Michael Barris

Michael Barris Consulting

-Help financial services professionals develop communication and presentation skills to build trust on a regular basis and attract high-net-worth clients. Work with professionals in advisory, insurance, banking, real estate.

-Guide clients, either in 1:1 sessions or group presentations and workshops, to develop ability to use speaking skills to connect, resonate and build trust when presenting in front of an individual or group, be it in-person or online.

-Emphasize the importance of cultivating an audience-first mindset and filtering every word spoken and physical action taken through the question: "How is my message going to impact the person receiving it? Is this going to move them forward and closer to me?"

-Teach clients how to tell stories to warm up listener and inspire them to share back narratives of their own.

-Draw on years of experience as a Dow Jones Newswires & Wall Street Journal editor-writer and Rutgers University adjunct professor of public speaking.

Financial Services Communication & Presentation Coach

-Unpacked strategies for memorable public speaking for readers at every level of speaking proficiency in "How to Become a Super Speaker: The 7 Principles for Speaking with Confidence and Connecting with Audiences," a concise, easy-to-digest volume that became an immediate bestseller.  The book helps people find their voice, simplify complex ideas, and build trust, paving the way for conversations that get influence and conversions.

"Makes the idea of public speaking fun and not intimidating." - New Jersey real estate sales associate.   
Amazon book details: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1674459793 


-Wrote narrative, conducted interviews with government staff, experts for "The Social Media President: Barack Obama and the Politics of Digital Engagement," a 215-page analysis and critique of the use of social media in the campaigns and administration of US President Barack Obama, published by Palgrave Macmillan. Co-written with James E. Katz, the Feld Professor of Emerging Media at the College of Communication, Boston University, and Anshul Jain, the book is a "fascinating and instructive" look at the strengths and weaknesses of social media for public involvement in governmental decision-making, according to reviewer Fred I. Greenstein, Professor of Politics Emeritus at Princeton University.

Publisher's website link: http://us.macmillan.com/thesocialmediapresident/JamesEKatz


Sample: 
https://mike2012blogdotcom3.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/the-social-media-president-ch-4-5-framing-the-peoples-white-house-white-house-online-town-hall1.pdf

Bestselling Author: "How to Become a Super Speaker";  Co-Author: "The Social Media President"

South China Morning Post SCMP

-Shape, sharpen and improve storytelling and reporting by native and non-native English writers as member of SCMP’s North American news team, rewriting heavily as needed. Format copy and add SEO headlines, photos, graphics, videos, links before publishing. Edit video scripts.
-Rank articles on scmp.com for global audience, selecting high quality material for Apple News channel. Send out news alerts. Communicate extensively with managers and reporters to fix errors and ensure copy meets house style, taste and formatting standards.

US Copy and Production Editor - Homepage Team

-Spurred administration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to form Council of Innovation in response to recommendation of report I drafted for New Jersey Policy Research Organization (NJPRO) on potential for industry-academia collaboration to enhance NJ economy. NJPRO is think-tank of New Jersey Business and Industry Association. 

-Used interviews, case studies and data analysis to determine that social media is unlikely to be a source of meaningful input in White House decision-making in "The Social Media President: Barack Obama and the Politics of Digital Engagement" (Palgrave Macmillan). Co-written with Boston University mobile tech scholar James E. Katz.

-Raised profile in Western media of a leading Chinese business school, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, by crafting op-ed pieces, scripts, media interview responses, scholarly articles on behalf of Dean, senior faculty and conference panel speakers. Promoted school programs, Ivy League partnerships, alumni presentations in video interviews, articles, online marketing, press releases. 

-Enhanced New York Post's "Media City" feature through weaving reporter submissions into engaging narrative and injecting original content. Edited print-edition business pages, including headlines, copy and proofreading/correcting galleys. 

-Covered breaking news and features in both print/video for Mobile Marketer/Mobile Commerce Daily. Moderated Mobile FirstLook conference panel with New York Times, Yahoo's Tumblr on making money with mobile content.

