I’ll be leading an interactive training session at the Social Media for Citizen & Stakeholder Engagement in Government conference – want to come? The conference, scheduled for December 5-8 in Washington, DC, is presented by the Advanced Learning Institute and will allow you to hear the latest practical advice from leading government agencies and organizations on how to engage your citizens and stakeholders by using new media and traditional channels.
The advice that will be touched on during the conference includes using the latest communication tools to promote transparency, enhance engagement and foster collaboration; communicating effectively and efficiently through the use of social media avenues; taking citizen and stakeholder feedback and ideas and putting them into action plans; delivering the information that citizens want, when they want it, using the channel they prefer; leveraging citizen satisfaction analytics to guide resource allocation decisions to make improvements in the organization; and utilizing social media in a crisis situation as a place for planning, strategy implementation, networking and recruiting.
My session will be held Thursday, December 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (continental breakfast will be provided at 8:00 a.m. for the morning workshop attendees) and will focus on how to strategically drive public outreach using traditional and new media as well as innovative communication tools and techniques. In today’s environment of budget cuts and government disillusionment, it is more important than ever for your organization to educate your constituents on what you do, how you serve, and how your work positively impacts the world. This workshop will help you learn how to listen better to your audiences and get them to listen better to you, understand the different approaches to communicating (including the array of communication tools available today), define your organization’s priorities and build your communications plan around them, and choose the most effective communication tool for the specific message being communicated and audience you’re communicating to.
If you have suggestions for must-topics to include in this session, I’d love to hear from you. And if you decide to sign up, please let me know so I make sure to meet you at the session!
If you’re interested in improving your citizen and stakeholder engagement efforts, this is a must-attend event. You’ll receive over 25 hours of intense, interactive learning, great networking opportunities and a comprehensive overview of engagement strategies and processes from leading practitioners. My fellow speakers include U.S. Army Public Affairs; National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice; Maryland Emergency Management Agency; U.S. Census Bureau; Google; Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; GovLoop; U.S. Department of State; OhMyGov!; and the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.
To learn more about the conference and register, please visit http://www.aliconferences.com/conf/citizen_stake_eng_govt1211/register.htm. Hope to see you there!
Advice Unlimited
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Aftermath of 9/11: Crisis Communications is now Interactive
It used to be that most government organizations had a crisis communications plan that would be pulled out and reviewed maybe once a year, that was relatively static and standard in its contents. The plan provided guidance on calling a press conference to update reporters who would in turn update the public on the process and progress being made in dealing with the crisis or disaster at hand, creating press releases and other briefing materials, etc. The process was largely reactive, rather than proactive, and definitely the information went one-way – from the public affairs representatives and government officials to the public.
No more.
Today, public outreach is interactive. Whether we as government public affairs organizations are ready for this or not, citizens are involved and engaged in information sharing – especially in a crisis or disaster. If we are to do our jobs and stay on top of ensuring the public gets accurate information in a timely manner, we must be much more proactive, flexible, and connected.
In fact, it is even more important in today’s interactive environment for us to be responsive and responsible – to ensure the public gets accurate information and the guidance they need to stay safe in a crisis. We as public information specialists must be proactive, leveraging the many communication channels our public will look to for information, guidance, reassurance. We must incorporate these new tools – along with traditional communication channels – to ensure we are reaching all of our different citizen groups with timely, accurate, clearly understandable information and guidance through the communication channels they use and trust.
I believe it is also our responsibility to be vigilant against misinformation – rumors being spread, panic being encouraged, because of some source of information that has it wrong but has the public’s attention. This requires awareness and monitoring of those sources of information that impact our target audience, and rapid response capabilities to correct misinformation and set the record straight authoritatively and calmly. We are not only the providers of information; we also set the tone for response and reaction by providing, proactively before people begin to panic, specific information to the most basic and important questions: how bad is it? Will my family be safe? What do we need to do to be safe? Will our basic needs be taken care of?
Several of the news reports after the East Coast earthquake on August 23 joked that a lot of people did exactly what they were not supposed to do – they ran into the streets rather than seeking safety in their homes or buildings. They panicked. They had never experienced this before. Where should they turn for information? One of the greatest challenges with a crisis is that it happens unexpectedly, and the worst of it is immediate. There’s minimal preparation time, and the more terrible and frightening the crisis, the harder it is to get people to listen to any source of information, much less an ‘official’ message. The best we can do is plan for the worst, prepare now for what might happen so that when disaster strikes, we are well trained to jump into action and reach out to reassure, provide guidance and calm fears. And understand that our communication must accommodate our citizens responding and communicating with each other as well as with us, in an interactive, collaborative environment.
