Available to hire
I’m Joel M. Nichols, an entrepreneur and educator based in Germantown, Tennessee. I help organizations elevate their communication and leadership skills through public speaking training, presentation coaching, and voiceover work. As the founder of Lifespeak and Renewal Center, I design programs that build confident speakers, stronger teams, and more engaging marketing narratives.
In addition to running Lifespeak, I teach branding and strategic marketing at the University of Memphis, mentor students through community development initiatives, and develop career-readiness programs. My approach blends practical industry experience with academic insight to empower people to communicate with clarity and impact.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Assistant Professor at University of Memphis; Department of Journalism & Strategic Media
August 1, 2019 - PresentServe as lead instructor in the strategic media department, teaching courses relating to branding, advertising, and creative strategy.
Owner at Lifespeak, Inc.
January 1, 2006 - PresentProvide public speaking and presentation skills training and coaching to organizations. Perform voice-over narration for commercials, audiobooks, and training videos across various industries. Offer collegiate lectures on marketing strategy, creative development, and presentation effectiveness. Facilitate event management and speaker coaching for sales meetings and conferences. Deliver marketing communications planning, execution, new product launch material development, and market research services.
Founder at Renewal Center Community Development Corporation
January 1, 2011 - PresentProvide college and job readiness skills training including business etiquette and ACT prep to high school students. Develop leadership training focusing on critical thinking, decision making, teamwork, and problem solving. Organize community outreach to foster social-skills development among students.
Instructor at University of Memphis; Department of Management and Department of Marketing, College of Business
August 1, 2019 - August 18, 2025Taught courses related to marketing and management within the Fogelman College of Business.
Assistant Director at University of Memphis; Fogelman Professional Development Center, College of Business
August 1, 2019 - August 18, 2025Provided career development training and coaching to college students on interview skills, professional image, business etiquette, presentation skills, social media strategy, and business communications.
Director; Global Marketing Communications at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2013 - August 18, 2025Led the planning, development, and implementation of global marketing communications and product launch support. Directed marketing communications plans including tactics, budgets, and timelines. Managed sales meeting and trade show support for the orthopaedic industry.
Director; Sales Communications & Automation at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025Directed development and implementation of sales force automation technologies to enhance sales productivity. Established field communication processes ensuring up-to-date information sharing between global sales representatives and head office.
Director; E-Business at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2005 - August 18, 2025Developed eBusiness objectives and strategies for online content and services targeting global physician, patient, and hospital communities. Created an Internet Surgeon Advisory Board to guide Internet initiatives with input from technology-savvy orthopaedic surgeons.
Senior Manager; Marketing Communications at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2002 - August 18, 2025Managed relations with primary advertising agency and handled corporate advertising processes. Developed orthopaedic corporate strategy and implemented tactics including journal ad campaigns, collateral, and corporate themes across platforms.
Product Manager; Hip Marketing at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 1997 - August 18, 2025Managed global hip product lines representing a significant revenue share. Developed and implemented marketing strategies and sales training programs. Collaborated with design clinicians on new product design and test marketing.
Account Executive; Advertising at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 1994 - August 18, 2025Managed advertising and marketing programs for multiple divisions and oversaw creative direction and implementation of product literature and videos.
Public Relations/Advertising Coordinator at Memphis Rockers; WBL Minor League Basketball Team
January 1, 1991 - August 18, 2025Supervised media press room during games, prepared and distributed news releases, and produced the team’s official newsletter.
Account Assistant; Advertising at West Rogers Advertising & Marketing Communications
January 1, 1989 - August 18, 2025Provided account support for political and home-building agency accounts.
Promotions Intern at WMC-TV5
January 1, 1988 - August 18, 2025Produced promotional spots and managed placement of local promotions in programming schedules.
Assistant Professor at University of Memphis; Department of Journalism & Strategic Media
August 1, 2019 - PresentServing as lead instructor within the strategic media department, teaching various courses relating to branding, advertising, and creative strategy.
Owner at Lifespeak, Inc.
January 1, 2006 - PresentProvide training and coaching for public speaking and presentation skills development, voice-over narration services, collegiate lectures on marketing and presentation, event management and speaker coaching, and marketing communications planning and execution.
Founder at Renewal Center Community Development Corporation
January 1, 2011 - PresentProvide college and job readiness skills training, leadership development and community outreach services to high school students focusing on business etiquette, ACT prep, and social skills development.
Instructor at University of Memphis; Department of Management and Department of Marketing, College of Business
August 1, 2019 - August 18, 2025Taught various courses related to marketing and management within the Fogelman College of Business.
Assistant Director at University of Memphis; Fogelman Professional Development Center, College of Business
August 1, 2019 - August 18, 2025Provided career development training and coaching to college students on interview skills, business etiquette, presentation skills, professional image, social media strategies, and business communications.
Director; Global Marketing Communications at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 31, 2013 - August 18, 2025Responsible for planning, development, and implementation of global marketing communications materials and new product launch items; directed marketing communications plans including tactics, budgets, and timelines; supported sales meetings and industry trade shows.
