Testimonials
Written and Video Testimonials
"I just attended Steve's performance training and this is like no other training I have had before. I have had two days training with Steve and immediately after Day One I found myself able to put the things I learned into practice. At the end of day two I could not believe the achievements I have made. I am already seeing real returns putting what I learned into practice. This training definitely is not for those who don't want to be challenged but if you are up for it there is no way that you will not change for the better for doing this!"
"I would recommend Steve and his Performance Dynamite training without hesitation. No matter at what stage you might be in your business development career it will prove absolutely invaluable. You will taken out of your comfort zone and brought back into it with constructive and tailored advice. Bringing you right into the performance zone you need have to deliver a compelling, confident and engaged pitch to your target audience. I used all that I had been taken on board for an important new sector launch, post my sessions with Steve. Outstanding results and compliments from old and new contacts about content and style of approach. They where compelled to come and talk more, drawn in by. the clarity of approach. Thanks Steve for getting me to revisit the sizzle factor, you made me remember what makes people want to engage with organisations. Time well spent.
Took Steve on initially to coach one of my senior sales leaders in the art of performance specifically to improve business presentation skills and personal impact. Impressive results in a very short time. Transformation from corporate suit to high impact character, from forgettable to high gravitas memorable. Then let Steve loose across my entire sales team with similar results. Cynical sales people have commented "this is the best training I have ever been exposed to", very motivational indeed. If you want your execs to really bring the passion out, believe in themselves and convey that belief to their audience, then I can't recommend Mr Trister highly enough. He's a top chap too! Connect with me if you want a personal reference, which I will unreservedly give.Andy Bills."
Andy Bills, VP of Enterprise Sales, Global Crossing (UK)
I wanted to make a video to put on my website. As an experienced trainer and business coach, I am used to speaking in front of an audience but I found the camera a completely different kettle of fish. After just a couple of hours with Steve, we had turned a fairly mundane performance into one that truly buzzed! Steve's approach was meticulous but fun, which actually made the hard work seem easy. What I've learnt has helped my delivery in the training room too, which is a bonus I didn't expect. This guy could pull a performance from anyone, and I absolutely recommend working with him.
In my opinion this was the best presentation training I've ever attended in that it focuses the attention on the impact you as a presenter have on the audience. Prior to the training my focus was always purely on the content with no real thought to my personal performance- Steve has changed that for good. In addition, the day was great fun whilst at the same time challenging. I would recommend Steve to anyone who has to give presentations and guarantee that you will be a better presenter for the experience.
"Steve presented to around 400 senior managers, many of whom struggle with the art of performance in front of an audience. With a mix of humour, charm, drama, fearlessness, the odd swear word and ultimately professionalism, Steve showed us how it's not that difficult and it's the preparation that counts."
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
Joe Kelly, Director of Communications at BT Wholesale
I've been lucky to be on the receiving end of Steve's motivational standup routine. He quickly engages with the audience, and through his own experience and knowledge empowered the whole audience with new energy and enthusiasm. A total professional, genuinely funny and a great person behind it all. I totally recommend Steve for any team building, motivational training, after dinner speaking or just for breaking the ice.
I had the pleasure to be part of Steve's interactive/audience participation presentation at last night's event in Castle Donington. His "Power to Influence' topic did just that! His delivery was spot on, relevant, approachable and informative and I've put some of tips into practice already at a networking event I attended this morning! Thanks Steve! i have no hesitation in recommending Steve - book him!
"After attending Steve course "Craft of Performance" I had to present a project management pitch to a prospect customer worth £42m for my company. Instead of doing the usual powerpoint slide presentation, I used the training to tell a story about a previous delivery experience using an Oyster card as a prop to grab my audience's attention. The story lasted about 20 minutes and at the end of my presentation, I was surrounded by their audience members wanting to share similar experiences and views on the customer I had just presented about. 14 companies presented to my customer and an average of 5 people per bidder presented. Out of 70 presenters, I wanted my presentation to be the one they remembered - the one that really connected with my audience. The feedback from the people I presented with was brilliant and I felt even more proud when the customer confirmed later to me that my presentation stood out more than anybody else's. The customer even requested that they wanted members of the bid team to remain involved with their account post bid, since the buying team felt they had emotionally connected with us. Imagine how proud I was when my name was cited as one of the people they didn't want to lose from their account. If I hadn't attended Steve course, I would not have taken the gamble and presented in a manner that was completely outside my comfort zone. He inspired the confidence and belief in me, to take a chance and do something different - to stand out from the crowd. I hardly ever use slides to present anymore, I have witnessed first-hand what the power of storytelling with an audience can do, and won't ever go back to old habits again.
Andy Westbrook, Professional services consultant and Global Crossing
I have been lucky enough to hire Steve in the past when I wanted to improve my presentation skills. What I learnt from Steve went far deeper than I ever anticipated. He made me think about every aspect of how I was presenting myself to the point of discomfort, it was truly insightful and the lessons I learned I still use to this day. Highly recommended for anyone that's serious about improving how they present themselves.
As a professional speaker, I know how important it is to stay 'at the top of my game' so I can consistently get results for my clients. I engaged Steve for some advanced presentation skills work on 'upping my level' of presenting. I consider myself pretty good already, so there aren't many people I'd approach - but Steve specialises in working with professional speakers, so I contacted him. In a short session Steve delivered more value than other courses that last days! The ONLY person I'd recommend for working with my clients on their presenting. Highly recommended.
Andy Preston
Steve is brilliant!! He takes you on a journey where you quickly realise you only use 20% - at best! - of your abilities when you talk or present no matter how big or small your audience. He encourages emotional engagement rather than a torrent of words, helps develop a heightened awareness of your surroundings, and makes you focus on the impact you continually have on others.
I experienced Steve at a recent event and it was an excellent show, FULL of insights and "off the wall" ideas to help improve performances - and no doubt increase sales / business too. Valuable personal learning, and situationally transferable. Diolch yn fawr butty...
Explosive Training! This is a must for anybody that needs to speak publically to an audience of 1 to 1,000. I wanted to speak publically like Steve Jobs from Apple. Steve gives you the tools to do this including many of the hidden secrets of great presenters. 100% effective... guaranteed!
Steve is a unique character who gets the message across in his own inimitable way! Funny, insightful, great powers of observation lead to a very special performance that reaches out to people on a an individual basis and yet he can "work the room" to keep a constant sense of fun and humour! If you want to teach your people how to communicate better and to enjoy their work even more then get Steve in! You will not regret it.
I was priviledged to 'watch Steve in action' at a recent Business Scene Event where Steve was sharing with us the art of Influence. If you want to get your message across in a dynamic, interactive and fun way that will have a lasting impact then Steve is the guy for the job :)
Steve was the speaker at my Business Scene Connections event. His topic "The Power to Influence" held the attention of the delegates throughout. I have received excellent feedback from the event and a number of people have indicated that they will book Steve for their events. If you are looking for a speaker who is "different" for your Business Events I highly recommend and suggest that you get in touch with Steve.
Saw Steve at a recent Business Scene event and was very impressed with the energy and excitement he bought into the room. His advice was well placed and bought home how to re-energise yourself and your networking. If you have the opportunity of seeing Steve - Take It!
