You Get the Importance of Clear Communication, But Others Don't?
Oct 29, 2009
Do you cringe every time you see a CEO in the news, sweating and struggling, because you fear you could be next? Are you afraid your organization isn't ready to deal with a problem or full-blown crisis? Even worse, do you feel you are the only one who understands the seriousness of the situation? Take heart my friend, this edition of the Monthly Memo will provide you with strategies and suggestions to help.
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Top 5 suggestions when applying online for a job
Aug 19, 2009
With so many people looking for work I decided to offer a Special Edition Monthly Memo and I found the perfect person to write it. My long-time friend and colleague John Menzies just finished three non-stop months in job search mode after about 30 years of employment. Thankfully John found a new job and now he's ready to share with you some of the lessons he learned about applying for work in an online world.
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The President, the Professor and the Police Officer.
Jul 29, 2009
Have you ever witnessed an accident? Everything moves in slow motion. You see it happening but you can't do anything to stop it. That's how it must have felt for the President's advisors as they listened to him at last week's news conference as he wandered into the matter of the arrest of his friend.
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Handling Scandal and How History Repeats Itself
Jun 30, 2009
Watching South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford explain his "mystery trip" to Argentina should bring back lots of memories for you. No, not because you have secretly run off to South America on a trip which led to your public downfall -- but because it follows a very well-worn path we have seen before from those who have trouble explaining bad behavior. Along the way, there are lessons for all of us who have a public image or are in charge of managing someone else's public image. (And, in case it hasn't struck you lately, we're ALL in the business of managing a public image!)
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Speaking Outside of Your Comfort Zone
May 28, 2009
How many times have you heard you should find your passion and then live it? That's great advice, but today what I'm talking about are those other times -- when you find yourself saddled with an assignment, a topic to present or a media issue and you know you will have a tough time knocking it out of the park. Hell, you'll actually be happy if you still have a job when it's all over!
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Further Proof You Are Always "On."
Feb 25, 2009
Everyone ... you, the people who work for you, anyone at anytime can be captured at their worst. For the purposes of this Monthly Memo remember whether you are in front of an audience or a media microphone, you are always "on."
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What Do You Think of the Audience You Are Addressing?
Aug 28, 2008
When you are watching someone deliver a presentation, a political convention speech or appear in the media, can you tell what's going on inside their head? I would submit you can, and you probably don't even think about it in most situations. In this edition of The Monthly Memo we'll look at one of the easiest ways you can get a positive reaction.
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The Problem With Smart People
Sep 20, 2007
How could there possibly be a problem with smart people? Employers are on an endless search for smart people to carry their companies to the next level. We like to surround ourselves with smart people to help us lift our game. And we are in such a short supply in this country we now search the world over looking for smart people. So, what's the problem?
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Is this, once again, the Summer of Love? Here's a great place to start.
Jul 9, 2007
This version of the Monthly Memo offers the most overlooked and undervalued piece of advice for anyone who stands up to speak on behalf of themselves, their cause or their employer. For anyone old enough to remember, the Summer of Love overtook the USA ever so briefly back in 1967. Flower Power and VW Mini-buses dominated the pop culture scene, fueled from the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco. So? Should you walk into your next presentation or news conference with a flower in your hair? You can, but I'm talking about something even more fundamental in the life of a great communicator.
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Flying into JFK tomorrow, and all is right with the world.
Jun 5, 2007
A quick look at the headlines and you know JFK airport in New York has been the focal point of the latest terror threat. A team of people were trying to figure out how to use the fuel lines running into and around the airport as a way to kill innocent people. What, you might ask, does this have to do with how you get your point across to an audience? Well, come along and you'll see. (I happen to be flying into JFK airport tomorrow, so "fear" has crossed my mind recently!)
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I was just thinking about you ...
May 10, 2007
When I sat down to write this Monthly Memo I was thinking of you. Isn't it great to be thought of? The fact is, we all want to be thought of and it really is the key to all successful forms of communication.
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Why a crisis plan is always a top priority ... next year
Apr 21, 2007
Billionaire Warren Buffett once told NBC News, "It's taken us 37 years to build this firm ... we could lose it in 37 seconds." He meant if you say the wrong thing at the wrong time you can do yourself major damage. (Just ask Don Imus.) While everyone in the business world from Warren Buffett on down understands this idea, very few people actually set up a plan to handle a crisis. It's always a top priority ... for next year.
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"One size fits all?" How about "one size fits one!"
Mar 1, 2007
Business books don't always make for the most fascinating reading, but I've come across an exception that I think you may enjoy. Written by New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer, "Setting the Table" is a great look at the importance of "service," and how to keep that critical issue front-and-center everyday in your work.
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When should you speak? The advantages of order.
Jan 1, 2007
Are you part of a team that puts together presentations? Do you have to be part of a competitive bidding process where several groups or individuals make presentations? If so, when do you prefer to speak? Are you a "let's go first and get it over with" kind of person or do you always want to have the last word? And what about those situations when the speaking position is out of your control? While it may not seem like a big deal, I'm going to make a case for giving your place in the speaking order some serious thought.
