Welcome to Chicago video from the IABC!

The International Association of Business Communicators 2012 World Conference will give attendees a look to the future of strategic communications.

They’ll learn how to approach and adapt to the global business environment during the next three years between 2012 and 2015.

The IABC conference will cover a variety of topics
that will help you become a better communicator.

I presented last year and also hosted the Gold Quill Awards Ceremony
at the 2011 IABC World Conference.

My presentation this year is entitled; “Say It Like You Mean It”

This year, in 2012 I’ll talk about how mixed messages,
coupled with poor delivery, hurt reputations.

Poor communication skills impact business and keep people from truly connecting.

The way we communicate can often mean the difference between success and failure.

I’ll also talk about how you can improve your personal presentation style and be a compelling communicator, and illustrate what it takes to be more articulate, have greater influence and successfully deliver a message.

My session this year will be interactive, and in it you will learn about the perils of the endless loop trap where we repeat ineffective patterns of behavior.

I’ll also address proven techniques that will help you better manage how you look, how you sound, and what you say.

You’ll walk away with a simple, powerful plan to
meaningfully connect one-on-one and with groups.

The 2012 IABC World Conference is in Chicago at the Sheraton Towers, June 24–27.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you are attending. Drop by to say hello!

 My presentation; Say It Like You Mean It is on Monday, June 25 at 3:15 pm.

I hope to see you there!

Be well, Jeff

Amendment One crosses religious and political lines. It addresses same-sex marriage issues. As you can imagine, it is an incredibly sensitive issue that has an emotional impact on many people, regardless of whether you are for or against.

Executives from large corporations are weighing in because many feel that if passed, the amendment will have an impact on their companies. Some do it with disclaimers saying their views regarding this issue are “personal opinion” and not that of their companies.

I told the Observer … “most large corporations have little to gain and much to lose by taking a stand on a political or social issue”

Cathy Bessant, GTO - Global Technology and Operations executive of Bank of America, stated in a video that the passing of Amendment One “would have a “disastrous effect on the state’s ability to recruit talent.”

Bessant does not want North Carolina to adopt a constitution that prevents same-sex marriage. However, when an executive or a politician takes any type of resolute position on such a personal subject people will inevitably confuse the spokesperson’s business and personal preferences. Some do it innocently, while others capitalize on the opportunity to create confusion and put words in an opponent’s mouth.

Bessant wasn’t trapped by a journalist into stating her preference. She made her statement in a video she had control of, and in a video where she also stated she wanted North Carolina to be considered as “progressive and forward looking.”

I also told the Observer, “Clearly, companies need to carefully think through the short, medium and long-term consequences of their social and political policies. If a company is not determined to ride out the criticism … it’s best to lay low and pass on taking a stand.”

It seems Bessant weighed her options carefully regarding this particular issue, but many times CEOs and politicians make statements to news media without consideration given to how people will interpret their words. In our modern social media world where everyone is a reporter, it is very important to formulate and deliver your statements clearly, and in a way that reduces confusion.

You can read the entire article here in the Charlotte Observer.

We covered a variety of topics regarding the challenges of lawyers becoming involved as spokespersons during a time of crisis for their corporate clients.

Back in the day, when a crisis hit, executives would all too often automatically tell reporters to speak with legal counsel. Not so now. Many corporations today realize they have to pay more attention to the public affairs aspect of a crisis, especially considering the popularity of social media and more aggressive journalists.

During the interview I told Pablo, “A lawyer could save a company millions of dollars in a courtroom, but the corporation may lose a billion dollars in sales because of the hit it might have taken in terms of public opinion,” says Jeff Ansell, principal of Jeff Ansell & Associates Inc., a media strategy firm in Toronto, and author of When the Headline Is You.

“So, who’s the winner?”

In the article Pablo wrote, “That’s a question most corporate counsel should be asking when they get involved in managing the fallout from a short-term crisis or a high-stakes, long-term litigation. It’s also a question they should consider when assessing how to get involved in a crisis: many, according to Ansell, want to take over the entire process rather than work with public affairs to mitigate the impact of bad news. They’re consumed by the threats the event poses to the organization and want to take over the messaging to win favour with the executive.”

I also told Pablo, “The problem with that is legal is just too predictable. I’d be very careful in putting up a lawyer as a spokesperson because it doesn’t send the right signal. In fact, when lawyers deal with the media, they get up and say something along the lines of ‘We’ll mount a vigorous defence,’ and that’s just trite garbage.”

