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đŸš« “It’s great to be here.”
đŸš« “Hello, I am [insert name, job title]. Today I’m going to talk about
”
đŸš« “Thank you for having me”

Avoid these predictable presentation intros. These just set up your talk as nothing new.

If you want your talk to be memorable you need to hook your audience from the very beginning and give them a compelling reason to pay attention.

The graphic below from Sequoia Capital illustrates a typical attention span over 60mins and the potential to lose 90% of your audience within the first five mins…but how to remedy?

Here are three ways (and a bonus fourth😁) to help to set up your talk as unmissable:

🎬 Set the scene like a movie.
“Our industry is facing seismic challenges. That’s what I would have said – until six months ago we discovered something that changed everything. Here’s what happened..”

📊 Drop an eyebrow-raising stat.
“If women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men, we could create £250 billion in additional value to the UK’s economy, according to a recent review. Here’s what needs to happen
”

🔍 Use a prop or an attention-grabbing slide.
One influential presenter wordlessly put up an image of an elephant to kick off a talk where they went on to talk about tackling ‘the elephant in the room’ of their industry, while another promised a visual to capture the current state of the economy
and put up a completely black slide.

Remember: with audio only, retention of content three days later is around 10%, but with an image that increases to an incredible 65%

⭐ Or you can call us. We can to help you to be memorable in all your business interactions.

Liberi Consulting 💬

Weston College and University Centre Weston are looking to work with creative businesses to shape delivery, curriculum and skills alignment to provide your industry with a talented and work ready future workforce.

Current courses delivered by us include:

Please join us at one of our events (you can find them all here) and have your say! https://forms.office.com/e/0T1Z42Ey2V

University Centre Weston’s Dirigo Film Festival is returning for its 12th year! Organised by our talented Film and Media Arts Production students, it’s a fantastic opportunity for student filmmakers worldwide! Entries are open now! 

As an open festival with no set boundaries, the festival aims to inspire and showcase creativity in film making. The organisers actively encourage new styles, voices and direction! This year’s categories are: 

In addition to the film side of the festival, for the first time this year we are introducing the Dirigo Photography Awards! This is a separate category for photography submissions for International Students, UK Students, and Young Photographer categories. 

This industry film festival forms part of the Art, Film, Game and Graphic Design Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston’s Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners’ careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Entries for the festival are now open, you can submit your film by clicking here! Apply for our Film and Media Arts Production degree by clicking here! 

While each client I work with is unique, there is a common thread that runs through so many of my coaching sessions: expectation.

We have expectations of others, and for the most part we consider these reasonable: to listen to us, to trust us, to treat us fairly. But how do we know when the expectation becomes unreasonable? To remember our birthday, our anniversary, the names of our pets and children; to show us patience when we’re late, or tired, and support us when we’re struggling
 even when they are struggling too. The expectations differ based on the relationship, of course, and that becomes a minefield of its own. What more would you expect of your partner compared to your closest friends?

We have expectations of life. We expect it to be sunny on our wedding days, sports days and holidays (we know it’s silly, but we do); we expect the roads to be clear and the printer to work and that Whatsapp message to just
 bloody
 send. We expect these things because we are programmed to spot patterns, and if the pattern breaks and something lets us down, we don’t appreciate it.

And then there are the expectations of ourselves. If that fool at school can get a six-figure salary and that weird guy at the gym can get married, and he can get promoted and she can get pregnant, why can’t we? It’s not just that we want these things. We expect them.

We expect ourselves to have more energy than we have (despite what we’re eating and how many hours we’re sleeping) and we expect to be happy at least 99% of the time (unless that character dies).

Every day, we expect more of ourselves and others, and more of life, than could ever be considered reasonable. But it’s not our fault. We’d still be living in caves if we didn’t have high expectations. We’ve just forgotten how to manage them.