As the stewards of communication, it is our responsibility to understand this new dynamic, prepare for it and integrate this new reality into our planning and preparation, to ensure we are leveraging all communication channels and participants effectively to ensure everyone has accurate facts and the information they need to stay safe.
Welcome to the new world of crisis communications.
Sandy Evans Levine is President of Advice Unlimited, a WOSB public outreach/strategic communications firm serving government organizations and IT companies, based in Olney, MD. Ms. Levine can be reached at slevine@adviceunlimited.net.
No more.
Today, public outreach is interactive. Whether we as government public affairs organizations are ready for this or not, citizens are involved and engaged in information sharing – especially in a crisis or disaster. If we are to do our jobs and stay on top of ensuring the public gets accurate information in a timely manner, we must be much more proactive, flexible, and connected.
In fact, it is even more important in today’s interactive environment for us to be responsive and responsible – to ensure the public gets accurate information and the guidance they need to stay safe in a crisis. We as public information specialists must be proactive, leveraging the many communication channels our public will look to for information, guidance, reassurance. We must incorporate these new tools – along with traditional communication channels – to ensure we are reaching all of our different citizen groups with timely, accurate, clearly understandable information and guidance through the communication channels they use and trust.
I believe it is also our responsibility to be vigilant against misinformation – rumors being spread, panic being encouraged, because of some source of information that has it wrong but has the public’s attention. This requires awareness and monitoring of those sources of information that impact our target audience, and rapid response capabilities to correct misinformation and set the record straight authoritatively and calmly. We are not only the providers of information; we also set the tone for response and reaction by providing, proactively before people begin to panic, specific information to the most basic and important questions: how bad is it? Will my family be safe? What do we need to do to be safe? Will our basic needs be taken care of?
Several of the news reports after the East Coast earthquake on August 23 joked that a lot of people did exactly what they were not supposed to do – they ran into the streets rather than seeking safety in their homes or buildings. They panicked. They had never experienced this before. Where should they turn for information? One of the greatest challenges with a crisis is that it happens unexpectedly, and the worst of it is immediate. There’s minimal preparation time, and the more terrible and frightening the crisis, the harder it is to get people to listen to any source of information, much less an ‘official’ message. The best we can do is plan for the worst, prepare now for what might happen so that when disaster strikes, we are well trained to jump into action and reach out to reassure, provide guidance and calm fears. And understand that our communication must accommodate our citizens responding and communicating with each other as well as with us, in an interactive, collaborative environment.
As the stewards of communication, it is our responsibility to understand this new dynamic, prepare for it and integrate this new reality into our planning and preparation, to ensure we are leveraging all communication channels and participants effectively to ensure everyone has accurate facts and the information they need to stay safe.
Welcome to the new world of crisis communications.
Sandy Evans Levine is President of Advice Unlimited, a WOSB public outreach/strategic communications firm serving government organizations and IT companies, based in Olney, MD. Ms. Levine can be reached at slevine@adviceunlimited.net.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Irene Inspires Proactive Communication from Federal, State and Local Officials
Disasters happen. How quickly and appropriately those in authority respond to those disasters can make the difference between a frightening but manageable situation, versus a full-out catastrophe on many levels. It seems that government officials at federal and state and local levels took to heart the lessons from Katrina, and made sure that as Hurricane Irene captured the nation’s attention, they were in front of the storm – with their communications and their preparedness efforts.
The speed and precision you exhibit when communicating with your public correlates directly with how bad the crisis will be – when you have a solid plan in place you can move faster to calm fears, negate rumors, and build trust with your audience. By placing your clients' needs first in dealing with a crisis you are more likely to survive a crisis situation. The mantra before Irene from many government organizations was the focus on how they could help their citizens: ‘we can’t stop the winds or the floods, but we can move to protect our citizens and save lives.’ Some felt the mandatory evacuations in some places was a bit of overkill, but NJ Governor Christie, for one, clearly stated, “no regrets.” Many followed that pattern of better safe than sorry, and most found calm acceptance from their constituents. There was even patient acceptance that the power company crews ‘were doing their best,’ as people were consistently updated through various media sources on the battle against power outages by crews working 24/7, and supplemented with traveling crews from other parts of the country.
