The recent CrowdStrike outage drew millions of businesses into a crisis, forcing many companies to enact their crisis plans. This event underscores how swiftly situations can arise that demand strong leadership in the face of a crisis. Today, we’re joined by PR expert Mark Williams from Hughes PR to discuss how we can prepare our businesses to handle these unexpected challenges and protect their reputations.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Understanding Public Relations:

• Definition and importance of PR in business.
• How PR differs from marketing and advertising.

2. Building a Strong PR Strategy:

• Steps to create a compelling PR strategy.
• Importance of storytelling and crafting your brand narrative.

3. Crisis Management:

• Techniques for handling PR crises effectively.
• Real-world examples of successful crisis management, including the recent CrowdStrike outage.
• Importance of having a crisis management plan in place.

4. Media Relations:

• How to build and maintain relationships with the media.
• Tips for pitching stories to journalists and media outlets.

5. The Role of Social Media in PR:

• Leveraging social media for PR campaigns.
• Managing your online reputation.

6. Measuring PR Success:

• Key metrics to track PR performance.
• Tools and methods for evaluating the impact of PR efforts.

Guest Bio:

Mark Williams is a seasoned Public Relations professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He has worked with a diverse range of clients, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them to build their brands and manage public perception. Mark is known for his strategic approach and his ability to turn potential PR disasters into opportunities for growth.

Ever feel like understanding what your team is truly thinking is a mystery? In today’s episode, Brenton and Ron uncover the power of asking the right questions to gain deeper insights. Learn how these essential types of questions can help you make better business decisions and foster a more open, communicative workplace.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Power of Questions in Leadership:
   • Brenton and Ron discuss how asking the right questions can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness.
   • Emphasis on moving beyond passive listening to active inquiry.
2. Five Essential Types of Questions:
   • Investigative Questions: Clarifying what’s known and uncovering root causes.
   • Speculative Questions: Exploring possibilities and encouraging innovative thinking.
   • Productive Questions: Focusing on execution and planning.
   • Interpretive Questions: Understanding the relevance and impact of information.
   • Subjective Questions: Revealing unspoken thoughts and feelings.
3. Real-World Applications:
   • Examples of how these questions have been used in various business scenarios.
   • Insights from Brenton’s and Ron’s personal experiences in leadership and communication.
4. The Role of Genuine Curiosity:
   • How cultivating genuine curiosity can lead to deeper understanding and better decision-making.
   • Ron’s mantra of “genuine curiosity” and its importance in effective leadership.
5. Building a Question Bank:
   • Encouragement for listeners to contribute to a shared repository of smart questions.
   • Discussion about the HBR article “The Art of Asking Smarter Questions” by Arnaud Chevallier.
6. Practical Tips for Leaders:
   • How to integrate these five types of questions into daily interactions.
   • Strategies for creating a safe environment where team members feel comfortable speaking up.

Resources Discussed in the episode:

• HBR Article: The Art of Asking Smarter Questions
• Book: "That’s a Great Question" by Greg Bustin
• LinkedIn Group: Business Builders Podcast Community

Conclusion: By mastering the art of asking smarter questions, leaders can gain deeper insights, foster a culture of open communication, and make more informed decisions. Join us next time as we continue our series on effective communication.

Call to Action:

• Join the discussion in our LinkedIn group to share your experiences and favorite questions.
• Check out the recommended resources to further enhance your questioning skills.

Subscribe & Follow:

• Subscribe to the Business Builders Podcast on your favorite platform.
• Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and community discussions.

Next Episode Teaser: Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll delve into the importance of non-verbal communication and how it impacts leadership effectiveness.

In this episode, Brenton and Ron continue their series on effective communication by focusing on the fundamental skill of listening. They discuss the significant role listening plays in building strong relationships, making informed decisions, and leading effectively. This episode is full of great examples and straightforward advice that demonstrate why listening is our most important communication tool in both work and life.

Key Topics:

1. Benefits of Listening:
   • Understanding others better
   • Building trust and respect
   • Enhancing communication effectiveness
2. Techniques for Active Listening:
   • Asking open-ended questions
   • Providing feedback to show understanding
   • Using silence effectively
3. Practical Tips:
   • The stoplight mechanism: Red (stop and listen), Amber (consider response), Green (speak)
   • Preparing mentally before conversations
   • Managing distractions
4. Barriers to Effective Listening:
   • Distractions and biases
   • The tendency to plan responses instead of listening
5. Improving Leadership Through Listening:
   • How understanding your team’s perspectives can lead to better decision-making
   • Building stronger connections and fostering a positive workplace culture
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Quotes to Remember:

• "When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new." – Dalai Lama
• "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." – Theodore Roosevelt

Resources Mentioned:

• Beyond Blue
• Black Dog Institute
• Lifeline
• R U OK? Day

Conclusion:

In this episode, Brenton and Ron emphasize that effective communication starts with good listening. They provide listeners with actionable advice on how to improve their listening skills to become better leaders and communicators. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business leader, or anyone looking to improve their communication skills, this episode offers valuable insights into the art of listening.