Freelance Editor and Writer

China Daily USA

-Beat the competition on stories for leading State-owned English-language Chinese daily newspaper about China's moves into US auto market, including launching California electric-bus factory. Provided video voice-overs, stand-up reports. Held forum with Twitter users. 

-Tracked and interpreted political, social, financial and legal issues affecting US-China relationship in in-depth features. Covered United Nations, Council on Foreign Relations. Traveled within US to report on conferences, interview newsmakers. 

-Edited copy from across nine US China Daily bureaus. Critiqued home edition for managers.

Business Reporter/Editor

Rutgers University

-Introduction to Public Speaking. Blended personal public speaking experience with in-classroom teaching and online learning and communication systems to guide students on managing speaking anxiety, connecting with audiences. Taught many non-native English speakers. 

-Expository Writing 101. Applied insights from work as professional journalist to enlighten students on synthesizing diverse texts, presenting thesis statement.

Adjunct Professor, Departments of Communication, English

Dow Jones Newswires

-Helped manage 30-person staff on Dow Jones Business News' public website. As Assistant News Editor, distilled, edited extensive range of subject matter. Controlled online front page, including prioritizing items and crafting headlines. Assigned, monitored and updated breaking news stories.

-Turned major press releases and filings into market-moving articles within 20 minutes as Rewrite Desk Copy Editor for Dow Jones Newswires, Wall Street Journal and WSJ.com. Beat rivals with early stories on Kirk Kerkorian proposal to buy DaimlerChrysler, causing automaker's stock to surge. Was among first outlets to publish stories on Bernie Madoff investment scandal, Pfizer layoffs. 

-Influenced direction of US newspapers' business coverage by selecting, rewriting DJ stories for distribution via value-added Associated Press wire. Served as lead Copy Editor on Newspaper Desk. Worked together with AP counterpart to keep stream of DJ stories flowing to world's largest and oldest news service. Assigned stories, had final-reader responsibilities for style, grammar, headlines.

Assistant News Editor, Copy Editor

Knight Ridder Financial News

-Edited and wrote headlines for articles on corporations, equities, commodities and currency for global financial newswire. Assigned coverage of breaking news.

Corporate Copy Editor

News Tribune and Courier News

-News Tribune: Laid out front page of daily newspaper. Directed breaking front-page news coverage. Collaborated with editors, reporters, photographers and technical staff on layouts for front page, local section, state pages. 

-Courier News: Final gatekeeper, managed daily copy-desk news flow. Edited, laid out local, state pages. Worked with reporters, editors to adjust copy to ensure clarity.

Assistant News Editor, News Tribune/Slot Editor, Courier News

Speaking Coach and Bestselling Author | Public Speaking, Communication, Career Growth

I wrote one of the first Dow Jones Newswires/Wall Street Journal online stories about the arrest of Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff, perpetrator of a US$50 billion global investment scam.

My job was to get this story out as fast as possible. But I couldn't stop my mind from going to the scores of fraud victims. My thoughts also were on another casualty: the financial industry and, specifically, investor trust.

Flash forward to today. Madoff is dead after 13 years in prison, but his crime has left an indelible mark on me.

After years of experience in speaking, coaching, presenting and writing, I now help financial services professionals to develop their communication and presentation skills; not just to help them handle a Madoff-style crisis but to build trust on a regular basis and attract that higher-level clientele. 

When we work together, you will learn to develop strong speaking skills, whether you're presenting in front of an individual or an in-person or online group, to ensure that you're connecting, resonating and building trust. 

It's necessary to filter every expressed action and word through the question: “How is my message going to impact the person receiving it? Is this going to move them forward and closer to me?"

So I devote a lot of special attention to storytelling techniques that work, whether it's for an audience of one or one to many, to connect you emotionally with the people or individuals you want to reach.

Many of the ideas that I developed while I was a Rutgers University adjunct professor of public speaking are expressed throughout my book, “How to Become a Super Speaker."

If you know that you could attract more deals, close more business and attract high-net-worth clients with stronger speaking skills, I’d be happy to have a conversation about how my method can get you there.
 
