FIR Podcast Network

The December installment of the Hobson & Holtz Report includes reports on these stories:

* Twitter’s plans to relaunch verification and what’s next

* Clubhouse is poised to become a major social media platform (if Twitter Spaces doesn’t squash it like a bug)

* How a company should say, “We’re sorry”

* Walmart and others expand their employee advocacy programs while Sherwin Williams fires the only employee engaged in it on their behalf

* Euphemisms for getting laid off

* Could Substack be a new channel for journalism (including brand journalism)?

* Dan York’s Tech Report covers more Twitter changes; screen sharing comes to Discord while Reddit acquires Dubsmash for its screen sharing functionality; Snap and Facebook take on TikTok; Walmart and TikTok introduce video shopping; WordPress powers 39% of the web (and more about WordPress); podcasting turns 20

Our FIR recording sessions are now being streamed live, because why not? We already stream it in order to capture a backup recording on YouTube; we’ve just been making these restricted streams. We have decided to make them public so you can watch and comment. Our next recording is Saturday, January 23 at noon ET. You’ll see our pre-recording conversation as well as seeing how the sausage gets made. Watch here.

We are hosting an FIR Communicators Coffee Break on Zoom each Thursday during the stay-at-home period at 1 p.m. ET (though not on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.). For credentials, contact Shel or Neville directly or request the credentials in our Facebook group or send an email to [email protected]. Spread the word to your communications community.

Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music.

You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog. Neville’s link blog, Outbox, is available, as well.

Links from This Month’s Episode

* Twitter’s plans to relaunch verification and what’s next

* Twitter tests ‘humanization prompts’ in effort to reduce toxic replies

* Why Clubhouse App Might Be the Next Major Social Media Platform

* Twitter launches its voice-based “Spaces” social networking feature into beta testing

* When Your Company Has to Say Sorry, Here’s How to Do It Right

* ‘A true influencer program’: Inside Walmart’s growing army of employee TikTokers

* Fired Sherwin-Williams Paint Enthusiast and TikTok Star Joins Rival Firm to Develop New Paints

* Euphemisms for being laid off

* Substack: the new journalism?

#534: Jo Moffatt and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Bring to bear brands into building employee engagement. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Jo Moffatt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomoffattwoodreed/), an employee engagement consultant and brand consultant. Jo is the founder and managing director of Woodreed. She is also the strategy director and radio show host of Engage for Success.

She is an internal comms expert, employer brand consultant, and speaker as well. She carries extensive experience as a non-executive director and as an account director under her belt.

If you are an organization that yearns for highly engaged, highly productive, and happy employees, you should reach out to Jo Moffatt by logging on to https://woodreed.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomoffattwoodreed/ and by dropping her an e-mail through [email protected].

Here are several AHA messages from this episode:

* Organizations who need to better engage their employees and their people should reach out to Jo Moffatt. #Engagement https://woodreed.com/ @TunWellsWoodies

* As a specialist agency, we have worked for a whole gamut of organizations, from global PLCs to the public sector, to not for profits and charities for over 20 years now… And we’ve covered off pretty well every sector there is! #Engagement https://woodreed.com/ @TunWellsWoodies

* We deploy the creativity and rigor of the advertising world. We all engage with brands on an emotional level. That’s the power that brands have. An emotional #Engagement is four times more powerful at driving behavior than the rational. https://woodreed.com/ @TunWellsWoodies

* We use brands as the catalyst to really drive #Engagement involving leaders, developing strategic narratives, supporting line managers, listening to employee voice, as well as creating reward and recognition programs. https://woodreed.com/ @TunWellsWoodies

* We always try to build a legacy so we don’t just go in and run a program or implement a piece of work. So, we leave an organization and its key people within that organization better fitted to maintain the momentum of what it is. #Engagement https://woodreed.com/ @TunWellsWoodies

To view the video interview click here.

#535: David Fradin and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Drive faster market success through product value proposition and market strategy. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert David Fradin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfradin/), product success manager, distinguished professor, author, and President of Spice Catalyst. His online courses and in-person boot camps cover the complete product management life cycle starting with the founding values, vision, product life cycle and management employed by Apple today.

David is classically trained as an HP Product Manager and later recruited by Apple to bring the first hard disk drive on a PC to market. He now helps accelerate and sustain business growth by aligning strategy, people, processes and systems to enable continuous learning,

The corporate environment comprises the various aspects of work that affect employees’ productivity, including when, where, and how they work. According to Indeed.com, “A work environment is the setting, social features, and physical conditions in which you perform your job. These elements can impact feelings of wellbeing, workplace relationships, collaboration, efficiency, and employee health.”

