My colleagues and I are delighted to welcome a new app, LikeSo into our toolbox of  techniques to help clients become top notch speakers and communicators.

We coaches are always on the lookout for ways to help clients practice and progress in their crazy busy lives.

The leaders, managers and professionals I work with are attached to their mobile devices (Ok, I admit, so am I!)

That’s why I am so delighted to collaborate with Audrey Mann Cronin, a vivacious advocate for more effective speaking, and the creator of the LikeSo app.

Over the years, I’ve observed that folks in the speech communication field are filled with passion for all things speech. Same with Audrey!

Audrey was inspired to create LikeSo a few years ago when she made a few observations—all in one week!

First, her well-spoken teenage daughter started injecting her sentences with “like,” “totally,” and “ya know.” Later that week, a colleague shared that his two brilliant co-workers made him cringe when he heard them speak on the phone and in meetings. And then – to top it off… her doctor, a top surgeon in her field, said that she heard poor speaking habits during high stakes situations, and even in the operating room. Audrey was on a mission to do something and with her technical team, developed the LikeSo app.

The app is like an assistant coach—a tangible practice and feedback tool to rely on when Coach Laurie isn’t around.

The app tracks filler words and speaking speed, and provides colorful feedback and a “speech fitness’ score.

Clients say working with the app is fun and confidence building when an important meeting or talk is coming up.

And I’m delighted that clients are practicing between our meetings, with LikeSo and tips I’ve recorded on their smartphones.

Don’t get me wrong—I am enthusiastic about the future of speech apps, and confident that technology will never replace a great coach or live workshop.

Speaking is a uniquely human gift, and if you want to become the best speaker possible, work with an experienced coach. If you’re comfortable, enlist your colleagues, manager, team and trusted others to provide positive feedback and suggestions.

And adding technology your toolbox just might add to the APPlause! Click here to check it out.