Case Studies

Alicia Thomas / Concern: Accent Reduction
Alicia Thomas came to us with a Jamaican accent that stood in the way of her being clear. People often asked her to repeat herself. She knew that people ask you to repeat once or twice then they just do the nod—they pretend they know what she’s saying. As a result, Alicia didn’t speak up at meetings disallowing people the opportunity to learn just how smart & knowledgeable she was! She avoided talking to cute guys when she was out socializing and she often didn’t speak up in an attempt to obtain things she knew she should have had—like a better haircut, her steak cooked to her liking, etc. Ita designed a program designed to help Alicia use a crystal clear speaking pattern, standard American English pronunciation and vocal patterns and a persuasive speaking style. Alicia was using her “magic voice” everywhere in her life. She couldn’t believe the positive impact she was having on people. Alicia has since received multiple promotions at work. Men nearly banged her door down, but she eventually chose one and got married. Her relationships with everyday people in her life are easy and successful. She gets what she wants out of life.

Sarah P. / Concern: Polished Presentations
Sarah P is a good speaker and a top executive at a well known beauty firm. She got the job done, she cracked the whip, she did it all. When it came to giving a presentation to large audiences or even at the charity where she volunteered she became nervous. To the degree where she couldn’t sleep for nights beforehand. Ita created a program to help Sarah become very relaxed, confident, charming and persuasive in all milieus of her life as well as in front of an audience. “I’m feeling great about my presentations. I presented in front of 1000 people just as you taught me—I was smooth and charismatic. I feel like a ham! The results from the audience were beyond my expectations.”

Maria / Concern: Career Advancement
It took Maria years to find OlsenSpeech. At first she didn’t know that help for her NY style accent and not-so-great presentation skills was available. So she did nothing. She was an entry level marketer who wanted to climb the ladder at her firm. When she decided she would do something about making herself an amazing communicator she searched the yellow pages and the internet. She found speech pathologists that specialized in helping children with language problems; but couldn’t find someone who specialized in normal lifestyle communication skills. She was venting about her problem to a friend of hers who told her about OlsenSpeech. She called and set up a consultation immediately. After about 9 classes she realized that her expectations were too low. She became a professional sounding, Standard American English speaker who was comfortable in all professional and personal communicative milieus. She advanced rapidly and now she’s a top executive with a major marketing firm.

Jack / Concern: Persuasion
Jack is a lawyer at a top NY law firm. He came to OlsenSpeech because he has little time to get his point across and must do so with sincerity and persuasion. Sometimes his voice came out too thin and went up at the end. This was not the powerful sound he needed to win every case that came his way. At OlsenSpeech, Jack learned to use a voice that is full and resonant; his pitch goes down at the end—making him highly credible and impactful. He hasn’t lost a case since.

Rita / Concern: Better Relationships
Lovely girl named Rita¹ decided to get married to Greg. Greg’s mother, Rita’s new mother-in-law, Margaret, was an ogre. She disliked most people; but Rita seemed to be in her top three. Rita spent years in hell with this monster. Until one day it occurred to her: “Why not use the skills my speech guru Ita Olsen has been teaching me for work in my personal life. I’ve learned how to deal with difficult people. I know how to create successful interactions with everyone I meet. I’ve learned how to turn an irate client into a happy client. Why should I not utilize those same techniques on my mother-in-law?” So she did. Within 2 meetings, Rita had Margaret eating out of her hands. It sounds implausible doesn’t it? This story is 100% factual.

¹Some names have been changed to protect the innocent.