Impact Factory

We often tell people not to judge a book by its cover.

Yet in recruitment, networking and professional relationships, first impressions are formed in seconds - and increasingly, they happen online.

In her latest article, our Co-Founding Director, Jo Ellen Grzyb, explores the role LinkedIn profile photos play in shaping perceptions of credibility, professionalism and trust.

It's a timely reminder that personal brand isn't about self-promotion; it's about ensuring the impression you create aligns with the value you bring.

At Impact Factory, we've spent 35 years helping people communicate with greater impact, influence and authenticity.

What makes this conversation particularly interesting is that it raises a bigger question: how much of our professional success is determined by competence, and how much by how that competence is perceived?

Whether you're actively job searching, building your profile as a leader, or simply reflecting on how you show up professionally, this article offers valuable insight into the subtle signals we send-and the assumptions others make.

Read more in the comments below.

How often do you use presentation skills outside of work?

One of our recent Presentation Skills delegates shared this feedback, and it's a brilliant example of how great communication techniques can be applied almost anywhere.

The tools they learned during the programme didn't just help them at work – they also helped them deliver hockey tactical briefings more effectively, keeping players engaged and focused during team meetings.

That's because presentation skills aren't really about presenting.

They're about influencing, engaging and holding people's attention when it matters most.

Whether you're:
• Pitching an idea at work
• Leading a team meeting
• Delivering a pre-match briefing
• Running a workshop

The same principles apply.

We're always fascinated by the unexpected ways people use the skills they learn with us.

What's the most unusual or surprising place you've used presentation skills?

Let us know in the comments!

Change is everywhere.

New technologies. New ways of working. Shifting expectations. Constant uncertainty.

Yet even when change is positive, it can still feel uncomfortable.

Resistance, frustration and a desire for things to stay familiar are all natural human responses.

That's why we're running our next free online taster:
Getting Comfortable with Change

Thursday 25th June
11:00am BST

This interactive one-hour session explores what really happens when people are asked to adapt - not the theory of change, but the human side of it.

Together, we'll explore:
• Why change can feel so challenging
• How to distinguish between what you can control, influence and accept
• Practical ways to navigate uncertainty with greater confidence
• Techniques to support yourself and others when things are in flux

You'll leave with a clearer understanding of your own response to change, along with practical tools and language you can use immediately.

If change feels like the only constant right now, this session is for you.

Link to register below in comments.

Last week, we welcomed delegates from four very different organisations to our 5-Day Communicate with Impact course.

An oil and gas company.
A multinational telecommunications business.
An energy provider.
An investment firm.

Different sectors. Different challenges. Different day jobs.

Yet what struck us was how similar the communication challenges were.

How do you influence without authority?
How do you deliver difficult messages while maintaining relationships?
How do you create buy-in when people have competing priorities?
How do you communicate with confidence when the stakes are high?

These are the questions we explored throughout the programme, alongside developing self-awareness, creating compelling key messages, building influence, handling conflict, and presenting with impact.

The course is designed to help people understand how communication really works and develop the confidence, tools and awareness to create the impact they choose.

One thing we see time and again:
Communication challenges are rarely industry-specific.

The ability to listen, influence, challenge, inspire and connect is becoming a universal leadership skill.

So we're curious:
What's the biggest communication challenge facing leaders in your organisation right now?

It's always wonderful to hear from people after they've attended one of our courses and discover how they're applying what they've learned in their everyday work.

We recently received a lovely message from someone who joined one of our recent Communication Skills Open Courses. They shared that they had been putting the learning into practice and recently presented at a major seminar in Paris.

Afterwards, several people commented on how clear, engaging and impactful their presentations were, and how well their message came across.

For us, that's what great learning is all about. Not what happens in the training room, but what happens afterwards when people take new ideas, make them their own and see real results.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Feedback like this is why we love what we do.

Why do so many personal development programmes fail to deliver real results?

Because they're designed for everyone.

And when something is designed for everyone, it rarely feels relevant to anyone.

We've all seen it happen. A group of people attend the same training course, leave feeling inspired, and then return to work - where very little actually changes.

The problem isn't development itself. It's the assumption that everyone needs the same thing.

A first-time manager doesn't need the same support as an experienced leader.

Someone struggling with confidence doesn't need the same development plan as someone trying to become more strategic.

And yet organisations continue to take a one-size-fits-all approach.

The most effective development programmes start with a different question: What does this individual need to perform at their best?

When development is tailored to the person:
• Learning feels more relevant.
• Engagement increases.
• Confidence grows.
• New skills are applied more quickly.
• Performance improves.

And the benefits don't stop with the individual.

Better communicators create stronger teams.

More confident leaders create more engaged employees.

People who feel invested in are more likely to stay.

The result? Development stops being a "nice to have" and becomes a genuine driver of business performance.

The organisations getting the best return on development aren't necessarily spending more.

They're simply making it more personal.

Because people don't develop through generic programmes.
They develop when learning connects to their reality.

How personalised is development in your organisation?

What do Star Wars, Little Red Riding Hood, elevator pitches, and fire safety have in common?

Recently, we had the pleasure of working with the team at Chubb Fire & Security on a Storytelling and Communication programme designed to help them communicate with greater impact and build stronger connections through stories.

Together, we explored how storytelling can influence decision-making, bring messages to life, and make communication more memorable.

Through practical exercises, delegates experimented with different ways to structure stories, engage audiences, build rapport, and tailor messages to what matters most to their listeners.

A huge thank you to everyone at Chubb who took part. Your openness, energy, and willingness to experiment made it a fantastic programme to facilitate.

We love seeing how storytelling can transform communication from simply sharing information to creating genuine connection and impact.

We recently worked with Nord Pool on a Public Speaking & Presentation Skills programme - and one thing came up again and again:

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being purposeful.

From shaping messages through doughnutting to using hot starts that grab attention straight away, the focus was on helping people connect with their audience - not perform at them.

One of the biggest shifts?

Moving from “What do I need to say?” to:
“What do I want people to know, feel, or do?”

That small change makes everything more powerful.

Add in slowing down, trusting your preparation, and being okay with the occasional mistake - and suddenly presenting feels a lot more human (and a lot more effective).

A great group and a brilliant energy throughout - excited to see how this lands in real presentations.