Why Can't A Woman Be More Like A Man?!

Maybe 'in-ry ee-gins'--Henry Higgins--was right. Why can't a woman be more like a man?! Just imagine, a world where the Man Mentality ruled--all the testerone-driven stereotypes are the reality for all of us ...

...and that's why I'm glad Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady) was way off. The way I figure it, God created Man, then decided to "get it right," and created Woman. I sit at the local La Madeleine drinking my french roast, and I see a young Indian woman--maybe 18, 19--waiting. Watching. Then catching contact with someone who just pulled into the parking lot. Her eyes sharpen and twinkle. And she smiles. She even stands on the tip of her toes, in anticipation. They meet. They smile, giggle, hug and welcome each other. It's apparent they're college students gone their separate ways, and now back to home, and now reuniting, and rekindling their friendship.

Minutes later, two more young ladies show up. The warmth, energy, enthusiasm, shrills of laughter expotentially explode. Emotional walls are torn down. Friendship extends beyond the superficial and vanilla. They allow themselves to feel, share and express more than pleasantries and professional blather. When guys get together, we often guard our words and present ourselves in one dimension. Our conversations are career focused. We talk about interest rates, stock market performance, and maybe the sad condition of our lawns. We may talk about the kids if we get "really deep."

Au contraire...Why can't Men be more like a Woman? More transparent. More willing to "breathe deep" and slow down. Admit our vulnerabilities. And stand tall to tear down those walls. Be real. Be you.

Peer Pressure & Perspectives: Dallas communicators speak out

OK, the results are in, straight from the WunderCommunicator, Mary McMinn, the volunteer communications director for Dallas/IABC.

Today, I received evaluation survey data from my April 8 presentation to 76 professional communicators in Dallas. I spoke to the Dallas/IABC chapter on the topic of "Spin to Win? Mildly insane insights on PR tips, tricks and truths."

Out of 76 attendees of the April 8 luncheon, 26--or one-third--filled out the post-program evaluation survey. Below is the good news and the bad news.

The Good News: A total of 73 percent of respondents rated my presentation as good, superior or excellent.

The Bad News: A total of 14 percent of respondents rated my presentation as poor or really poor.

So, we're talking 26 respondents and 76 attendees Based on my questionable math skills, that means 19 respondents rated me as Good, Excellent or Superior ... and three people rated me as poor or extremely poor. I've already hired Dick Morris to investigate who those three are ...

The Good News Chart:




















The All-News Chart:

BYOB ... Is Your Business Ready?

Ok, what's this? Find out now!
http://www.byob2.com

Crunch Time in Kansas: Communicators Excel ...

Want the untold story of the trip to Kansas City? Here we go:

• Communicators in KC are top class and creative!
• Jessica is pregnant.
• Betsy got a new car—a mini-Cooper
• Morgana (oh gosh, was her name Morgana, I can't remember!) has GOT to be related to Joan Cusack--it's an amazing similarity. Morgana just finished her master’s, traveled from Des Moines to be in KC, and is heading back home to spend the rest of her weekend mapping out the Des Moines chapter's Quill awards (now that's IABC loyalty!)
• Jill is a redhead (extra points for red hair) who lives out in the country, is the middle child among three sisters and has the most definitive Billy Joel collection of CDs I've ever seen.
• Then there was our dinner host, who had enough food for a third-world country, a husband who served us well, and followed his wife's directions (OK buddy, we need to talk).

The trip to Kansas, Overland Park to be exact, was a real honor. I was there with several Dallas/IABC veterans--Scott Cytron, Carol Barreyre and Robin McCasland--to help judge entries for IABC/KC’s Bronze Quill awards, coming up May 9. I even got a ride from the airport for an KC/IABC member, Denise, who was just delightful. We were hosted by wonderful folks from Morningstar Communications—Clara, Jessica, Samantha and more. As I sat in the Morningstar breakroom, chugging java and inhaling a steady stream of chocolate M&Ms, I couldn’t help but feel a certain sense of pride and appreciation. Damn, I love America. Here we are judging communications entries in another state, stuffing our faces with food and meeting some of the best people who ever walked the planet. Ordinary, every-day people—the type of people who make America great.