Pablo also wrote, “Instead, legal departments should work in tandem with executives and the public affairs team in order to ensure the messaging is just right, based on my statement, “In-house counsel have to speak the same language and have respect for public affairs,” says Ansell. “Both sides need to have a strong understanding of one another and identify each other’s needs. Too often, they go at each other, with legal prevailing.”

It’s an interesting article that addresses a number of other important issues that any spokesperson responsible for managing a crisis at their company will find valuable.

You can read the entire Crisis Team article on the CCCA site, or my web site.

As described on their web site: The Higher Education Summit explores ways to ensure post secondary education is more relevant than ever.

I will discusses strategies to effectively handle media during a crisis.

Guest speakers at the event will be, among others;

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin

Margaret Trudeau

If you attend my presentation on Sunday, November 27, please say hello.

My segment at the Sheraton Centre begins at  3:30 pm.

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On December 9th, I’m also a guest speaker at a communications
conference sponsored by the Ontario Hospital Association – OHA 

As described on the OHA website: “Communicators play an important role in building trust between Ontario hospitals and the communities they serve. That role will become even more important on January 1, 2012, when Ontario hospitals will become subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

Hospital communicators need to prepare for the impact
FIPPA will have on their roles and their organization.”

I will address how to handle news media when controversial issues become public.

I’ll break my talk down under the following topics:

• Do you have what it takes to:

Deal comfortably with the media?
Communicate properly in a crisis?
Speak with poise, substance and style in any situation?

• When the Headline Is YOU: An insider’s guide to handling the media

• Reputation Management

You can learn more about the conference here . . .

Hope to see you at the OHA event on Friday December 9th

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Why is it that when you need to deliver important information in a concise, articulate manner, your brain shuts down so tightly you can’t even remember your own name.

How does it happen? You’re not a dummy. You know your business, and the supporting information inside out and backwards, but when it comes to relaying your knowledge to others, your heart starts racing and your mouth goes dry as you hem, haw, and stutter.

Nothing comes out. “I’d like to introduce you to my ahhh spouse, ahhhh . . . ahhhh …”

It’s embarrassing when it happens in a casual social setting, but brain freeze often has catastrophic consequences for executives and politicians.

A momentary blank mind is interpreted by most people as not being able to think on your feet - a debilitating trait which is the kiss of death for all leaders. You need to make snap decision intelligently, but if you can’t even keep the ABC’s of communication straight how can you make important decisions on behalf of the people who follow and trust you?

A brain shutdown at an inopportune moment can cause
share prices to plummet and an election to be lost.

If you’re armed with the right training and speaking tools you can avoid the devastating situation presidential hopeful Rick Perry recently experienced. During an important televised GOP debate Perry could not remember crucial segments of his own campaign stump speech. He knew he wanted to shut down three government agencies if he were to be elected president, but he could not recall the name of third – the ENERGY agency, which he has talked about shutting down repeatedly in the past.

Mr. Perry is a smart guy right? So why did he hit the wall and fail to deliver?

During my speakers presentation and media training courses I address exactly why your mind suddenly goes blank, and what you can do to prevent it.

Click to learn about the science behind the freeze from two experts at ABC News.

Brain freeze does not have to happen to you.

Learn to prevent it, and show up prepared.

My portion of the presentation will address the challenges executives face everyday regarding mainstream and social media communication.

It is even harder today to handle news media effectively when you take all the factors into consideration. Knowing how to create and present your message takes special skills. Fortunately these media skills can be learned.

Join me, and the other guest speaker, Kanina Blanchard, on Thursday November 24 at the London Club for the 7:30 am breakfast where I will address a number of strategies anyone can use to improve their relationship with news media.

Learn more here through the Tech Alliance website.

Space is limited so please register at Genesis Executive Management today.

The RIM failure was one of the subjects I addressed at a recent presentation I delivered to IABC members in Montreal.

The apology from Lazaridis posted on YouTube had all the facts, but it didn’t come across as genuine. Being able to emphatically demonstrate that you feel someone’s pain is critical in getting your message across effectively.

Some people argue they’re just IT guys, Nerds, Geeks, Coders, and that they don’t have to speak effectively because they do other things extraordinarly well. Well … I gotta tell ya, anyone can learn to communicate properly, even Geeks who control billion dollar companies. If they don’t, they will not serve their shareholders responsibly.

