Episodios

  • Networking: Effective Communication at Big Events
    Jul 28 2024

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    Those big networking events. Many of us enjoy those but the repetitive small talk can be exhausting and challenging especially when conversations are frequently interrupted. In this episode we look at strategies for engaging storytelling in brief interactions, making meaningful connections, and ensuring your conversations stand out.

    Listen For
    5:06 The Power of Listening
    9:13 When You’re an Introvert
    13:30 Finding Your Wedge into Group Conversations
    20:14 Tailoring Your Stories

    Guest: Robert Kennedy III

    Website | You Tube

    RK3’s August 2024 Webinar http://learnwithrk3.com/3swebinar

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    26 m
  • Top Instagram Trends in 2024
    Jul 21 2024

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    Instagram Reels has become critical for brand promotion. Of all the things you can do on IG (Stories, Posts, Carousels…), Reels is number one.

    SocialInsider studied this recently and found brands have increased their use of reels by 40% compared to the previous year because they’re more engaging than single images or carousels. Brands should have a consistent calendar for creating reels, but also use other content formats like carousels to reach their goals on Instagram.

    And, as in any PR campaign, it’s important to understand your audience and tailor content to their preferences.

    The “Reel” success for brands just might be in creating smaller, niche communities for more effective engagement.

    Listen For
    3:38 Why Reels is Number One on Instagram and How Brands have responded
    6:30 The Importance of a Content Mix
    9:18 Understanding Your Audience
    12:00 Why You Need to Get Their Attention in Three Seconds

    Guest: Adina Jipa, Founder and CMO Social Insider
    Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Instagram Benchmarks Report

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    21 m
  • As Communications Director, What’s Your Next Step for the Democrats? Or Republicans?
    Jul 14 2024

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    The debate was a disaster.

    In this episode, we look at the chaotic political showdown between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, exploring the “What Now” for each party.

    Janet Brown is an extremely well-respected pollster in Canada with NO political affiliation to either US party. We talk about what she would do if she was in charge of communications strategy for the Democrats and the Republicans.

    Listen For
    6:38 The Need to Focus on Donors
    8:40 Utilize Private Meetings for Recovery
    14:06 Emulate Ronald Reagan’s “Morning in America” Campaign
    21:32 How to Monitor Grassroots Indicators

    Guest: Janet Brown
    Website | Email | X | LinkedIn

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    24 m
  • Why Public Relations Shouldn’t Abandon Controversial Industries
    Jul 7 2024

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    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres's has made a controversial suggestion that public relations professionals should sever ties with fossil fuel companies. While his comments are aimed at combating climate change, they overlook the crucial role PR pros play in driving innovation and transparency within these companies.

    By disengaging, PR experts could inadvertently hinder progress towards net-zero goals, as their expertise is vital in communicating and facilitating the transformative changes necessary for a sustainable future.

    But this raises another question – when should we say no to working with a company?

    Listen For
    4:02 Understanding the Influence of Public Relations
    4:40 The Role of Public Relations in Environmental Progress
    6:10 Ethics vs Morality in Public Relations
    17:45 Driving Positive Change

    Guest: Stuart Bruce
    Website | Email | LinkedIn

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    22 m
  • Throwback Thursday - The ORID Method for Structured Conversation
    Jul 4 2024

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    This is a Replay from Episode 73 which first published in October 2022.

    You know how this feels. You’re called into a meeting on something important where a decision or action must be determined. But in the meeting, everyone takes turns making different points (presumably so they feel they’ve contributed to the meeting in front of their superior), the conversation goes wayward and when it comes time to making the decision, everyone’s confused or (worse) misled. This is typically the point where the most senior person in the room then makes decisions, essentially based on what they thought before they entered the room, and the meeting has been a waste of time.

    It just doesn’t have to be this way.

    The ORID method (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, Decisional) traces its origins to a person named Joseph Matthews, a US army Chaplin who had just come home from World War Two. When he returned to his university professorship, he was consumed with the need to help people process the events of their lives – to help people build meaning from their own trials.

