Lorraine Behnan

Lorraine Behnan’s enduring knowledge and passion for personal change management and communication is highly contagious.  She generates so many repeat clients because of her ability to successfully motivate audiences to evolve and excel in our fast-forward world, while sharing practical solutions that can be implemented immediately.  Lorraine is vigilant about keeping her content current and relevant.

A former actor and writer with the internationally acclaimed, Second City Comedy Revue, Lorraine combines her theatre skills with her twenty years of consulting experience to create keynote speeches and workshops that educate, entertain, and inspire – an engaging style that has been branded as, "edu-tainment".

Lorraine strongly believes that challenging times compel us to tap into our deepest talents and strengths to be innovative and create opportunities. Smart leaders will invest now in helping individuals to be resilient and tenacious and to keep their focus on the future.

As a presentation coach Lorraine works with CEO's, Presidents, and Senior Executives. She has also helped people in Sales and Marketing to effectively deliver their messages to colleagues and clients. Fast Company Magazine engaged Lorraine to enhance the speaking skills of their senior writers and editors for conferences presentations and guest appearances on television.

While on the Drama Faculty at the University of Guelph, Lorraine developed and taught the extremely popular Public Presentation course. Her workbook, Spotlight on Presentations and her instructional audio CD, How to Communicate to Any Audience have helped hundreds of professionals become more effective presenters and communicators. She is the author of ABC's to a Lighter Life and shortstuff. Lorraine has been a featured guest on television talk shows, and her articles on communication and change frequently appear in trade journals and magazines.

Lorraine Behnan received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from the University of Alberta and is a member of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and Alliance of Canadian Radio and Television Artist.  She has performed leading roles in theatre, film, television and radio and was the recipient of the Award of Excellence for outstanding performance at the renowned Citadel Theatre in Edmonton.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

www.lorrainebehnan.com

Lorraine Behnan's Blog Entries -

Ignite Your Professional Evolution: Stoke the Fires of Optimism

Beat the Clock – AKA The Presenter

Considerate Communication

Maximize Speaker Value

• 7. Communicate to Captivate (Presentation Excellence)

  The Program Approach: This interactive program is a combination of prepared remarks, demonstrations, and practical exercises. Each participant will be provided with the necessary materials and tools to prepare and deliver their own engaging and effective presentations.
  
  Materials: Each participant will receive: An Audio CD of "How to Communicate to Any Audience" and "Spotlight on Presentations Handbook" by Lorraine Behnan; and handout of the program.
  
  Summary of Workshop Topics
  ·The components of a well-balanced dynamic presentation ·Knowing your Audience ·Engaging your Audience ·Organizing your Content ·Incorporating Anecdotes ·Conducting Questions and Answers ·Mental Preparation ·Vocal dynamics ·Physical Expression ·Effective and strategic use of PowerPoint ·How to be your own Stage Manager ·The Rehearsal Process
  
  
  Private coaching is based on needs assessment.

• 6. Teamwork: An Ensemble Performance

  Winning projects are rarely the result of only one person. The star performer may attract an audience and inspire colleagues, but it's the team effort that brings success. During these rapidly evolving times, we need ensemble efforts to meet challenges. Understand the benefits of team performance, learn how to become a team player, and identify your strengths within the team. A lively and interactive presentation.

  You will learn how to:

  ·understand the benefits of team performance for building your business
  
  ·avoid 'silo' mentality
  
  ·overcome the blocks that impair your performance as a team player
  
  ·identify your strengths within the team
  
  ·explore the benefits of collaborative brainstorming
  
  ·enhance flow of communication for better understanding and to build relationships
  
  ·encourage a sense of humour to create a stimulating and productive environment
  

• 5. Spotlight on Presentations

  This practical, participatory workshop is designed to develop an effective and dynamic presentation style. You make an immediate impression on people the moment you connect. Ensure your success by knowing how to establish a positive rapport and punctuate your meeting with a dynamic presentation.
  
  You will learn how to:

  ·organize material quickly and effectively
  
  ·strategically structure content for maximum impact
  
  ·improve speech dynamics to fully engage the audience
  
  ·energize presentations through gesture and body language
  
  ·manage nervousness and surprises
  
  ·apply memory recall strategies to help retain information
  
  ·effective use of anecdotes and story-telling to communicate your message
  
  ·use audio and visual aids proficiently
  
  ·prepare for question and answer sessions with the audience
  

• 4. Humour: The Barrier Buster

  Humour is a wonderful and valuable survival tool - it opens doors of communication and enhances personal and professional relationships. Discover the multiple benefits of laughter, and learn how to cultivate a healthy sense of humour. Learn how to use humour strategically as part of your management style.
  
