Guest Blogs
Knowitall.ch often invites local experts in their field to contribute to their own blogs on our site. This means not only you will benefit from the useful recommendations that we make on our News pages, but you can also profit from some of the great advice and tips that these experts have to make on their favorite subjects. Whilst each of these bloggers has been recommended to us at some point during the evolution of Know-it-all passport and knowitall.ch, obviously we are not able to test out all the suggestions they make on their blogs, nor do we necessarily agree with all their opinions. So if you do find one of their tips useful (or not!), do let us know!
To make these blogs more accessible to you, we have now decided to group them altogether in one section, entitled Guest Blogs, accessible from our main menu bar. We will also post the most recent blogs on the home page of our site in the right hand column.
We are still building up this area of the site, and are looking for bloggers in a number of sections, including Your Home, Travel, and Leisure, so if you feel you have a useful contribution to make in either of these areas, and have the time to submit blog entries approximately every month, then please get in touch!
Photos from GAOS shows: Twenty, High School Musical, and Aladdin
by Jo Beveridge, GAOS
Chairing the largest English-speaking musical theatre group in the Romandie, I am sometimes asked why do people get involved in musical theatre groups?
The most obvious reasons of course, is love of music or dance or acting and the sheer fun it!
On stage
But, for some, it is the first step on careers in the performing arts. This could be on the creative or performing side or the technical and production side. Where better to get pre-professional experience than in a good amateur theatre group? We have had young people start in our youth shows go on to study the technical side of theatre and work in production. For example, Owen Donkin spent many a Summer on stage with us then went onto to study Theatre Practice, Technical and Production Management at Central School of Speech and Drama then worked at Covent Garden Opera House, The Vaults and The National Theatre.
Others have stayed on the performing side and appeared on stage or made dance or music their profession. Sha Dessi appeared in many of our shows, starting with panto, then went to theatre school and went on to star in the West End as Eponine in Les Misérables in 2022. Gareth Donkin was 9 years old when he first took part in a GAOS Youth show and went on to appear in many shows and then gaining a degree in music production from the Leeds Conservatoire. His debut album was released last year.
Off stage
Other have become events managers (a skill very closely linked to stage management), opened dance schools, become drama teachers, or become choreographers.
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By Philippa Dobree-Carey, From High School to Uni
- Travel and culture experiences
- Volunteer work for a cause they’re passionate about
- Developing new skills, languages or hobbies
Young adults can build confidence and real-world experience that will be invaluable in the future workplace and give them a sense of renewed focus and motivation.
- Apprenticeships offer a dynamic alternative to traditional education:
- Practical, hands-on training and earning a wage while you learn
- Recognized qualifications
- Immediate industry connections
By Claire Doole, www.doolecommunications.com
Pitching to an executive board is high-stakes. After months of hard work developing a project or strategy, you need the board’s buy-in—but securing it is no easy feat.
The room is filled with senior executives who are busy, and their knowledge of your subject might vary widely. Adding to the challenge, there may be up to nine members present—an odd number to avoid voting ties.
I’ve coached many professionals to navigate these make-or-break moments. So, what’s the secret to winning over the board?
Below are some tips and tricks that could help you get the thumbs up for your next pitch.
Preparation prevents poor performance
Advance notice is critical. Boards don’t like surprises. It pays off to informally speak with each member beforehand so that you can write a concept note that you can get signed off.
Make sure you send a PDF of your slides to the board a few days before the pitch so they have time to read it. This means they can absorb the main arguments and prepare some pertinent questions.
By Claire Doole, www.doolecommunications.com
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