Everything Speaks

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates. Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status. Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, 2021. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How acronyms actually add time to your day
• Why it's essential to speak inclusively and use language everyone can understand
• How using acronyms in business can lead to resentment and exclusion
• How acronyms in conversation can cause listeners to lose attention
• The importance of speaking up if someone is using jargon in conversation

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

Rob Castaneda found his passion for technology and training as a 17-year old, working on the Sydney helpdesk of a Silicon Valley software company. Within three years he had worked in various departments of the company, ranging from pre-sales, training, and support to research & development. In 2000, Rob moved to Silicon Valley to work for a startup, and also contributed to and co-authored several books and publications related to Enterprise Java. In 2001, Rob started his company ServiceRocket, which is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and has grown to more than 170 employees worldwide with offices in the U.S., Australia, Chile, and Malaysia. Rob's leadership style of thinking team and sharing knowledge is part of what has helped him build a successful global company, completely boot-strapped, having received no VC funding, and has most recently landed him a spot in the Silicon Valley's Top 40 under 40.

ServiceRocket is a unique Customer Success company focused on ensuring enterprises and users successfully incorporate software into their businesses and lives – so they use it, love it and buy more. Through training, utilization and support, ServiceRocket creates long-lasting, loyal relationships between software companies, enterprises and their software by delivering these elements to enable customer success.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Rob Castaneda's background and how he has built his business around empathy, communication, and meaningful relationships
• How Rob fosters belonging in his company through t-shirts, mantras, and the "rocketeer" title
• The methods Rob uses to keep his employees feeling connected and motivated despite cultural differences
• Why Rob spends over a third of his time focused solely on communicating with his employees
• How ServiceRocket uses the Kolbe personality test to understand their employees and the best communication methods to use based on the results
• The importance of thinking from the bottom-up and why companies need to be open to adapting

Resources:

• Website: https://medium.com/@robertcastaneda
• Website: https://www.servicerocket.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertcastaneda
• Twitter: @robertcastaneda
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcastaneda

Victoria is the Founder & CEO of Dewpoint Communications, Inc., a firm focused on helping people-powered businesses communicate better with their employees every day. Victoria works with clients ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 50 companies.

Her global business experience includes more than 15 years of internal communications and engagement expertise. She has served as a trusted strategic advisor to dozens of CEOs and executives in 15+ industries & sectors.

Victoria is highly regarded as an expert in leading employee experience and future of work in the communications profession. She has published research on the subject, and is a sought-after speaker and facilitator.

She is also a certified Strategic Communications Management Professional (SCMP,) the highest global communications certification available and the only professional communications certification in the world to achieve ANSI ISO 17024. She holds a BA from Skidmore College, and an MA from Kings College London, as well as a PG Dip in Communications Management from Massey University and a Cert MS in Business Administration from Victoria University Wellington.

Victoria is also a global Past Chair of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC.)

What you will learn in this episode:

• How Victoria's international experience helped her be super valuable and understand employee communication
• Why employee communications are so vital to the success of any business
• Victoria's breakdown needs hierarchy and how it can guide companies to communicate effectively
• The cultural difference between generations, and how shifting communications can help retention rate with millennials and younger generations
• How to get through to executives to make them understand the importance of employee communication
• Why we are currently experiencing a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to rethink communications in the workplace
• Victoria's advice for one new practice you can implement today to be a better communicator with your employees

Resources:

• Website: Download our Insights Report: The New Rules of Employee Experience & Communications
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dewvictoria/

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates.

Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status.

Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why keeping in touch with former employees can be advantageous to your business
• How policies against rehiring can hurt your business
• Why it's vital to create a corporate alumni program and how to run it successfully
• What an employee returning to your company says to current employees and those looking to work at your company

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

When teams need to change, Sarah Noll Wilson gives them the tools to steer their own ship.

Sarah Noll Wilson is on a mission to help leaders build and rebuild teams. Her goal is to empower leaders to understand and honor the beautiful complexity of the humans they serve. Through her work as an executive coach, an in-demand keynote speaker, researcher, and soon-to-be author, Sarah helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. Sarah creates a safe, honest environment, preparing people to deal with real-world conflict, have more meaningful conversations, and create purposeful relationships. Working with CEOs, HR leaders, and organizations that care deeply about their employees and understand the connection between employee development, employee satisfaction, and organizational success, Sarah specializes in transforming relationships from good to great.

