For example, there are few careers that involve as much public speaking as teaching.

But, in many cases, these same teachers are operating without the requisite training in communications, and are working in classrooms that are often overcrowded, thereby leading to more tension than should reasonably be expected.

"Time was when only very senior people ever had to make a presentation, " said Paula Myler of Career Development Services at Carr Communications. "Now almost everyone has to present - including teachers and students. And teachers know they can be 'door stepped' anywhere, if an interesting story about their profession is breaking."

Which is happening more often than not in today's information obsessed society, and this is where proper training in communications can be key. For example, Carr Communications works with individuals to become interesting, understandable and memorable as presenters, engaging with their audiences.

In the case of teachers, that audience can be pupils in the classroom. But, unlike dealing with an adult audience, there are specific issues that teachers have to deal with on an everyday basis in the classroom.

"New teachers will often find it difficult to manage children's behaviour, " said Myler.

"The Carr Communications consultant will work with the teacher through behaviour management. The core fundamentals are positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement."

The behaviour methodology behind positive reinforcement, focuses on the good behaviours that pupils show.

"For example, if an eight year old does ten sums, gets nine correct and one wrong, the tendency is to focus on the one wrong rather than the nine correct ones, " said Myler. "The better approach . . . positive reinforcement . . .

focuses on what they have done right and encourages them to repeat the behaviour."

On the other hand, an example of negative reinforcement would be where you have a pupil who constantly interrupts while talking, and you always respond to them. You are now reinforcing their negative behaviour. An understanding of some simple principles can enhance the way any facilitation works with a group.

"We design one-to-one coaching programmes, " said Myler. "The first session lasts approximately an hour where the consultant will have an in depth exploration of the areas that they have to focus on. They identify specific behaviours they would like to change. The consultant works with them to create an individualised programme with clear, practicable, achievable targets that focus on specific behavioural changes."