“Speak Up and Speak Out!” – Little Secrets of Public Speaking and Media Appearance

On Thursday, May 22, starting at 2 PM, Anita Tripalo held a public speaking and media appearance training in a packed classroom at Trokut.

With a degree in Comparative Literature and Phonetics, Anita has spent many years teaching speech and public performance. She worked for a long time with journalists and hosts at Croatian National Television (HRT)—not only in news programs but also with sports reporters who frequently report live. She has taught public speaking techniques to theatre actors, mentored at the Rhetoric School, and helped numerous politicians and public figures make their voices heard more clearly. In recent years, she has run her own consultancy, "Jaka Jeka" (Strong Echo), but her role remains the same: a teacher—or mentor, if you prefer—of voice, and an advisor for public speaking, media appearances, and performance.

“Speak up and speak out!” is an imperative we must tell ourselves. Because how can we brand and position ourselves if the other side doesn’t hear us? Yet, if our speaking is merely an appearance, without becoming a performance—that is, the presentation of an idea or product—the likelihood of success or business engagement is slim.

So what’s the secret to a successful business presentation?What do we need for an effective public appearance?How do we control our voice and ensure clarity?What should we do before and during our speech?And—is stage fright really such a bad thing?

During the training, participants had the opportunity to reflect on:

• The power of voice and speech—how and to what extent they contribute to communication that builds trust, expertise, and self-confidence

• The importance of preparing for a speech, presentation, or media interview

• The value of a strong, well-cultivated voice in meetings, panel discussions, and media appearances

• The basics of business speaking etiquette

  
  

The workshop was highly interactive: after a brief introduction, context-setting, and group discussion, participants took part in a series of exercises designed to build confident presentation skills. These included vocal and pronunciation exercises, as well as drills in focus and persuasiveness. Attendees explored communication dynamics, appropriateness of verbal and non-verbal cues, and some brave participants even stepped in front of the audience to briefly present themselves and their business.

This engaging and essential workshop for anyone in the professional world was led by Anita Tripalo.

A big thank-you to Anita for the inspiring session, and to all participants for their enthusiastic involvement!