Allison's Story

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Before launching my coaching practice, I spent over 20 years in the world of media and communication; as a broadcast Journalist, Producer, Television Presenter and Public Relations Consultant. My media footprints covered the Jamaica Information Service (JIS TV), Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR Gleaner Group), Fame FM, RJR 94 FM, Newstalk 93 FM, Sportsmax TV, Business Access Television and Television Jamaica (TVJ).

My roles included: 

• Presenter of JIS TV's flagship programme, Jamaica Magazine (10 years)
• Producer, presenter and DJ at Fame FM and RJR 94 FM (15 years)
• Host/Presenter for the TVJ's popular Junior Schools Challenge Quiz programme
• Freelance host for TVJ's Smile Jamaica, It's Morning Time programme

These platforms afforded me expansive growth opportunities. However, my most valuable learning and interview training opportunities came from time spent as the main host for the internationally acclaimed Air Jamaica/ Flow Jazz & Blues Music Festival & Reggae Sumfest International festivals, respectively. It was my job, exclusively, to interview the participating international pop stars, including Celine Dion, Air Supply, Lionel Richie, Ziggy Marley, and a host of other local and international performers. In addition, I spent a few years as television host for Business Access TV, where I was able to interview a myriad of sports stars, including Usain Bolt, Johan Blake, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Blaise Bicknell (to name a few), as well as celebrated business moguls including Michael Lee Chin, Don Webhy, Chris Blackwell, Adam Stewart, John Issa and countless others.

For ten years while working in the broadcast media arena presenter and host, I simultaneously operated a successful Communication Consultancy Company (Bridge Communication). My focus was mostly on public relations and brand promotion for corporate clients.

Throughout this journey in both arena, I had the opportunity to sit across from hundreds of pop artists, athletes and business professionals, from nervous rookies to seasoned Hall of Famers. I learned exactly what makes an interview memorable and, more importantly, what makes the interviewee feel confident in sharing their story. It was in this space I was able to observe a gap - talented individuals across the board were often unprepared for the microphone/camera, allowing a number of factors - essentially gaps in their knowledge and preparation for an interview or other public relations platforms - overshadow their achievements.

These gaps include: 

• Client’s ability to manage their nerves, their posture and stance
• Client's ability to formulate their responses and behavior within the context of their bigger goals 
• Client's ability to regulate and utilize their non-verbal behavior to communicate more effectively 
• Client's knowledge of standard protocols while doing an interview, and even how to gain the appropriate etiquette advantage in many instances

I regularly found myself helping clients in these areas, impromptu, and was constantly asked for assistance - often with not enough time to truly reap the benefits. I found myself equally disappointed when clients failed to make the most of an interview opportunity, due to a lack of knowledge or preparation, and alternately found myself elated and beaming with pride when the techniques & training I offered were utilized and the interview opportunity delivered on every all its potential, essentially when the interviewee “nailed it”!  It was then that I realized my passion wasn't just in reporting the story but in helping the storytellers own their narrative.