Debbie Catt
B.Sc.(Hons), Dip.CG, MCIPR
Managing Director and Founder of Catt Consulting
Former Regional President of the Professional Speaking Association
Biography
Debbie has an excellent reputation as an enthusiastic and inspiring Speaker, Trainer and Public Speaking Coach. She is also avery experienced Corporate Communications and Public Relations Specialist.
Practical as well as entertaining, Debbie’s presentations give invaluable techniques and tips on how to promote yourself and your business either ‘on-stage’ or ‘on-screen’. Her unique range of skills and expertise in media, public, corporate, community and government relations has been developed over three decades working with major companies and high profile organisations in both the public and private sectors.
With an absolute passion for helping people overcome their fear of public speaking, Debbie has helped hundreds of people look, sound and feel confident whether they are ‘centre-stage’ or ‘centre-screen’.. Former Regional President of the Professional Speaking Association, Debbie has helped people in their business and their personal lives conquer the paralysing fear that not only inhibits careers but ruins relationships and blocks achieving ambitions. Whether she’s mentoring Chief Executives from international PLCs, entrepreneurs to deliver sensational business pitches or individuals who want to get that special job, Debbie’s expertise gets amazing results – whether the audience is just 1 or 101.
Giving you superb practical tips and techniques on how to look, sound and feel confident when you are speaking in public - on-screen or on-stage, Debbie’s coaching injects style, enthusiasm and personality into your performance. And her expertise comes from direct front line experience which has covered a wide range of industries. These include leisure, healthcare, chemicals, telecoms, manufacturing animal welfare and automotive. She also has specific skills in crisis management from handling hostile and sensitive situations involving for example accidents and fatalities, confrontational pressure group activities , takeover bids and company closures and environmental issues.
And as a qualified and experience Careers Advisor, Debbie provides invaluable assistance to companies and individuals advising on recruitment, training staff to be more effective interviewers and assisting with redundancy and career change situations. She also trains individuals and groups to produce impressive CVs and improve their interview skills.
Debbie was responsible for all Public Relations activity across five major leisure brands in the Rank Group PLC. These included Odeon Cinemas, Grosvenor Casinos, Mecca Bingo and Rank’s nationwide network of nightclubs. Former Managing Director of Odeon Cinemas, Richard Segal, describes Debbie as “a true professional who leaves nothing to chance, with an immense attention to detail”.
Debbie's Business Masterclass Training Programme
Topics include:
'‘Dealing with the Media – Ordeal or Opportunity?'
Understand the media – what are journalists looking for?
Generate positive media coverage
Write news releases that get noticed
How to deal with bad news
Make the most of media interviews
‘Customer Relations – Attract Customers and Keep Them Happy and Loyal’
Produce stunning promotional material – sales letters, leaflets and brochures
Create a customer friendly website, edit it yourself and sell from it
Make your customers want to do business with you
Provide amazing customer service
“Crisis Management - How to Prepare for and Manage Negative Situations”
Identify scenarios and produce planned responses
Prepare spokespeople to perform confidently under pressure
Create an easy to implement Crisis Action Plan
One to One Mentoring
The Masterclass Programme also provides business and personal mentoring to develop individual skills and address specific issues.As part of her training portfolio, Debbie is a Visiting Lecturer at Kingston University, Surrey on the undergraduate and postgraduate Public Relations and Communications courses. She has also been a Visiting Lecturer at Westminster University and the Universities of Chester and Nicosia. Using her extensive ‘living hindsight’ case studies, Debbie brings PR and Events Management theory to life for students at all levels. Head of the Marketing, Tourism and Events Management Department, Chester Business School, University of Chester, Claire Blanchard, describes Debbie as “an inspirational Visiting Lecturer able to offer the students an enlightened view of the industry. She is able to bring real life examples and case studies into her teaching which really inspires and motivates the students”.
Deputy Head of Department and Programme Leader for Public Relations and Communications Studies at the University of Chester, Meriel D’Artrey, says, “I cannot speak highly enough of Debbie. The feedback I have had from my students has been extraordinary and spontaneous; they have relished her teaching and delivery style, her knowledge and expertise and her ability to empathise with them. We will continue to call on Debbie… I can recommend her without hesitation”.
Keith Elliott, Chairman of PMA, Europe’s leading media training company, describes Debbie as “one of the finest trainers I have worked with. She is inspiring, smart and addresses the issues that delegates want to sort out. We have consistently received very high marks from delegates for every workshop that she runs. We Highly recommend her”.
Debbie is the former Regional President of the Professional Speaking Association, and has been a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations for more than 30 years. Based in London, Debbie is currently writing a book on do-it-yourself Public Relations and travels worldwide delivering her compelling presentations.Another major aspect of Debbie’s expertise is event organising. She has directed arrangements for national and international exhibitions, awards ceremonies, Annual General Meetings, hospitality events and Parliamentary Conferences. Specific examples include managing an 84sq.m stand at MIPIM in Cannes (the largest property exhibition in the world) for seven successive years and arranging strategy launch receptions in the House of Commons.
‘Boosting your Business Performance with Reiki'
As an experienced Business Development Specialist and Reiki practitioner, Debbie gives fascinating presentations explaining how this ancient Japanese therapy can significantly ‘Boost your Business Performance’.
Feeling great and having a positive approach to making your business a success start with personal well-being. You might have a fabulous product or service, but if you are not feeling buoyant and motivated, you will find it hard to convince potential customers they should do business with you.
Reiki is a deeply relaxing healing therapy that reduces stress, strengthens your immune system and helps to promote a positive attitude. It works on all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, rebalancing your energy and stimulating your body’s natural ability to heal.
With her exceptional expertise, Debbie adds a unique dimension to her presentations on promoting business success.
Debbie's ‘No More If Onlys’ Motivational Speaking Topics
‘No More If Onlys’: – Everyone has something they want to do but haven't quite got round to doing it. Debbie’s tried and tested practical techniques and tips help people of all ages achieve their ambitions.
‘Be The Best You Can Be’: – Practical techniques and tips to overcome obstacles and setbacks. Six redundancies, divorce, major surgery and family mental illness and bereavements are just some of the difficult life experiences Debbie has faced. She shares the techniques that have helped her recover from her own personal setbacks and have proved very successful in helping others.
‘If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going – You’ll End Up Somewhere Else’: – How to check out exactly what you want from life – and make it happen.
‘Everyone Needs a Helping Hand’: – Why try and tackle a problem on your own? Surround yourself with a support network to advise, guide and encourage you on the road to achieving your goals and ambitions.
‘It’s Easy To Eat An Elephant’: - Breaking down problems into manageable pieces means nothing is too big to tackle
‘The Secret To Finding Happiness’: – Once you know the secret, you’ll wonder why you’ve wasted so much time searching for it.
‘Eat Well, Be Well, Think Better’: - Food doesn’t just fuel your body – it also fuels your mind. What you eat can seriously affect your health and your chances of success.
‘Public Speaking – Do It With Confidence’: – Presenting yourself and your ideas clearly and confidently can help you achieve your goals and ambitions. Debbie passes on her trade secrets to make speaking in public an opportunity not an ordeal.
To book Debbie or to discuss your requirements, please contact her:
Email: debbie@debbicatt.com
Mob: +44(0) 7702 652976