London event for Women who want to build public speaking confidence

Clay Shirky recently wrote an analysis of why women struggle in the enterprise/executive role. It's quite strongly worded, so worth a read but may have some people gnashing their teeth. Anyway, one of his points was that :

I’m not concerned that women don’t engage in enough building of self-confidence or self-esteem. I’m worried about something much simpler: not enough women have what it takes to behave like arrogant self-aggrandizing jerks.

One of those, errrm, "self aggrandizing jerk" skills is speaking out in public, something which nearly all the professional women tell me they don't like. However, it is a necessity to be able to project your ideas. Thus when Laura North told me last night at the soft launch of our Innovation Manifesto (of which more later) that she was organising a soiree for women to work through this public speaking angst, I felt I had to blog it. Here is the session:

Does the idea of speaking in front of an audience make you nervous? 'Speaking out - public speaking made easy' will show you how to feel comfortable speaking in public.

Whether you want to make a presentation, contribute to a group discussion or just ask a question at a conference, we'll give you some easy ways to help you share your thoughts and ideas effectively.

Speakers include Katie Streten, Head of Digital Strategy at design agency Imagination, Christian Heilmann from Yahoo!, and Dave Bell from Merrill Lynch, who has been helping young women in Tower Hamlets make public presentations. All the speakers share the same aim of helping participants to communicate in a more relaxed and informal way.

The event is open to all, but women are especially encouraged to attend and subjects include speaking in public from a woman's perspective.

Drinks will follow the event.

Its on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (GMT). You can sign up here on Eventbrite