Bill Rodgers (HumourUs)

Improvise:  Verb [Ior T] To invent or make something, such as a speech or a device, at the time when it is needed without already having planned it:
"I hadn't prepared my speech so I suddenly had to improvise. Oh Sh@t!!"

Verb is a doing word! Let's do it!

 Perfrom Your Powerfull Presentations

Putting Performance into your presentations

IMPROV-YOURSELFTM, IS WHAT IT SAYS. HOW TO IMPROV YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SPEECH, YOUR PRESENTATIONS AND POSSIBLEY GET YOU OUT OF STICKY SITUATIONS.

Traditionally, the tools which have been used, in this area are ‘role plays’ to help and guide with public speaking or presentations but,  it seems to me, that they are, 'come out of a box', with set scenarios and tried and tested ideas being used. This is fine for the public speaker who has set fields and set audience. What I do, is to start from scratch…put down the speech and the aids and start with the person and personality. We invent the scenarios on the spot based on what is happening at the time. For example, there is nothing worse than technical problems, a late comer, the clock watcher and not forgetting the doodler. Some speakers are put off by these and let if affect their entire speech. What I do with improv-yourself is to show how we can use these problems and turn them into a positive and use them to move the speech along rather than slow it down or in some cases stop it all together. What we do is play and makes the whole process fun.

We work on plot, ideas, focus points, and the art of the raconteur.  I find the anecdote a very powerful tool. (Finding the talent)  

Then we move onto, knowing your text. One great failing of many public speakers, believe me I have seen many, is how unprepared they are. They have ten points to make and ten gags as filler and the gags become more important to them because they can’t remember their text. As I say, humour and laughter is very important in a speech, but are we doing a stand up comedy routine or a brilliant £2,000,000 sales pitch. Gags and jokes can be great for making the speech interesting but they can also become a comfort blanket for the speaker. The four P’s Preparation Preparation Practice Preparation. It can be hard for some speaker too if some, other that themselves, has written the speech. You will have to work very hard on the four P’s in this case. If anything does go wrong then we have our IPROV skills to fall back on. (Having found the talent) 

Whether it is in a small meeting or on a large stage, we will all have to PRESENT at some point in our working lives. Bill Rodgers is the ultimate Presentation Coach because he creates a synergy between the presentation and the presenter. The result is a POWERFUL PRESENTATION PERFORMANCE .

All the skills required to Stand and Deliver can be explored with Bill. But the tool which he most focuses on is the power of improvisation. Bill teaches how, with the right technique, nothing is a mistake. And by being "in the moment" each presentation can be a unique experience - making the audience feel special.

The Speech
With anecdotes from his extensive theatrical career, Bill is a great raconteur, who can drive home the principals of Performing Powerful Presentations. Lightheart by full of learning points...

The Seminar
Lots of role play and practical examples allow delegates to sink their teeth into presenting and improvising, too.

The Support
Here is where the intense work is done. One on One coaching, very tailored, very specific. The goal is to bring out the best presenter and the best presentation performance in each individual.

Clients include NTP Meridian, IOSH, Wyse Leasing, MKM Building Supplies.
 

"Hilarious”, “thoroughly enjoyable” and “excellent”! These were just a selection of comments received from tenants and staff alike that saw Bill’s presentation at our first WPH Tenants Conference. Bill was excellent from start to finish, had everyone in fits of laughter and helped make the day a memorable experience and a complete success.
Graeme Roberts, Policy & Strategy Officer

I'd like to say that, "Bills presentation at our Communications event showed a great understanding of mental illness. He was able to take the audience on "his" journey through mental illness, as a carer, whilst conveying the key messages of communication and humour and he managed to make the audience cry but this was mostly with laughter!" 
Julie Crompton, Corporate Affairs Manager

Bill Rodgers

Born and Bread in Sheffield. (But now lives in Lincolnshire...Don't tell anyone!)

Actor, Playwright, Seminar Leader, Theatre Director, Presentation Coach and Down Right Show Off!
 

After leaving school with  GCE's in woodwork, domestice science and a 25 yard swimming certificate, Bill spent 4 years in his first job as a pop man, selling soft drinks door to door. Bill realised, while door knocking, he had a knack for communication and sales. When the soft drinks company decided to close the Sheffield branch, Bill decided, on a whim, to audition at a local drama college.  He had the daft  idea to put his sales and communications skills together and sell himself as an actor. Having gained a place on a three year drama course, Bill would often audition for local theatre companies and one of these paid off. Having done only eight months of what was a three year drama course, Bill was "SPOTTED" and found himself on the road, touring a musical play. Returning to the course, after 5 months on the road, Bill finished the course and entered the big, wide, diverse, unsure world of acting.

His career has now spanned almost 30 years. He has worked on television, in all the major soap operas including: Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Heartbeat, The Royal, Doctors. It was whilst he was in Doctors for the BBC that Bill was nominated villain of the year in the British Television Soap Awards. No he didn’t win, that because he not really a villain just a good actor. Other Television work includes: Grafters, Northern Lights, Life on Mars, Where the Heart Is, Shameless and many commercials. Film credit include: Heartlands, Vroom, The innocent, Bert Rigby You’re a Fool and The Parole Officer

He has worked all over the world and has played all the major theatres in the UK including: The National theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, the young Vic and the Sheffield crucible. His international work includes tours of Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and Europe.  He has clowned, sung, played music and danced to many thousands of people throughout his mixed and varied career as a performer, theatre director and presentation coach. Today, Bill has a very healthy acting career so he can be a bit selective about the work he does. That and the fact, he and his wife Kate, now have two boys, so no more jaunts around the world for a while.

This depth of performance experience is what Bill brings to his work as a Presentation Coach. He can work one on one and create a presentation from Page to Stage, or he can teach an individual or group the skills required to do more than just present.

Bill Enocourages You To PERFORM Your Presentations!

"PUTTING PERFORMANCE INTO YOUR PRESENTATION"