Take-Aways From This Weekend:

• Missouri folks are my kind of folks—kind, funny, courteous. And genuine. Kinda like Texas.
• Judging entries is an Education—a “crash course” on really great communications strategy and tactics, creative genius and excellence. Wow!
• Too many communicators don’t know how to communicate strategically, especially in writing. We saw many entries for media relations, marketing communications, crisis, creative brochures, ads and annual reports. Many were strategic. And some were just “pretty” published pieces with no consideration of goals and objectives, Audiences or measurable outcomes. A small minority were horrid in plan and sample. Very small.
• AMC, the theater chain, is based in Kansas City. I can't even remember the # of AMC-related entries there were--it seemed like *yawn* hundreds. While it was a bit repetitive, most of the entries were pretty darn good.
  
• Interesting socio-political banter surfaced in the conference room:
• Abortion. I heard from one communicator that if Roe v Wade is overturned, there will be more babies flushed down the toilets by 14-year-olds (a recent news item). The discussion was how horrible it was to flush a baby away, yet abortion rights were advocated. So, why is flushing a full-term baby an atrocity, but grinding a baby boy or girl within a woman's womb a "right"? I don’t get it.
  
• National Health Care. Hillary’s health care plan requires mandatory ‘this and that.’ Obama’s is voluntary. Several favored Obama's plan. I listened but didn't hear a McCain plan. How about privatization and free markets? I agree our health care system needs repair, but nationalizing and socializing won't cut costs or improve health outcomes. The federal government can’t even manage the cost of a screwdriver and we we want to give them health care? Hellooooo …
• Nobody's "normal." And nobody has a "normal" family. Yep, we got to talking about Moms, Dad, siblings ... Everybody has a crazy family. Period.
• Creativity is a Language I admire, appreciate and advocate. I saw so much talent and creative energy in the people I met this weekend, and in the hundreds of entries I helped judge.
• One PR colleague from Kansas City who hosted this weekend made a passing remark about being born in 1985. That was the year I was a news editor at my college newspaper. It was the year I remember writing a news feature an emerging disease called AIDS. Man, I feel old.
• Man, I am old.

Thanks KC/IABC. Thanks Des Moines team! Thanks fellow DIABCrs. You guys REALLY rock!

Bullish on book publishing ... and promotion?

Learn to sell, practically.

Got a furry feline friend? You can read about one.

Your kid ADD and hyper, and you're feeling hopeless?

Then there's always the Moose ... The moose on the loose, written by my chiropractor's sister.

I just love entrepreneurs and Creators. People who invest their hearts and passion into a Big Task--a Big Project--a Big Book. Just this week, I've met three authors promoting three books. Each author has written and published a book--one hardcover, two softcover; two focused on niche business or academic audiences; and one that's more consumer and family focused. And they're all ready to launch, promote and sell.
What is going on? Why this windfall of book writing? So I investigated a bit.

Just this week, the Association of American Publishers issued a news release reporting a RISE IN BOOK PUBLISHING--an increase of 7.2 percent in January.

• The Adult Hardcover category was up by 4.2 percent in January with sales of $94.4 million.
• Adult Paperback sales rose 37.6 percent for the month ($135.2 million).
  
• The Adult Mass Market category rose by 17.3 percent for January with sales totaling $65.3 million.
  
• The Children’s/YA Hardcover category saw a decrease of 21.9 percent for the month with sales of $33.6 million.
  
• The Children’s/YA Paperback category was up by 28.2 percent in January with sales totaling $34.0 million.
• Audio Book sales posted an increase of 16.8 percent for January compared to last year’s figures, with sales totaling $13.5 million.
  
• E-books sales rose by 26.1 percent for the month ($3.1 million).
  
• Religious Books rose 1.1 percent for the month with sales of $47.5 million.
• Sales of University Press Hardcover books were up by 4.7 percent in January with sales of $7.1 million.
  
• University Press Paperback sales posted a slight decrease of 1.5 percent for the month with sales totaling $10.2 million. Sales in the Professional and Scholarly category were up by 0.7 percent in January ($46.9 million).
• Higher Education publishing sales declined by 0.7 percent for the month with sales of $253.1 million.
• The net El-Hi (elementary/high school) basal and supplemental K-12 category posted a decrease of 1.6 percent in January with sales of $68.8 million

I don't know one professional communicator who isn't writing a book--or wants too, "some day." Me included. Seems the writing part is still the toughest part. Self-publishing and online stores open up new worlds of distribution (not necessarily promotion).

