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History
In the communications field since 1976, Michael Langlois has established an outstanding reputation as a top independent issues management and communication skills consultant, providing high level strategic counsel. He established Diversicom Executive Training (now Diversified Communications) in 1989, and since that time has grown relationships with a wide range of individuals and corporations. Working with an impressive list of corporate organizations, including Barrick Gold Corporation, Searle Canada (later part of pharmaceutical giant Pharmacia Corporation and now Pfizer), Sprint Canada and many others, Michael is called upon to lend his expertise in matters ranging from crisis communications to media skills development and public speaking support. He also has worked for many years on behalf of many not-for-profit organizations, including The Arthritis Society in Canada, and leading public relations companies, including the former ETC Communications Inc. and Fleishman-Hillard (Canada), based in Toronto. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior consultant with international public relations firms Hill & Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller. Michael's objective is to work with organizations to help ensure they communicate credibly, thoughtfully and effectively. He does this in part by working extensively with his clients in the areas of media awareness, media skills, issues management and public speaking support. His work in the corporate world is a natural extension of the support services he provides for sports clients under the Prospect Communications Inc. umbrella. Michael's respected expertise in the communications field has made him a popular public speaker on a variety of media and communications-related topics in both Canada and the United States. Corporations who look to develop relationships with athletes as spokespersons can look to Michael and Prospect for support and guidance. With an Olympic Games now every two years, there is a significant need for corporations to ensure that the athletes-- professional or amateur-- that they utilize to endorse their companies or products present the best possible face for the corporation. That includes, of course, the ability to communicate well, public speaking opportunities, dealing effectively with the media and presenting a consistent, positive image both in public-and private. Since 1989, Diversified Communications has offered a comprehensive range of consulting services, similar to those offered by Prospect Communications Inc. Remarkably, some of Michael Langlois' corporate client relationships date back the mid 1980's - his early days as a consultant - even before he decided to hang out his own shingle. Clients turn to Michael for a variety of needs, including:
Michael brings years of outstanding corporate consulting experience to each client situation, and as a true independent offers a value-added approach and fee structure that simply cannot be matched by large agencies. To find out more, e-mail us at prospect@beyondthegame.net. |
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Public Speaking
Public speaking means something different to all of us. A major address from a podium in front of 1,000 people is a form of public speaking. A clergy person's sermon, a new business "pitch" to a prospective client, standing up and presenting your thoughts at an employee meeting - all are forms of public speaking. And for each of us, daily, we find ourselves in situations where we are called upon - formally or informally-to present our thoughts, our views, our opinions, our research, in a thoughtful, clear and articulate manner. This can be daunting, even for the most experienced "public speakers". Prospect has built much of its reputation over the years working with a variety of individuals and organizations to help them present their messages in a credible manner. We have also worked with a wide range of individuals - from CEO's to private individuals-to provide ongoing one-on-one coaching specifically in the area of presentation skills. Some of the organizations - and senior executives within those organizations - we have worked with include Barrick Gold, Dofasco, and Goodman Wealth Management. Whether you are looking for help in preparing for a "big speech", a major financial presentation or for personalized assistance with regards to developing your own individual presentation skills, we can help. |
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Issues Management
Most organizations are in a fairly constant state of change. That reality often means these organizations need to assess, on an ongoing basis, how they will deal with issues they face from a communications perspective. We have worked extensively to help organizations identify the real issues they face, and subsequently build appropriate and credible messages that will help them communicate effectively about the circumstances they face. We have facilitated dozens of sessions through the years geared specifically to helping organizations identify important issues - internally or externally - and to build appropriate responses. |
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Speech Writing
If you are in-demand as a guest speaker, an authority in a particular field, you clearly have occasion to prepare what might be termed "formal" addresses on a regular basis. You may well "know your stuff", and indeed be in-demand, but you also may not always have the time to research, draft, develop and edit your talks. A key is to find someone who not only has writing skills, but also intuition, who will take the time to understand the speaker - his or her values, principles, and what they really want to convey. The better the relationship and understanding between the speaker and the writer, of course, the more genuine the presentations will be, the more authentic the message that will be conveyed. We provide extensive writing support to a variety of clients. Contact Prospect if you'd like to find out more. |
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One-on-One Communications Coaching