Clearly, some things were done right. Is your organization in good shape for the next time a calamity impacts your operations? How up to date is your crisis communications plan?
The Calm Before the Storm
Before a disaster occurs, your priority and top-level goal is to prevent or minimize a crisis situation before it escalates. Many government organizations are reviewing their crisis communications plans and putting Public Information Centers (PICs) in place. These organizations understand preparedness is vital to successful crisis communications and have gone through the necessary procedures to be ready when disaster strikes.
There are key steps to preventing or minimizing a crisis. To begin, prepare a plan that dictates the roles of the leaders on the crisis communications team. This plan designates the makeup of the confidential working group that will deal with the crisis, and defines the logistics of immediately assembling this group to assess the situation should a crisis occur. Once the leaders are in place, determine key facts surrounding the disaster; including: What is at stake? Who is the audience? What are your immediate and longer-term communication needs? What needs are exclusive to this type of disaster? Understanding the scope of the situation allows both primary and secondary prevention to be considered. Primary prevention averts incidents from occurring, while secondary prevention thwarts an incident from escalating by swiftly addressing issues made public.
An effective crisis communications plan will provide the processes to help you anticipate challenges, recognize your vulnerabilities, and evaluate and assess potentially damaging scenarios. It provides the tools to thoughtfully define the parameters of a crisis - what's the worst news that could come out of a possible disaster - and the best way to prevent and/or manage such a scenario.
The more you prepare during the calm, the faster you can get ahead of the storm when a disaster hits. As our constituents become more connected and communication tools become more interconnected and interactive, the more important an effective crisis communications plan becomes. This plan helps your team navigate rough waters effectively, to minimize panic, reassure your audiences, and protect sensitive sources. A delicate balancing act - but one Public Affairs and Public Relations professionals must engage in more and more frequently. And we all want to be able to say, confidently and calmly, at the end of the storm: ‘no regrets.’
Sandy Evans Levine is President of Advice Unlimited, a Woman-Owned Small Business public outreach/strategic communications firm serving government organizations and IT companies, based in Olney, MD. Ms. Levine can be reached at slevine@adviceunlimited.net.
The speed and precision you exhibit when communicating with your public correlates directly with how bad the crisis will be – when you have a solid plan in place you can move faster to calm fears, negate rumors, and build trust with your audience. By placing your clients' needs first in dealing with a crisis you are more likely to survive a crisis situation. The mantra before Irene from many government organizations was the focus on how they could help their citizens: ‘we can’t stop the winds or the floods, but we can move to protect our citizens and save lives.’ Some felt the mandatory evacuations in some places was a bit of overkill, but NJ Governor Christie, for one, clearly stated, “no regrets.” Many followed that pattern of better safe than sorry, and most found calm acceptance from their constituents. There was even patient acceptance that the power company crews ‘were doing their best,’ as people were consistently updated through various media sources on the battle against power outages by crews working 24/7, and supplemented with traveling crews from other parts of the country.
Clearly, some things were done right. Is your organization in good shape for the next time a calamity impacts your operations? How up to date is your crisis communications plan?
The Calm Before the Storm
Before a disaster occurs, your priority and top-level goal is to prevent or minimize a crisis situation before it escalates. Many government organizations are reviewing their crisis communications plans and putting Public Information Centers (PICs) in place. These organizations understand preparedness is vital to successful crisis communications and have gone through the necessary procedures to be ready when disaster strikes.
There are key steps to preventing or minimizing a crisis. To begin, prepare a plan that dictates the roles of the leaders on the crisis communications team. This plan designates the makeup of the confidential working group that will deal with the crisis, and defines the logistics of immediately assembling this group to assess the situation should a crisis occur. Once the leaders are in place, determine key facts surrounding the disaster; including: What is at stake? Who is the audience? What are your immediate and longer-term communication needs? What needs are exclusive to this type of disaster? Understanding the scope of the situation allows both primary and secondary prevention to be considered. Primary prevention averts incidents from occurring, while secondary prevention thwarts an incident from escalating by swiftly addressing issues made public.
An effective crisis communications plan will provide the processes to help you anticipate challenges, recognize your vulnerabilities, and evaluate and assess potentially damaging scenarios. It provides the tools to thoughtfully define the parameters of a crisis - what's the worst news that could come out of a possible disaster - and the best way to prevent and/or manage such a scenario.