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Senator John McCain -- Some personal observations
Nov 1, 2006
It's not often one can say a person they've known for 20 years might be the next President of the United States, but in the case of John McCain, I can say it. First, two points of clarification. I don't really know John McCain, but I've covered him as a reporter and interviewed him and spent hours with him many times over the last 20 years. In that way I know him. Second, you need not worry that the rest of what you're about to read will be some kind of endorsement. You are fully capable of making your own decisions about people who run for President. What I have to say about McCain is a little of what I learned from him and about him over the last 20 years, and therefore what we can all learn about life in the media and public spotlight.
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"Did you hear the one about...?" Leave comedy to the professionals!
Oct 1, 2006
If you look through the stacks of books on public speaking you'll often see, close by, the latest joke books. The logic is simple. Anyone who has to appear in front of an audience will surely want to liven up their presentation with a joke or two -- or ten. As appealing as that may sound, use extreme caution. In fact, my advice is, stay away! Now, that doesn't mean you never get a laugh out of your audience. Let me explain the safe middle ground which I think will work for you.
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It's Election and Debate Season. Get ready to win the idea war!
Sep 1, 2006
Fall is in the air -- footballs are flying at the local parks -- and charges are flying between candidates. Also, there are the arguments over the ballot propositions. If you pick up a newspaper or turn on a TV, you see it unfold right before your eyes and ears. Let's see what we can learn from all the hoopla.
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Want to know the key to communication? Listen!
May 1, 2006
Much has been written, in this column and other places, about the importance of speaking in the communication equation. Good, important information, but let me point the discussion in a completely different direction. Let's zero in on listening as a key for any great communicator.
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Moving the conversation to where YOU want it to go.
Apr 1, 2006
Did you ever feel the discussion getting away from you? It's easy for it happen as a conversation moves quickly from point to point. Whether you are in a job interview, a media interview or in front of a meeting making a presentation, the train can go off the tracks.
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What to do when the Boss says, "We need good PR, NOW!"
Mar 1, 2006
Perhaps there have been some bumps in the road lately ... a few negative articles in the paper, some poor earnings reports or a messy firing. Whatever the scenario, it is usually at this exact time that one of the bosses can shout, "Smithers, get me some good PR, Pronto!" If you happen to be "Smithers" in this situation, it can be a critical challenge.
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"I hate my voice when I stand up to speak!"
Jan 1, 2006
Not all of us are blessed with a voice like James Earl Jones or Catherine Zeta-Jones. In fact, almost none of us can match their unique vocal gifts ... and that's why voice quality need not be nearly as great a concern as many of us fear.
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Mike Brown and the flaw in the finger-pointing strategy
Sep 1, 2005
Congress wants answers, or at least something close.
When it came time to ask questions about Hurricane Katrina, former FEMA Director Mike Brown was front and center this week. The point for all of us to understand is this: Whenever you are asked to explain your actions during a controversy, in the glare of media scrutiny, there are many agendas at play.
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Connecting with the audience: The tricks of the trade
Aug 1, 2005
My son's Sophomore English teacher started the school year going from student to student in each class, shaking hands with every person. It lasted just a few days and kind of freaked out the already edgy 15-year-olds, but it got me thinking! How DO people break through and connect with an audience?
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Coming up with that PERFECT sound bite
Jun 1, 2005
"It's the economy, stupid." "I'm a compassionate conservative." "Ask not what your country can do for you." "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
These are some famous quotes from the last 50 years, but what does it take for a group of words to really stand out to those who hear them? And what can we all learn from this process to come up with the PERFECT sound bite to get our point across? Here are some ways to make sure your message sticks.
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To gesture or not to gesture, that is the question!
Jun 1, 2005
How many times have you stood in front of an audience and wondered, "What should I do with my hands?"
It is the single most-often asked question when I speak with clients about presentation skills. No one wants to appear to be a wild, out-of-control windmill behind the podium. At the same time, very few people want to be addressed by a mannequin!
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What happens when the media makes a mistake? (Part II)
May 1, 2005
As strange as it sounds, an outright mistake in the media is the easier problem to deal with. The more difficult challenge is when an article or story on TV has taken a "tone" you disagree with, or the impression some people get from the piece is a problem. Then what?
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What happens when the media makes a mistake?
Apr 1, 2005
From outright goof-ups to slight oversights, reporting is a human endeavor and mistakes occur everyday. How you handle them can lead to a successful experience for everyone involved -- or it can be a disaster. Here are some thoughts from someone who has been on all sides of this uncomfortable situation.
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What $32 million will NOT get you. The Randy Johnson story.
Feb 1, 2005
Randy Johnson is one of the most celebrated baseball players currently in the game. When the New York Yankees once again came up short in their quest for the World Series last season, they put one person at the top of their wish list: Randy Johnson. But there are some things a $32 million dollar contract will NOT buy.
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You can't saw sawdust; Lessons from a master communicator
Oct 1, 2004
Sit down with "Swim with the Sharks" author Harvey MacKay for 10 minutes and he'll rattle off at least 10 stories. It seems he's never forgotten one, and the more than 10 million books he's sold around the world back that up. But there's more. He's a sought-after speaker who started his speech life even before the book writing. With that combined background (besides running a multi-million dollar envelope company) he seemed like the perfect person to talk to for the Monthly Memo.
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The lessons to be learned from a Presidential debate
Sep 1, 2004
For the purposes of this exercise, look at the race for the White House as a laboratory for you to learn about communication and message strategy. The Presidential debates are some of the greatest forums to do just that and, despite all the stage managing and limits on these events, they still reveal a great deal...sometimes more than the candidates would like!
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