Speaking for influence: How to be heard and land your message.

Sharon Natoli - Speaking for influence: How to be heard and land your message.

This redesigned, interactive online course is designed to help food science professionals across the industry communicate with clarity, confidence and influence—so their ideas are heard, valued and acted upon.

The format is 3 x 90 minute online sessions. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays - 9 June, 23 June and 7 July 2026. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand and Strengthen Your Influence

• Articulate why influence is a critical professional capability in scientific and technical roles
• Recognise the key ingredients that underpin influential communication
• Understand your personal communication style and identify areas for growth

2. Communicate to Influence Outcomes

• Tailor your communication style and content to different audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Adapt your messaging to suit the context, environment, and level of influence required
• Build stronger connections and engagement through intentional communication choices

3. Communicate with Presence

• Use body language, posture, and voice to enhance influence and authority
• Apply practical techniques to ensure key points are heard and remembered
• Navigate challenging dynamics to gain and hold the floor

Pricing:

AIFST Members: $400 

Non Members: $500

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Sharon Natoli helps individuals, teams and leaders find their voice, grow their presence and ignite their influence by speaking up with confidence.

Sharon has 30 years of experience in one-on-one counselling, communication, media and spokesperson roles, and as an advisor to organisations in the food sector, assisting brands find their voice through key message development. Her professional experience is complemented by her personal understanding and empathy about the internal barriers that hold people back from speaking up and sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions with confidence.

Sharon’s philosophy is that speaking up is a critical ingredient for demonstrating leadership readiness and making the career contribution you'd like to make.