So, are you writing you a book? Share with us.



By the way, I was Google-ing and found this:












"Guaranteed Media Attention..."

That promise/claim ALWAYS scares me.

Does it scare you?

PRactically ... Impractical?

To a professional communicator, it's a mantra. It's as natural as breathing. We passionately advocate and advise our clients that Consistency is the name of the game.

To inform, educate and persuade, executives and companies must share a Consistent message through Consistent efforts. They must Consistently address their key publics--people like employees, customers, sales prospects, suppliers, regulators, the media, industry analysts, financial analysts, investors and more.

Have I mentioned Consistency?

So here I sit, boiling in the hot waters of self-condemnation and shame. My last blog posting? January. What happened to February? For God's sake, did we just celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Every company of any size--and any leader, executive or entrepreneur--faces the Consistency Conundrum. Good intentions. High aspirations. And a schedule of to-dos, details, kid duty, sales efforts, client service, balancing the books, repairing the cars and getting flowers planted in the front of the house before the in-laws come to visit during Spring Break.

Consistency turns to crap, which turns into chaos. Which turns into crap. It's a strange Circle of Life, isn't it?

My ruminations of "what-ifs" and blame games don't help anything. Nor does shame or self condemnation. A solution is needed. A roadway to Getting It Right is the answer. So, how do we walk our way out of the woods and get back on the well-traveled path toward Consistency in life, service, sales and communications?

See my list of 20 Lessons Learned during my first year of business. These may help you think through the rabbit trails. My most recent revelation: Don't Do It All On Your Own--er--that means, Roy, don't try to do it all on my own. For example, I'm an Idea Man. I can see "pictures"of programs, campaigns, headlines, word combinations and all that wonderful creative stuff. But don't give me a checkbook to balance, or 23 different manila folders of activities, to-dos and deliverables stacked on my desk. It makes me crazy, cloudy and stuck in a creative coma.

Thank God for anal retentive communicators and colleagues--Helpers and Organizers. Identify them. Invite them into your chaos. And watch them re-arrange, revise all the pieces. It's often rigorous, but also re-invigorating.

Being Consistent in Message and Communications Outreach is a Prime Directive. Being consistent in service delivery and every other portion of your life requires Help, instruction ... and an admission that you're not good at everything. People are available to help you be consistent. Reach inside, figure out what your greatest strengths are. Acknowledge weaknesses and Reach Out. In some ways, it's simple. In some ways, it's scary. I discovered a colleague who helped me look in the mirror. She's a business coach, "a personal trainer for what's between the ears" of an executive. And she's damn good. Lori Link of Resource Link is helping me Be Consistent. What about you?

I got Hattori'd: The Personal Brand

Todd Hattori, ABC, should wear a red cape. He flew into Dallas last week to headline Dallas/IABC's January luncheon. Todd is chairperson of IABC worldwide. He told us he was going to talk Brands. He talked ethics instead. Well, actually, he talked about the Personal Brand and ethics, a seemingly strange combination, sort of like sauerkraut with a chili cheese dog.

The red cape is for his super insights into the lives of professional communicators, and how we're perceived, valued and positioned in corporate America. Or not.

He caught my attention immediately when he asked, does your CEO see you as the expert spinmeister called in to make things "go away," or are you key to a participatory process of strategic--and ethical--communications.

Ouch.

The set-up: When a problem "hits the fan," who do they call first? The legal department. When they want it fixed, who ya' gonna call? The TruthBusters? The PR team? The flaks?

In summary, his message centered on survey data from IABC--what communicators think about ethics, and what communicators think their companies think about ethics--and The Personal Brand we deliver on our jobs every day.

Highlights:

• When you look at your own SWOT--strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats--what do you find? We usually focus on our competencies. These are the "whats" of our SWOT. But do we ever examine the WHY of of SWOTs? The WHYs are our aspirations. What do we aspire to be? To achieve? Personally or professionally?
• Do you know IABC's tagline? Be Heard(TM) I like it. More details ...
  
