FIR Podcast Network

Last week Volkswagen tried and failed at an April Fool’s prank that involved changing its name to “Voltswagen” in recognition of its belated line of electric vehicles. The name change was confirmed through its press channels before Volkswagen eventually revealed that it was “only” a joke. Only a lot of people in the media weren’t laughing, believing that they had been manipulated as part of a marketing stunt.

The issue once again emphasized how tone-deaf companies can be in light of their reputations (Remember the whole diesel stats fiasco?) This brings up the topic of how to be cautious about your choice of language. The issue is particularly relevant in this time of hyper-sensitivity to issues of race, gender and disability.

An older article on The Hill has several examples of neutral language, such as using “pro-life” rather than “anti-abortion” to describe sides of that sensitive issue. Paul weighs in on a recent experience he had writing an article about autism in the workplace: many of those folks prefer to be called “autistics people” rather than “people with autism.” The latter approach, called “individual first,” is favored by people with disabilities but autistic people don’t consider themselves to be disabled. Language has been widely used to shape the gun debate as well.

We’re seeing corporations increasingly weigh in on social and political issues and the need to be sensitive to special interests has never been greater. The most recent example is voting rights bills that are being considered by various statehouses. Several large companies have weighed in on the issue, with language ranging from blunt in the case of Delta Airlines to Microsoft’s nuanced approach. And media, who likes a good fight, has largely overlooked the numerous bills that expanded rather than restricted these rights, something that the Brennan Center has tracked extensively. 

You might want to take some time to review these links to understand how much language matters these days and to think twice about how you express your corporate position.

David Murray’s new book, “An Effort to Understand,” is a collection of essays drawn from many years of posts to his blog, Writing Boots. Addressing the challenges of communicating with one another in a polarized society, the book is structured first to define communication, then move from the personal to the organizational. Like the society on which the book is focused, not everyone will agree with everything in the book, but Murray offers sage wisdom about how to engage in conversations about these matters.

In this interview, FIR co-host Shel Holtz talks with Murray about the book, including his assertion that it is not communication if you know the outcome and that communication should not be civil.

Some of those watching the live stream of the interview asked questions and shared observations, to which David responded during the conversation.

About our Conversation Partner

David Murray heads the global Professional Speechwriters Association and comments daily on communication issues on his popular blog Writing Boots. Murray is also editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day, one of the world’s longest continuously published magazines. An award-winning journalist, Murray is the author of Raised By Mad Men, a memoir about his advertising parents, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Tell My Sons: A Father’s Last Letters.

His latest book is An Effort to Understand: Hearing One Another (and Ourselves) in a Nation Cracked in Half. This book is available through Amazon and other booksellers.

Connect with Murray on Twitter.

#634: Nicole Jansen and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Create a positive impact and make a difference in the world by transforming your views and unleashing your greatness. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Nicole Jansen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/), who is a Strategic Business Advisor, Human Behavior Specialist, Keynote Speaker, and Podcast Host.

Nicole Jansen is the Creator and Podcast Host of Leaders of Transformation. She is passionate about creating a positive impact in the world. So she builds a community of leaders in which she coaches thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners to maximize their potential and earn millions of dollars.

If you are an entrepreneur who wants to change the world or provide value, but you’re stuck on that necessity of making money, you should reach out to Nicole Jansen by going to her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/ or visiting her website at http://www.discovertheedge.com/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Entrepreneurs who want to make a difference and have a big vision but they get stuck on making money should reach out to Nicole Jansen. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

* I focus on transforming the way people see themselves, the way they see others, and the way they see the world around them which is all about having that abundance mindset and seeing the world differently. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

* What happens a lot of times is that entrepreneurs have this brilliant idea, but then they look at and go “how am I gonna make money at that?” That’s how we’ve got to get them to see things differently. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

* I work with entrepreneurs to take their purpose and translate it into a profitable business where they can make money, they can have fun, and they can do what they do best. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

* I’m a big believer in helping people to play to their strengths because that’s where we have the ability to be the greatest, and bring the greatest value to the world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

To view the video interview click here.

#635: John Sigmon and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Transforming and enabling individual teams and organizations to achieve their fullest potential through a relentless focus on excellence. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert John Sigmon https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwsigmon/, who is the founder and CEO of Sigmon Leadership Solutions.

John enables individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve their potential through innovative human capital practices, coaching, technology, thought leadership, and a relentless focus on excellence.