    Matthews met an art professor who showed him that any encounter with art involves a trialogue – or three-way conversation – between the art, the artist, and the observer. The Professor explained:

    "First you have to take the work of art seriously by observing carefully what's there, and what's not. Then you must look seriously at what is going on inside of you as you observe the art to see how you are reacting, what repels you? What delights you? You have to peel back layers of awareness so that you can begin to ask what it means to you. Art, the professor explained, is like listening. You must work to create your own meaning from an artwork, or a conversation.”

    Matthews recalled his exposure to phenomenology - the study of phenomena and brought to mind readings of Soren Kierkegaard. Matthews used this structure to create, what was called the art form conversation, and what facilitators affectionately call the focused conversation method. The idea is a structured conversation that helps participants develop their thinking in a logical manner but following a natural human process for focused communication. Logic and facts are introduced first, then emotion is welcomed, followed by interpretation, and then a decision or resolution to the thinking process.

    In this episode we talk with Robin Parsons, a seasoned professional facilitator who uses the ORID method all the time.

    Listen For
    5:09 Definition and Role of a Facilitator
    7:38 The ORID Method Explained
    10:03 The Importance of Reflective Thinking
    17:42 The Challenges with Surveys in Capturing Full Thinking Processes

    Guest: Robin Parsons, MBA, CPF, CTF
    Parsons Dialogue Ltd.
    Website https://www.parsonsdialogue.com/
    Email info@parsonsdialogue.com

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    25 m
  • Shifting Leadership Communication from Command to Curiosity
    Jun 30 2024

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    Leadership, and leadership communication, is evolving. The rules from even just five years ago (pre COVID) have shifted. In this episode Paige Williams shares how we can transform communication and leadership effectiveness by asking the right questions and staying rooted in curiosity.

    These are strategies that can enhance creativity, engagement, and resilience in your team, whether you’re leading a small group or a large organization.

    Listen For
    5:22 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
    7:09 Modern Leadership and the Ecosystem
    10:14 Holding Plans Lightly
    18:29 Positive Deviance

    Guest: Paige Williams, Ph.D. Organisational Behaviour
    Website | Email| LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | Books on Amazon

    Books by Dr Paige
    The Leaders’ Ecosystem
    What Does Good Look Like?
    Own It!
    Becoming Antifragile
    Your Leadership Blueprint
    Surviving to Thriving

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    23 m
  • How Digital Media is Redefining Consumer Behavior
    Jun 23 2024

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    Awareness is likely the most compelling element of purchase decisions.

    Hunter, a top consumer marketing communications firm says its studies show the power of awareness in purchase decisions. It’s also critical to have a multi-channel strategy that can capture your audience’s attention and drive them to action.

    And there’s a surprising amount of strength to in-store communication and word of mouth shaping consumer behavior.

    In this episode… what makes us buy.

    Listen for:
    5:53 Key Insights from the Diagnostic Phase of the Hunter Study
    8:26 The Importance of a Multichannel Strategy
    10:59 The Surprising Dominance of In-Person Communication
    19:35 Demographic Tendencies of Their Influence on Communication Channels

    Guest: Heddy DeMaria
    Website | Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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    Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

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    Más Menos
    26 m
  • Does the C-Suite Still Not Understand Public Relations?
    Jun 16 2024

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    In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication is more crucial than ever for organizations aiming to maintain a positive public image. Public relations (PR) advisors play a vital role in shaping these communications, ensuring that messages align with company values, respond appropriately to crises, and enhance the brand's reputation.

    However, a recurring issue is the reluctance of senior executives to heed the advice of their PR professionals. This disconnect can have significant repercussions for both the executive and the organization.

    Why don’t they get us?

    Listen For:
    3:57 Senior Execs Who Misstep then Double Down
    5:03 Importance of Media Training for Execs
    7:44 Executive-Level Overconfidence
    10:36 Effective Collaboration Between Executives and PR Teams

    Guest: Michelle Garrett
    Website | Email | X

    Michelle’s new book B2B PR That Gets Results

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    Más Menos
    20 m