• Sometimes, the legal decision is NOT the right decision. Got the cajones to deal with that?!
• If you think there's an ethical dilemma, it's easy to resolve. Just ask yourself:
• "Am I comfortable with this decision?"
• "Can I live with this decision?"
• "Can I go home and tell my spouse/partner, and feel good about it?"
  

My favorite part of Todd's preso came toward the end. He showed an image--some sort of mark written in an Asian language (I forget which). Each portion of this mark symbolized a statement that could read like this:

I will walk through my life as if 10 eyes are watching me

OR

I will walk through my life as if 10 eyes are watching me and helping me make the right decisions.

So, which will you choose? What is your Personal Brand, day to day? And just how ethical is that organization--that employer or client?

Choose.

Small biz and marcom: Survey says ...

Coming this Wednesday--an interesting survey that shows respondents--mostly small businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area--sharing their optimism about 2008 and the economy.. and marketing communications. Sure, the findings are anecdotal and certainly not statistically relevant, yet the findings are interesting. Check out the news release. Also, don't miss tomorrow's Dallas/IABC meeting.

Some of the findings:

• The majority of survey respondents expressed optimism about the economy, and plan to increase their marketing communications budgets.
• Almost 80 percent said they expect 2008 to be a stronger—or just as strong--economic year than 2007.
• 38 percent said they expect 2008 to be much stronger than 2007, another 38 percent reported “just as strong.”
• Almost 24 percent said they expected a weaker or much weaker economy in 2008.
• 41.9 percent said they are increasing their marketing communications budgets by more than 10 percent; another 39 percent said they were increasing their budgets or maintaining spending. About 20 percent said they were reducing marcom spending in 2008.
  

TrendAlert: Pervasive Thinning of the Business Clock

It happened again. A breakfast meeting with a middle-market lending officer this morning confirmed the reality of Business Activities in the Real World. There's a pervasive trend happening out there among chief executives and their direct reports. And the trend just ripples outward and downward.

• The trend is 8 to 12 to 14
• The trend is more, more, more
• The trend is an unchecked mailbox, exploding e-mail inbox and an Outlook to-dos list so crammed with action items that it'd take a small country of people to get them all done

The trend is A Thinning of Business America. It's the Thinning of the Business Clock--an ever-speeding, ever-urgent, ever-now demand for more results, more time, more revenue, more trade shows, more sales, more, more, more. Our days have gone from 8 hours to 10 to 12 to... crash and burn. OUr clocks have no room for the extras, yet we're pushing toward a 24-hour workday. How can it be and why? I love this image to the lower left originally posted by this blogger.

Going global is one reason. Digital dependence is another. We've bought into Internet speed for all things, or most things. It's lulled us into a self-perpetuating expectation that Deliverables must be defined and delivered in hours, not days or weeks. All of our business expectations have morphed into e-expectations--Now, Now, Now! My discovery of this Thinning of the Business Clock has surfaced at least three times in the last week, when an executive--business owners and managers--share the impossibility of meeting their core deadlines and achieving sales quotas. They're just too busy to think about marketing or communications.

Isn't that like saying you're too busy to have chemo for a brain tumor? You can stay busy and not do the critical work that's going to save your life (or your business), but at some point, you're going to drop dead.

Truth: Marketing and communications drive sales. They drive growth. They drive market awareness and acceptance. They support efforts to engage customers and prospects. They help you build relationships so compliance issues are confirmed; suppliers sustain their services, employees remain motivated and loyal. Marketing and communications keep you tapped into marketplace influencers like industry analysts, editors, reporters and bloggers.

Thinning of the Business Clock is a trend with no end in sight. But don't despair. This thinning of the business clock doesn't mean a barren future or a desert of opportunities. It means that executives must trust and depend on other experts to support their clock-challenged business lives. Tap marcom experts (uh, like RGM Communications) to do the marketing, communicating and planning. Invest a little time upfront to consistently reach out every month, every quarter, every year. Go ahead, focus on sales, operations, financials, R&D and whatever. Give those marketing initiatives to a trusted resource. Make it easy. And don't wait until it's an emergency.

