Corporate Training Programs
Specialized communication training that transforms how your team communicates, presents, and leads.
Eight distinct programs focused on the communication skills that matter most in business. Each is hands-on, built around real practice with direct individual feedback. Your team doesn’t just learn the theory. They get up, perform, and leave with skills they can use immediately.
All programs are delivered in English and Italian. In-person workshops are held at your offices. Online sessions run on your preferred platform.
Corporate Training Programs
Specialized communication training that transforms how your team communicates, presents, and leads.
Eight distinct programs focused on the communication skills that matter most in business. Each is hands-on, built around real practice with direct individual feedback. Your team doesn’t just learn the theory. They get up, perform, and leave with skills they can use immediately.
All programs are delivered in English and Italian. In-person workshops are held at your offices. Online sessions run on your preferred platform.
The Basics of Confident Public Speaking
Master the fundamentals of body language, voice, and presentation structure. Participants learn how to use their physical presence to build rapport, read their audience, handle difficult Q&A sessions, and deliver presentations that are authentic, engaging, and professional.
8 hours
Group masterclass
All levels
Online or in-person
Persuasive Speaking
Built around a proven framework from the psychology of persuasion, participants learn how to move audiences from understanding to action. Topics include persuasive body language, vocal conviction, active listening, handling objections, and building compelling arguments that influence decisions and inspire change.
8 - 11 hours
All levels
Hybrid (3hr online + 8hr in-person)
How to Speak to Senior Executives
Executives are one of the toughest audiences: impatient, time-poor, and quick to interrupt. This program teaches a structured approach to presenting to C-suite audiences so your message is concise, impactful, and heard.
Participants learn how to analyse executive audiences, calibrate the right level of detail, lead with recommendations, set clear expectations, craft concise messages, handle challenging Q&A sessions, and avoid the most common mistakes professionals make when presenting to senior leaders.
4-8 hours
Group training
The Basics of Confident Public Speaking or Persuasive Speaking (prerequisite)
Assertive Communication
Clear communication is one of the most important leadership skills. When expectations are vague, accountability suffers, difficult conversations are avoided, and priorities become unclear.
This program equips professionals with practical tools for delegation, accountability, boundary-setting, and difficult conversations. Through role-play and real workplace scenarios, participants learn the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication, and leave able to communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and respect.
4 hours
Group masterclass
All levels
Online / in-persoN
Corporate Storytelling
Facts inform. Stories transform.
This program teaches a practical storytelling framework that helps professionals incorporate narrative into presentations, meetings, and everyday business communication. Participants learn how to structure stories for a business audience, analyse their audience, deliver stories with impact, and avoid common storytelling mistakes.
Ideal for professionals who need to communicate a vision, build trust, make complex ideas memorable, and create stronger connections.
4-8 hours
Group training
Executives & managers
Online / in-persoN
Train the Trainer
Delivering effective training requires more than subject knowledge. This program teaches participants how to design and deliver sessions that truly land, covering adult learning principles, effective use of voice and body language, handling difficult participants, planning from slides to room set-up, and responding to questions with confidence.
8 hours
Group masterclass
All levels
Online / IN-person
Improvisation Training
Improvisation isn’t just for actors. This interactive workshop uses improv principles to develop mental agility, active listening, confidence under pressure, and creative thinking. Teams learn the “Yes, and…” approach to collaboration, practise thinking on their feet, and discover how spontaneity and play can lead to stronger communication and real connection across cultures.
2 - 4 hours
Group masterclass
All levels
In-persoN
Team Building
Strong teams are built on trust, communication, and psychological safety. Through highly interactive, experiential exercises, participants strengthen collaboration, improve communication, and develop a deeper understanding of one another’s working styles.
Teams leave with stronger relationships, greater alignment, and practical tools for managing conflict and working together more effectively.
Optional 6-month follow-up coaching (monthly 2-hour sessions) is strongly recommended to reinforce new behaviours and create lasting change.
8 hours
Group training
Small / large groups
Practical information
Group size
Around 8 for public speaking programs. 4 to 40 for team building and improvisation
Location
In-person at your offices, or online via your preferred platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
Language
All programs available in English and Italian
"Elia is a phenomenal advisor and coach. I have done so much public speaking in my career, but I have never worked with a public speaking expert in preparation for a big speech. I was blown away by her insights, practical skills and recommendations. She also does a phenomenal job breaking down all the feedback to significantly improve the outcome. I did meet her a few times in person, but I think she does a great job coaching and teaching on Zoom as well. Any exec would be very lucky to have her expertise."
I attended Elia's 2-day Workshop on Public Speaking Skills at the European University Institute -- without any doubt, a top notch learning experience! Elia was extremely well prepared, fun to work with, and she spent considerable time on one-to-one feedback throughout the workshop. She drew from her public speaking professional experience, acting career, and personal experience to deliver a high-level, high impact training. I personally feel that I learned an immense amount and would definitely want to work with Elia again!
Elia is a masterful and compelling speech coach. She gets down into the trenches with you to bring out the best of your talents. Her dedication to helping you take your coaching to the next level is beyond anything I have ever experience. I am beyond thankful for her unwavering support to get my speaking skills to the level needed to be a professional and captivating speaker.
Elia è una persona di elevato profilo professionale, culturale e umano. Ha grandi capacità comunicative, e riesce a trasmettere energia positiva durante le sue interazioni con il cliente o nell’ambito di un gruppo di lavoro, nell’ambito del quale evidenzia innate doti di leadership e mediazione. E’ sicuramente una persona affidabile e puntuale.
I had the pleasure to take part in a two-day workshop on public speaking delivered by Elia at the European University Institute in Florence. I can firmly assert that this was a life-changing experience that trained me to control my anxiety so as to give the best of me when speaking in front of an audience. I have tried to apply all the tips and tricks that Elia gave me and I have even passed them on to colleagues that were feeling stressed or nervous before giving a public talk. It worked every time!
