Kissing with Confidence

Testimonials

“Russell brings words to life. He commands his subject, his audience and my respect.”

Ed Cochrane, Executive Education and Researcher in Emotional Management, University of Edinburgh Business School

 

“We have worked with Kissing with Confidence both in the context of training  groups of managers and also in individual coaching situations. Their work has always added value, encouraging people to re-look at how they communicate and present themselves and their ideas, often in a thought provoking style.”

Bruce Murphy, Head of Human Resources, Aggreko

 

"Our people love the enthusiasm and energy of KWC's trainers. For us the value is in how the team at KWC have made it their business to understand our business, our people, our clients and culture. They get what we do."

Deborah McCormack, Head of Training and Development, McGrigors

 

“KWC offer something totally unique that goes well beyond training. Their approach inspires real change in our team’s behaviour.”

Nicholas McCormick, Regional Business Development Manager, BAM Nuttall Ltd

 

“Michael, thanks for an excellent morning on Saturday.  Your infectious enthusiasm quickly fought its way through any early morning cynicism and it was plain from those I spoke to afterwards the morning was a real success.”

Richard Foley, Partner and Head of Projects & Construction Group, Pinsent Masons LLP

 

“KWC never fail to make us smile whilst bestowing insightful hints and tips on “how to” the we remember and use. The stories and examples bring sessions to life… repeat business speaks for itself!”

Lesley Lee, Deputy HR Director, Northumbria University

 

“Russell's sessions with our partners are a tour de force. He combines wit, passion, creativity and insight to tremendous effect providing our most senior people with a challenging, inspiring and supportive learning experience.”

Kevin Hannigan, Head of Learning and Development, Matheson Ormsby Prentice

 

“My experience of KWC gave me greater confidence in my own ability to communicate in the many arenas I am asked to speak as a chief constable and my colleagues in 2 police forces who worked with KWC have also visibly grown in their communication skills as they have adopted and used the priceless insights and tools that were shared.  There is no-one better at improving your presentation skills than the KWC team.”

Colin McKerracher, Chief Constable, Grampian Police

 

"Having worked with Russell and the team over the years, I can honestly say that words cannot express the passion and enthusiasm that KWC display over the use of words/body language/emotion/expression etc. So hook up and enjoy the ride and learn the art of oratory from them and improve your personal and business success. Most of all have some fun!"

Louise Kay, Investment Director, Head of UK Institutional Business Development, Standard Life

 

“Russell and Kissing with Confidence have helped us revisit, refresh and re-energise our image of ourselves and how we do business.”

Shiela Gupta, Director of Human Resources, University of Edinburgh

 

“Our warmest congratulations to Russell and his team at KWC for building such an exciting and progressive business. The way he leads his courses and inspires in all of us the desire to improve our presentation skills allows us all to raise our game no matter how inhibited we feel.”

David Page, Page/Park Architects

 

“Content is fresh, individual and thought provoking. KWC bring a unique energy and enthusiasm to all audiences - even after a heavy lunch - and learning materials are first class.”

Mandy Rennie, HR Manager, Fortis Lease UK Ltd

 

"High energy - High impact - Interactive - Inspirational - is what I asked for my Diploma Students - and what we got from Michael in overflowing/spectacular measure! An immediate request by them for another session and an immediate booking by me for next year!"

Betty Bott, Director of Legal and Professional Development, Dundee Law School

 

"Confidence is the name of their game. What the team at KWC do best is instil confidence in others to present and network successfully."

Linda H Urquhart, Chief Executive, Morton Fraser LLP

 

“Kissing with Confidence are not only professional deliverers who make a positive impact, they are also fun to work with!”

Ruth Altman, HR Director, Cranfield University

 

“The team are all highly professional and great fun to work with too! Their  insight and expert knowledge has been of enormous benefit to me and my business.”

Jane Wylie-Roberts, Managing Director, Stafffinders

 

“Over the past decade I've worked with KWC when the stakes were high, they are experts... My best recommendation? I keep coming back!”

Jamie Rae, Founder and CEO, Redeem plc

 

“Kissing with Confidence have an exceptional ability to understand our business and thus work with us to design learning events which really do deliver what we are looking for.”

Catherine Jones, Director – Corporate Finance, Deloitte

 

"The name and strapline say it all. KWC stands out from the crowd delivering quality direction to the most important asset most businesses possess: people."

