Tuesday Tip-Offs

The final countdown to the November election is on with the political temperature on the rise. That can mean trouble ahead for just about any organization. Call it “Cleanup in the Social Media Aisle!” Consider this scenario: an employee, on a personal social media...

Ever been in a presentation when the speaker dumps so much on you that it makes your head hurt? You were caught in the too-much-information-trap. Maybe even you have victimized an audience with a level of detail that dooms your talk. One common pitfall in business...

While this Tuesday Tip-Off was on its way to your inbox, I was on my way to my annual physical. Nobody looks forward to these check-ups, but they play a crucial role in maintaining overall well-being, detecting potential problems and preventing serious ones. It’s the...

It’s a fact: people are drawn to bad news. The news media are often criticized for only reporting negative stories, but there’s plenty of research that explains why bad news and “fake news” catch our attention – and why they spread more widely than accurate...

In the fast-paced world of media, capturing the essence of your message in a brief and impactful way is crucial. Great soundbites are powerful tools in your interview arsenal. I like to think of them as news nuggets – pithy, concise, compelling, colorful and...

I recently caught an episode of Entrepreneur’s “Elevator Pitch” show on the Cheddar channel. Contestants ride an elevator for 60 seconds while pitching their ideas to investors watching remotely in a studio boardroom. Those with persuasive pitches are invited off the...

Great news! Your organization’s PR team just booked an interview with a major media outlet. Now it’s time to prep your spokesperson. Conducting a winning interview is an art – there are key messages to communicate, difficult questions to navigate and, of course,...

A spokesperson’s job is to TELL a story not BECOME the story. Standing in front of a media gaggle is rarely easy, even for the most experienced pros. When the questions become difficult or hostile, the stage is set for trouble. Things can go south very quickly and...

This past weekend I attended a memorial service for Bill Brand, the beloved and highly respected former Redondo Beach, California mayor. He worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in our seaside city. Whenever there was a goliath at the gate, Bill, his army...

In almost every media interview or live audience presentation, you are likely to get hit with a question you can’t or don’t want to answer. There’s a right way and a wrong way to manage the challenge. First, the wrong way: the “pivot.” Washington politicians use it...