No more Thinning. Of your clock or your hair.

Anita, Santa Claus, Best Tech Tools & Angels on Earth

I thought Santa Claus had a beard and herd of reindeer. The greatest gift so far has been Anita Campbell's listing of Inc.'s best Tech Tools for 2008.

10 Must-Have Tech Tools for 2008

By Anita Campbell

Everyone has heard about the coolness of the iPhone, but the business uses for Twitter and the Google Optimizer might also be influential in 2008.

The year 2008 is when I resolve to unchain myself from my desk more. I intend to spend more time with clients and other business owners. And technology is going to play a big role in my plan. Technology has the power to liberate me from the chains that bind me to my office. It frees you from repetitious

drudgery, making my work life more enjoyable, too.

The entire article is right here. Thanks Anita!

There are Angels on Planet Earth. Hear this sweet little girl sing Silent Night. Angels indeed!Click on the photo.

Merry Christmas!

Well, the season's here. Already. It's always a tenuous time for entrepreneurs. Clients are reviewing year-end budgets, thinking about new year budgets, if and what they'll do for marketing communications. Nothing like a little seasonal angst for us all. Regardless, let's communicate what really matters. Check it out below.

Check out EMS for Small Business(TM)

Read the December issue of PRactically Speaking

And here it is, Communicating what really matters

Editor's note: While writing this, I was forced to look in the mirror, more than once.

Christmas is just weeks away. We wish YOU and your family a Merry Christmas and happy new year. Here's what we're wishing for you:

• May you rest your body, mind and soul
  
  
• May you slow down enough and see how wonderful your life really is
  
  
• May your job, daily responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables excite you, prosper you, empower you
  
  
• May the impossible become possible
  
  
• May you be resilient and flexible when the most brittle of circumstances come your way
  
  
• May you forgive your spouse, your children, your Mom, Dad, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, cousins, bosses, ex-bosses, co-workers and anyone else in your life that has harmed you, hurt you, scarred you, abused or belittled you
  
  
• May you know, focus and fulfill your ultimate purpose
  
  
• May you speak kind, genuine words--those that build, strengthen and help people soar not stumble
  
  
• May you speak kind, genuine words--those that build, strengthen and help people soar not stumble (it's no mistake that I repeated this one!)
  
  
• May you find solace and peace with God
  
  
• May your holidays, new year and life be full and fruitful
  
  
• May your days be filled with laughter
  
  
• May you never forget you live in the greatest nation on earth
  
  
• May you prosper all the days of your life
  

May you share these blessings with those you love. Speak them. Show them. These are communications that really matter. For you. For me.

Controlling the tongue

Power of spoken blessings

The Creative Tongue

Random blogger's perspective

Angry, negative words, hmmm

What are you thankful for? Me? I'm thankful for reporters and executives.

Hey, I'm incredibly thankful for my family, my friends - Roy G. Miller - among them, and the blessings from a loving Creator.

But I have to tell you, when I pick up my morning read, and I see that the South Carolina Supreme Court threw out an entire section of the bar exam but didn't expect to be transparent about its actions, I am incredibly thankful to be in the profession that I'm in.

Here is the article: http://www.heraldonline.com/scnews/state_regional_interest/v-print/story/183334.html.

Full disclosure: I have a friend serving on that bench.

While I don't want to throw more fuel on this months-old issue about throwing out exam scores, so that 20 more might pass. (Among these 20 new lawyers are the sons and daughters of the most well-connected elected and appointed officials in the state).

Whether it was a good decision or a bad one, we all can count on our friends in the Fourth Estate to hold us accountable. So, why not practice the principles of proactive communication and lay the cards on the table? Because it is incredibly hard to do!

The world still needs you, PR professional. Happy Thanksgiving!

Crazies and Conundrums of Communications: A Big Hit?