The more you prepare during the calm, the faster you can get ahead of the storm when a disaster hits. As our constituents become more connected and communication tools become more interconnected and interactive, the more important an effective crisis communications plan becomes. This plan helps your team navigate rough waters effectively, to minimize panic, reassure your audiences, and protect sensitive sources. A delicate balancing act - but one Public Affairs and Public Relations professionals must engage in more and more frequently. And we all want to be able to say, confidently and calmly, at the end of the storm: ‘no regrets.’
Sandy Evans Levine is President of Advice Unlimited, a Woman-Owned Small Business public outreach/strategic communications firm serving government organizations and IT companies, based in Olney, MD. Ms. Levine can be reached at slevine@adviceunlimited.net.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Print Is Dead? Not So Fast!
We’ve been hearing it for years – print is a dying media. Each week, it seems, there’s a new study released quoting social media statistics and predicting the inevitable demise of print. It stands to reason then, that your grandchildren may never lay eyes on archaic things such as hard copies of magazines and newspapers, right? Not exactly. An Ad Age article by Stephen Kraus and Bob Shullman earlier this month explains how the demise of traditional media outlets has been grossly exaggerated.
Kraus and Shullman describe how they used their “Mendelsohn Affluent Barometer” throughout 2011 to track new and traditional media use among affluent Americans (defined as respondents who make at least $100,000 in annual household income). Their monthly survey, conducted between March and May 2011, consisted of over 1,000 online interviews with affluent Americans. In other words, they explain, these are the 20% of Americans who account for about 60% of U.S. income and approximately 70% of U.S. net worth. Their findings may surprise those who are quick to discount traditional media outlets.
Kraus and Shullman’s survey results break down the statistics: “When asked how they read magazines, 93% said they read hard-copy print versions; in contrast, less than a third read them on computers, and no other format garnered more than 10%. The same pattern is evident for newspapers, which 86% read in print, compared to the 39% who read them on computers, and 14% who read them via smart phone. TV shows are watched on TVs by 94%, followed by 23% who watch them on computers. Websites are viewed on computers by 94%, followed by 32% viewing them on smart phones. The pattern is clear across all media. The vast majority consume content through its most traditional outlet: magazines and newspapers in print, websites on computers, video content through TVs and so on.”
Some may say that these results only encompass the older generations, but Kraus and Shullman make sure to point out that even among the younger generation, traditional media has an advantage. They found that among those aged 18-34, “88% read magazines in print, followed by 35% who read them online; Newspapers show the greatest amount of experimentation -- 70% read newspapers in print, followed relatively closely by 54% who read them online; 94% view video content on TV, followed by 35% who do so on computers and 93% read websites on computers, followed by 38% who do so on smart phones.”
Of course, no one is denying the rise of social media and broader use of different digital communication channels, and the growing influence these changes have on our everyday lives. This survey only reinforces my view that all communication channels bring value. You can’t completely discount traditional media outlets just because there is a new study each week quoting social media statistics. The key always has been, and always will be, to work strategically to define who your target audience is, and then use the communication channels that resonate best with your target audience. Need help deciding which of the many communication channels to use? Contact me today at slevine@adviceunlimited.net or 301-924-0330 to figure out how to get your message to the right people, through the communication channel they use and trust!
Kraus and Shullman describe how they used their “Mendelsohn Affluent Barometer” throughout 2011 to track new and traditional media use among affluent Americans (defined as respondents who make at least $100,000 in annual household income). Their monthly survey, conducted between March and May 2011, consisted of over 1,000 online interviews with affluent Americans. In other words, they explain, these are the 20% of Americans who account for about 60% of U.S. income and approximately 70% of U.S. net worth. Their findings may surprise those who are quick to discount traditional media outlets.
Kraus and Shullman’s survey results break down the statistics: “When asked how they read magazines, 93% said they read hard-copy print versions; in contrast, less than a third read them on computers, and no other format garnered more than 10%. The same pattern is evident for newspapers, which 86% read in print, compared to the 39% who read them on computers, and 14% who read them via smart phone. TV shows are watched on TVs by 94%, followed by 23% who watch them on computers. Websites are viewed on computers by 94%, followed by 32% viewing them on smart phones. The pattern is clear across all media. The vast majority consume content through its most traditional outlet: magazines and newspapers in print, websites on computers, video content through TVs and so on.”
