Case study
AXA
Harriet and the wider team at AXA had strong technical skills but limited formal training in softer skills like presentation and personal branding, limiting their ability to influence, engage stakeholders, and progress in their careers.
Body Talk’s tailored training programme equipped them with the confidence and communication tools needed to drive change, gain visibility, and achieve lasting professional growth.
Harriet and the wider team had limited insight and knowledge relating to some of the softer skills needed to drive change and effectively engage stakeholders. While they had strong technical expertise in planning, risk management, and governance, they faced a shortfall in formal training related to presentation skills and personal branding, which could further enhance their impact.
Without these softer skills, they risked: Limited impact in delivering business growth, as ineffective communication could lead to stakeholder misalignment and delays. Stagnation in career progression, as aspiring colleagues could struggle to ‘present to progress’ and gain visibility within the organisation.
Increased frustration and attrition, with employees potentially feeling undervalued due to a lack of development opportunities in softer skills. With limited internal training resources available to address these gaps, the team needed an external partner to provide expert training in a structured and engaging way.
The Solution
Body Talk designed and delivered a tailored Presentation Skills and Personal Branding learning programme. The structured sessions created a safe, collaborative environment where participants could learn, practise, and receive constructive feedback. Key elements of the training included:
Foundational Presentation Skills – Practical guidance on posture, body language, and managing nerves to project confidence.
Audience Engagement Techniques – Strategies to connect with audiences through eye contact, storytelling, and structured content delivery.
Tone, Tempo & Narrative Development – Methods to articulate messages effectively, ensuring clarity and impact.
Practical Application – Real-world exercises where participants crafted and delivered presentations, receiving actionable feedback to refine their approach.
The immediate impact was evident – Harriet and the other team members left the sessions with tangible techniques they could apply straight away.
The Impact
More than a decade after the training, Harriet continues to credit Body Talk.
The ability to present with confidence has enabled her to:
- Lead high-value change initiatives, securing business buy-in and stakeholder trust.
- Deliver impactful presentations at major industry events, including award ceremonies and conferences with hundreds of attendees.
- Increase visibility within her organisation, leading to greater recognition and career progression.
- Develop a lasting interest in communication skills, applying insights from Body Talk to both professional and personal interactions.
The ability to communicate persuasively has become a core leadership skill for Harriet, reinforcing the long-term value of Body Talk’s training.
Benefit: Working with Body Talk equipped Harriet and the team with the communication and presentation skills necessary to drive change with confidence. Through expert coaching, they gained the ability to engage stakeholders, present with authority, and build trust—key skills that directly impacted business growth and career progression.
Result: Harriet successfully applied these skills to lead multi-million pound change initiatives, deliver high-profile presentations, and elevate her professional standing within the organisation. The ability to present effectively became a catalyst for both business success and personal career advancement
“To lead change effectively, you have to be able to present your plans with conviction to gain business buy-in. Thanks to Body Talk, I developed the confidence to do this successfully”.
Harriet Rowland, AXA
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