If this resonates with you, you might like to join my free workshop on expectations and blindspots:

https://whatsinyourblindspot.eventbrite.co.uk

When we learn to identify our expectations, to drag them from the subconscious and into the light, we can choose which expectations to act on, and which to let go.

And if you want to start exploring your expectations now, finding a little clarity and more peace in your day, drop me a message.

[As always, not written with AI. Yup, ‘resonates’ was all me
]

Weston College is pleased to announce a new Careers Excellence Hub (CEH) partnership with a creative agency, Noor Creatives. This exciting collaboration will offer students the opportunity to apply their creativity in real-world settings, developing content for live clients, gaining valuable insight into the creative sector, and building skills that align with current digital industries.

Through this partnership, students will be mentored by professionals from Noor Creatives and take part in practical workshops and collaborative campaigns that emphasise branding, digital storytelling, and inclusive communication.

Noor Creatives, founded by Mir Sadat, is a values-led creative agency specialising in branding, digital solutions, and content creation. Working with charities, community projects, public-sector organisations, and purpose-driven businesses, Noor Creatives help clients craft compelling brands that connect and inspire.

Founder and CEO of Noor Creatives, Mir Sadat, added, “At Noor Creatives, we are passionate about helping the next generation shine through creativity, innovation, and empowerment. My journey — from early challenges in Afghanistan, to rebuilding my life and business in the UK — has taught me that with the right support, every individual has the potential to excel. Partnering with Weston College gives us the chance to share our knowledge and experience, and to help students, particularly those facing language barriers or cultural challenges, to believe in their potential and build their own bright futures.”

Mir’s own journey is central to the mission of Noor Creatives. ‘Noor’ means light and it embodies the belief that creativity and communication can inspire change, build confidence, and empower communities.

This partnership also contributes to the creative economy by nurturing local talent and ensuring students gain experience within their own communities. With a shared commitment to inclusion, innovation, and opportunity, Weston College and Noor Creatives are working together to shape a more accessible and dynamic future for creative industries in North Somerset and beyond.

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager at Weston College, says, “We are so excited about this new partnership, giving a range of students the chance to flex their creativity and apply their knowledge outside the classroom. The opportunities and pathways that partnerships like this provide to the students are invaluable for their growth, allowing them to contribute to a professional environment and assist with real-world projects. We look forward to working closely with Noor Creatives in the future and seeing how they help our students grow.”

This opportunity will help develop our students’ personal and professional growth, giving them the chance to work closely with industry professionals and build transferrable skills that they can apply to future careers. They will gain responsibilities and build relationships with clients, ensuring our students leave college career-ready, confident, and prepared for the competitive job market.

As a teacher, I had one hell of a timetable to follow. The entire day was mapped out in tidy little 50-minute boxes, and the vast majority of my time was allocated for me. But as a full time writer and when launching two businesses, I had the whole day to play with. Like several people I’ve spoken with in the past week, the downside of such blank-page flexibility is making the most of this time and not falling prey to procrastination.

Through a lot of trial and error (and maybe a dash of procrastination along the way) I found strategies that helped me write and self-publish two novels. I’ll share what worked for me, in case it works for you.

Make a list and put it in order: At the start of the day (for me, it’s while eating breakfast), I make a list of everything I would like to achieve that day. Nothing is too small a task – my list contains ‘Reply to X’s email’, ‘Send photo to Y’ – all the little things take time too, and we don’t want them to fall down the cracks. Next, put the list in order, starting with what ‘must’ be covered today, moving into what ‘should’ be covered, and then end with the ‘coulds’ – you’ll complete these if you have time but it’s not the end of the world if you do them tomorrow. It’s also a good idea to put ‘heavier’ tasks earlier in the day too, like that piece of writing you’ve been putting off because it’ll take some brainpower. Now you’ve got the list, that anxious part of your mind that’s worried you’ll forget something can sigh, take a back seat and let you get on with it.