I learned so much from Elia's interview workshops and public speaking lessons. A few weeks after finishing Elia’s training, I applied for two internships and I was offered both of the positions I applied for! In addition, people close to me said they saw a major change in my articulation, projection, and the overall way in which I carry myself. I know that I owe most of the improvements that I made to Elia. She is the reason that I have become more collected and mature.
Elia conducted several group public speaking courses within Menarini and the feedback across the teams was superb. She not only knew her audience well, but also delivered an impeccable connection with each of us, coaching and providing individual feedback that without a doubt was engaging and useful for all. Her technical abilities coupled with her enthusiasm and contagious positive energy geared all participants to progress with motivation while learning, and for some stepping out of their comfort zones and reaching higher professional communication levels. Bravo, Elia! I look forward to the next one!
I think I can speak for all of us that Elia has given us a life changing experience in this one workshop.
I am so thankful to Elia for all that she taught me. I still have much work to do, but what I know because of this class has changed my life forever. Instead of being a lazy-sounding hunchback, I am now a confident and aware person! I can never thank Elia enough for the gift she has given me.
Elia is a gifted teacher and coach who gives attention, guidance, advice and feedback in preparing students to go out in the world and present their best selves. She does this with an infectious energy that inspires. Thank you, Elia!
I was very lucky to have Elia by my side as a speaking coach for TEDxFiesole 2022. Her expertise, positive energy and passion enabled me both to create and deliver a persuasive speech in a way I could not have dreamed of. Thank you for your tireless efforts and valuable support, from the very beginning until the (literally!) very last minute, dear Elia! You are an inspiration to those who are fortunate to work with you and I hope our paths cross again soon!
Elia è l’immagine della spontaneità e la sua capacità di trasferire i principi dell’efficacia comunicazionale, anche nel difficile percorso del ‘remoto’, fa leva su questo naturale talento. A ciò si aggiunge una grandissima carica emotiva ed una costante energia che sostengono i suoi interventi formativi senza soluzione di continuità. Desidero lasciare per ultimo, perché è ovvio, un commento sulla preparazione tecnica e professionale: anni di esperienza nel cinema e nel teatro si fondono con una incessante ricerca di innovazione e di studio continuo. Ho partecipato ad una sessione di alcuni giorni sulla comunicazione efficace da distanza e mi ritrovo cambiato e rafforzato perché ho acquisito maggior consapevolezza dei miei errori e delle mie capacità di superarli.
Find answers to common questions
What makes your approach different from traditional public-speaking training?
My approach has been shaped by very different worlds: my background as a professional actor, more than 15 years working with leaders, professionals, and organisations in the corporate and non-profit worlds, and my experience teaching public speaking and communication at universities in the United States and Italy. All of these have profoundly influenced the way I coach.
From my experience in theatre, on-camera work, and improvisation, I bring practical techniques for using your body and voice to communicate confidence and expertise, connecting with an audience, thinking on your feet, and staying present when the unexpected happens. I also teach you how to communicate effectively on camera, whether you’re in an online meeting, recording a video, or creating video content for social media.
This means we actually get up and work. We use theatre, improvisation, and voice exercises to explore how you use your body and voice and help you develop new habits that make you a more confident, engaging, and authentic communicator.
From years of coaching, consulting, and working alongside professionals in corporate environments, I understand the very real situations in which communication matters: presenting an idea, pitching a product or company, influencing a decision, leading a team, handling difficult questions, speaking to senior executives, or simply making sure your voice is heard in the room.
My years teaching public speaking and communication at universities in the United States and Italy have also deeply influenced my approach. I understand how people learn, how to break complex communication skills into practical tools, and how to create an environment where people feel comfortable experimenting, taking risks, and improving.
I’m not interested in teaching you a formula or turning you into a polished but generic speaker. My goal is to give you the tools to become a more confident, engaging, and compelling version of yourself when you communicate.
What do coaching sessions with you typically look like?
My coaching sessions are practical, personalised, and very hands-on. You’ll spend a lot of time actually speaking, practising, role-playing, and getting immediate feedback and coaching from me.
Learning to communicate well is not theory. It is something we do, and to improve, we have to practise—out loud and on our feet.
I coach you on your delivery—your body language, gestures, voice, pacing, pauses, and presence—and teach you how to use variety to keep your audience engaged from beginning to end. We identify what’s already working, what may be getting in your way, and the specific changes that will make the biggest difference.
I know that public speaking can push people outside their comfort zones, so I take great care to create an environment where you feel comfortable taking risks, experimenting, and trying new things. That’s where real growth happens.
Are sessions available online and in person?
Absolutely! I coach clients both online and in person. I’m based in Florence, Italy, and work with clients around the world virtually. I’m also available to travel for in-person coaching, trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements.
Do you work in both English and Italian?
Yes! I’m bilingual and give keynote speeches, lead trainings, and coach clients in both English and Italian.
Ready to invest in your team's
communication skills?
Let’s talk about which program is the right fit and how we can tailor it to your team’s specific challenges.
or email me directly at inquiries@elianichols.com
Unlock your Confidence!
Free Guide
The Actor's 3-Minute Breathing Ritual for Confident Public Speaking
The breathing exercises I teach every client, and the ones that got me through my own TEDx talk. Three techniques, three minutes, and a calmer, more confident you before every presentation, pitch or interview.
Inside you’ll learn:
- The Calming Breath: settle your nerves before high-pressure moments
- The Energy Breath: bring life and presence to your delivery
- The Balance Breath: find focus and clarity when your mind is racing
- Plus: your 3-minute pre-stage ritual, ready to save to your phone
