Meet The Speaker: An Interview With Deanna O'Connor

Do you want to understand how to refine your personal USP and create your own personal brand story? Or have you already figured that part out but want to find out the best way to tell it in person and online, as well as learn about the most effective social media tools to convey your brand to the world? If so, our upcoming Iconic Virtual Webinar with The Speak-Up Club is definitely one for the diary.

Whether you work in a big company and want to get noticed among hundreds or thousands of global colleagues, or you’re a freelancer competing for jobs, everybody needs to figure out what they have to offer and what their unique selling point is. Your personal brand reflects your expertise; refining a niche for yourself makes you the go-to expert in your department, your company, or even your industry as a whole.

About The Speaker

Deanna O’Connor, founder of The Speak-Up Club is a former magazine editor who has worked across both women’s titles and business media. She is a seasoned broadcaster and event MC and founded The Speak Up Club as a social enterprise to empower women as leaders in business and communities, through public speaking skills. As well as offering one-on-one coaching, webinars and corporate training in public speaking, she is also a freelance editor and content creator, working mainly with blue chip corporate clients and semi-state bodies, writing about business, entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Quick Fire Q&A

Dynamic, creative, dog-lover.

If you could invite any 4 people to a dinner party, who would it be?

Joanna Lumley (I once had the pleasure of spending an afternoon interviewing/drinking Champagne with her and she is the most delightful person that has ever walked the earth), along with Joanne McNally, Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan—the three funniest Irish women. I think it would be the ultimate girls night in!

The best piece of advice you've ever been given?

‘Leap and the net will appear.’ – I can suffer from paralysis by analysis, but sometimes you just have to go for it without thinking too much. And invariably, when you do, you’ll be surprised how the universe aligns to support you and people show up for you.

The moment that changed everything for you?

Quitting my full-time job and moving out of Dublin to work remotely from the glorious Dingle Peninsula. Almost three years later I still look around and feel spoiled to live in this piece of paradise.

If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be & why?

Someone evil (take your pick) so I could sign a pile of confessions and apologies while I had control of their body for a day, post them off, and leave them to deal with the fallout.

Who's is your favourite superhero and why?

It has to be Wonder Woman of course — I use her strong powerful pose as an example in the Speak Up Club confidence-building exercises.

Favourite gadget, app & podcast?

Gadget: My Dyson hairdryer. I have literally wasted years of my life blowdrying my hair, so anything that shaves a few minutes off that time, I’m excited about.

App: Orai speech coaching app is by far the best and most useful tool I would recommend for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills. It uses AI to analyse your speaking technique—for example how fast or slow you speak—and helps you work on perfecting it.

Podcast: Skip reading Viv Groskop’s so-so book ‘How to Own the Room’ and go straight to the excellent companion podcast. She speaks to a plethora of really interesting and inspirational women.

Live Lunch & Learn

Watch back Deanna’s Live Virtual Event ‘Recognising your USP & Personal Brand’ to understand how to refine your personal USP and create your personal brand story

Get in touch:

Talk to one of our workspace consultants and discover how a flexible workspace at Iconic Offices can help your business thrive. From private office spaces to coworking, they will answer any questions you have and help find the perfect solution to suit your requirements.