Su Grainger and Vocal Power
What is your business?
Vocal Power: A training and team building company who assist executives and their staff to improve their voices and communication skills. We build confidence and bond teams using singing and vocal techniques as a medium
Why did you start it?
Both Kayte and I realised that many people were unaware of the importance of their voice in their daily business lives and how what they say and how they say it is interpreted by everyone they come into contact with. We were also aware of how many seemingly confident business people actually had some form of nervousness or anxiety at the thought of presenting or speaking about their business.
What did you do before it?
Kayte has been a performer and singer songwriter for over 25 years. She achieved success in the British Top 40 singles chart and had albums released on both sides of the Atlantic, and was awarded a platinum disc. She has coached voice and performance skills in the Theatre, Music Industry and Performing Arts. Kayte currently works as a Vocal Animateur, Professional Singer and Education/Training Consultant.
In the past I ran my own beauty therapy business and was a successful makeup artist. I have also been a singer for many years and more recently set up weekly singing classes. I organised and produced a number of successful concerts. You can also hear me on BBC Radio Merseyside every Friday evening as a panel member on Linda McDermot’s show. I'm qualified as a clinical hypnotherapist and emotional freedom therapist, which is a combination of psychology and acupuncture.
What makes you unique?
Vocal Power is unique because of the diverse expertise of both Kayte and I. Our combined skills ensure that those who wish to improve their confidence in communication or would like to improve relationships in their workforce will receive the very latest techniques used in drama and speech therapy along with the essential personal skills enhanced using psychology and behavioural therapy. Vocal power also offers fun uplifting team building workshops using singing. Workforces learn harmonies, improvisation and group work. This is different from many corporate days on offer and one that is very effective and inspirational.
What are your plans to make the most of Capital of Culture?
With more businesses opening up in the city we intend to help as many as possible with their communication skills. We encourage the humour, accent and personable nature that Liverpool people have. We will help business men and women use those natural gifts to their best advantage. We intend to add a cultural element to our workshops we will include well known Liverpool songs as well as songs from different cultures.
Any tips?
If you have any form of nerves or physical reaction you no longer need to accept this. We would encourage everyone to attend a workshop to help improve their voice and confidence. If you're not nervous, but use your voice extensively you can learn techniques and methods to improve this and keep your voice healthy for longer. All of our courses and workshops can be provided to various timescales and can be booked together or as separate modules.
* Member offer: We are now offering 08 businessconnect members free consultations for companies to see where they can improve their communication and have their voices analysed to see where improvements can be made. Contact us and quote that you are an 08 businessconnect member.
Do you have any anecdotes?
When working with people on our fear of public speaking course we have encountered many whose fear was related to something they learned or heard about themselves when they were younger. For example recently we had a man who flew over from Ireland to attend. He attended because he wanted to start his own business. He had all the relevant skill needed, but whenever he needed to present himself he would pass it to someone else or make excuses. After a brief talk we discovered that as a child he attended a strict religious school. If he spoke out of turn or said the wrong thing he would be smacked. He also lived in a Gaelic speaking community. If he had to venture out and speak English he had to be perfect or he would be laughed at and taunted. It wasn’t too hard for him to realize that he associated speaking with physical pain and humiliation. After working with him to clear these beliefs he was then able to go on and learn how to use his new found voice using practical tips on projection, pronunciation, inflection and much more. We are keeping in touch to see how he progresses.
We have had success in helping a team of people bond and communicate with each other more effectively. We worked on a project where at the beginning of the course some people hadn’t really wanted to attend let alone use their voices in different ways. By the end of the session these same people reported they felt exhilarated, astounded at what they could do with their voice and felt they had learned more and had a better understanding of their work colleagues.