💥 If you'd like to get a taste of what I teach, I welcome you to access my free speaking course. You can get it here: michaelbarris.com/mini-course

Here's what some people have said after my presentations:

"Michael provided top-notch direction and coaching around delivery and more. He is an excellent teacher, a true professional and a great communicator." 
—Heather Adams, VP Creation & Development

“Michael was recommended to host a training session at our Learning and Development Festival, and he was fabulous! Some attendees enjoyed Michael’s session so much that we invited him back for a second time.”
—Lindsey Leigh Hobson, Founder, The Learning and Development Collective

Speaking Coach: Helping You Fast-Track Your Career Growth, Navigate Workplace

-I show up-and-coming professionals how to use the techniques of public speaking and communication to navigate the workplace and take their careers to the next level. I give them the tools to deal with organizational challenges at a time of stretched resources in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, helping them to gain experience and wins ahead of their next upward move. When they work with me, they develop their ability to talk up products and services, tell relatable stories, inspire teams to increase productivity, handle media Q&As, impress investors, close deals, command conference stages and handle other high-level speaking tasks. I help them smash down their roadblocks through a mix of mindset strategies, speaking skills development, stagecraft education and close coaching that is influenced by the audience-based methodologies and frameworks of professional performers. I do both 1-on-1 and group coaching and give talks and lead workshops based on my bestselling public speaking training book, "How to Become a Super Speaker: The 7 Principles for Speaking with Confidence and Connecting with Audiences." I also give clients access to my online course, "Unleashing the Power of Your Voice," consisting of 20+ lessons featuring me speaking and demonstrating on video the mindset strategies, basic speaking techniques and stagecraft elements that undergird my coaching and speaking programs.

Daniel Findlay

You see your colleagues navigating conversations with ease, projecting confidence in every room they enter. 

Meanwhile, you’re left feeling like you’re not enough, questioning whether you’ll ever feel comfortable in those situations. I know that feeling well—it’s exhausting.

What you really want is:

- To feel confident in yourself, no matter who you’re talking to
- To have social skills that match your technical expertise, so you can thrive in your career
- To gain clarity and direction in both your career and life

That’s exactly why I created my 6-month program—to help introverts like you become the confident, authentic professionals they aspire to be. Over 200 people have transformed through this program, and here’s what’s included:

- A Customized Growth Plan: Tailored specifically for you, focusing on the areas of life that matter most to you, from your career to your personal life.

- Building Unshakeable Confidence: We’ll work on changing the relationship you have with yourself, so you can stand tall and own every room you walk into.

- Mastering Social Skills: From networking and small talk to building rapport and handling difficult conversations, you’ll develop the emotional intelligence you need to elevate your career.

- Overcoming Social Anxiety: We’ll tackle the anxiety that holds you back in social situations, helping you finally feel at ease in both professional and social settings.


And that’s just the beginning.

If you’re an introvert in an established role who’s ready to build the confidence and communication skills to thrive in every area of your life, send me a DM, and let’s explore if this program is right for you.

I also provide corporate training focused on building confidence and communication skills in the workplace.

For inquiries, reach out at daniel@danielfindlay.co.uk

Founder

SOLVi Migration

As a Client Success Partner at Solvi Migration, I guide skilled professionals,particularly nurses and midwives through the process of migrating to Australia. I lead them from initial discovery through to legal onboarding, ensuring they understand their visa options, eligibility requirements, and long-term settlement pathways.

My role involves end-to-end client management, including conducting structured guidance calls, handling objections, and aligning individuals with the most suitable migration pathways. I manage and track all client interactions through a central CRM system, ensuring timely follow-ups, data accuracy, and smooth transitions into the legal process.

I collaborate closely with legal teams to align strategy and case preparation, while maintaining a high standard of service and communication throughout the client journey. My goal is to deliver clarity, support, and confidence at every step, ensuring successful migration outcomes and long-term satisfaction.

Client Success Partner 

ScaleYourImpact

I help corporate professionals like you turn their skills into thriving coaching and consulting businesses. 

Over the years, I’ve worked with over 350 clients, consulted and trained global companies, and built my own business from the ground up. Now, I’m passionate about guiding others who are ready to make that leap.

