JO FARRELL MODELS SUCCESS, MASTERS COMMUNICATION.

• Author: BRONIKOWSKI, LYNN
• Position: Brief Article

Jo Farrell strides into her conference room with its crystal chandelier, sheer pink curtains, burn-siding paneling and framed papal blessings, looks around and asks, "So what's with the beard? Did you grow it to make yourself look older?"

The 32-year-old engineer looks perplexed, wondering if he should respond. For now, he chooses silence.

Welcome to Day One of Farrell's three-day Master Communication Seminar, taught in the suburban Littleton offices of The Farrell Group, her corporate communications and imaging company since 1994.

Her clientele reads like the Who's Who of Colorado politics, business, and legal circles -- everyone from governors and DAs to leaders of corporate dynamos -- Disney, US West. Vail Associates, Coors. Janus Capital, United Airlines, Ball Aerospace, Hewlett-Packard, Texaco, Cyprus Amax -- to name a few.

Even successful athletes such as former Denver Nugget Alex English and three-time Super Bowl champion David Stalls tackle Farrell's class. English reported back. "Her personal touch is what drew out my best from where it was buried."

It's a personal touch tat at first finds students quaking through the please-don't-call-on-me syndrome. Later it finds them revealing interesting pieces of themselves and thanking Farrell for her exhaustive journey toward effective communication.

"This class isn't just about speechmaking, but about communication. We all need to communicate. Yet, the communication skills of corporate America are bankrupt," explained the energetic Farrell, 68. "I help put the bubble and the sparkle and the refinement into what people say."

Her speechmaking techniques are remarkably basic -- drain the stress from your body, put your first words on the tip of your tongue, smile at two people in the audience while approaching the microphone, and stand in a relaxed position.

"The audience is with you; they want you to succeed, to receive this gift you are giving them." Farrell said. "It's 7% what you say and 93% the way you say it, and 55% of that is what you look like physically -- your facial and body expressions."

Class members learn much about themselves -- how to overcome fear of public speaking, dress and shake hands, think on your feet, deal with blunders, punch up words. They learn a lot about Farrell, too, as she details her colorful 26-year career.

"My background is the school of hard knocks," said Farrell, whose modeling and talent agency climbed to the top of the national entertainment scene...