William Hazlitt said, “Nothing is more unjust or capricious than public opinion.” Yet public opinion is what it’s almost always about. Facts are important, data is helpful, and science defines reality. But public opinion grounds decisions. And that’s what these monthly-ish mailers are all about.
Articles include basic advice about social media, the best ways to deliver bad news, 23 things NOT to say in an email, and why morning people are better. (Yeah ok, so I’m a morning guy and a little biased.)
Godec
Great Training at a Discount
The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Planning, Communication and Techniques Certificate course will be offered at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) the week of September 13. Make sure you register by August 22 for early discounted pricing.
Then we’ll be back at CMAP on October 27 and 28 with the new Emotion, Outrage and Public Participation class. I hope you’ll join us, just send me a quick email and I’ll send you the information. [email protected]
Terror at the Front of the Room
It’s been said that public speaking and death are two of the biggest, basic fears for most people. Even accomplished speakers and subject matter experts get nerve twinges. Here are six, simple ways to cope:
You Have To Get Up Pretty Early in the Morning To….
While growing up my dad felt that sleeping past six was perfectly ok…if your illness was terminal. My first job out of college was doing morning-drive radio. So, I’ve seen a lot of sunrises and I finally feel vindicated, read on:
http://hbr.org/2010/07/defend-your-research-the-early-bird-really-does-get-the-worm/ar/1
Bad News Bearers
A significant amount of my time in the corporate world was spent closing facilities during the downturn of my Fortune 50 employer. As lousy as the assignment is there are ways of doing it skillfully and with compassion.
http://blogs.bnet.com/career-advice/?p=1108&tag=landing-pad;work-life
Ever Feel Like You’re Just Talking to the Walls?
Steve Roesler is a smart guy who offers 10 fundamental ways to be more persuasive on the job. It’s grounded in salesmanship 101 but it really shouldn’t take much imagination to realize that many of these apply whether you’re selling Fords, health care reform or freeway corridors. If you click within this link you’ll find another 40 suggestions that take the subject a bit deeper.
http://www.allthingsworkplace.com/2010/06/ten-ways-you-can-be-more-persuasive.html
Why You Should Hate Twitter, FaceBook and your I-Phone
Nicholas Carrr wrote a fascinating and important magazine article a couple of years back and is now out with a possible groundbreaking book detailing what the internet, instant messaging and our reliance on constant communication may be doing to our brains and ability to reason. I’ve already sent this to a friend who gets up to check his email in the middle of the night.
The Days of the Spokesmodel May Be Numbered
Watching BP try to handle their Gulf problems and reputation has shed some light on how the future of corporate mouthpieces may be changing. Here’s one thought on the subject:
http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/2010/06/28/the-wizard-of-oz-and-corporate-voice/
Cyber Space is Forever
In case you missed it when it aired, National Public Radio (NPR) ran a story detailing the words that should NOT go into your emails.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127829646&ps=cpr
Faking It
A friend of mine always used to say that sincerity was the first and most important thing to learn how to fake in good communication. Here’s something to add to your list of non-verbal tips.
http://www.spring.org.uk/2010/06/duchenne-key-to-a-genuine-smile.php
How and Why to take Social Media More Seriously
In spite of what Nicholas Carr says social media is a fact of life. These articles offer some basics from the experts, and a new report from AARP reported by Reuters, that shows it’s not just generation x and Y that are embracing it.
http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/2010/06/14/social-media-experts-no-1-tips/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65943W20100610
What BP Might Have Considered
I’ve been working with a long time business client on updating their issue and crisis management and communication protocol recently and naturally there’s been a lot of anecdotal talk about the ‘problem in the gulf.’ I ran across the following from INC. which I think offers a nice, simple look at what almost any organization needs to consider and plan for.
http://www.inc.com/guides/how-to-communicate-in-a-crisis.html< ><–>