Lazaridis looked like he was reading the apology instead of speaking from his heart. Many people on YouTube picked up on this and posted harsh comments in response.

These are the guys whose company produces a product that only a very short time ago was the Holy Grail of business communication – the once revered Blackberry. Today, because of poor communication performance, loyal customers are confused and seriously considering switching mobile communication formats to one of RIM’s many competitors. Many consumers have already given up and moved to Android or iPhone.

I’ve recommended for years that spokespeople use all avenues available when embroiled in controversy and crisis. I talk about it in my presentations, in my newsletters, and through all my social media tools.

The most important thing you can do when your company finds itself in a crisis situation is to make sure you know how to deliver your message effectively to mainstream news media at the first sign of trouble, and to then follow up using your own communication tools, i.e., your company blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

For most people, when I tell them that this is the most effective strategy, they get it and want to know how.

Ironically though, these two powerful businessmen, who are at the forefront of technology that supports social media communication, repeatedly fail to get it, and this mistake could finally cost them their company.

The RIM breakdown was big news the day I was in Montreal. My thanks to the local IABC chapter members for turning out to hear me share some thoughts. Your response the day-of, and through YOUR social media networks was very much appreciated. 

Here are a few pictures from the event:

IABC/Montreal board Nancy LeBosquain, Alain Legault, Sharon Hunter, Jeff Ansell and Paula Bernardino. photo credit http://www.chamsidib.com/ 2011

Speak from your heart

Consequently, the mayor wants all journalists to register as lobbyists.

Kaplan’s reasoning is creative, but he’s not the first politician to refuse to speak to reporters. He is however, misguided to think, as he says, that “his decision will have a chilling effect.” It’s more likely the only thing that will end up on ice is his political career.

It reminds me of the kid who refused to eat his vegetables. He sat stubbornly until his sister was served dessert, upon which time he reluctantly choked down cold string beans to get to the cake.

Not speaking with media is a huge risk for so little gain when the other option, developing and using media skills effectively, can harvest you so much more.

Trust me Mr. Mayor, you will eventually talk to the media.

UPDATE: It didn’t take long for Mayor Kaplan to answer his detractors. The very next day he claimed his motive for not speaking to media is to force the new ethics code to be fixed because he states it is poorly written and falls into the Law of Unintended Consequences. Ironically, he responded to the reporter who wrote the article and he did so on the newspaper’s blog.

See? I told you. Eat your beans Mr. Mayor before they get cold.

Here’s another head-turner. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina head football coach refused to speak at a press conference while sports columnist Ron Morris of The Columbia State newspaper was present. Instead, Spurrier led reporters from room to room as he tried to shake Morris. Sports spokespeople and athletes are notorious for refusing to speak with media, which is ironic because sports is more aligned with entertainment than it is real news.

Mainstream sports media have historically assumed the role of ramping fans up to a feverish pitch, but it’s obvious by the increasing number of athletes refusing to speak to media, the sports industry no longer feels mainstream media is the hand that feeds them. It’s a dangerous mistake because support from a third party like news media has substantially more influence on people than anything found on a web site, or a social media network owned and controlled by the sports franchise.

It sounds like pro wrestling hi-jinks

The moral here is to learn to handle media effectively, not fight them.

According to The Independent (a UK publication), “Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager) has launched an astonishing attack on the BBC, saying that the national broadcaster is “arrogant beyond belief”, has an “inability to apologise”, and does not care about being sued “because they are so huge and have insurance.”"

The irony regarding his arrogance boggles the mind. Sports spokespeople are now arguing in public about who needs whom more, instead of improving media skills and working together to ratchet fan fever up a notch.

Here’s a more mainstream example of media being barred from what they perceive to be rightful access to an event that uses public funds and resources. This example is a little different in that Horseback, an equestrian magazine in Houston, reported that the federal Bureau of Land Management refused reporters access to their new BLM director who was present at a small controversial event gathering, but physically shielded by Land Management officials. The issue is about protecting and rounding up wild horses, but the BLM strategy is straight out of a fantasy football playbook. Since when did executives need blockers in a media scrum? PR pros on the sidelines definitely, but not running plays on the field during the game. It’s asking for trouble because it implies the executive is not capable of speaking independently.

The episode is also caught on camera in this video. The video is quite long, but at the very beginning you can see how the BLM runs interference while the director is, at first, present, but then disappears when more serious questions are asked.

Why are all these people so distrustful of news media?

Here’s one reason – confusion.

