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Click to view private coaching video testimonials
"My objective in hiring the gifted Doug Stevenson for additional private coaching was to refine my skills as a storyteller following the retreat. My objectives were more than fulfilled. I was able to receive one on one attention from Doug and again marvel at how he drew out in me the gifts of telling my stories. I have gone on to present stories in everything from op-ed pieces to speeches to workshops. The audiences are rapt with attention and my message gets through thanks to Doug’s private coaching. I return in my mind again and again to his energy and enthusiasm but most of all his deep interest in his students as he spreads the word – “story” is the message!
I really believe that storytelling is coming on in a wave. I think that over the next few years the big challenge for my folks – local civic leaders – will be how to cut through the noise and communicate effectively to get things done. I believe that storytelling connects people on a level that transcends educational attainment and political and other interests. That is the root of my “stories” having to do with my dad and mom – they with an eighth grade education and me with a law degree? We found common ground in our stories. Sylvia Lovely, CEO, Kentucky League of Cities
“I just had to share this with you. I spoke last Wednesday to 1200 people. I nailed it. It was the storytelling, humor and staging that you've taught me. The content was the same except for this. I had people lined up and the meeting planner said I was the best speaker they'd ever had. Thanks for your coaching and ongoing support. You've got a gift.” Elaine Allison, President, Presentations Plus, Vancouver, BC
"I’ve been speaking since 1970 when I was a governor’s press secretary right out of college. I’ve given a lot of workshops over the years as a corporate communications expert and now as a management consultant. But whenever I heard a really good speaker, I wondered why my presentations didn’t sound as good as theirs.
My first step was to attend the Story Theater Retreat in Colorado Springs. Doug showed us what perfection looks like, then stepped back and let us present. He gave each of us very specific, personalized guidance that considered our content, personalities, objectives and sensitivities.
My next step was post-retreat private coaching sessions. In those sessions, Doug helped me create a clear outline for a major presentation I had coming up in NY. I emailed him my script based on that outline. We went through three iterations over the phone. During those discussions, it was obvious Doug had carefully read my script prior to the call. He gave me very specific coaching about the words, cadence, vocal delivery and blocking on stage.
Doug’s coaching makes sense. It’s thoughtful, to the point and very creative. It also considers my personal style and objectives. Doug is sensitive of others’ feelings and learning preferences. But, because he’s so damned good, I always told him not to hold back. I wanted to capture every bit of brilliance Doug has. Not to do so would have been a waste.
Before any major presentation, I go back to my workshop and post-workshop notes just as an airline pilot goes to her checklist before takeoff. As a result, my presentations are more interesting, get much higher reviews and are definitely more fun to deliver.
If you want to be a good presenter, no matter how good you are now, Doug Stevenson will help you get to a place that I’m confident you never dreamed of."
Jim Shaffer, Author of The Leadership Solution (McGraw-Hill)
"The presentations are over and things went well. One man came up to me the following day and said he'd heard me speak before and I was a "much more dynamic speaker now". I'd say that was a positive.
I think our coaching session gave me confidence. I gained a lot from your assessment of my speaking style and posture, gestures, etc. Your specific pointers were very helpful and made my presentations better immediately. It was nice to get some encouragement regarding my "natural style.” It also validated how effective it is to tell stories and give examples to get your point across. The stories made a huge difference.
Thanks for all your help. I am amazed at how much better I feel about speaking now after only a few hours with you. You really know your stuff.
John Nepute, President, Monaco Coach Corporation
"Doug Stevenson's Story Theater Method is outstanding! As an author and business coach, I knew that I needed to make my speeches come to life in order to convey my message and stimulate audiences to action. The question was how to go from being a very good speaker to being a great speaker, especially in high-profile keynote addresses. Through Doug's Story Theater Retreat, I discovered the path. What really translated the new skills and concepts I learned into bottom line results was Doug's masterful private coaching in the weeks following the retreat. “I sent him my outline and a practice tape of my whole speech. He gave critically valuable guidance on how to structure my speech overall, incorporate story elements, use other highly effective speaking techniques, and get ready for the final presentation. The results have been fantastic. After delivering a recent address to over 200 applauding Silicon Valley managers, people thronged around me and gave glowing reviews. People specifically mentioned how much they enjoyed the use of stories. “Doug Stevenson has an extraordinary gift for helping speakers bring stories to life. I have benefited from the phenomenal power of his work in the transformation it has made in my speaking and the overwhelming enthusiasm of audience responses. This is an investment with hugely positive payoffs for both my speaking and business coaching activities." Don Maruska, Author of How Great Decisions Get Made, AMACOM Books
“When I went out on my own and started my new business, I knew I wanted to give speeches, but I had no direction. Doug guided me. He helped me find my voice and my message. Without his experience and focus, I would just be another generic speaker. Today however, I have a specialty (branding) and deliver my content using the personal stories that Doug taught me how to develop. In a short three years, my speaking career is at the level it takes most speakers ten years to accomplish. I credit Doug’s coaching, support and friendship for dramatically accelerating my career”. Karen Post, The Branding Diva, Tampa, FL
“Doug Stevenson is a superb speaking coach. He will find ways to bring out your natural talents in order to have the maximum desired effect on the audience. My efforts to excel as an ‘edutainment’ speaker have accelerated by light years as a result of working with Doug for just a short period of time. He really is that good. “At the heart of Doug's coaching, of course, is his mastery of all aspects of storytelling. What especially amazes me is working with Doug on stories that audiences, at first glance, might not find particularly interesting. Well Doug's got the remedies for that. His coaching techniques truly ensure that you will, as Doug likes to say, ‘never be boring’. “Finally, Doug's coaching has made an ever-increasing difference in my bottom line. By applying his techniques, the size of my customer base has quadrupled in just one year's time.” Thomas A. Rogers, Ph.D., President, The Rogers Group
“After my complimentary coaching call with you, I have realized the amazing value that I received. There are many Golden Nuggets that I took away. To name the top three… you helped me come up with my phrase that pays, “Let go of your illusion”…and the call to action “Make magic happen”. I also realized how very important it is to give clear and concise instructions when implementing group exercises. The last and most important lesson I learned was how I could plant subconscious seeds very early in my presentation to create an emotional response for my client to want more of my services. Doug you are the expert and your expertise is worth its weight in gold. Thank you.” Wayne Lee, Wayne Lee Enterprises Inc., www.waynelee.com
"I speak and consult on leadership. I spent ten years in the Marines and ten years in corporate America before “turning pro” as a speaker. What I discovered along the way however was that I was a “professional talker,” Doug made me a professional speaker.
Doug first helped me develop a keynote to support a book I had written. I had a good 3-hour workshop on the book - but the keynote was like a fast, highly compressed workshop. It wasn’t right. Doug and I worked together to craft the keynote that has become an important part of my revenue.
That keynote led to requests for less content driven keynotes. They wanted something more motivational. Again, Doug and I worked together to craft the theme, structure and flow of this new keynote. Of course, we worked together to refine the stories to incorporate Story Theater techniques to make them have real impact.Collaborating with Doug to develop the outline of the keynotes was most important to me. He helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to say and then helped me put it all together. His coaching of my delivery is always worthwhile and worth the investment. I have successfully used both new keynotes and have gotten referral work because of them. Doug has a flexible, caring and forgiving approach. He is in the room with you. I make it a point to see him every year to work on something related to becoming a better speaker. I don’t think you can truly call yourself a professional speaker unless you have gotten some world class professional coaching. Doug is one of the best coaches you can get." Wally Adamchick, CSP, President, FireStarter Speaking and Consulting
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