My trip to Bryan-College Station was inspiring. The day before speaking to approximately 20 or so professional communicators from the IABC Brazos Valley chapter, I spent the evening with my folks in Brenham. Always a treat to visit with them one on one. Then the big day! The speech ... My first to a group of peers. My topic: The Crazies and Conundrums of The Communicator's Career."
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, primarily because of the warmth, laughter and energy from these Aggie communicators. Most of them work for the A&M system, in some form or fashion. I do believe I've got Aggie in me. I drive a maroon SUV. My ties are mostly maroon. I do need helping screwing in a light bulb ... What an honor to speak, laugh, reveal, encourage and inspire. Thank you IABC BV! And a big thanks to Lesley Kriewald of IABC BV who invited me. I'm anxious to get some evaluation feedback from the attendees.

Earlier in the week, Dallas/IABC hosted its 2007 Quill Awards. Big winners this year were Texas Instruments and Benoit Design. Great work, great people, and a great Quill team. Bravo! A few event pics from my mobile phone:





The Quill leaders, Sarah Nesbit and Marta Neal






#2 Dallas/IABC prez Jerry Stevenson and prez-elect Julie Songer






#3 Our guest speaker for the event, Ragan's David Murray

Aggie Bound!

Total privilege, coolness. I get to speak to a room of professional communicators in Aggie Land ... College Station, coming up next week. Fun stuff! Do they have any idea what they've gotten themselves into? Ha! Here's the posting on the Web site, and they even included my wienie dogs!

-R

RSVP for Caught in the Crossfire Today Posted by Sondra White on

November 1st, 2007

Already eight people have signed up to hear Roy G. Miller on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Briarcrest Country Club.

We got an e-mail from Roy this week in which he gave us an idea of some of the topics he might discuss. His presentation, “Caught in the Crossfire: Living Through the Conundrums & Crazies of Your Communications Career,” will offer a lighthearted, engaging, yet career-relevant look at what we as communicators face day in and day out. It’s Roy’s unique take on a personal journey of communicating in corporations, conglomerates, and agencies big and small. Some of the topics include:

• How corporate communicators can make a difference.
• Corporate communicators represent two masters: the audience and the C-level executives and their cronies.
• Ways to engage, interact and win . . . and lose.
• Communicators suffer from career sabotage, communi-hating and “EA Syndrome” (Executive Angst Syndrome).
• Communicators as sales agents.
• Communications excellence requires communications cooperation. (Roy says, “Ouch, I have a few stories to tell here!)
• Brief, interactive exercise to bring it all home.

Go to www.rgmcomms.com to read more about our special guest. CLICK HERE to RSVP for Roy G. Miller. After all, how can you resist a man with such cute dogs!

Tampa Takes On The South ...

He sat there quietly, nervously and apparently absorbed by a world of inner wonder. He seemed someplace else. Yet there he sat. Next to me. On an airplane, just inches away, eyeball to eyeball.

Sure, a bit odd, but nothing scary really. Just blandly odd. Then he started licking. Yes, licking ... licking the top of his right palm. Like a dog. First, I thought maybe he was just uncooth (is that a real word?), he had a ripped scab, a hang nail or chronic itch condition ... uh, nada. Nothing. He'd lick, stop, go back to InnerWonderWorld. Minutes later, he'd lick again. After about an hour, he stopped. Thank God I'd bought a Reader's Digest. Then it got me to thinking: Who IS this guy? And what a wacky world we live in. Then I smiled, reflecting the great weekend I had in Tampa, site of the IABC Southern Region Conference.

I had the privilege to go since I'm immediate past president of Dallas/IABC, thus a regional senior delegate. And yes, friends, communicators are a bit wacked themselves. What a wonderful group of professionals. I stayed the entire conference, met and re-met great professionals such as R. Carter Langston, Carol Barreyre, Laura Luchini, Richard Barger, Michael Sponhour, Diana Rogers, Adrienne Schutte, Judy Holmes, and many more. I learned about Litigation PR, Branding for Big Companies, Body Language Tips and Truths, and on and on ... I was even asked to be guest speaker at a couple of different IABC chapters. Awesome.

Here is a quick phone-camera shot of a local chapter volunteer who insisted on showing her husband that she does wear her seatbelt while traveling ...

Great time, great people, great topics. Thanks IABC!

Want to get a feel for my time in Tampa? Read my Tampa Talk notes here.

Thou Shalt ...

Any time I hear about someone sharing a story about unmet expectations, getting ripped off, or wondering "where did all my money go?," I wonder about the experience, relationship, supplier. And customer. I also feel my gut twirl and whirl with discomfort. I hate when PR gets a bad rap or dissed because of someone's poor experience with it.