With 15+ years in leadership development, Sarah earned a Master's Degree from Drake University in Leadership Development and a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education – no wonder clients love the energy she brings to their teams! She is certified in Co-Active Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. When she isn't helping people build and rebuild relationships, she enjoys playing games with her husband Nick and cuddling with their two fur babies, Seymour and Sally.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to use conversations as a tool for connection, rather than as a transaction
• What curiosity means and how to use it to have more meaningful and empathetic conversations
• How to network effectively by treating it as an opportunity to truly get to know people
• How to handle conversations in conflict and make them productive
• What are regrettable events and how to navigate them
• How to navigate conversations around change
• How to communicate during a crisis situation

Resources:

• Email: [email protected]
• Subscribe to Sarah's Newsletter: https://sarahnollwilson.com/signup/
• Webinar: What's Next? Creating Possibilities for Your Post-Covid (Work) Life
• Website: www.sarahnollwilson.com/
• LinkedIn:
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnollwilson
  • www.linkedin.com/company/sarahnollwilson
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SarahNollWilsonInc
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarahnollwilson

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates.

Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status.

Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, 2021. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How simplifying your language will make you a powerful communicator
• Two ways to simplify your language
• How to simplify your communication with a clear intent and direction
• How you can provide positive feedback that helps people progress
• How and why to remove any extraneous language to be understood

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates.

Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status.

Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, 2021. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, The Marine Mammal Center, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What is ghosting, and how eliminating it can help improve your business
• How leaving people hanging hurts your reputation
• Why you should prioritize communicating with the people who are closest to you
• How being predictable can benefit your business
• Why is a monthly or weekly newsletter the most important way to communicate in your business
• How your communication can help you achieve your goals in 2022

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates.

Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status.

Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, 2021. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why getting bad publicity is not PR's fault, but a bad business decision
• How a good intention with bad execution can result in bad publicity
• Why it is not the PR representative's job to cover up bad decisions
• What are the two ways you can respond to bad publicity
• Why it's especially important to be authentic in our current world
• What happens when you respond to criticism with defensiveness
• How the timing of your bad decisions can impact the judgment that you receive

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

Lee McEnany Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and communication agency, based in San Francisco, that works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. Lee is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business-building acumen and insights. She's a straight talker with a big laugh that gets her out of more trouble than it creates.

Lee is also an acclaimed author and speaker and a recognized expert on creating high-performing, positive, intergenerational workplaces. Through her work, she shows companies and non-profit organizations how to embrace the qualities of different generations, reduce negative dynamics between people, and how to recognize the significant benefits of shifting the definition of loyalty from a long tenure of employment to a lifetime of allegiance regardless of employment status.

Lee is active in her community and sits on the Board of Governors of Public Advocates and the Executive Board of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, 2021. She recently served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the PR Council, the national trade association for Public Relations agencies. She previously served on the boards of KQED Public Media, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, Community Gatepath, and St. Paul's Choir School, among others. A graduate of Carleton College, Lee has a degree in medieval history which she finds useful every day – especially during a pandemic. She splits her time between San Francisco, Eau Claire, and New York.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How stories help people to remember things
• Why storytelling is one of the best and most efficient things you can do
• What questions can you ask yourself to find your businesses best stories
• Why facts and figures are essential parts of your stories
• How to help people connect with facts and figures during a presentation with storytelling

Resources:

• Website: https://leecaraher.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecaraher

Kristen Link is an Executive Public Speaking Coach and storyteller in Silicon Valley. After earning a computer science degree from Fitchburg State University, she began her career in Silicon Valley at Hewlett Packard, she began in technical roles and sales and marketing before moving into leadership training. Her varied jobs often included conveying technical information to non-technical audiences. The skills she learned about storytelling and simplifying information are the foundation of what I share with Double Forte's clients.

She works with global business leaders at Amazon, eBay, Intuit, Palo Alto Networks, Stanford Graduate School of Business, TEDx San Francisco, The Hershey Company, VMware, Zoom, etc. She offers workshops, one-on-one coaching, and team coaching. Kristin can often be found deeply listening to her clients, honored to hear their stories, and helping them create meaningful change.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to lead with the conclusion to hook your audience fast
• Focus on the impact of your story, what's the big take-away
• How to become more confident when public speaking or presenting
• Stop using jargon and acronyms – tips and practices to get rid of them
• Why technical talk doesn't belong in your presentation or pitch technical
• Why you should attempt to answer questions with a clear headline

Resources:

• Website: https://kristinlinkcoaching.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinlink1/