If you’re seeing yourself or somebody you know with a lack of emotional intelligence and confidence, you may want to reach out to John Sigmon by going to https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwsigmon/ or https://www.johnsigmon.com/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

What do the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shrimp tails man, blowback over Dr. Oz guest hosting Jeopardy, and a little Chicago hometown vaccination scandal have in common?

You guessed it! Some good ol’ crisis communications.

But this isn’t your grandfather’s crisis communications. This is the new age of crisis communications that requires one to consider cancel culture, social media terrorists and trolls alike, and how the organization’s values match—or don’t—that of your employees and customers.

What a week for brands having to deal with some good old-fashioned crises. Most of you have probably heard about the Cinnamon Toast Crunch saga and people flipping out over Dr. Oz hosting Jeopardy.

But in Chicago, we have a little crisis of our own, where the CEO and COO of one of the hospitals here gave out vaccines to their friends, including one Eric Trump, and friends and upper management at their favorite restaurant. Turns out, you’re not supposed to do that—and they’ve now lost their jobs over it.

(I’m joking—EVERYONE knows you’re not supposed to do that.)

But what is one to do when you’re caught in the crosshairs of a crisis that has nothing to do with you? What do you do when everyone wants to boycott you? How do you handle it all?

That, my friends, is what we discuss on this week’s episode of the Spin Sucks podcast. I’ll give you the lowdown on each and then we’ll talk about what’s gone right—and what has gone up in flames. 

Resources Included

* Shrimp Tails Images on Twitter

* Dr. Oz Controversial Comments

* Criticism of Dr. Oz on Social Media

* Online Petition to Remove Dr. Oz

* Crisis vs. an Issue

* Spin Sucks Community

 

2021 Edelman Trust Survey Demands Communicators’ Focus, CEO Action

According to the recently released 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer, societies around the globe are facing an epidemic of misinformation and widespread mistrust.  For more than 20 years, the Edelman Trust Barometer has measured trust in businesses, government, NGOs and the media. According to Executive Vice President Tamara Rodman, who leads Edelman’s Employee Experience Team, this year’s report is an urgent call for communicators to work with business leaders on maintaining and rebuilding trust.

Tamara is a frequent and favorite guest of EE Voice, bringing 20 years of experience in organizational communications, culture, leadership development and employee engagement across a broad swath of industries. She points out that this moment in time presents an opportunity for executives and business leaders ― one that will require the deft and proactive guidance of internal communications professionals.

Her advice includes a warning to executives that staying silent on the crises of the moment – whether on racial justice, the pandemic’s impact, the future of the workplace, or vaccine hesitancy – leaves a void that employees themselves may fill with misinformation or negative talk about the company.

On the subject of vaccines, Tamara notes that while employers may not be public health experts, vaccinations are closely tied to our economic recovery. She provides a road map for communications experts and business leaders to “educate, enable and encourage” employee vaccination, while reiterating that it is a personal choice.

Tune in to hear Tamara’s insights on these points as she reminds us that employees have the power to enact change and discusses employers’ challenges in a moment when their actions can build – or risk losing – the trust they’ve built.

#631: Dianna Booher and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Working with professionals who want to sell their book to a major publisher. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Dianna Booher (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannabooher/) who is Hall of Fame keynote speaker, best-selling author, and leadership communication and executive presence expert.

Dianna works with organizations and individuals to help them communicate clearly to increase their influence by a strong executive presence and, sometimes, with a published book. She has sold 48 books to major publishers for a good advance up front.

If you have a desire to have a book published by a major publisher, you should reach out to Dianna Booher at https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannabooher/ or https://booherresearch.com/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Professionals who want to sell their book to a major publisher should reach out to Dianna Booher. https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannabooher

* I teach professionals on how to present to do sales presentations, writings, and meetings. https://booherresearch.com/

* I help professionals get their message out and promote their product or their profession. https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannabooher

* I’ve sold 48 books to major publishers for a good advanced up front and then those books have been picked up and now have 62 foreign editions. https://booherresearch.com/

* I get books done and sell them to a major publisher. I get the credibility from that and a lot of corporations have called me and decided they want to do that as well. https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannabooher

To view the video interview click here.

#632: Mikki Williams and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Blarney your audience through powerful speech. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Mikki Williams, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkiwilliams/) a global celebrity speaker, transformational storyteller and executive speech coach.

Mikki Williams is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, TED speaker, and the Vistage Master Chair. She is passionate about sharing her immense wealth of knowledge on the art, heart and business of both speaking and storytelling.

If you’re not actually motivating and achieving the results you really need to, because as it turns out, you’re talking instead of actually speaking, you ought to reach out to Mikki Williams through https://www.mikkiwilliams.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkiwilliams/.

