What is a coach and what are the benefits of good coaching? What are some of the individual qualities and attributes I seek in people? What are the qualities we seek to develop or reinforce? What does Speakers & Artists International, Inc. promote? What we bring to the table? What is Eric Stone’s background? How long do I need to train? What is a coach and what are the benefits of good coaching: A coach first and foremost distinguishes aspects of the craft and the art form so that it becomes 1-accessible 2-understandable 3-doable and tangible 4-fun. Coaching is distinguishing. Coaching is clarifying. A coach is a craftsman and a professional. A coach must love coaching and absolutely respect whom he trains and respect their process. A coach is a trainer, a mentor and a leader. Good coaching inspires and illuminates. A coach does what works to get the job done. All with grace, fun and respect. A coach never humiliates or gets abusive. A coach speaks to the best part of the performer, always, and refuses to deal with him/her any other way. A coach understands the professional arena and gives you the tools to compete in that arena successfully, the rest is up to you. A coach is graceful, strong, intent and relentless in the pursuit of your best. A coach never takes no for an answer. A coach listens to you from what is possible, not what is predictable. A coach always coaches you from the future of what you will become. That is the power of coaching: seeing what has not yet happened and committing to that vision. A coach respects you. A coach ultimately knows who you are as your potential. Coaching is very forwarding and always active. A coach forwards your action. Coaching lives in the beholder. While coaching is now unquestionably recognized as a valuable and important profession, education about being coached is relatively rare. To be "coachable" is the essential prerequisite to a successful "coach-actor" relationship and successful overall results. To be coachable is to understand the role of the coach as well as what is to be expected from the performer, public speaker or professional individual. A coach draws fundamental distinctions which are then translated into doable and tangible actions. "You cannot practice what you cannot distinguish." The main task of the coach is to distinguish with the individual what makes that individual effective or less effective. Once that is discovered, the process is then to devise a plan of action to reach the next intended level of effectiveness or functioning. The more an individual distinguishes about his or her craft the more effective he or she becomes. Individual trainees need to understand that new levels of awareness come with the territory of hiring a coach, and one needs to be prepared for some level of un-comfortability and "unknown" before the desired plateau is reached. We call it welcoming the "new and necessary chaos" so that one's consciousness can expand and develop. The new and necessary chaos gets "reorganized" at the newfound level of effectiveness guided by the new distinctions drawn by the coach. To let the coach "in" is essential and will ultimately determine the results. That's why it is crucial to understand the dynamics involved in working with a good coach as well as choosing wisely who you will let into your realm. Most goals are reached more quickly and easily when individuals possess a strong personal sense of self; this takes time, but lasts a lifetime. An coach trains your body, your mind, your emotions and your spirit. Better coach train the “total” human being. That is his cutting edge. A coach demands that you inquire into the nature of your craft and that you ask yourself important questions as to who you are in public. Coaching illuminates your path. Coaching aims at educating you about your art and yourself.back top A coach is "professionally" invested and committed to your success. What are some of the individual qualities and attributes I seek in people? What are the qualities we seek to develop or reinforce? Individuals with a sincere commitment to learning and developing their respective skills first and become competent. Individuals already competent and able who have achieved a certain level of success and welcome the insights of a good coach to get to the next level of proficiency, ability or simply want to maintain where they're at. People who genuinely recognize the value and benefit of good coaching and plan to use it. People who need a safe and professional ground to hone new skills or brush up on existing ones. People who are open to an honest exploration of themselves in relationship to their craft and are not afraid to work hard, stay open, and assimilate new value through coaching. Individuals who believe themselves to be talented and desire to further that talent by making it strong and distinct. People who are invested in themselves for the long run! People who believe in themselves! People who are willing to learn. That you continue to get "enrolled" in your potential, your aliveness and your success. Aliveness is a direct function of participation. Art is a function of the necessity to communicate. We're all in communication and forget. Art bridges the gap. It returns us to the essential.back top What does Speakers & Artists International, Inc. promote? What we bring to the table? A very strong commitment to excellence in coaching the "total" human being. Physical, Emotional, Mental and spiritual. The ability to stay focused on helping individuals gain confidence in their ability through their level of skill and technique. A long track record of testimonies, success stories and artistic discoveries by individuals of all levels and backgrounds who successfully participated in our trainings. A special dedication to training and developing first-rate speakers & communicators. Integrity at all levels in relationship to our students and the craft of acting. Ethics and a code of behavior that supports our students and promotes mutual respect. Fairness, honesty, frankness, openness on the part of the coach. Absolute respect of the individual, his or her talent and his or her right to grow and develop in their chosen profession. A rich background of risk taking, education, culture, special trainings in various disciplines, successes and many failed attempts as well to add to the speaker-coach rich and multi-dimensional relationship. Over twenty years of experience acting, directing and teaching. Coach spent over 15 years studying privately with master teachers or mentors in USA and Europe, human beings dedicated to contributing to the advancement of the human spirit. A new, effective and innovative technique or method to coaching public speakers and communicators. Clear distinctions which can be demonstrated, practiced and put to the test. A fine approach which is designed for the committed individual not the masses. A love of life, acting, expression and art. A clear vision of what a communicator is in essence and tools to develop that communicator. An excellent reputation amongst clients. A place to discover and hone your skills and develop your talent to the fullest. A keen intuition. A sense of freedom and ease in developing your skills. You'll work at your own pace. A safe, professional and very creative environment. Constructive criticism. A vast body of knowledge and skills the coach draws from. A complete training ground which includes public speaking, communication skills and self-expression. back top What is Eric Stone’s background? Eric Stone owes his expertise and particular sensitivity to speakers' concerns to a variety of trainings, experiences and encounters with hundreds of individuals and group dynamics since he began his career as a stage actor in New York City in 1976. Teaching and directing actors and performers was the first step in beginning a long second career as a public speaking skills trainer. Back in 1987, a series of open invitations to work with individuals and group outside of showbusiness was the decisive element which contributed to the creation of Speakers & Artists International, Inc. "The success and undeniable results it produced for people very early on, prompted me to make myself available on a regular basis." Before I take on a client, I spend time on the phone or via e-mail to identify concerns and needs and determine a course of action which includes where or how we'll work, when, how often and for how long. We also outline a plan of action to tackle the targeted areas. We get to know each other a bit, talk about trust and coaching. I also assign homework pointing to areas to look into for insights on the nature of public speaking as it relates to you. I may ask you questions which aim at challenging your thinking and stimulate your interest to conquer the next level of your development.back top How long do I need to train? You can train from two hours to three days depending on the application, time and budget available. My coaching is individually tailored, so some people train once a week for a while. Others take intensive crash courses. Others still train on weekends a day or half a day at a time. You could come to Los Angeles or I could come to you. We are located in Beverly Hills, CA at 8879 West Pico Boulevard in the heart of the Jewish district. We are two blocks West of Robertson Boulevard on Pico. Suite #4. We also travel worldwide and have affiliate locations in New York, Brussels, Paris, and Luxembourg. back top