People are inherently distrustful of anyone they feel has potential to harm them – whether it is justified or not, and it’s no secret media are sometimes complicit in creating mistrust and confusion. For example, on his blog, New York Times Op-Ed columnist Paul Krugman lends support to Occupy Wall Street, but he refused to address or join protesters at the event because he stated he did not want to cross the line between “advocate” and “activist.” This fine distinction is very hard for most people to understand.

Whose side is he on? Is he even supposed to be on anyone’s side? According to his blog, Krugman supports the protesters, but it appears he doesn’t want to be trapped by colleagues at other news companies who might ask him to speak to them on the record, because after all … they are media.

Another reason average people are scared of reporters is due to a lack of understanding of how journalists do their jobs, plus, unprepared spokespersons also do not know how to get their point across effectively. Quite literally, they are not media literate.

If you know you will eventually become embroiled in controversy (and what company or politician isn’t these days), you should at least know which end of the cow produces the milk. You don’t have to be the aggressor or take the first shot, in fact this strategy is not recommended. It would however be prudent to at least have enough media relations skill so you know enough not to step in a cow pie or get kicked in the head when you sit on the little stool to milk your story for all its worth.

All the examples I’ve used here seem so negative and frightening that you might be thinking, the heck with it, I’m running for cover. But keep this in mind, some spokespeople are fearless and incredibly effective in front of a microphone or TV camera. Why? Well, they know how to handle the media. It’s as simple as that. Know your job.

Bill Clinton was constantly in hot water, but he knew how to engage a reporter head on and tell his story effectively. He didn’t come by this skill naturally. He learned to do it!

Silently sticking your head in the sand is only going to get you one thing – a kicked butt.

If you don’t speak for yourself, someone will do it for you
and you probably won’t like what they say.

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RADIO vs TV – my latest VIDEO

I came from radio and ended up on television at CityTV Toronto.

Learning to be a TV news producer on the fly was very stressful, so much so that I started smoking cigarettes again after quitting for five years.

I knew nothing about TV news production when I arrived at CityTV from radio.

Cameramen and editors taught me on the fly.

Thankfully, I quickly moved to becoming a TV news jounalist when a reporter left and I took over his position.

Relatively speaking, radio is a one man show, while television needs a team. 

CityTV was a valuable education for me.

Watch the video clip here …

A few of the videos are already online on my new web site.

Some of the videos are personal anecdotes of how and why I became so interested in the news industry. I even relate stories of my aspirations when I was a kid.

Some of the videos are quite serious, like the one about investigating Nazi war criminals.

I’ve been in the news industry a long time and have been part of its evolution. The changes impact everyone, but not necessarily in a good way as you will see in this most recent short video where I talk about why it has happened, and how it affects all of us, including you.

Charles Darwin wrote, “It’s the not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” He was referring in a scientific way to how single cell organisms grow and multiply.

In some respects his observation applies to many things that affect our lives, like news.

How we gather and interpret news is changing.

In some cases the changes are exponential and profound.

It is no secret that if you are to lead a happier life and to have a more successful business you have to be open to change. Unfortunately, sometimes we forget this and remain rooted in our old ways of thinking.

I hope you find this video series interesting and thought provoking.

Here’s my latest video offering – News Has Changed …

Please don’t hesitate to comment. I’m always very interested in what you think.

Stephanopoulos: “There are so many people who simply don’t think they’re better off than they were four years ago. How do you convince them that they are?”

President Obama: “Well, I don’t think they’re better off than they were four years ago. They’re not better off than they were before Lehman collapsed, before the financial crisis, before this extraordinary recession that we’re going through.”

SOUND BITE ALERT! … I don’t think they’re better off than they were four years ago.

It’s odd for someone of President Obama’s experience to make such a glaring media mistake. Repeating a negative offered up by a journalist is the absolute wrong thing to do.

The sound bite was so powerful it actually became a headline!

When Stephanopoulos asked the President how he would convince voters to find a silver lining in their current economic position, it was an open invitation for Obama to tout his achievements and paint a positive picture of all he has done to fix America.

Instead, the President gave credence to a negative statement and in effect agreed that under his watch Americans were doing worse.

He had a million roads to go down and he chose the one that took him over the cliff.

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Come and visit me in Montreal next week at my IABC talk about 
what to do  When the Headline Is YOU

October 13, 2011 - 4:00pm at the Sofitel Hotel on Sherbrooke St.

Hope to see you there!