Communicate with Confidence: One-Day Intensive
You know your subject. This is a day to practise presenting it in a small group, with feedback on what's working and what to change.
Saturday 7 November 2026 . 9:30–4:30.
Westgrove Hotel, Clane. Maximum 8 people. Lunch included
You'll deliver the same short talk twice, using the feedback from your first presentation to revise it before presenting it again.
Is this you?
Most people who attend are good at what they do. They want their speaking to reflect the quality of their thinking.
• You know what you want to say, but under pressure it doesn't come out as clearly as you'd like.
• You hold back in meetings, even when you have something useful to add.
• You rehearse your point in your head, and then someone else says it.
• You freeze when you're asked to speak off the cuff.
• You have presentations coming up, or you're stepping into a more visible role, and you want to feel ready.
You don't need to be a nervous presenter to get value from the day. Many people who come are already capable speakers who want a clearer structure, or more confidence when it counts.
What you'll leave with
• A talk you've delivered twice. You'll present it once, get personal feedback, revise it, then present it again.
• A structure you can use again. The 3 P's of an Effective Presentation give you a way to organise your message for meetings, updates and presentations, so you're not starting from scratch each time.
• A way to think on your feet. You'll practise impromptu speaking and handling questions, the moments that often catch people out.
• More control over how you come across. Practical work on voice, presence and managing nerves.
• Resources to keep coming back to. Access to a password-protected resource page with the slides, worksheets and checklists from the day.
Before the day, a short questionnaire lets me know what you're working on, so the feedback fits your situation.
How the day works
You'll arrive with a short talk (3–5 minutes) prepared and deliver it at the start of the day. That gives us a starting point. The rest of the day builds on it.
Light lunch and breaks included. We finish at 4:30.
Morning
• Deliver your talk and get personal feedback
• The 3 P's of an Effective Presentation
• Openings, closings and keeping your audience with you
Afternoon
• Delivery: voice, presence and managing nerves
• Revise your talk using your feedback
• Deliver it again, with feedback
• Thinking on your feet: impromptu speaking and handling questions
Book your place
Saturday 7 November, Westgrove Hotel, Clane.
€395 including the full day, two presentations with personal feedback, resources, refreshments and light lunch.
€100 secures your place; €295 balance by 31 October.
Is your employer funding your place?
I can invoice your organisation directly and include a PO number if needed. Email me at maureen@softskillsuccess.ie and I'll arrange the booking, along with any information your manager needs.
If you pay the deposit, the balance is due by Saturday 31 October. If you need to cancel by then, you'll get a full refund.
Why a small group
With no more than eight people in the room, everyone has time to present twice and receive personal feedback. You also learn from watching other participants put their feedback into practice.
Working in a small group gives you the chance to practise in front of a real audience, while still having the time and space to work on your own presentation.
For some people, that concentrated practice in one day is exactly what they need to build confidence and see what they can change.
“Maureen created a wonderfully safe and supportive environment. The course offered plenty of opportunities to practise, which allowed me to build confidence.k.”
Who you'll be working with
I'm Maureen McCowen. Since 2019 I've worked with professionals one-to-one and with teams in organisations including HPE, Sky, EirGrid and the HSE, helping people say what they know clearly and with confidence.
Before that I was a secondary school teacher, where I saw how much people learn from each other, not just from the person at the front of the room.
Feedback is at the heart of this day, and it's the part of my work clients mention most.
In 2025 I was named Best Sole Entrepreneur at the Kildare Business Awards.
“Not only did I learn about presenting skills, structures and tips - I gained confidence and a sense of presence. I delivered several public talks since and felt confident and authentic. ”
Practical details
• Venue: Westgrove Hotel, Clane, Co. Kildare, W91 YWE0. About 30 minutes from the M50 at the Red Cow, and 15 minutes from Naas and Maynooth. Free parking on site.
• Times: 9:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday 7 November.
• Lunch: a light lunch included, with tea and coffee through the day. Let me know about any dietary requirements when you book.
• Bring: your 3–5 minute talk and a notebook. Slides are optional. If you'd like to use them, bring them on a laptop or USB.
• Access: if you have any access needs, email me before the day and I'll make sure they're met.
Questions people ask
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One day gives you focused practice. You present, get feedback, revise and present again while it's all fresh, and you leave with a structure you can use straight away. If you'd like support afterwards, one-to-one coaching is available.
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Both use the same approach: a small group, real practice and personal feedback.
The one-day intensive suits people who'd like to practise in a room and do it in one focused day. The six-week online programme suits people who'd prefer to build up week by week from home. The next online group starts in January 2027.
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Yes. You'll deliver your talk at the start of the day. It's a starting point, not a test, and everyone in the room is doing the same thing.
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Yes, a short talk of 3–5 minutes on a topic from your own work. It doesn't need to be polished. After booking you'll receive a short questionnaire to help you choose your topic. Slides are optional.
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Participants come from a range of industries and backgrounds. Some want to feel more confident speaking up in meetings, others have presentations coming up, and some are stepping into more visible roles. Most are already capable professionals who want their communication skills to reflect the quality of their work.
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If you cancel by Saturday 31 October, you'll get a full refund, including any deposit. After that, refunds aren't available, but you're welcome to pass your place to a colleague or friend, or move it to a future date.
Join us on Saturday 7 November
One day in Clane, a small group, and two chances to deliver your talk with feedback. €395, lunch included.