Commit to a 3-hour block: In Stolen Focus, Johan Hari talks about how three hours of flow in the morning can really set you up for the day. We’ve all had days when we’ve done 3 hours of work in 5 or 6 hours, and we know we’re better than that. So find a three-hour window and stick to it. For me, that window is 8am – 11am each morning. I’ve had my breakfast, I’ve made my list. Phone in the kitchen, laptop open, here we go. Working through your list, you’ll do more in those three hours than you’d otherwise do in a whole day. Work like this, and you’ll do more in a week than most people do in a fortnight.

Find an app that works for you: I’ve heard great things recently about NotePlan, and if you want an app that syncs your calendars and gives you reminders, check it out. For me, it’s Notes and Google Docs all the way – I like something that will sync between my phone and laptop, and I like to create my bullet point lists and tables in my own way, so the blank pages work for me here. Whatever you choose, you want something that you can easily refer to when you’re on the go. When you’re having a chat with someone and they ask you to drop them that link – open the app and make a note. Then when it comes to planning your day, you can refer to the Note and bingo – you’re the person that gets things done.

If you’re managing your own time and would like someone to talk through what works for you and help to hold you accountable, get in touch and book a free clarity call.

If you’ve always been curious about voice acting and voiceover (VO) but don’t know where to start, BRAVA’s Foundation Course is designed for you.

Taught by BRAVA’s CEO and principal coach, Melissa Thom, this low-cost, accessible group course is the perfect introduction to the art and business of VO, giving you a solid introduction to the foundational skills, techniques, and knowledge you’ll need in order to take your next steps with confidence.

Whether you’re completely new to VO, coming from acting, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, or another creative discipline, or even an experienced VO artist who has never undertaken any specific training, this course offers a friendly, live, and bespoke learning experience.

What to expect

Over three live, interactive online sessions, you’ll:

You’ll also get a taste of BRAVA’s professional, personalised coaching style. By the end of the course, you’ll know exactly what’s involved in taking your training further.

This course also serves as your direct entry into Stage 1: Narration – our intensive one-to-one coaching programme that prepares you to record your first professional narration demo and enter the market.

Course details

​Not sure if VO is right for you? That’s exactly why this course exists.

In just three evenings, you’ll understand how the VO world works, get live feedback on your voice, and find out if this is something you’d love to pursue.

The group is limited to just 12 people, so you’ll have space to ask questions, get feedback, and feel supported.

Dates: 9,10 and 11 September 2025 (Tues, Weds, Thurs) – 7pm | Online

Price: ÂŁ180 (inc VAT)

Why BRAVA?

At BRAVA, all of our training is live and tailored to you. There are no pre-recorded modules and we work with people of all ages and experience levels from 20 yrs+, with backgrounds in acting, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, and more.

You’ll benefit from the expertise of professional coaches who understand the nuances of the craft and the business. Many people are surprised by how much there is to learn and how much they can grow, even in just three weeks.

To book, please visit: https://www.brava.uk.com/voiceover-foundation-course

We’re delighted to announce that Future Leap Consultancy has secured funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to deliver two cohorts of our acclaimed Skills Bootcamp on Sustainability in Business—a co-funded opportunity for professionals across the region to gain practical, actionable sustainability skills.

This initiative is part of the UK Government’s Skills for Life programme and contributes to the £11.3 million investment aimed at boosting skills across the West of England. It’s a powerful endorsement of the role sustainability plays in shaping resilient, future-ready businesses—and a recognition of Future Leap’s expertise in delivering high-impact training.

💡 What Is the Skills Bootcamp?

The Skills Bootcamp is a 10-week programme designed to help professionals integrate sustainability into their day jobs. Whether you’re in HR, marketing, finance, operations or procurement, this course equips you with:

All delivered by Future Leap’s network of expert consultants and changemakers.