Here’s How I Help

Whether you’re an experienced leader, strategist, or consultant, you have the skills to make a difference. But turning those skills into a profitable business requires a clear plan—and that’s where I come in. I’ll help you define your niche, structure your services, and attract clients, so you can build a business with purpose, profit, and freedom.

Why Work With Me?

I bring years of experience running my own coaching and consulting business. I grew my business to six figures, working with individuals and global companies alike, and now I’m here to help you do the same.

If you’re ready to explore how your expertise can become the foundation of a fulfilling coaching or consulting business, send me a message here on LinkedIn or email me at daniel@danielfindlay.co.uk.

Rapid Transformational Therapy Ⓡ

Sales Executive

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

I trained the team at Skadden on how to communicate and collaborate with more confidence.

Communication Skills Consultant

I worked with Skadden to help their employees advocate and speak up in meetings. We worked on skill development, along with building confidence and awareness. The overall goal was to improve employee contribution.

Workshop Facilitator

GrowthSpace

I work with individuals and companies from across the world to help them improve their social skills and confidence.

I work on a range of different areas:

Conversational skills
Working well with others
Building rapport
Assertiveness 
Confidence
Self-esteem
Leadership

I combine social skills with confidence and deep coaching, so that the individual can see a real transformation in themselves.

Communication Skills Trainer

EF Education First

My responsibilities at EF are:
Helping Adults across the world improve their English and communication skills.
Improving conversational skills.
Interview techniques.
Presentation skills.
Confidence and self-belief.
Role-playing real-life work situations.
Helping people in high role corporate jobs to get across their message in meetings.

I've worked with people across 20 different countries.

English consultant

iTutorGroup

My responsibilities at iTutorGroup included:
Teaching English in both 1:1 and group lessons.
Recruiting teachers.
Giving presentations to large groups of students; upwards of 500 people in each webinar.
Giving demo classes to potential clients.
Helping people to improve their conversational skills so they felt confident communicating in English.
Preparing students for speaking and written exams.

Senior Consultant

Helping introverted professionals build confidence and communication skills. Proud introvert .Corporate Trainer.250+ clients. DM ⬇️

You’ve built an impressive career, developed expertise, and earned respect in your industry. But as an introverted leader, you face challenges that can feel overwhelming:

- Struggling to speak up in meetings.
- Feeling anxious about presenting your ideas.
- Navigating group dynamics without losing your voice.
- Building confidence to lead and inspire others effectively.

For a long time, I believed that to get ahead, I needed to act like an extrovert. The more I tried to be something I wasn’t, the more my confidence suffered. I avoided situations where I felt uncomfortable—meetings, presentations, and even casual conversations.

Everything changed when I embraced my introversion instead of seeing it as a limitation. I built my confidence, developed my communication skills, and learned how to lead in a way that felt authentic to me.

Today, I’m proud to be one of the world’s leading trainers for introverts facing communication challenges. Over the years, I’ve helped over 350 introverts gain confidence, communicate effectively, and thrive in their careers. I’ve also trained and consulted for global companies, equipping their teams to work more cohesively.

I work specifically with introverted leaders who want to:

- Speak up with confidence in meetings.
- Present ideas clearly and without fear.
- Navigate group dynamics and lead with authority.
- Build stronger relationships with colleagues and teams.

Through proven strategies tailored to introverts, I help you overcome communication challenges without changing who you are.

As an introvert who’s been in your shoes, I understand the courage it takes to step outside your comfort zone. I’ve turned my own struggles into strengths, and now I’m passionate about helping others do the same.

Over the years, I’ve:

- Helped 350+ introverted professionals advance their careers.
- Delivered global corporate training on communication skills.
- Built a thriving coaching and consulting business.

I’m based in the UK and love traveling with my wife and our dog, Mylo. When I’m not coaching, I’m exploring new places or sharing what I’ve learned to empower other introverted leaders.

If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back and start thriving as an introverted leader, send me a message here on LinkedIn or email me at daniel@danielfindlay.co.uk.

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The Battle

Michael Barris

Daniel Findlay

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