Bristow Biz: Kimmey Training and Consulting Coaches Business People in Public Speaking, Networking

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More people are afraid of public speaking than just about anything else, but in today’s business world public speaking provides the edge you need to get ahead. Luckily, there is Kimmey Training and Consulting, the Bristow based company, that takes the eek out of public speaking.

When Peggy Kimmey started her consulting business in 2005 she was offered a variety coaching programs. However, through her interactions with small business owners, she found people wanted an elevator pitch: a simple, logical and memorable way to introduce themselves to future clients at networking events.

Whereas most business consultants try to sign up clients for long programs, Kimmey has found she can make a difference with a client in one or two individual sessions. Friends in the industry called her crazy, but Kimmey knew how small business people were wearing too many hats.

She had business people tell her,  “I don’t have the money; I don’t have the time,” so now she tells them, “Give me an hour, and we’ll get somewhere.”

Although business people had little time, Kimmey saw they were taking the time to network even though many were networking ineffectively.

Kimmey saw many reasons why people were not making an impact.

“Sometimes people have experience and passion, but it’s so disorganized it can’t be received,” she  said.

Others, she explained, give a laundry list of information, or present pitches in a manner that is dry and listless. Then, of course, some people were limited by their own inhibitions.

Kimmey’s programs focus on where people typically make mistakes. Through individual seminars, classes and tutorial videos, she teaches her clients to organize their thoughts, target their message and find fun ways to be memorable, using rhyme, alliteration or clever mnemonic devices.

Kimmey decided to start her consulting business, after she realized her natural talents in communication and teaching. Although she began her career as a computer or IT professional, she often found herself promoted to positions that required her to teach others.

“I have always been a trainer, a teacher a communicator and educator. Even in high school it wasn’t that I was a great dancer on the drill team (that I was a captain), it was that I was good at teaching dancing for the girls. That is a talent I was born with,” Kimmey said.

When the Alexandria native returned to Northern Virginia in 1998, she was still working with computers, but found it difficult to compete in the already established market. Meanwhile, she began taking Toast Master classes to stay involved with public speaking, a pursuit she greatly enjoys. She soon took over a community school class called, “What to Say After You Say Hello.”

In her new position, Kimmey found it greatly rewarding to help people evolve to a point where they are comfortable making presentations. She remembered a kindergarten teacher who was terrified of back-to-school night. Taking a public speaking class helped put her at ease talking in front of her peers, and convinced Kimmey to make a career out of teaching public speaking.

“More than I liked getting people over their anxieties with technology, I like helping them find their authentic voice and face their fear,” Kimmey said.

While Kimmey works mainly with small business owners, she also consults with corporate clients. In that area, she coaches individuals who have been promoted to positions requiring more public speaking, presentations or sales pitches.

Because time is an entrepreneur’s most precious commodity, Kimmey has now made her elevator pitch program into a DVD. She believes it is a great way for people to use the resources on their own time, learn at their own pace and review the skills multiple times.

Kimmey believes the DVDs will also help her reach a larger audience outside of Northern Virginia as well as proving a useful supplement to those who take her classes and seminars.

She hopes to grow the business that she is so passionate about, especially as her daughter, who will be attending Marsteller Middle School, is getting a little older.

Kimmey has already established herself as dedicated independent business owner and community member. She is active with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and a networking group called TEAM Win: Women Inspired Networking and Toastmaster International- Speak Up Manassas.

More information about Kimmey Training and Consulting can be found at  www.kimmeyconsulting.com or by calling 703-330-4542.

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