One of the keys to an effective "coaching" relationship is that it be ongoing. For many years, Michael Langlois has worked privately and confidentially with a number of high-profile individuals within the Canadian business community. Once the clients works with Michael to determine specific and detailed objectives, the work begins in earnest to assist the individual to enhance their comfort levels and build their skill set over a period of weeks and months - sometimes years. The growth that comes is very personal, but generally stems from the strong bond that develops between Michael and his clients. You may be a CEO looking to be better at communicating with your employees; a manager struggling in terms of his or her interpersonal skills with those that report to you; a school principal who feels you lack authority; or someone who recognizes that you need to build your communication skills before you can take the next major step in your career. The reasons are many and varied for seeking a coach who will help you develop essential skills. Whether looking for assistance in terms of public speaking, media skills or issues management, choosing the right coach is key. |
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Media Skills
Perhaps one of the most important things that Prospect does before we help a client develop their actual media "skills", is to help them understand and be thoroughly aware of the role of "the media". This means ensuring our clients recognize "how" the media operates in broad terms, and also the specific needs and requirements of individual reporters covering the stories and issues of the day. Again, we work extensively to build this awareness, and of course provide intensive instruction to help clients enhance their ability to communicate thoughtfully and credibly when facing the media spotlight. From extensive two-day programs to ongoing personalized, private coaching, Prospect brings a wealth of experience to each and every situation. |
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Crisis Communications
From a communications perspective, "crisis preparation", that is, preparing in advance of any potential serious issue or "crisis" would appear to be -- and is of course -- a wise course of action. Extensive internal communication audits, for example, can help ensure an organization is reasonably well prepared for circumstances that might arise. Sometimes, such thorough internal analysis can actually help prevent situations from occurring, or from developing into a serious matter that could damage a company -- and its credibility. Sometimes, however, even the best-prepared organizations will become embroiled, perhaps through little or no fault of their own, in a circumstance which, handled ineffectively from a communications -- and especially a media perspective -- can spiral fairly quickly out of control. Prospect has worked in many, many corporate situations: from takeovers to major product recalls. Helping a client think clearly during sensitive times can be critically important not only in terms of the public interest, but also in terms of saving the reputation of your brand, or franchise. |
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Testimonials
“Michael: Just a short note to tell you how much I enjoyed being a witness to last week’s media awareness session for our in-hospital donation coordinators. In my experience working with you over the years, you’ve never failed to deliver on the promise of valuable insights, enhanced skill and an increased level of comfort for participants in their roles as ambassadors for their organizations. And you can appreciate how important those attributes are for those individuals involved on the front lines of organ and tissue donation. The benefit of working with someone with your disarming sense of humour was not lost on the coordinators, either. After all, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a learning experience.
You’ve been a key factor in the success of the media and presentation
skills training initiated at TGLN over these last few months…” "Michael has a great sense of personal honor. He provided to those of us - physicians and scientists - involved in this sensitive situation with unending and very valuable support and advice. All of us who benefited from his wise counsel, sense of humor and unique professional skills recognize that Michael is a national treasure." Dr. Nancy Olivieri, MD, FRCPC, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Professor, Pediatrics and Medicine University of Toronto (Dr. Olivieri has been involved, for many years, in an effort to make public her concerns about the alleged potential dangers of a drug she had been testing in clinical trials sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. Her principled stand has become an enduring legacy regarding the safety of children and the need for researchers to remain truly independent.) "I was part of a senior executive management team of a publicly traded company when I got to know Michael. He regularly advised and prepared us for events such as Annual General Meetings, quarterly and other public disclosures -- press conferences and conference calls with the financial community and investors -- and product launches. Michael always brought focus, discipline and an over-powering common sense to these high pressure and critically important events. Almost as important was Michael’s sense of humor, which he always summoned at just the right time and with just the right amount of discretion. I enjoyed working with Michael as a professional and as someone who operates like he has skin in the game." Bob Boron, currently with the global professional services firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Call-Net Enterprises and Sprint Canada "In my work with Michael over the past 10 years, I have been continuously impressed by his approach in counseling and coaching clients. He has tremendous professionalism in both his attitude and his work, and he has an amazing sense of humor and a unique personality that makes everyone feel more comfortable and secure." Andre Beaulieu, Principal, ABCommunication, Montreal, Quebec "Michael has brought outstanding expertise to our firms over the years." Vaino
Keelmann, former partner, Goodman & Company Investment Counsel,
Toronto
Michael Cloutier, President and Chief Executive Officer, AstraZenecaCanada Inc., Former President, Searle Canada (now Pharmacia Canada), Mississauga, Ontario
"Michael
has done a fabulous job facilitating large groups of people on a number
of issues within our organization. He is a great communicator and has
helped us considerably in the areas of crisis management, media relations
and communications within our organization."
Michael
Fyshe, Former President and CEO |