Director; Sales Communications & Automation at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2009 - August 18, 2025Directed development and implementation of sales force automation technology solutions; established communication processes with field personnel ensuring up-to-date information sharing between marketing and sales management and global sales teams.
Director; E-Business at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2005 - August 18, 2025Developed eBusiness objectives and strategies related to online content for global physician, patient, and hospital communities; created the Internet Surgeon Advisory Board to guide technology initiatives.
Senior Manager; Marketing Communications at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 2002 - August 18, 2025Managed relationships with advertising agencies and advertising processes; developed corporate marketing strategy and tactics including journal ad campaigns, collateral, multimedia, and website content.
Product Manager; Hip Marketing at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 1997 - August 18, 2025Managed global hip product lines accounting for approximately $20M in sales; developed marketing strategies and sales training programs; collaborated with clinicians on product design and market testing.
Account Executive; Advertising at Smith & Nephew, Inc.
January 1, 1994 - August 18, 2025Managed advertising and marketing programs for ENT and Spine divisions, overseeing creative direction and implementation of product literature and videos.
Public Relations/Advertising Coordinator at Memphis Rockers; WBL Minor League Basketball Team
January 1, 1991 - August 18, 2025Supervised media press room during games, prepared and distributed news releases, and produced the official newsletter 'Rockers Rap'.
Account Assistant; Advertising at West Rogers Advertising & Marketing Communications
January 1, 1989 - August 18, 2025Provided account support for various agency political and home-building accounts.
Promotions Intern at WMC-TV5 – Promotions Department
January 1, 1988 - August 18, 2025Produced 30-second promo spots for the 'Wake-Up Call' early morning show; handled designated placement of local promo spots into daily programming schedule.
Owner at LIFESPEAK, INC.
January 1, 2006 - November 12, 2025Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Development; Provide training & coaching to organizations to enhance employee presentation and communication skills, including body language, gestures, and vocal inflection/projection. Also provide voice-over narration for media, collegiate lectures, event management, and marketing communications planning.
Assistant Professor at University of Memphis; Department of Journalism & Strategic Media
August 1, 2019 - November 12, 2025Lead instructor within the strategic media department, teaching courses related to branding, advertising, and creative strategy.
Founder at Renewal Center Community Development Corporation
January 1, 2011 - November 12, 2025College & job readiness skills training; leadership development; community outreach and social-skills development opportunities for students.
Instructor at University of Memphis; Fogelman College of Business, Department of Management & Department of Marketing
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Taught various courses related to marketing and management.
Assistant Director at University of Memphis; Fogelman Professional Development Center, College of Business
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Provided career development training & coaching to college students on interview skills, business etiquette, presentation skills, professional image/attire, social media strategy, and business communications skills.
Director; Global Marketing Communications at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2013Marketing communications planning & execution; development of plans for major product franchises; support for national sales meetings and industry trade shows.
Director; Sales Communications & Automation at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009Sales force automation; field communication processes to ensure timely information flow from head office to global sales reps.
Director; E-Business at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005Strategic planning for online content & services aimed at global physician, patient, and hospital communities; Internet Surgeon Advisory Board.
Senior Manager; Marketing Communications at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002Advertising liaison between company and agency; corporate marketing strategy and tactics across ads, literature, and websites.
Product Manager; Hip Marketing at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1997Managed global hip product lines; developed product marketing strategies and training programs; collaborated with design clinicians.
Account Executive; Advertising at SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1994Managed advertising and marketing programs for ENT & Spine divisions; oversaw creative direction and product literature.
Public Relations/Advertising Coordinator at MEMPHIS ROCKERS; WBL MINOR LEAGUE BASKETBALL TEAM
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1991Supervised media press room during games; prepared and distributed news releases; produced team communications.
Account Assistant at WEST ROGERS ADVERTISING & MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1989Account support on political and home-building accounts; assisted with ad campaigns and related materials.
Promotions Intern at WMC-TV5 – Promotions Department
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1988Produced 30-second promo spots and assisted with placement of local promos into daily programming.
Instructor at University of Memphis; Fogelman College of Business
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Served within the Department of Marketing and Management, teaching various courses related to marketing and management.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Union University
August 1, 2000 - May 2, 2003Bachelor of Fine Arts at Memphis State University
August 10, 1987 - May 31, 1990Master of Business Administration at Union University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2003Bachelor of Arts; Major: Advertising at Memphis State University, College of Communications and Fine Arts
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1990Master of Business Administration at Union University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2003Bachelor of Arts; Major: Advertising at College of Communications and Fine Arts, Memphis State University
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1990Master of Business Administration at Union University
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003Bachelor of Arts; Major: Advertising at Memphis State University
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1990Master of Business Administration at Union University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2003Bachelor of Arts; Major: Advertising at Memphis State University
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1990Qualifications
Industry Experience
Education, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Life Sciences, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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