Words That Work
for Executive Communications
WORDSTHATWORKBLOG.COM
Do You Stand Out Enough?
"I think it was Kermit who said “It’s not easy being green.” But green is how most people feel when they are faced with speaking before a group. That’s the first reason an executive hires a speechwriter -- you are an expert in your industry, but a speechwriter brings outsider perspective, will find “out of the box,” ways to engage your audience and can add a professional edge that makes for a “stand-out” presentation.
The other reason to hire a speechwriter is that no matter how competent your internal communications people are, and how much you assure them ...<< MORE >>
The other reason to hire a speechwriter is that no matter how competent your internal communications people are, and how much you assure them ...<< MORE >>
Should You Be in Business/Social Media?
"Ignore social media at your peril" says B to B magazine. Quoted from their March 31st issue:
Research indicates nearly half of all U.S. adults use some sort of social media, and if your company isn't working to tap into the "treasure trove of information," you're going to be left behind, according to BtoB. "Social media monitoring gives direct marketers an opportunity to keep their fingers on the pulse of how consumers are responding -- to what extent current campaigns are successful, how they need to refine campaigns over time and, ultimately, the business outcomes," one researcher says.
I ...<< MORE >>
Research indicates nearly half of all U.S. adults use some sort of social media, and if your company isn't working to tap into the "treasure trove of information," you're going to be left behind, according to BtoB. "Social media monitoring gives direct marketers an opportunity to keep their fingers on the pulse of how consumers are responding -- to what extent current campaigns are successful, how they need to refine campaigns over time and, ultimately, the business outcomes," one researcher says.
I ...<< MORE >>
Business Beauty
A client asked me if I thought her photo was too sweet. It’s a beautiful headshot, her eyes sparkle, her smile is warm. Jane is a business consultant, and a sharp one. “I don't want to look like the ice queen,” she says, “ but if I'm talking about powerful leadership, then, I think the photo looks too sweet.”
It’s a great question… it’s the essence of the question a communicator like me tries to answer every day, really. What makes communication powerful? What’s the best way to use words, actions, even how we look, to influence what happens ...<< MORE >>
It’s a great question… it’s the essence of the question a communicator like me tries to answer every day, really. What makes communication powerful? What’s the best way to use words, actions, even how we look, to influence what happens ...<< MORE >>
Speaking of Speaking
Dick Cavett, someone who is certainly familiar with how to appeal to an audience, has some advice for the candidates that would do well for all of us who are presenting: “pretend you are speaking to one single person -- because that’s what everybody is. No one watching or sitting in the audience is an all of you or everyone here and certainly not ladies and gentleman. The most magical word you can use, short of a person’s name, is you...”
Then you must imagine the impact of what you are saying on every you in the audience.
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Then you must imagine the impact of what you are saying on every you in the audience.
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Goodbye, Jack
We lost a great communicator in February. When I first got into communications in Atlanta everyone had heard of Burton-Campbell, one of the first big ad shops in town. Jack Burton and his partner sold the agency, and went their separate ways. “Cot Campbell got into racehorsing, I heard” he said when I ran into him at Kroger. “Don’t know why I didn’t do that well.” And then he gave me his trademark half-deadpan, half-mischief smile. He was the rare person who seemed grateful and completely satisfied with the way his life worked out. Jack loved fishing and he loved people -- after he sold the agency he would find non-profit multi-image projects and hire creative (and cheap) young people like me to work with him on raising money for some great cause. Even the lowest budget projects were a creative adventure for Jack -- never mind that he’d won Addy’s. It had been many years since I’d seen him when we met in the checkout lane that Friday evening. He and his wife had moved to an assisted living highrise near me. “You are not going to believe this,” he said. Jack made you feel like he had saved something wonderful to tell just you: “next week I’m going to be ninety years old.” I told him how wonderful he looked and we joked about a few things and he was gone. But I was lighter and happier for having spent a few minutes with Jack. He reminded me what it’s like to be with someone who leaves people better than they found them. The next Wednesday he died, and I just hope there are others coming up who have his kind of grace and can take the world lightly and handle it gently, the way he did. That Jack Burton spark needs to live on.
Welcome
Come here often for thoughts on the intricacies of communicating well and how we can use words to make our work and our lives go better. If something here sparks a thought for you... you are invited to communicate it!