http://www.rockwoodcc.com/ask-crystal en crystal@rockwoodcc.com Copyright 2009 2009-08-19T20:54:34+00:00 About 90 minutes if they behave and most do. 2009-08-19T20:54:34+00:00 As far as I am concerned you are a professional by posing that question. You’ve pointed out what is traditionally the weakest link on the media front: The first point of contact. Management likes to think that everyone at the company knows who should talk to reporters. Wrong, tell that to a smart reporter. I’ve seen organizations get zinged over and over again by assuming only certain people should be trained in media relations. It is incredibly easy to be quoted even when you’re not trying. We offer two Media Relations 101 workshops. One for secretaries, receptionists and general administrative staff and the other for management. Companies that have been burned before are open to having their front-line staff trained. Hopefully, yours will get proactive and avoid that costly mistake. 2009-08-19T20:52:00+00:00 Emily Post, the most well-known etiquette expert, once got so frustrated by letters from people asking about which fork to use that in a fit of anger she told her secretary to reply, “It doesn’t matter, as long as you use a fork!” Etiquette isn’t about rules, it is about forging relationships and relationships lead to businesses. We all prefer to do business with people we like. When you intelligently engage in the principles of etiquette (consideration, respect and honesty), you will have a distinct advantage in getting and keeping clients. 2009-08-19T20:48:30+00:00 Very carefully as this is a politically loaded project. If you haven’t figured it out already by now in your career, you will with this project: Everyone thinks they “know” marketing and advertising. And I mean everyone. Most assume it boils down to taste, and of course everyone knows they have good taste. These folks wouldn’t tell a CPA what to do, much less a lawyer but when it comes to marketing/pr/advertising, most people think they are an expert. I remember a VP of Marketing vetoing the theme color in an ad campaign-- even through it tested highly effective-- because it reminded him of lawn furniture at his mother-in-law’s house. Yep, and they paid him big bucks for those spurts of wisdom. Here’s what you need: Start a silky internal communications campaign by recruiting a few “Influencers.” These are the natural leaders that folks readily follow—not because of a title but because they are liked. Work with them first and get their buy-in, they will help sell it to the naysayers. Make sure you choose a design agency that gives you more than just 2-3 choices. Have them work out the design in degrees with slight modification to your existing logo and then gradually transition to the new stuff. You shouldn’t have to pay more to see more choices on the first round, so don’t fall into that trap. 2009-08-19T20:45:46+00:00 Ah yes, the same names paraded year after year at the LMA winning all the accolades. Yawn. It’s good that you’re thinking outside of the box. YES, there are exceptionally good website design firms. They know SEO and all the other bells and whistles and you would be surprised at what you can get for thousands less but remember: Do your homework and be armed with good info as your attorneys will be asking what company they’ll be keeping if they opt for a shop other than the Favorite Few. 2009-08-19T20:39:23+00:00 Dear Want-no-Part, Giving a gift to your boss by yourself could be seen as a ploy for favors. If your teammates choose a gift that might be considered offensive or inappropriate (sexual innuendo, age critical, etc.) you should not participate. Instead, give a birthday card reflective of your taste. Unless your colleagues opt for a better group gift, this is your best route. In hopes of a more civil world, Crystal 2009-03-27T22:55:13+00:00 Generally, when you need a multitude of media outlets to reach a massive audience (or targeted audience) at the same time. Or, when you need to create a history trail on the story (and it better be interesting to thousands of people.) Don’t overuse the wires for trivial stories, respect the media outlets and the audiences they serve. You’ll wind up on the ick list if you send stuff they have no use for, and it happens to everyone, even the veteran PR folks (mea culpa) so try some restraint and you’ll have a more productive rapport with the press. 2009-03-25T22:26:23+00:00 Well, yes and it doesn’t matter who is footing the bill. A business lunch isn’t an opportunity for you to stock up for dinner later which is how it looks. If you know you’re not going to eat your entire entrée, consider ordering an appetizer or side orders instead. 2009-03-25T22:25:27+00:00 Without first banging your head against a wall and muttering unkind things? As if you could tell the rain to fall in one specific river and not others. Of course, you’re going to try for those publications but only if the material is worthy of their audiences otherwise, why jeopardize your credibility and that of the company? Explain the 101’s of PR and journalism to your boss, once he/she understands how the media game is played, that should create more reasonable expectations. 2009-03-25T22:25:22+00:00 Social media has completely transformed how PR was handled with statements reviewed by several people and then left to marinate for hours or days. Transparency, robust answers and a quick response are essential components in your message to both your external and internal audiences. How much you share is often governed by what they will find out on their own--only angry at you for not telling them in the first place. 2009-03-25T22:24:49+00:00 These days everyone seems to be dressing up more, perhaps one tiny bright spot in a down economy. Look, when in doubt, dress better. Always have a jacket and an extra shirt, tie (or scarf) in your office on a hanger somewhere. The one time that matters more than any other makes it worth having, even if the thing sits there for six months. If you’re from the West Coast and going to a business meeting on the East Coast be alert if they say, “We’re casual dressers here.” Don’t believe them for a minute. It’s not that they are liars, but Silicon Valley types, SF hipsters plus your basic Southern California biz folks interpret “casual” as well, comfy stuff. Not so on the EC, though they will tell you they are perfectly comfortable in their sweater sets (paired with skirts and nylons) oxford shirts and blazers. Jeans? Jeans with holes—and flip flops? Uhm, that would be a “No.” 2009-03-25T22:24:05+00:00