We regret to inform you that “We regret to inform you” is a terrible opening line. Doesn’t matter if you’re delivering bad news by letter, email, speech, text, or anything else. Seems…
Category: Strategic Communications (page 3)
Tea Leaves
Reading tea leaves is a national pastime. It infuses all aspects of our lives as we try to interpret the world around us. What’s the back story when a company or non-profit…
Creating a Safer World
“I protect my clients from their employees,” a labor lawyer explained, summing up how he spends his days. “Interesting,” chimed in a Crisis PR strategist. “We protect ours from everyone — including…
How Not to Answer A Question: Part Two
Danger Ahead: Communication Breakdown. Looks like these two need a communications reboot. Before you put your mouth in gear, know what you want to say — and what doesn’t need to be…
Answering the Tough Questions
Emotional boo-boo? Best to rip the Band-Aid. When trouble erupts, it’s natural to want to hunker down. But silence isn’t a viable option. The hardest pill to swallow may be realizing you…
When Dreams Meet Reality
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ~ Bible, Galatians 6:7 But what you reap, may not be what you hoped. Once a wheel is set in motion, inertia takes…
The Right Questions
What you don’t know can be damaging for everyone. You’re closeted with senior management. They lay out the problem. Their world seems to be crumbling. Tension is palpable. “Okay…What do you…
It’s Not About the Facts
“It’s not about the facts. It’s about what the facts can be made to look like.” ~ Eli Gold on The Good Wife Think back to the last time someone told you…
That’s Not Nice!
“That’s not nice!” the young assistant frowned after reviewing a storyline being pitched to the media about a nasty lawsuit. “That’s not the point,” his boss explained calmly. “Our job isn’t to…
Lost in Translation
Best way to save image? Consider all the moving parts. You know what you said, and you know what you meant. How can anyone misinterpret it? Easy. Happens all the time. Even…