I had the pleasure of speaking at Compass USA’s communicators’ conference in North Carolina this morning. As one of the largest food service companies in the country, Compass has a good story to tell. With all due respect to my technology brethren, it was liberating to discuss storytelling in the context of banana bread, grilled …more
We posted our infographic called “Storytelling vs. Corporate Speak” last week. In brainstorming a communications push behind the infogrpaphic with social media guru Steve Farnsworth, he suggested developing supporting assets like a video. Rather than put me on video pontificating about the infographic – not good TV, to be kind – we decided to take a …more
Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal carried the story, “A Kenmore Fridge, at Costco?” No, I’m not tracking the white goods sector with a keen eye. It’s the sourcing of the story – Sears plans to sell its Kenmore brand of appliances through other retailers – that got my attention. How does the Journal know this? Check …more
Sheri Baer, the Agency’s broadcast practice leader, regularly contributes to this forum, last taking readers behind the curtain of Bloomberg TV. In her latest take, she makes the point that leaders lead regardless of the market conditions. This is the wrong time of year to own tech … And if you didn’t believe me before, …more
Steve Farnsworth and I tag-teamed on discussing social media and storytelling at an IABC lunch last month. Thanks go to Meta Mehling for putting together the talk. It would be presumptuous of me to say a good time was had by all. But I can say both Steve and I enjoyed what proved to be a very interactive …more
It almost seems like HR gives the following guidance to the copywriter before drafting a job description: “OK. You know what’s at stake. I suggest you review the job listings from our competitors and borrow what you consider to be the best elements. This is no time to go rogue. Be smart. Let’s use what’s already working. Great. Have that new description …more
I’m not a fan of the phrase “be authentic.” It sounds too clinical. Can’t we just say “be yourself.” That’s exactly how Millie Garfield approaches her blog, which has served the 85-year-old blogger well. Millie was kind enough to talk with me about her writing. I published the first half of the interview yesterday; here’s …more
Technorati lists over 24,000 tech blogs. I think I’m on safe ground in saying that only a few were started by 10-year-olds. Now at the seasoned age of 12, Max Swisher sat down with me at Great Bear Coffee in Los Gatos for an on-the-record discussion of his blog, “Good Morning Geek.” I published the …more
There are thousands of tech blogs out there. Few are manned by a 12-year-old. But “Good Morning Geek” from Max Swisher isn’t a gimmick that challenges child labor laws. Max knows his stuff and has developed his own voice. If you watch the video and say “I could totally imagine this on dolby surround sound!,” …more