But it also opens a door to share exactly what PR can do, will do ... and cannot do. It allows us to share that PR can work, when executed diligently and dutifully. It's no panacea to the world's problems, but PR--public relations--does help you and your company relate to the "publics" you care about. Maybe a PR campaign focuses on investors, or sales prospects, even employees. Maybe the focus is legislators and political influencers. PR starts with Someone wanting to Relate a message to another Someone.

It requires research, thoughtfulness, intelligence, planning--yes, a communications strategy to help optimize results and meet expectations. It requires a plan.

So, with that, I invite you to check out how to find the PR agency that's right for you. We've put together a 10 Commandments to help that process. Check it out. Let us know what you think. See the 10 at http://www.rgmcomms.com/ps10-07.html.

--Roy G

Done, Delivered and ... Did it work?

Well I did it.

It's done. Over with. Accomplished. Today's Spotlight for CEO Preston Center in Dallas gave me an opportunity to explain, define and describe Business Communications for the Real World(TM).
It was my first opportunity since launching RGM Communications in February to tell The Story, share successes and showcase how we help small- and mid-sized businesses communicate to key audiences, such as employees, customers and the media. Well ...I felt it was Average. I never felt the Audience A-ha or the "Yes, I've Got To Have This Now" moment.

That got me to thinking. What was it--is it--that compels business owners and executives to "get" communications, and to understand its value to the organization and its bottom line? It's not a well-animated PowerPoint presentation or a bulleted list of wonderful communications services.

Business Communications for the Real World starts with Business interests and needs:

• Business-to-business communications expertise, with a focus on small- and mid-sized companies
  
  
• Educating the Business on the value, results and outcomes of communications
  
  
• Being very aware of budget and costs. Every dollar counts. Every hour worked has to mean something.
  
  
• Breaking through the 2nd Thought Syndrome. Communications needs to be a priority, not a passing thought.

Next comes Communications. What is that exactly?

• It's a strategic part of the organization, with planned, clear and consistent dialogue among key audeinces. It's two-way dialogue--sharing, listening and engaging one another.

• It's knowing WHO matters to your organization--those key audiences such as employees, customers ... and the media.
  

And the Real World aspect of business communications? This is where the rubber hits the road. Communications for small and mid-sized businesses is a Real World challenge of time, budget and lack of knowledge or experience.

The Real World means:

• "I don't have time to do anything else."
  
  
• "Communicate? I don't have a budget for that."
  
  
• "I have no clue how to do marketing or PR stuff."
  
  
• "How does this make my business better?"

==What I Learned From Today's Presentation==

1. Shout the B-e-n-e-f-i-t-s! Make sure whatever you're offering has a direct BENEFIT to each person in the room.
   
   
2. Clean out the clutter. I found myself using my comms jargon. Does my business audience really know the difference between PR and advertising? PR and public relations vs. marketing or marketing communications? Not.
   
   
3. Get explicit. Boil down those jargon-ish terms. Define them. Describe them. And avoid using synonyms for the same term. Stick with one term. Period.
   
   
4. Show success. There's nothing like customer testimonials to prove your value and benefits. Include Problem/Solution/Succeess stories or actual customer quotes. I needed more of those today.
   
   
5. I, R & A. Invite questions and comments, then Repeat them back to make sure you heard what they are asking. Then Answer the question or comment with more insight.

Bottom line, I had an opportunity to Share The Story of RGM Communications to some of Dallas' best-connected executives. And did an average job. Whether it's RGM or any other firm, Message Matters. Douse your Message with practical perspectives and benefits, benefits, benefits.

Most businesses wonder at some point if PR is the game for them. I used to think PR--public relations--was the "glue that held all communications together." In reality, there's a broad mix of marketing and communications efforts that help businesses achieve business goals. Many small- and mid-sized firms dismiss PR as too expensive and move on to other marketing approaches. I believe that every company can afford public relations, if done right, and expectations are set and understood by all.

Check out some of the insights in the latest issue of PRactically Speaking, an
e-newsletter we provide. You can see it here, or at:
www.rgmcomms.com/psaug07.html.