Phil Sherwood, Regional Corporate Sales Director (Scotland), Lombard Regional Corporate Asset Finance  

 

“Russell and the team deliver high impact development and make it fun! Congratulations, here’s to the next 10 years.”

Veryan Johnston, CPD lead, UHR Executive

 

“Russell's breezy approach belies the thoughtfulness he puts into helping people develop their presentational abilities. The lessons you learn with Russell last.”

Janice Caplan, The Scala Group

 

“Russell's dynamic sessions inspired the University HR team to meet, greet, present themselves & relate to each other with passion and energy. The audience loved him!” 

Catherine Garner, Consultant

 

 

 

And some more...

 

Oratory Masterclass, AUDE Conference, Newport

“I know it is ‘what you do’ but by way of feedback it was the best presentation I have ever seen!”
Alan Burrell, Director of Estates, Open University

"Thanks for addressing our Chamber lunch.  Your presentation was excellent and all the delegates really enjoyed hearing you."
Laura Mills, Events Manager, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce

 

FTI Consulting, Barcelona
“ The conference was a huge success and had the team pleasantly surprised! I thought Russell did a fantastic job and even though the sun was shining outside he managed to keep the team focussed.”
Claire Gilbert, Executive Assistant, FTI Consulting

 

"I am sure that the feedback forms will reflect the postive messages that I have personally received about the session.  The theme really touched a nerve for our delegates and the fun and humour injected into the session hit the spot exactly."
Lesley Scott, Senior Change Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

 

Thorntons LLP, Carnoustie
"We are a very diverse organisation and our Away Days need to connect with everyone - 320 over two days - from Mailroom Assistant to Managing Partner.  It was critical that the content and style would fit with the Thorntons' culture.  Russell worked with us in advance and ensured that our values ran throughout the day.  Energy levels were high, feedback positive and the event was a great success."
Helen Archibald, Director of HR, Thorntons LLP

 

"Challenging but thoroughly enjoyable.  Highly beneficial too - we learned a lot and now need to get out there and practise what we've learned."
Peter McDade, Head of Risk

 

Amorous in Aberdeen
"We had a high energy, interactive and very funny session on networking on 14 February.  Michael was terrific at getting us all going and we'll definitely see you again."
Leah Murphy, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce

 

DLA UK Conferences, Windsor and Chester
"That's six conferences and over 350 of our NQs in the past three years.... exceptional presentation skills delivery on a grand scale.  See you again in 2009."
Phillip Westermeyer, Senior Development Officer, DLA Piper UK LLP

 

Being Immortal to 750 at West Sound Radio
"What a wonderful show.  The organisation, the top table, the musicians and artists were simply fantastic...  We laughed and cried as the life, loves and words of Scotland's favourite son were compared and contrasted with the feeble courtship efforts of modern man."

 

Immortal Memory
"Many thanks for your terrific performance last Thursday."
Ian Burke Associates

 

Immortal Memory
"We laughed and cried as Burns' life with lassies unfolded and his genius laid before us.  Thank you for a great immortal memory."
Sian Warren, President, Sandyford Burns' Club

 

European Celebration at the Hilton
"From 450 people saying hello in seven languages at the beginning to the awards ceremony finishing on time - with three rounds of a quiz in between - we all had a ball.  Many thanks."
Evelyn Boyd, Deputy Chief Executive, Objective 3 Programme Management Executive

 

Airth Castle
Thanks for a fantastic session on Friday; 90 minutes was just not enough.  Every delegate left bristling with enthusiasm to put your tools into practice.
Nick McCormick, Business Development Manager, Edmund Nuttall Ltd

 

Madrid and London
"Imagine facilitating two Presentation Skills events for 120 newly qualified lawyers, from 17 different offices across Continental Europe, Middle East and the UK.  Now imagine creativity, fun, great feedback and a fantastic learning experience had by all.  Thank you Kissing With Confidence - see you again next year!"
Phillip Westermeyer, Senior Development Officer, DLA Piper

 

The Gherkin, London
"Michael's session on relationship building at our High Achievers' Forum in the Gherkin building was excellent and feedback from the Account Managers was very complimentary."
Heather Findlay, UKFS Business Training Manager, Standard Life Assurance Ltd

 

Aberdeen and London
"Michael's high energy seminar on customer service awareness for our IS department engaged us all and ensured our two day conference finished on just the right note."
Alison Taylor, Manager Information Services, Nexen Petroleum UK

 

