On 11 March 2025, I led The Powerful Pause, a high-energy online session with European Women on Boards (EWOB). We explored how one simple vocal tool—the pause—can instantly elevate executive communication and presentation skills.
This interactive session combined practical insights with speed networking to help aspiring board members strengthen their leadership communication and make a bigger impact when they speak.
Curious how a moment of silence can shift how you're heard? Read on.
From snowy delays to sunny Malta, I had the pleasure of running a workshop at the annual IATEFL BESIG conference, helping educators and entrepreneurs create engaging visual presentations.
Drawing from my Think Visually: Slide Design course, we explored tips for making slides look good, using slide layout ideas, and crafting visuals that amplify your message.
Let’s help professionals shine, one slide at a time! 🌟
With over 650 attendees from 34 countries and more than 2,700 business matchmaking meetings between 250 corporate buyers and 250 diverse vendors, the energy was electric.
Excited to be attending Europe’s largest Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Conference in the enchanting city of Paris from 23-25 September. Dreams really do come true! ✨
I transmit courage and self belief to my clients, as I believe almost without exception, in the individual in front of me. And I’m always trying to find out where their expertise is, how I can sharpen their messages, what it is about them that’s unique, and how can we uncover their talents and their expertise verbally, physically, you know, and linguistically.
Nervously excited as today, 22 February 2024, I'm running this first ‘PowerPoint slide design/Think Visually Top 10 Starter Tips’ workshop.
During my workshop at BECI on 8 February 2024 12.00 - 13.30, we’ll explore theory taken from my course modules: Vocal Image and Body Language. Then we’ll learn how to put this into practice with engaging activities which you can immediately implement the moment you return to your office.
I'm excited to be moderating the first online event in 2024 for European Women on Boards (EWOB) with speaker Dr Matthew Asher Lawson, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences at INSEAD, working at the interface of behavioural science and artificial intelligence.
One of my 2023 celebrations was to be certified by WEConnect International, the 5th woman owned business in Belgium.
Delighted and super proud to be part of this inspiring network..
Honoured to attend this Annual Diplomats and Business leaders meeting on Wednesday 8 November 2023 at the grand Palais d'Egmont.
During my workshop on Powerful Communication using Voice and Body, I drew inspiration from the enlightening talks delivered by two distinguished speakers, Mike Hogan, a renowned expert in leadership communication and development, and Konstantin Lucas Mikaberidze, a Business English trainer and an execellent first time public speaker from Pole Universitaire Léonard de Vinci, Paris.
Professors, researchers, material writers, and Business English practitioners convene annually at the BESIG Business English Special Interest Group Conference. This year, 2023, the conference was held in Stuttgart, Germany, and it brought together professionals from diverse teaching contexts, backgrounds, and cultures for three days of engaging talks and workshops.
Our voices are complicated and often underutilised instruments and we are not taught how to use them unless we have singing or acting lessons.
So I ran this mini public speaking workshop on 25 August 2023 for female entrepreneurs in the USA and Europe.
I shared the first vocal foundation I teach in my public speaking course:
The Powerful Pause.
Why, When and How to Pause.
During my workshop at BECI on 14 September 2023 12.00 - 13.30, we’ll explore theory taken from my course modules: Vocal Image and Body Language. Then we’ll learn how to put this into practice with engaging activities which you can immediately implement the moment you return to your office.
You know that anxious feeling at the bottom of your stomach when you have a key speech to make in public. Does your mind sometimes go blank when you present even though you know you are an expert and can make a valuable contribution? How frustrating is it when your great ideas are not accepted?
Public speaking is hard. Really hard.
It is estimated that 10 to 12% of the population is dyslexic. Dyslexics even represent 20% or more of the population in fields like computer science, maths, economics, mechanics, sports, art, and drama. Wow! Isn’t that amazing?
Sadly so many of my clients suffer from real fear when speaking in front of an audience. And they tell me this fear began when they were at school and it has held them back from sharing their expertise and great ideas for years. Scientists, engineers, lawyers etc, many with PhDs, and with incredible work to share.
My talk is going to explore how English language teachers can start to prepare our youth of today to embrace this essential soft skill, this power skill.
The atmosphere in this voice and body workshop with PWI and BNY Mellon was the best ever!
So much wonderful energy and enthusiasm!
Strong body language in speech is key and a core pillar on how to improve public speaking. So I was delighted to capture so many takeaways on Mentimeter. And here’s a snapshot for you:
How we communicate can tell people more than what we actually say. During this PWI (Professional Women International) Leadership Workshop, Melanie will introduce the participants to how we can use body language and our voices to engage and impact the people around us.
Dr. Baillis took us through her scientific research project with one control group and one experimental group of embodied pronunciation training. Her objective was to assess the value of a series of hand gestures and body movements mimicking rhythm and intonation to improve the pronunciation of different words in English or any foreign language: the segmental and suprasegmental features.
“We all know that our students require language skills to communicate internationally. But how can we, as Business English trainers, give our upper intermediate and advanced speakers the confidence and life skills to stand out on the global stage, especially when there are native English speakers in the room, physically or virtually.”
3 tools on how to connect with your audience right from the moment you open your mouth:
· 7 techniques for a strong start to immediately hook your audience
· Why, how and when to pause to add variety to your voice
· How to simplify, support and strengthen your language to get your message across clearly and concisely
Excited to launch my new AI speech coaching app. You can practice your presentation, get automated AI analytics and receive virtual coaching from me.
My first face-to-face conference in 2 years with BELTA, Belgian English Language Teachers Association, in the centre of Brussels. Colleagues came from all over Belgium and speakers from different European countries.
Excited to join the panel to conclude the day. Kindly hosted by Dr. Ron Morrain. We explored Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the ever-changing world of English language training with directors of schools and universities, writers and publishers.
Delivered a live Leadership workshop on ‘Persuasive Presentations’ on Thursday 28 April 2022 at Full Circle Ixelles, Brussels.
Deeply honoured to be supporting aspiring leaders from PWI, Professional Women International for them to believe in their leadership abilities and to make the impact they truly deserve.
Amy Carroll, a Communication Coach, and neurolinguistic practitioner explained her Prey, Predator, and Partner model and showed us how we can adapt and respond to build fruitful professional relationships and learn from our conflicts.
I spent another intellectually stimulating day with PRONSIG and leading researchers and professors from Japan to the USA. During the conference, we learned about how our minds really work when acquiring English pronunciation, and how we as practitioners can support our students.
Does everyone understand you the first time, whether in meetings or when you're presenting? Just spent a fascinating day with leading researchers and professors learning how can technology help my clients.
I am delighted to support women business owners of WEConnect International and provide tools to engage the audience and achieve your presentation goals. Authentic communication is key, and that is what makes an effective speaker.
Only then can you make an impact and drive the change you want.
I received quite a bit of positive feedback from the audience from this presentation. It is full of tips and techniques that you can use in your executive presentations, and I am happy to share it with you.
Body language Workshop and Dinner for European Women On Board (EWOB) on 4 March 2024 in Brussels