Please read on for letters and comments from clients of "On Speaking Terms."
I'm a Principal at a New York based private equity firm & I worked with Katie on a 20-minute presentation that I was giving at our annual investor conference. While I thought my work with her would be helpful for that presentation, what it really did was provide me with a skill set that became mine to keep and that I utilize all the time. By working with Katie I have learned how to prepare and create an effective script, how to rehearse and how to manage anxiety through preparation. I use what she taught me all the time and it's a wonderful skill set that has tremendous professional benefit.
I look at the task of speaking less emotionally and more tactically. She is also outstanding at asking the right questions to help you think critically about what the message really is and how to say it in a way that is your own voice. I could not recommend Katie more highly, she is truly a professional. She is also an absolute pleasure to work with.
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We first hired Katie to run a public speaking workshop last winter for a small group of grantees, board members, and staff. I've been to many, many public speaking workshops in 10 years as a nonprofit administrator, and I've also had a lot of training for courtroom litigation. In all of those years I've never gotten the kind of straightforward, creative, and sophisticated coaching that I sought -- until I met Katie. She focuses not only on the details (hand movement, "ums," etc.) but really concentrates on the substance of one's message, which means that the speaker is ultimately so comfortable speaking from his or her understanding of the topic that the other components fall naturally into place. She helped the very beginners to get the feel for effective speaking, she encouraged the natural and "real" aspects of each person's speech and delivery, and she offered strong, supportive constructive criticism to those of us with extensive public speaking experience.
Best regards,
M.B. Executive Director
The New York Women's Foundation
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Dear Katie,
It was great to see you again yesterday and to see your masterful work . You've developed a real touch with our refugee speakers. How to coach them to tell heartbreaking stories with the dignity that these individuals deserve. You have a real gift, and it's one that works so well for IRC.
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Katie, thank you.
Your input and professional guidance turned my presentation from enthusiastic commentary to a speech with a clear, thoughtful and memorable message.
You have a great gift to boil down the message, present it in the "spoken" word and deliver it in its most digestible form.
I learned so much in the process. Including, if I have the opportunity to speak in a professional setting again, you will be at my side.
The emails about my speech have consistently rolled in with terms like "You stole the show", "you inspired me". We hit our objective. I was proud to be on the panel with our President, the CEO of Smith Barney and two fellow managing directors. I realized afterward, I represented not only myself at the podium, but the equity division. The audience was about 250+ strong.
I think you applied the theme of our speech, "preparation" in your approach. You successfully maintained a comfortable, but consistent and productive schedule. The anticipated anxiety never really set in.
My Warmest Regards
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Katie's unique style and approach helped me focus on the message and stay focused. Her performance skills are evident and a model for achievement. Katie targets issues and make suggestions based on personal style. She is a careful listener and works to improve the areas that are identified to her. What emerges is a more confident and skilled speaker.
MD, Fortune 100 Financial Services Firm.
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Dear Katie,
I have found your coaching service to be exceptional. Never has anyone put so much effort and concern into my success. When companies espouse the commitment to be a total quality operation, they rarely exhibit a level of dedication that you have shown me.
ALLIED PLANNING INC.
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Ms. Karlovitz,
Thank you for your help with my wedding toast. It went really well. I am so proud of myself, and I just have to say that were it not for your teaching/coaching and the speeches we all gave at the New School, I would not have been able to do it.
I say with absolute certainty that without your coaching and had I not signed up for the class and practiced, I would not have said anything publicly that day (except for my vows). I thank you again, I cannot express enough how grateful I am to you.
Thank you.