  You will learn how to:

  ·appreciate powerful benefits of humour
  
  ·develop techniques to enhance your sense of humour
  
  ·encourage others to embrace a sense of humour
  
  ·increase you kaleidoscopic vision to increase humour possibilities
  
  ·celebrate your personal uniqueness
  
  ·expand your comfort zone
  
  ·maintain mental and physical wellness
  
  ·practice the ABC's to a Lighter Life*
  

• 3. Communication: The Art of Give and Take

  Communication is a two-way process. It's about making a mutual connection through balance and openness. You can be a strong communicator by effectively organizing and expressing your ideas and feelings and by learning how to process and respond to the information you receive.
  
  You will learn how to:

  ·strategically organize content in print and in conversation
  
  ·organize your thoughts to get the response you want
  
  ·identify and interpret audience reactions
  
  ·deal with challenging personality types
  
  ·be assertive without being aggressive
  
  ·avoid sending mixed messages
  
  ·enhance listening and delivery skills
  
  ·motivate discussion through constructive comments
  
  ·choose the appropriate questions to seek relevant information
  
  ·communicate effectively through technology
  

• 2. Communicating in Our Fast-Forward World

  Technology has affected the way we communicate in the workplace. Although this is an asset in our increasingly fast-paced world, it often replaces the personal contact we once relied upon - and still require. This interactive workshop demonstrates how to combine technology and interpersonal connections effectively, to build client relationships internally and externally, and to avoid miscommunication.
  
  You will learn how to:
  ·retain a personable and professional style while using technology
  
  ·choose the appropriate mode of communication for your message
  
  ·avoid technology traps that create communication barriers
  
  ·apply the guidelines for techno-etiquette
  
  ·manage techno-stress
  
  ·organize email and voicemail messages for maximum efficiency
  
  ·use the various tools available on voice and e-mail programs
  

• 1. Ignite Your Evolution (Excelling Through Change)

  It is no longer enough to merely survive change; it is necessary to grow and evolve. Despite the rapidity and discontinuity of rapid transitions you can take control of achieving professional excellence by practicing personal mastery: adjust attitudes and behaviors, exceed limits, choose wisely, act on opportunities, keep current on business practices and knowledge.
  
  You will learn how to:

  ·Transform old patterns to create best practices
  
  ·View challenges as opportunities
  
  ·Merge personal strengths with your professional goals
  
  ·Align yourself with solution seekers
  
  ·Seek mentors and high achievers
  
  ·Communicate your wisdom and best practices to others
  
  ·Cultivate creativity and resourcefulness
  
  ·Support to your team
  
  ·Nurture physical and mental wellness
  
  ·Infuse healthy doses of humour into your life
  
  ·Demonstrate effective leadership

• Your session was rated as excellent. When delegates were asked to suggest speakers for next year, your name appeared again and again

  Administrative Excellence Conference

• Amazing! I'm sure even our most seasoned speakers picked up a number of new tips...moving from speaker to performer is an art!

  AIM Trimark

• Your session was full of useful, practical, and relevant examples and tips on improving communications. It was made all the more powerful by your engaging and energetic presentation style. You not only delivered the message - you modelled it!

  The Life Insurance Institute of Canada

• Your personal insights, your willingness to meet and contribute with the group is much appreciated and it was a pleasure to work with you on this project. Thank you.

  TD Canada Trust

• Your presentation was bang-on in content and tone. The humour and analogies were great.

  Andersen Consulting

• Your style and technique held everyone's interest for the entire program and left everyone with a very positive outlook on their work life.

  AT&T

• Thank you so much for being with us in Mont Tremblant and speaking to the group prior to our Summit Award presentations. You really do live by your teachings; laughter is a healer and happiness does create harmony.

  Aventis Pasteur

• The session was a tremendous hit and you were dynamite. I can't thank-you enough and I will be sure to tell everyone and anyone I know that you are the best out there.

  Fast Company Magazine

• The participant's evaluations of your presentation on Friday afternoon were excellent. Your delivery on the topic "Respect In The Workplace" was energetic and humorous and an got our Council off to a positive start.

  Professional Institute of Public Service of Canada

• I need to tell you that she was the best we have ever had and we have had some terrific ones. Her approach, content and personality set the pace for a wonderful conference. Added to all this was her humour and the love of teaching.

  Ontario Association of Financial Aid Professionals

• I just wanted to thank you for your assistance. Lorraine was Excellent!! She was the glue that made our Conference an overwhelming success.

  Greater Essex County District School Board

• The symposium went very well and I have to say that most of the success came from having Lorraine there. She was very entertaining and did an excellent job!! I would refer her to anyone looking for her presentation and facilitating skills.

  Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• Wow! What can I say? You are terrific. Nothing but positive comments about your segments yesterday. Great and relevant messages delivered in an engaging, fun and humorous way. The audience loved it and you. Thanks ever so much. I look forward to more opportunities to work together in future.

  Xerox Canada Ltd.

• Thank you so much, you delivered exactly what we had wanted for our group, especially at the end of the two days. It really brought all the pieces together. We have had some excellent feedback on the meeting overall and my director was very pleased with your session.

  Strategic Management and Communications