Some may say that these results only encompass the older generations, but Kraus and Shullman make sure to point out that even among the younger generation, traditional media has an advantage. They found that among those aged 18-34, “88% read magazines in print, followed by 35% who read them online; Newspapers show the greatest amount of experimentation -- 70% read newspapers in print, followed relatively closely by 54% who read them online; 94% view video content on TV, followed by 35% who do so on computers and 93% read websites on computers, followed by 38% who do so on smart phones.”
Of course, no one is denying the rise of social media and broader use of different digital communication channels, and the growing influence these changes have on our everyday lives. This survey only reinforces my view that all communication channels bring value. You can’t completely discount traditional media outlets just because there is a new study each week quoting social media statistics. The key always has been, and always will be, to work strategically to define who your target audience is, and then use the communication channels that resonate best with your target audience. Need help deciding which of the many communication channels to use? Contact me today at slevine@adviceunlimited.net or 301-924-0330 to figure out how to get your message to the right people, through the communication channel they use and trust!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Do You Have a Plain Language Program?
Is your organization still bogged down in ‘government-speak’? Isn’t it time you get with the ‘plain language’ program – and get back to clear, simple, direct communication?
Plain language is communication that your target audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. Use clear, direct language to say what you mean, so your audience can understand your message, and find what they need. On October 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law, requiring federal agencies to use “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.” Three Executive Orders have also been issued on this topic.
The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that the public deserves clear communication from government, recommends making your plain language program SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Realistic, with a Timeframe. How can you begin to turn this idea into action? PLAIN recommends the following:
Plain language is communication that your target audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. Use clear, direct language to say what you mean, so your audience can understand your message, and find what they need. On October 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law, requiring federal agencies to use “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.” Three Executive Orders have also been issued on this topic.
The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that the public deserves clear communication from government, recommends making your plain language program SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Realistic, with a Timeframe. How can you begin to turn this idea into action? PLAIN recommends the following:
- Start with a clearly defined goal, and communicate your expectations to everyone involved in the effort.
- Implement a training program so that the entire organization is on the same page.
- Look for small successes and aim for continuous improvement — not rapid change.
- Revise first those documents that have the biggest circulation and are the hardest to understand.
- Post examples of clearly written documents on a website or home directory as a reference tool.
- Evaluate your progress frequently and seek feedback. Adjust your course if necessary.
- Designate “go to” people on your staff who are accessible and knowledgeable.
- Make sure your top managers are plain language practitioners.
- Encourage these managers to champion the process.
Plain language is something that every organization needs to be aware of. No good comes from getting your message out there, if your message is not clear enough to be understood. Contact me at slevine@adviceunlimited.net or 301-924-0330 to discuss how we can help you set up your plain language program, and get you going on the path to clearer communication!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro President, Awarded Top Honor by Admiral Mullen
I was honored to be in attendance a few weeks ago, when Elaine Rogers, President & CEO of USO of Metropolitan Washington – and a dear friend - was presented the Distinguished Public Service Award by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon. This is the highest award that can be given to a civilian by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – and definitely well deserved by Elaine, an amazing leader and true game changer.
Elaine was recognized for her incredible dedication to the servicemembers and their families, through tireless efforts to expand and innovate programming at USO-Metro, including significant expansion of USO-Metro’s charter to provide services and support for military families, particularly local families of deployed servicemembers, and family members visiting wounded heroes at the local hospitals. Elaine has worked with USO-Metro for over 35 years, serving as president for the last 34 years. Under Elaine’s leadership, USO-Metro has increased the scope and depth of the programs it provides to active duty military and their families. USO-Metro services have grown to include emergency housing, food assistance, therapeutic and morale boosting programs at area military hospitals, the TicketLine program, nine family service centers and airport lounges – including the flagship USO International Gateway Lounge at BWI Airport, and Operation USO Care Package – a worldwide program managed by USO-Metro that has successfully delivered nearly 2 million care packages to deployed and deploying troops.
Throughout her tenure, Elaine has worked to grow private and corporate annual donations from $100,000 to over $14 million in cash, goods and services. She has successfully developed the volunteer roster from 50 to nearly 5,000. This dedicated volunteer corps, along with meticulous, program-focused management continues to ensure that 93 cents out of every dollar donated to USO-Metro goes directly to programs and services.
