Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Seven Seconds to Better Communication

Experts say that it takes human beings just seven seconds to make a first impression. “It’s true,” said Wendy Dwyer, instructor at Indian River State College. “Within seven seconds of meeting someone, you typically decide whether or not to like them, trust them, develop a relationship with them, or work with them. When you’re looking for a job or career, don’t you want to make those first seven seconds – and all the ones thereafter – count?”

Students and the public are invited to make the most of their communication skills, even those critical first seven seconds at the Back to the Future Speed Communication Workshop. The Friday, April 7th event will feature more than twenty highly-respected professionals from business, industry, community leadership, non-profit and education sectors helping participants ensure that the first impression, and every impression thereafter, is positive and memorable.   The free, morning workshop will be held at the Brown Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the 35th Street side of the IRSC Main Campus in Fort Pierce from 8 a.m. to noon. It has been organized by Wendy Dwyer as a recipient of the Dan K. Richardson Endowed Teaching Chair in Business and Entrepreneurship from the IRSC Foundation.  

The premise of the Back to the Future Speed Communication Workshop is simple. Students and community members need to learn how to make a good first impression on potential employers, professional contacts, and in short – everyone they meet. This morning-long workshop will address those issues in an entertaining and hands-on format.

Participants will be broken into random groupings of ten students and will be assigned one of ten stations to visit. Each station will feature professionals who will focus on specific skills including: First Impressions – Seven Seconds, CUL8R - Covering It, Professional Attire, Getting Social – Social Media as a Blessing and Curse for the Potential Job-Seekers, Body Language, Volunteerism and Career Success, Punctuality and Professionalism, and a special Speed Networking Section.

Professionals scheduled to participate in the program include: Jamie Duplantis, and Aileen Pruitt of PNC Bank, Hal Roberts of Harbor Community Bank, Art Allen and Travis Leonard of A&G Pools, Harbor Community Bank President and COO J. Hal Roberts, Tina Klein, St. Lucie County Property Appraiser Michelle Franklin, Entrepreneur and local legend, Jane Rowley, Torrey Pines Founders Richard and Pamela Houghten, Stacy Malinowski of Mustard Seed, IRSC’s Vice-President of Student Affairs Dr. Marta Cronin,  Inner Truth Center Founder Mindi Fetterman, St. Lucie County Chief Deputy Sheriff Garry Wilson, sales superhero Julie Lilliquist, and others still unconfirmed at press time.

Joining the powerhouse team of presenters will be nationally-syndicated “Ask Amy” advice columnist, Amy Dickinson. A New York Times best-selling author and NPR Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me! Panelist, Dickinson will be working with participants through the morning event and returning to Indian River State College’s Kight Center for Emerging Technologies for an evening presentation and signing for her newly-released book, Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things.  

The Speed Communicating program is open to students of Indian River State College and members of the community, and though it is free, space is limited, and participants must register in advance. To register, take seven seconds right now, and call  Wendy Dwyer at 772-462-7584 or email wdwyer@irsc.edu