This was my number 10 speech at Cottonwood Speakers and I wanted to go out with a final flourish.  As the final speech of a progressively more difficult series, I was landed with the awesome task of trying to inspire my audience in a speech of 8 to 10 minutes.  I was not able to use any notes.

Although my fellow speaking colleagues had given me support and recommendations in the past, I felt that I needed that extra one-on-one treatment to finally iron out all my problems. It was natural that I should ask Vanessa for assistance, as she is a most accomplished speaker.  Vanessa had also been a past President of Cottonwood Speakers.

Over a period of 4 weeks, Vanessa and I gradually reduced the word content of my original draft from three and a half pages to two typewritten pages.  For maximum impact, Vanessa advised me to keep my sentences short and 'punchy'.  Having reached an acceptable speech format, I began rehearsals under Vanessa's watchful but kindly gaze.  Although I felt a little nervous in the beginning, Vanessa's reassuring demeanour, lovely smile and encouragement helped to make me feel so comfortable, that quite soon I was in a relaxed state.

My main difficulty is in projecting emotion and feeling to the audience and this was an area in which we concentrated on.  Through Vanessa's constant cajoling, we got the emotional aspects to such a level as to give me the best ever confidence in presenting a speech.

On the 22nd November 2006, I delivered my speech to an appreciative audience who, without exception, thought it was inspiring.  Even a past Cottonwood Speakers president thought it was the best speech he had ever heard me deliver.  

The 'icing on the cake' was that Vanessa herself had decided to be present on the day.

Vanessa's assistance was of tremendous help to me and I have come away with so much knowledge that will be of great use to me for future speech projects. For improving your general confidence in speech delivery, I have no hesitation in recommending WOW (i.e. the lovely Vanessa Ugatti).