes' session with a group of my colleagues last week, Chris provided loads of fantastic information on every aspect of public speaking - I have taken away a lot of useful tips and ideas. Cant wait to put them into practice!"

Edward Jackson - General Insurance Manager

"Thank you Chris and congratulations on getting your training CPD accredited it certainly is worth it as it is brilliant. I am not scared of public speaking but I really was not sure I was getting my message across. I now know what I am doing right (some of that I had not realised) and where and how I need to improve on the structure of my talks. I have to say I now feel much more confident and preparing my presentations is much easier and faster as I now know what I am doing rather than hoping it will make sense to the listeners. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to present."

Julie Nicholls