For her tireless dedication to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, Elaine has been recognized by the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force with service awards and medals. She has also been honored by the Secretary of Defense with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and by the Military District of Washington with the Doctor Mary E. Walker Award.
Advice Unlimited has been actively engaged with USO-Metro for over 14 years, serving as USO-Metro’s pro bono public relations firm. I am privileged to be involved with this wonderful organization, and Elaine’s prominent award could not be better deserved! Congratulations, Elaine, on this amazing recognition – and thank you so much for all you do for our troops – and all you inspire so many of us to do to try to keep up with you!
Elaine was recognized for her incredible dedication to the servicemembers and their families, through tireless efforts to expand and innovate programming at USO-Metro, including significant expansion of USO-Metro’s charter to provide services and support for military families, particularly local families of deployed servicemembers, and family members visiting wounded heroes at the local hospitals. Elaine has worked with USO-Metro for over 35 years, serving as president for the last 34 years. Under Elaine’s leadership, USO-Metro has increased the scope and depth of the programs it provides to active duty military and their families. USO-Metro services have grown to include emergency housing, food assistance, therapeutic and morale boosting programs at area military hospitals, the TicketLine program, nine family service centers and airport lounges – including the flagship USO International Gateway Lounge at BWI Airport, and Operation USO Care Package – a worldwide program managed by USO-Metro that has successfully delivered nearly 2 million care packages to deployed and deploying troops.
Throughout her tenure, Elaine has worked to grow private and corporate annual donations from $100,000 to over $14 million in cash, goods and services. She has successfully developed the volunteer roster from 50 to nearly 5,000. This dedicated volunteer corps, along with meticulous, program-focused management continues to ensure that 93 cents out of every dollar donated to USO-Metro goes directly to programs and services.
For her tireless dedication to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, Elaine has been recognized by the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force with service awards and medals. She has also been honored by the Secretary of Defense with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and by the Military District of Washington with the Doctor Mary E. Walker Award.
Advice Unlimited has been actively engaged with USO-Metro for over 14 years, serving as USO-Metro’s pro bono public relations firm. I am privileged to be involved with this wonderful organization, and Elaine’s prominent award could not be better deserved! Congratulations, Elaine, on this amazing recognition – and thank you so much for all you do for our troops – and all you inspire so many of us to do to try to keep up with you!
Friday, May 13, 2011
How NOT to plan a pr campaign
By now you’re probably aware of the unbelievably tacky and irresponsible pr campaign Burson-Marsteller – a pr firm that should definitely know better – attempted on behalf of its client, Facebook: TechCrunch’s coverage is entertaining as well as a great source for the details: http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/12/karma-is-a-bitch/
There are so many lessons to be learned from this incredibly poorly conceived stunt:
1. Taking the high road is always better – people will listen when you’re honorable in presenting facts and information;
2. Journalists do have standards and morals – and most of them will staunchly defend those standards and morals, that’s a big reason why they’re good journalists;
3. Throwing mud usually gets the thrower dirty, too – it may work occasionally in politics, but it’s a terrible approach to take, and reduces everyone involved to be less than they can be;
4. If you’re going to call out a negative about a competitor, take a stand and clearly identify yourself and your motives. Then if you’re right, you’ll be taken seriously.
I could go on...but you get the point. For the record, if you’re interested in launching a negative, underhanded campaign, don’t call me – we work for wonderful, honorable companies who understand the value of positive pr...
And if you’re foolish enough to get yourself into such a predicament, we provide great crisis communications expertise...
There are so many lessons to be learned from this incredibly poorly conceived stunt:
1. Taking the high road is always better – people will listen when you’re honorable in presenting facts and information;
2. Journalists do have standards and morals – and most of them will staunchly defend those standards and morals, that’s a big reason why they’re good journalists;
3. Throwing mud usually gets the thrower dirty, too – it may work occasionally in politics, but it’s a terrible approach to take, and reduces everyone involved to be less than they can be;
4. If you’re going to call out a negative about a competitor, take a stand and clearly identify yourself and your motives. Then if you’re right, you’ll be taken seriously.
I could go on...but you get the point. For the record, if you’re interested in launching a negative, underhanded campaign, don’t call me – we work for wonderful, honorable companies who understand the value of positive pr...
And if you’re foolish enough to get yourself into such a predicament, we provide great crisis communications expertise...
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