Here are several AHA messages from this episode:

* Executives think they know how to speak when all they really know how to do is talk! If you are struggling with this nuisance, Mikki Williams can come to your aid. She molds leaders and influencers to speak to the nines. #speech https://www.mikkiwilliams.com/ @mikkiwilliams

* My audience, it’s literally everyone and I help people save them, save audiences from boring presentations and death by PowerPoint! #speech https://www.linkedin.

#628: Dr. Elisse Barnes JD, PHD and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Baby boomers who needed to find a job and wanted someone who could explain this LinkedIn thing to them. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Dr. Elisse Barnes JD, PHD (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/) who is the owner, CEO and lead trainer at A Certain Vintage Workforce Educational. She is also a LinkedIn Trainer empowering baby boomer job Seekers, Career Transitioners, Entrepreneurs, and Nonprofit Leaders.

Elisse teaches baby boomers to harness the power of LinkedIn through hands on, individual and small group “driving lessons” and “Mindset Reset” presentations that acknowledge their unique learning style and security concerns regarding the use of social media.

If you’re a boomer or you know somebody in your network who’s a boomer who hasn’t tried #LinkedIn yet, you should reach out to Dr. Elisse Barnes JD, PHD by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Baby boomers who know they should be on #LinkedIn but they just don’t know how, should reach out to Dr. Elisse Barnes JD, PHD. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/ @ElisseBarnes

* If you want to exist in a world where there’s business going on, you need to be on #LinkedIn and you need to be credible on it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/ @ElisseBarnes

* In the world we live in now, you have to be on social media. You need to have an online footprint and unfortunately, a lot of people don’t explain it to them. They just tell them they need to be on it. #LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/ @ElisseBarnes

* I call my driving instructor methodology which means they do all of the work under my guidance. #LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/ @ElisseBarnes

* The magic of #LinkedIn is not just in having a profile, the magic is engaging with it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissewbarnesjdphd/ @ElisseBarnes

To view the video interview click here.

#629: Kaelen Revense and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Understanding the feelings of LGBTQ+ community by learning how to accept them from who they are and what they are. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Kaelen Revense (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaelenrevense/) who is the CEO and Founder of Celebrate You. Kaelen Revense is an author, public speaker, LGBTQ+ advocate and Life Coach.

Kaelen has her MAED degree in Adult Education and Training. She has been teaching youth and adults for over 30 years. Her passion is teaching. She is also an author, speaker and life coach. She is the author of the book, “It Was Never About Me: An LDS Mother’s Journey Toward Loving Acceptance of Her Gay Son’s Reality,” coming Fall 2019. As a the mother of her gay son, she coaches Christian parents in navigating the waters towards loving and accepting their LGBTQ+ children where and as they are.

If you know someone who is immobilized by the life that their child is living and you know that life can be better for them, I would highly suggest that you reach out to Kaelen Revense by vis...

In a study of nearly 2,500 journalists, MuckRack unsurprisingly found that media coverage has completely been thrown on its head because of The Corona. But some of the reasons why are surprising, including what they’re having to do about it, among furloughs and layoffs.

While 62% of those they surveyed are full-time writers, 38% are freelancers or part-time journalists. They are experts, with 60% having more than 10 years of experience and 72% report online or in print. To boot, the average journalist surveyed covers more than three beats, which is something to keep in mind as you go about pitching—they’re scattered and, as I like to say, a bit over their skis while they try to manage the workload of multiple people.

According to the study by MuckRack, which I’ll link to in the shownotes, 94% of journalists say that some, most, or all of their reporting have pivoted to angles related to The Corona. 

Nearly everyone (98%) said they are doing more stories about COVID-19 and/or health and wellness, and more stories about remote work and/or virtual communication. And, while 19% of journalists say they have less work in general, 23% say they have a larger workload due to the layoffs and furloughs of others where they work.

What all of this means for you, how you do that, and other interesting findings are what we discuss on today’s episode of the Spin Sucks podcast.

Resources Included

* The State of Journalism 2021

* Spin Sucks Community

#624: Daven Michaels and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Giving entrepreneurs their time back in their lives by helping them identify the other points in their business that they can optimize. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Daven Michaels (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/), he is the Founder of Virtual Entrepreneurs Association and CEO of 123 Employee. He is also a Business Success Builder, Marketing Maestro, Outsourcing, Virtual Team Building Expert and Global Lifestyle Entrepreneur.

Daven has been an entrepreneur since the age of 15, that’s over 30 years now. During this time, he stumbled across a business formula that he used to turn multiple diverse business ventures into extremely successful businesses, including a few multiple-million dollar home runs.

