Bringing out that extra ‘oomph’ in you!

By Marisa de Silva

“I want champagne bottles, not pancakes,” says Loretta Gunewardene, who helps anybody and everybody to communicate better

She works with anybody and everybody, from agents and managers right up to CEOs of companies. “Basically anybody who has to communicate.”

Loretta: “Your approach and attitude to life can make all the difference.” Pic by Athula Devapriya

Ever wonder why you’re one of the oldest employees at your workplace, with tons of experience but somehow wind up last when it comes to promotions? Or why your ideas or opinions are overlooked? Apart from the obvious possibility that your boss, co-workers or employees are just downright horrid, there is one other (rarely explored) likelihood that it could be due to ‘you’. But it’s not the end of the world or at least it needn’t be, says corporate trainer Loretta Gunewardene. Your approach and attitude to life in general can make all the difference, she says.

“My work entails everything from confidence and attitude building, to perfecting the art of mesmerizing your audience via effective communication, to making the perfect first impression (with emphasis on your tone of voice) and presenting yourself as a professional,” she explained.

Having been a Speech and Drama teacher with the Wendy Whatmore Academy for about 20 years (having started when she was just 14), an accountant and in marketing, she finally decided on a change of vocation after a two-year stay in New Zealand, where she was a member of the Speech Communication Association. There, she gained fresh perspectives into the full scope of speech and communication and on her return, decided to introduce this relatively new concept to Sri Lanka and expand it to adults as well.

“I place a lot of emphasis on shedding one’s inhibitions, capturing audience attention via one’s tone of voice, body language, posture and appearance and I also focus on inculcating a passion for the job,” she elaborated. There’s nothing worse than a disgruntled employee to dampen office morale and kill the work spirit, she added.

“The general workshops I organise titled “Communication with a difference”, are energised, interactive and action-packed. They usually tend to be quite noisy. There’s dancing, music, lots of work related role plays and public speaking at the workshop and the participants hardly get to sit down,” she said adding laughingly, “I want champagne bottles, not pancakes at my workshops.”

Many participants have come to her and said that they never knew they had it in them to speak in public and have been quite pleasantly surprised by their new discovery. The participants also have to assess and then evaluate themselves after the workshop, she added. She’s inspired by the work of Anthony Robbins, known as the world’s greatest motivator and likes his style of workshops, she said.

Specialising in Call Centre training (having worked at a large Call Centre in New Zealand), she says it’s essential for such employees to sustain their energy levels throughout the day.

Therefore, she helps them stay motivated by teaching them various games and vocal exercises for them to do during their shifts. For these workshops she concentrates mainly on improving call centre etiquette, motivation, voice tone and listening skills.

She has trained the first four call centre agents at the Nations Trust Bank and is now training employees of HSBC and American Express as well. Apart from corporate training, Loretta is also the official communication trainer for Ms. World and trained the current and former Ms. Sri Lanka for Ms. Universe Jacqueline Fernandez and Rozanne Diaz. She’s also the official trainer for the SriLankan Airlines cabin crew and was awarded one of the “Most Outstanding Lecturers” award by SriLankan Airlines.

Loretta has conducted similar workshops with various schools for staff, as many students are de-motivated by bad teachers/lecturers, thus highlighting the importance of having teachers with proper interactive skills and not just knowledgeable on the relevant subject.

A mother of two, Loretta enjoys her work so much more, because she has the freedom to work when it’s convenient for her and be with her family when she wants to. “The only problem is that I get so involved in my work that it’s difficult to take time off even though I can,” she smiles.