Turning to a Trusted Adviser

A senior academic had a range of important communication challenges over the years, including bidding for multimillion-pound grants, giving high-profile media interviews and speaking at international gatherings. VOX supported them at every turn.

Challenge

A senior academic was acutely aware that they needed to perform exceptionally well in a forthcoming interview for a multimillion-pound research grant. They knew their subject as well as anyone else on the planet and were an accomplished speaker. Nevertheless, they felt they could boost their chances of securing the grant by further developing their communication skills.

In subsequent years, as their research progressed, they found themself increasingly in demand: their university wanted them to appear on camera for its website and social media; a radio station was keen to interview them; the organisers of a briefing for national science journalists asked them to give a presentation; a highly prestigious global forum invited them to speak. On each occasion, they wanted to make sure their communication skills were up to the task.

The same was true when it came to bidding for national funding for the training of PhD students. There was stiff competition, but they were determined to beat it.

Solution

The academic initially turned to VOX when they were facing a vital research grant interview. They did so again as other personal Everests came along. Their coach rapidly became a trusted adviser, creating a safe space in which to explore both general communication needs and the specific challenges that lay ahead.

Taken as a whole, the coaching to date has focused on such topics as:

Speaking with clarity and authority under pressure
Making effective appearances on screen
Connecting with lay audiences without dumbing down
Structuring content effectively
Presenting with clarity and authority
Responding convincingly to questions from a panel

Results

The academic was already a strong communicator when they first approached VOX. But they recognised that it would still benefit them to collaborate with an expert in face-to-face communication – just as Roger Federer retains a tennis coach even though he’s long been at the top of his game.

There’s no way of knowing how the academic would have fared without VOX’s input, but we think we played a part in their success in each of the challenges they’ve faced and overcome. They think so, too. We look forward to providing further support as their career continues its upward trajectory.

What our clients say

I have been pleased to work with VOX Coaching since 2007 … Pete Bailie and his colleagues work very professionally and have engaged wholeheartedly in meeting our needs and designing material to our briefs.

Researcher Development Officer

[The] interpretation of the brief, tailoring of content and varied delivery made for a productive and enjoyable event … I wouldn’t hesitate to use Pete or VOX again.

Director for Careers and Employability

… an inspiring coach who makes an enduring difference to the way people communicate, lead and manage.

Communications and Marketing Director

Participants find the sessions great fun, and at the same time are amazed at how blind they might have been to their own and others’ behaviours, be it in a meeting, or relationships with junior or senior colleagues.

Assistant Director, Researchers and Research Culture

On the day of the interview I was barely nervous (which is very unusual for me), very confident and performed very well…in fact I would say ended up enjoying it. They have awarded me a fellowship, so it must have worked!

One Health Policy Lead and Statistics Adviser Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

I had a fantastic experience with VOX Coaching … in preparation for interviews for large grants from research councils. In simple words, without [their] help, it would have been very challenging to perform well at the interview.

EPSRC Research Fellow & Professor of Coatings and Surface Engineering University of Nottingham

I attended a one-day group session … in preparation for a funding interview. Pete has a great understanding of the academic funding landscape, which helped demystify the process for me and my fellow attendees. I would highly recommend.

Lecturer in flight dynamics and control University of Bristol

Transformational, inspiring and fun … Liberating that inner voice, being able to ‘read’ body language and vary styles of communication are the secrets this course unlocked for me.

Marketing Officer UWE

… the single best presentation & communication skills trainer I have ever worked with. Deeply knowledgeable, personable, adaptable, and infectiously enthusiastic about his subject.

Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship University of Bristol

Six months after my last coaching session with Pete I am still applying what I learnt. Pete is a creative coach with an inspiring array of tools and experience to call upon when coaching clients. Our sessions were focussed, creative and challenging, helping me to target those areas of my professional life I want to develop further.

Head of Corporate Programme Office NHS

Other case sudies

Delivering Major Change

When a university had to move thousands of its staff members to a new pay-grade structure, there was a pressing need for skilful and sensitive communication. VOX helped managers across the institution rise to the challenge.

Gearing Up for a New Reality

When a small company becomes part of a big one, it can be all change for the staff. VOX helped a firm in the creative industries adapt to new circumstances by boosting their confidence and honing their communication skills.

Influencing Up

Top politicians benefit from the input of impartial advisers. But what if the advisers have trouble connecting with more senior people? VOX helped a group of such individuals develop communication skills that matched their intellectual prowess.

Inspiring Excellence in Teams

A firm operating in 40 locations had to be sure that all its senior players were able to articulate a compelling vision and lead people effectively. VOX worked with them to strengthen the skills they needed to inspire their teams.

Managing in Turbulent Times

Financial constraints … complex change … restructuring – it’s a familiar story in local government. VOX helped a large group of managers prepare for testing times by sharpening communication skills on which so much would depend.

Pitch Perfect

An international company needed its IT specialists to be able to pitch business proposals to clients with greater success. VOX’s role was to equip them with practical techniques for engaging audiences – including difficult and critical ones.

Winning Through

How can you do yourself justice when you’re being interviewed for your own job? This was the question facing people in a local authority service area that was undergoing reorganisation. VOX helped them find answers and grow in confidence.