If you’re an #Entrepreneur and you are working on shit that you really shouldn’t, you should reach out to Daven Michaels by visiting his website at http://123employee.com/ or through https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* #Entrepreneurs who are working on shit that doesn’t matter should reach out to Daven Michaels by visiting his website at http://123employee.com/ or through https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/.

* #Entrepreneurs are the only people on the planet that will work 80 hours a week for themselves so they don’t have to work 40 hours a week for someone else. We help lifestyle starved entrepreneurs to get their time back in their lives. https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/ @Davenmichaels

* We actually work with #Entrepreneurs identify the kind of the lowest hanging fruit in their business because that’s the great place to start. We want them to start making money and start getting their time back. https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/ @Davenmichaels

* We start working with #Entrepreneurs go deeper to help them identify the other points in their business that they can optimize. https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/ @DavenMichaels

* I love speaking on stages all over the globe. I love writing books. As a matter of fact, my 10th book is in stores right now and I just love sharing the word for me. It’s not work. It’s fun. It’s so very gratifying. #Entrepreneurs https://www.linkedin.com/in/davenmichaels/ @DavenMichaels

To view the video interview click here.

#625: Dan Riley and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Creating brand identities and campaigns from Fortune 500 companies who struggle on marketing designs. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Dan Riley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-riley-a08a76/) who is a Principal Partner at Riley Design Associates, LLC.

Dan has created brand identities and campaigns for many national and international companies.

If in a Fortune 500 company and have marketing design challenges, you’re going to want to reach out to Dan Riley at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-riley-a08a76/ or https://www.rileydesign.com/.

Corporate Social Responsibility has never been hotter. With younger workers insisting on working for purposeful organizations, a surge of interest in investment funds that focus on sustainable companies, and organizations embracing comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives, communicators have their hands full. From reporting ESG results (annual ESG reports jam-packed with data are becoming commonplace) to pitching companies’ CSR commitments, challenges abound. Simply checking off CSR boxes (donation made: check) no longer cuts it.

Four IABC Fellows gathered on March 19, 2021, to discuss the state of CSR and the role communicators play in helping companies get it right and engage stakeholders appropriately.

About the panel

In a career spanning roles as a colonel in the Army, a Ph.D. in organizational communication (Fulbright Fellow) and professor in a business school, a communication consultant, teacher, and trainer, Rajeev Kumar is an author and recognized speaker with a significant profile regionally, across many cultures and languages. Rajeev has a strong commitment to the profession and IABC, demonstrated through local and regional and international leadership roles. Rajeev’s work and references reinforce his commitment to the IABC values and he is a brand ambassador for the association in all aspects of his professional life.

James E. Lukaszewski, America’s Crisis Guru ®, is a bestselling author, national speaker, and trusted strategic advisor to FPO and NPO business operators and leaders during crises, disasters, reputation attacks, contentiousness and when the boss’s future is at stake. Corporate Legal Times listed him as “one of 22 crisis counselors to have in your speed dial when all hell breaks loose.” For more than 30 years, he has confidentially guided hundreds of company leaders thru tough, touchy, sensitive situations. Lukaszewski’s strategies inspire constructive, ethical problem resolving management behavior. A powerful and inspirational speaker, he teaches executives and managers the lessons he has learned. A prolific author, he is quoted and interviewed often as one of the most recognizable leaders in his profession. Lukaszewski is on the web at www.e911.com.

Ritzi Ronquillo is a multi-awarded communication leader in corporate, community, and associations in the Philippines and abroad. Ritzi is an Accredited Public Relations (APR) Professional and a Fellow of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the highest honor bestowed upon an IABC member with significant impact on their organization, on IABC, and on the communication profession at large. She brings four decades of experience in communication and PR to her assignments.  She is a broadcast communication graduate of UP.A university entrance scholar and scholar of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas/Broadcast Media Council (KBP/BMC).

Brad Whitworth is a veteran communicator and communication coach at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Brad was most recently a communication manager at Hitachi Vantara. Before that, he was an executive communication manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and senior communication manager at Cisco Systems. Before Cisco, Brad led communication programs at HP, PeopleSoft, and AAA. He earned undergraduate degrees in both journalism and speech at the University of Missouri and an MBA at Santa Clara University. A former broadcaster, Brad has made more than 300 presentations to executives, communicators, and university classes around the world. Brad has a long history with IABC, including serving as chairman of the international board and president of two local chapters. He is one of the authors of The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication.