How Well Do You Communicate With Yourself?
January 26, 2010
There is much talk and more written about effective business communication with your customers and prospects. But what about how you communicate with yourself?
I began to ponder this question as I sat waiting to be called for a panel on my first day of jury duty. The laptops thoughtfully provided for the jurors were hopelessly slow and outdated. So I had the choice of reading the newspaper, or a paperback or pondering the meaning of life. Finally, time to THINK! Read more
Nelson Mandela, The Great Communicator
January 4, 2010
I just returned from seeing the excellent film, “Invictus,” starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, shortly after he was elected president of South Africa in the mid-1990s. What I didn’t remember, or possibly ever know, is that Nelson Mandela is one of the most powerful communicators ever to lead a nation. He succeeded in communicating to whites that they were essential to his vision of a united nation. Read more
Thank You Notes Are Not Only a Courtesy, They Can Lead to New Business
November 30, 2009
Today’s guest columnist, Andrea Nierenberg, discusses the importance of the personal note in business. This often-overlooked practice can make you stand out from the competition and nurture important business relationships at a time when electronic communication has become ubiquitous. The article is adapted from her monthly newsletter.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to stay in touch is with the power of the personal note with a “thank you” to a business associate. In research I’ve conducted, I ask the question, “How many of you send out personal notes?” I also ask, “How many of you receive personal notes or cards from clients or business associates?” The response indicates that few people take this practice seriously. As a follow up, I ask, “Has anyone received notes of appreciation, and how does that make you feel?” I trust you know the answer to this last question.
Here are eight opportunities to send a “thank you,” and when and how to do it effectively: Read more
What CEOs Can Learn About Employee Communications From the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
November 14, 2009
I just returned from a joyous concert by the U.S. Army’s “Pershing” Band, as it is known, that was in town for its annual concert at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. As I sat there with friends tapping my feet and applauding every brassy patriotic song, I thought what a great lesson I was learning about communications. And that’s this: when you communicate with joy, you turn an audience into your biggest fans. Read more
Winning Media Interviews, Part III: Structuring Your Answers to a Question
October 29, 2009
Whether you are being interviewed by a print, broadcast or online reporter, you should structure your answer in what journalists call the “inverted pyramid” style. That is, you lead with your most important message. For many executives, this is in direct contrast to the way they approach a problem, that is, by gathering the facts and building a case for a proposal or recommendation. Read more
7 Steps to Making Your Employees Brand Ambassadors
August 19, 2009
Your employees can be your best brand ambassadors. What does that mean? It means you can mobilize an army of employees dedicated to communicating your company’s key messages and building your brand reputation online. First, it is essential to establish a positive two-way dialogue with employees so they feel involved in the process of promoting the company. They need to know management is listening to them and that they are important to the company’s success. The key is trust – companies can’t control what employees say but if you have good relations with employees you can trust they will represent the company well. Zappos, Intel, Comcast, IBM, Diamond Technologies and a host of other companies have done it. So can you. Read more
How Obama’s Story Telling May Shift the Conversation on Health Care
August 17, 2009
The debate on health care has reached a fever pitch with both sides — those for and against it – dug in for the fight. Until now, President Obama, the most cerebral of presidents, has used the logic of his argument to try to communicate to the American people the details of his health plan. But it hasn’t been working. Read more
Employees Can Become Brand Ambassadors; Learn How in a Free Webinar
August 13, 2009
As I’ve written before, internal social networking is growing like wildfire. But not nearly enough companies are leveraging their employees’ love affair with external social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to communicate with customers. I will be describing how they can in a webinar on August 19 at 1 pm. EDT with my colleague Amy Dean . For a more detailed description and to register for this free one-hour program click on this link FreeWebinarWednesdays . Read more
Does Your Company Have a Social Media Director? Take The Poll
July 26, 2009
I’ve posted a simple 5-question poll on Linked-In: Does Your Company Have a Social Media Director to Manage the Company’s Social Media Strategy? Click on Social Media Poll if you would like to take the poll.
I’ll be posting the responses. Also, please use the Comment section in this post if you would like to add your thoughts on the topic. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!
Fortune 100 CEOs are Social Media Slackers, Says New Study
July 23, 2009
The website UberCEO (All Things CEO) conducted a study last month that we just discovered. The study of the Fortune 2009 list of the top 100 CEOs found: Read more