- Ted Danson, Actor, Hollywood,
CA
-
- Bruce Feld, Public Affairs
Consultant, New York City
- Jeff McVey, Senior Lecturer, Texas
State University
- Rabbi Edward Feinstein,
Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA
- Diane Kulisek,
Quality Control Engineer, CAPA Trak LLC
- Lisa Strawn, CQE, CMQ/OE
Sr. Quality Engineer
FutureLogic, Inc.,
CA
"One of the best teachers I've worked
with. Inspires you to do your best work - To really express your unique
self. Caring and enthusiastic. An excellent coach for the working professional."
-- Ted Danson, Actor, Hollywood, CA
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"David Kagen is a communications
specialist, unique in his ability to help political figures and business
people make their communications powerful, effective and clear. For myself
and my very busy clients, he has been able to put his finger on the heart
of their problems immediately and make the solution simple, helping them
to transform their ability to successfully move their audience to action."
-- Les MacDonald, Democratic Political
Consultant, Philadelphia, PA
(former clients include Geraldine A. Ferraro,
Gray Davis, and America Coming Together)
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"I have known David Kagen for 30
years, starting when he was an actor and I had just left an academic life
on my way to city government. Authentic Communication is exactly the right
name to represent his contribution to enable those on the stage (including
the corporate stage and the political stage) to express who they are and
what animates them.
As a former political scientist and administrator
at Barnard College, and as an agency head during the mayoral administration
of Ed Koch, I recognize these individual goals to be closely related to
the ability of groups and organizations to influence government and policies.
I had two memorable opportunities to look
over David’s shoulder as he plied his craft. I sat in as an observer
as he worked with a class at Yale. His work with two young actors was masterful,
eliciting performances that could best be termed more authentic. I am very
involved in community politics as a local elected party official and was
also an observer as David critiqued the presentation of a statewide candidate
who had expressed an interest in what he had to offer. Again, David was
on the money regarding the areas that required work, but for whatever reason,
the candidate (who subsequently lost the election) chose not to become a
client.
I believe that business people, candidates,
elected and other government officials, actors--everyone who has to communicate
with an audience--would profit from being a client of David Kagen’s."
-- Bruce Feld, Public Affairs Consultant,
New York City
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"David has always had the gift of
teaching without the dehumanizing destruction of a person's ego. Whatever
state in which individuals arrive at his door, he helps them while doing
laser surgery to remove the constraints to their establishing a more genuinely
expressive self.
I've been teaching university chemistry
for science majors, organic and biochemistry for non science majors and
running the labs here at Texas State University. My teaching style and philosophy
have been influenced by David and I greatly value his contribution to my
development.
My classes are very popular as I try
to make what most students regard as a difficult academic challenge into
something accessible and fun. There is success and there is failure, but
underneath the effort is the knowledge that I am using my gifts to do something
useful. Working on one's personal instrument of communication and expression
is at the core of being an effective educator who can move individuals to
create lives that are meaningful."
--Jeff McVey, Texas State University,
San Marcos, Texas
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"I speak for a living. As the spiritual
leader of a congregation of 2,000 families, I am called upon to deliver
sermons, homilies, words of inspiration and wisdom on a daily basis. My
success is based largely on my ability to communicate effectively –
to capture the attention of an audience, share a message of importance,
and leave my listeners with a lasting impression.
David Kagen has been an invaluable resource
to me and to my staff in developing our communication skills and resources.
David brings a lifetime of experience as
an accomplished actor, director, and teacher. He will quickly assess your
weaknesses, offer practical steps toward improvement, train you relentlessly
but gracefully, and leave you sounding much more impressive and proficient.
Under David’s guidance, you will come to enjoy speaking and you will
appreciate the power of a presentation to inform and inspire.
I heartily recommend David Kagen to you.
I have seen the work he does, and I treasure the results every day. You
will too."
--Rabbi Edward Feinstein, Valley Beth Shalom,
Encino, CA
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CAPA Trak LLC
www.capatrak.com
2493 Pinewood Place
Simi Valley, CA. 90365
805 522-5005
31 May 2006
I would like to take this opportunity to recommend David Kagen to any professional seeking guidance with regard to effective communication skills and methods. It has been my pleasure to work with Mr. Kagen and I have benefited greatly by his expertise.
I was struggling with how best to translate technical qualifications I had developed over a lengthy career of work within corporations into language that would support efforts to grow my private consulting practice. I felt I was ineffective when communicating with prospective clients in top management positions. Mr. Kagen helped me to understand my communication objectives and translate my previously, almost exclusively, technical focus into an expression of my sincere concern for both the quality of life and the economic sustainability of small businesses.
I am now communicating about what I can offer my prospective clients more authentically than I think I have ever been able to before and, largely as a result of Mr. Kagen’s support, I have begun attracting the kinds of clients that I feel great about working with and who are genuinely delighted with the services I provide.
Sincerely,
Diane G. Kulisek
President
CAPAtrak, LLC
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Lisa Strawn, CQE, CMQ/OE Sr. Quality Engineer FutureLogic, Inc.,
December 19, 2007
I would like to offer this as a testimonial to David Kagen’s classes on Communication.
I first heard David Kagen when he spoke at an ASQ Section event on “Authentic Communication”. I had been looking for a communication class or seminar on line, with no luck.
David’s approach to communication seemed very unique and individualized. I found, the fact he was able to mold his course outline to fit, “me” as an individual, most impressive. Intrigued, I wanted to learn more.
At first, I did not believe that in six weeks, David could produce the change that he promised. I was convinced that after these six sessions, I may be more “knowledgeable”, but that it would not be enough to change a mind set in stone or old emotional habits for anyone. I was wrong. By our third session, I felt a great truth. A great burden had been lifted off of my shoulders and I realized that if I were to go no further with these sessions, the liberation I felt today was worth the time and cost in just three sessions! I already felt different. I feel more confident in myself. I have a better understanding of myself; and, of those I deal with on a daily basis. It was noticeable to me, my family and my coworkers!
At the end of six weeks, what I learned could easily have been forgotten. Getting on with life and back into the daily grind; I use the little truths learned from David and am continually evolving. I keep little messages as reminders around me on a daily basis. I have a greater understanding, now, of why he suggested that he video tape our sessions and why he suggested that I watch them over and over again. Each replay teaches me something new and refreshes his teachings in my mind so I can continue to grow as an individual.
Today, I have not attained my personal goal; however, I have made tremendous strides from where I was. I owe a great deal of thanks to David. In fact, I would recommend David to anyone wishing to improve upon their communication skills.
Thank you, so much, David!
Lisa A. Strawn, CQE, CMQ/OE
Sr. Quality Engineer
FutureLogic, Inc.
425 E. Colorado St.
Glendale CA, 91205
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