Now, what about hiring a PR agency? What do you need to know? Start with these tips and insights:

Before You Say, "I Do,":

• Find an agency that listens first, sells second
• Ask for a referral to a good PR agency. Avoid blind Google searches, "cold calls," and published "Top PR Agencies" lists. Find trusted resources you know and ask them if they have a good PR contact.
• Identify the agency that wants to help you achieve success, even if it's just a project vs. a long-term retainer
• Know your budget and stick with the project/program for as long as you can (PR is about consistent outreach over a period of time vs. short bursts of activity).
• Meet the agency principal and/or the team ready to work for you
• Make sure you feel a "connection" with the account supervisor/primary contact
• Know what you're getting and set expectations upfront; clarify "results" and what that means to you
• Seek an agency intent on hard work and creative ideas that Share Your Story to the marketplace.
• Find an agency with integrity, honesty and commitment to your cause.
• Make sure there's a roadmap or plan to your PR efforts so they complement business goals and objectives.

Educate Yourself

Check out some great background information at www.prfirms.org, or visit our Resources page at www.rgmcomms.com/Resources.html.

I'd like your comments! Feel free to share!

"No more faxes at 3 a.m. please ..."

My mobile phone rings. Strange, a California area code. I answer. It's Gregorio in Santa Clara. An angry Gregorio who says he's tired of receiving faxes from RMG Communications. They start calling his residential line around 2 a.m. and re-tries several times a night. He'd appreciate it if I'd stop faxing notes to him. Uh .... Mr. Gregorio, I'm sorry. But I don't distribute broadcast faxes. It's against the law (U.S. telephone protection consumer act). I also don't send faxes using a (407) area code. He was stunned. I also told him I was president of RGM Communications NOT RMG Communications. I explained that we're a Dallas-area public relations firm. Gregorio was very kind, apologized, expressed frustration, and hung up. It got me to thinking. Who is sending these faxes? Interesting what you can find via Google these days:

• 2007 lawsuit
• RMG complaints
• Tyranny
• RMG (yikes!) in Plano
• Ug!

What are the Lessons Learned?

• RGM vs. RMG ... I hate that my company could be confused with any company that may be unethical and a downright nuisance.
• Set up Google or Yahoo! alerts for your own company and other keywords that are similar. This keeps you informed and engaged in issues that may impact your business.
  
• When a strange area code pops up on your phone, answer it.
• Even the not-so-obvious PR problems can impact your company's progress and image, meaning that every company must commit to building awareness of who they are ... and ARE NOT. Public relations is all about Sharing Your Story in a clear, consistent and compelling manner.

Subprime and The Big Whine

Subprime mortgages, warehousing lines, lenders, originators, defaults, ARMs and billions of dollars exchanging hands.

The mortgage industry is frought with financial jargon, ambiguous terminology (for us laypeople anyway) and more. This morning, Marcus McCue, vice president of Guardian Mortgage, shared his perspective on the latest in the mortgage industry. He called it the subprime mortgage meltdown. He provided a brilliant perspective on "tightening loan terms" and professed industry greed and bottomed-out brokers that have hurt the market. But Marcus is no alarmist. And he stood proud when asked about Guardian's default current rates--less than .04 percent! The fact that Guardian has a 30-year track record of success, originates loans AND services them are standards of quality, professionalism, expertise and genuine customer service. Marcus' concluding Q&A was equally brilliant as he responded with factual data, industry stats and more, all without notes. Numbers... In his head! Wish I could do that. As a professional business communicator, I wonder what other communicators are doing, saying and propagating to the marketplace. Are they trying to help their clients or companies calm fears of an economic calamity, or are they interested in generating doom and gloom? How can communicators clarify Reality to the market, engage reporters and share Contrarian and compelling insights that make it to the front page of The Dallas Morning News, the Wall Street Journal and more? Marcus and the Guardian team have that type of talent, expertise and clarity. They're a voice of reason at a time when "calm and clarity" are really needed. Excellent insights!

-Roy G

Cover Tips and practical insight

In July, we shared this advice with several hundreds of our clients, colleagues and partners. It may be of interest to you too.

5 Ways to Leave Your Cover