Severe Burns
"Thank you very much for performing the Reply on Behalf of the Lassies at our Edinburgh Supper this year - you did a tremendous job!  In total, I think we have raised approximately £120,000 for the charity from our efforts this year and you played a huge part in that so thank you".
Vivien Morton, Group Marketing Co-ordinator, Dunbar Bank

 

The Banter in Barcelona
"Fantastic, Humorous, Engaging, Inspirational."
PMU Planning Conference, Hewlett Packard

 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne
"Thanks for the brilliant afternoon - the delegates were buzzing as they left.  It has been an absolute pleasure to listen to Russell - I'm sure we will be contacting you again soon - I am about to re-read your brochure for more inspiration."
Lesley Lee, University of Northumbria at Newcastle

 

Glasgow
"Thank you so much for your contribution to our company away day.  The team thoroughly enjoyed your session and the feedback was very positive.  On a personal level, it was a pleasure to have you with us.  It made a real difference.
Hilary Roberts, HR Consultancy

 

St Andrews
"Very clever and hilariously funny.  Russell was a brilliant finale to our annual dinner."
Kevin Grainger, President, St Andrews Business Club

 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
"The first Glasgow Brain Game at Kelvingrove was a huge success.  Many thanks to Russell for keeping it all going from first to last, and for entertaining us along the way."
Karen Milne, Marie Curie Cancer Care

 

The Belfry, Birmingham
"Thanks Russell for your contribution both in terms of your keynote on Confidence and in being our host for the day, you really helped us get these events onto a different footing.  There were loads of compliments about your session and personally I think you nailed the brief splendidly."
Steve Torbet, Sales Operations Manager, Aegon Scottish Equitable

 

Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
"Many thanks for Russell's contribution at our Partners' Conference in St Andrews:  he led Friday's discussion forum with creativity, energy and pace.  And Saturday morning's session was thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking."
Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive, Shepherd and Wedderburn

 

Thistle Hotel, Glasgow
"We had a ball, raised a record amount - and raised the roof into the bargain - at the Never Mind The Business charity evening.  Even with a noisy 850 in the room ready to party, Kissing With Confidence was superb as emcees and took the event to a whole new level.  Many thanks."
Colin Flinn, Head of Fundraising, NCH Scotland

 

"The Entrepreneurial Exchange membership insists on only the highest quality for the exchange evenings and yours was no exception.  Turnout was high, delivery was exceptional and feedback was excellent.  We look forward to seeing Russell again soon." 
John Anderson, Chief Executive, The Entrepreneurial Exchange

 

"The workshops either side of lunch were very thought provoking and entertaining... And as for the twenty minutes to the entire department at the end of the day- "cuddling mum" meant there was hardly a dry eye in the hall." 
Jean Chandler, Deputy Director HR, Glasgow University

 

"An excellent performance at the BNI Annual Dinner.  Humorous, entertaining and engaging; many thanks." 
Don Spence, Managing Director, Corporate Events Scotland

 

"This was the best class I have ever attended, and I have been at plenty of classes at JCI and in business." 
David Laverty, Denver Chamber of Commerce (JCI World Congress, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada)

 

"Many thanks for a superb job as MC at our 50th Anniversary Ball at the Hilton, and for doing the auction with Carol Smillie.  This has been our most successful dinner ever. We raised £48 000 for children and adults with learning disabilities." 
Kelly Pumfrey, Corporate Fundraiser, Enable

 

"We are delighted to have raised £22 000 for the Prince's Trust, Scotland, at our 175th Anniversary Dinner.  Many thanks to Kissing With Confidence for emceeing the whole event and running the auction.  Russell kept us on track with humour and diplomacy from last to first, in true McGonnagall fashion." 
Debbie Entwistle, Marketing Director, Morton Fraser

 

"Many thanks Russell for your efforts as emcee at our leadership conference, we were delighted with your contribution.  You kept it all going effortlessly - and with great humour." 
John Ferguson, Head of Human Resources Development, Babcock Naval Services

 

"Our 150 off-shore supervisors are not the easiest group to get on-side, but all five sessions were extremely well received:  humour, stories and examples with just the right amount of thought-provoking insights into the importance of effective communication.  We were delighted with Kissing With Confidence's contribution."  
Paddy Mallan, Director, Operations Support, Petrofac

 

"The session on Inspirational Communication by Russell was a perfect way to end our conference.  The feedback has been fantastic and everyone stayed engaged for the entire time, no mean feat at the end of an intensive few days." 
Andy Smith, Production Director, Registers of Scotland