We’ve already worked with teams at Pieminister, Lexus, Inside Travel Group, Priority Express, Gilcrest Manufacturing, Kelpi, Solutions for the Planet and Novotel—supporting them to embed sustainability into their operations and culture.

đŸ‘„ Who It’s For

This Skills Bootcamp is ideal for:

đŸ—“ïž Programme Dates & Funding Options

We’re enrolling for two upcoming cohorts:

The programme is:

Eligibility is open to those employed or self-employed in Bristol, Bath, North or North East Somerset, or South Gloucestershire.

đŸ—Łïž What Previous Learners Say

“I’m a complete beginner and have found the sustainability space so overwhelming! This bootcamp has given me a real grounding in all the different topics, themes and nuances and having it broken down this way has been really helpful.”
— Becky, Starling Bank

“Despite having worked in this space for over 10 years, there’s always more to learn and it can be really hard to think differently about challenges you’ve known about for a really long time. It’s been great having people from different backgrounds and companies to hear their view and we’ve had some really interesting discussions.”
— Jen, Solutions for the Planet

These testimonials reflect the programme’s ability to support both newcomers and seasoned professionals in deepening their impact.

🚀 Ready to Integrate Sustainability Into Your Day Job?

By registering your interest, a member of our team will be in touch to:

👉 Register your interest now

Spaces are limited and demand is high—don’t miss out.

Ready to unleash your creative talents but don’t know where to begin?

Gritty Talent is partnering with leading Bristol based Post Production houses to run a part-time 8 week FREE Post Production Skills Bootcamp. The course is aimed at residents of the Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset and South Gloucs areas, who are aged 19+ and wanting to break into Post Production.

You will be introduced to the fascinating world of Post Production through masterclasses in sound, vision and wrangling footage. Alongside formal shadowing opportunities in Post Production Facilities, you will also receive career development workshops and mentoring from the team at Gritty Talent. This bootcamp will fully prepare you to confidently apply for entry level Post Production roles within the TV/Creative Industries.

For full course details including eligibility and how to apply follow this link: https://www.grittytalent.tv/runners-skills-bootcamps

Funded by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Delivery partners: Gorilla, Gorilla Academy, Films@59, PictureShop, Doghouse Post Production, One Tribe TV

#skillsbootcamps #skillsforlife #Postproduction #TVRunners #creativeindustries

Weston College is proud to celebrate the outstanding success of four learners, who have all qualified for the WorldSkills UK national competitions.

The four learners, who will be competing in November, are:

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, worked closely with Maddison and Ellie throughout their WorldSkills journey so far, and said:

“Maddie and Ellie have had an exceptional year, recently completing their Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualifications with Distinction * grades.

“Their commitment has gone far beyond the classroom, with both students undertaking extra weekly training outside of their regular timetable to hone their techniques and elevate their performance.

“Building on their experiences from last year’s WorldSkills UK Beauty Therapist qualifiers, Maddie and Ellie have embraced every opportunity to grow. This year, they competed in the inaugural South West Skills Challenge, where Maddie won 1st place in the Beauty Practitioner heat, and Ellie earned an impressive 2nd place in the Beauty Therapist heat. Ellie continued her winning streak by taking 1st place at the AHT Finals in Blackpool this May, outperforming a strong field of competitors.

“Their momentum carried through to this year’s WorldSkills competition, where their entry videos earned them spots in the regional heats at Cardiff and Vale College. Now, both learners have successfully qualified for the national finals in the Beauty Therapy Practitioner category – placing them among the top eight young beauty therapists in the UK.

“This achievement not only reflects their personal excellence but also the high-quality training provided by Weston College’s Beauty Therapy team. With expert guidance from Heather and Becky, and strategic support from the Head of Service Sectors, Maddie and Ellie have been empowered to reach their full potential.”

In recognition of their talent, both students have already secured employment offers from Cadbury Spa, one of the college’s valued CEH employer partners – demonstrating the powerful collaboration between Weston College and local industry.