ESI Advanced, open only to graduates of the Excellence in Speaking Institute®, will "get your skills re-sharpened to 'game-day' sharpness, and help you add vital new skills," says trainer Pat Boyd.

You'll get tips and plenty of practice for powerful listening. You'll learn how to handle both easy and difficult questions with confidence. And you'll create your own First Impression Commercial for those rare chance opportunities that could change the course of your career or business relationships.

In this Q&A, Ty Boyd tells more about his latest offering.

Why did you develop ESI-Advanced?

We had students who would return to us a year or two after completing the course. They wanted some way to enrich their skills and take themselves to the next level. Through our private one-on-one consulting, we began to indentify the kind of skills experienced speakers needed most. We put them together in ESI-Advanced.

Besides Listening, what are some of the specific skills taught in ESI-Advanced?

Most of our conversations -- and many of our presentations -- happen without rehearsal. Someone sticks his head in your office and asks you to say a few words during a worldwide teleconference. And by the way, you'll be on in 10 minutes.

We teach several different ways to organize an impromptu talk or response, including "Past-Present-Future" and "Sitiuation-Option-Solution". All of a sudden, you've got an organized flow. You speak your piece and sit down. Your listeners think, "This guy is a powerful speaker." The formulas help you communicate what you know.

Our famous "In The Pit" excercise also builds your confidence to handle situations like that. "In The Pit" is part of ESI-Advanced -- but with tougher questions than before. Students "In The Pit" learn how to handle the most difficult questions that could come their way, even when they have no time to prepare.

Can you help people who use PowerPoint in their presentations?

Yes. Part of ESI-Advanced is reviewing your PowerPoint presentation, if you've developed one. The group will critique what works and what doesn't, both in design and content.

What is the First Impression Commercial?

Today you might meet someone at a party who could change your life. If a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes up, do you know how to describe yourself to take advantage of it? Do people know enough about your work to offer you great opportunities?

If you have a First Impression Commercial, when an opportunity arises, you'll have developed and rehearsed what to say to present yourself in the best possible light.

If a company wants to offer ESI-Advanced in-house, can you customize the training?

Yes. One of our clients frequently hosts roundtable conversations with their clients and prospects. For this company, ESI-Advanced includes training on how to host roundtables effectively. If you company has a special need or request, let us know.

ESI-Advanced is available in open-enrollment sessions, which are offered in Charlotte, NC. It is also available as an in-house course. To register or find out more, email us at esi@tyboyd.com or call us at (704) 333-9999 or (800) 336-2693.