Elements of a corporate culture include the physical environment, the company culture, and working conditions. Business analysts have made attempts to categorize different types of corporate environments, like “artistic” (promoting innovation and experimentation, as well as personal expression), “enterprising” (emphasizing guidance of employees toward goals), and “conventional” (built on specificity, predictability, and organization).

Can communicators help create the right environment for their companies? Can they help sustain an existing environment?

Four IABC Fellows gathered on December 17 to explore the various ways communicators can influence the corporate environment.

About the Panel

Mary Hills’ career as a marketing and communication professional has been in companies undergoing significant evolution, change, and growth. She has held leadership positions with responsibility for developing plans and schemas to support long-term growth and business sustainability goals. She has more than 20 years experience and expertise in designing and delivering training and development programs for companies and organizations, bringing theories, models, and frameworks into everyday practice. In addition to her role at HeimannHills Marketing Group, Mary serves as Adjunct Faculty in the MS – Global Strategic Communication program at Loyola University Chicago.  Mary speaks internationally and nationally on marketing, communication, standards, and practices.

Edward “Ned” Lundquist, a retired U.S. Navy captain with 33 years of professional public affairs and strategic communications experience. He is a principal science writer at MCR Federal in McLean, Virginia, supporting government clients; and has his own company, Echo Bridge LLC, which provides outreach and advocacy support to commercial clients. He served on active duty for 24 years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer and public affairs specialist. Captain Lundquist was a Pentagon spokesman with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Director of the Fleet Home Town News Center, and director of public affairs and corporate communications for the Navy Exchange Service Command. His last tour of duty was commanding the 450 men and women of the Naval Media Center. He is an accredited business communicator and award-winning communicator who served as president of IABC/Hampton Roads and IABC/Washington, director of U.S. district 3 and chair of the International Accreditation Council. He was named an IABC Fellow in 2016. Captain Lundquist is a member of the executive committee of the Surface Navy Association and chair of the SNA communications committee. He writes for numerous naval, maritime and defense publications and chairs and presents at communications, naval and maritime security conferences around the world.

Leticia Narváez, ABC,  is CEO and Founding Partner of Narváez Group, a consulting firm focused on Strategic Communication, Employee Engagement, Corporate Reputation, Social Responsibility and Communication Training based in Mexico City. A 30 years experienced professional, she held management top level positions at Sanofi, Merck, American Express and Ford Motor Co. among others. She builds communication bridges with the utmost excellence standards. During her career path, she has been at the forefront of divestitures, mergers and acquisitions,

#530: Pascale Brady and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Develop better and more productive relationships and reach your desired results by transforming challenges to growth and success. This episode features #Expert and #ThoughtLeader Pascale Brady (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/), Founder and CEO, The Challenge Coach, Assistant Director of Corporate Programs, Sequence Counselling and Consulting Services, Intercultural Coach Consultant, Net Expat, and Certified Parent Educator, Parent Encouragement Program.

Pascale is passionate about guiding executives and managers individually or as part of groups or teams to successfully master their challenges and effectively resolve problems by encouraging courageous growth, respectful communication, and meaningful conversations. Having 30 years of professional experience both in the corporate world and entrepreneur, she continues to be a life coach who empowers individuals, couples, and groups to overcome challenges in life or at work, specializing in transitions and relationships.

If you recognize that you’ve lost track, and you want to get back on the right direction, seek the support and help you need by reaching out to Pascale Brady by going to her website at https://thechallengecoach.com/ or visiting her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* People who have lost track of themselves should reach out to Pascale Brady. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/

* While you go along your merry way in life, and everything’s fine and dandy, you may hit a hurdle, an obstacle, or something that may get in the way. You should seek a helping hand to regain strength and relearn your skills. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/

* I help my clients transform their challenges into growth and success. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/

* I went and decided to get certified as a life coach. I’ve been in the industry for 15 years. I’ve coached close to 400 clients over 2,500 hours. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/

* I am certified in different assessments. And I’m an insatiable learner because how can I be the best coach to my clients if I’m going through hell and back without having the tools and knowledge to help them? https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechallengecoach/

To view the video interview click here.

#531: Michael Yinger and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Establish an efficient organization and partnership and drive positive results with Global Talent Acquisition. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Michael Yinger (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeyinger/), Senior Executive, Global Leadership, Principal, Customer Solutions, INC, and Global Growth and Strategy Leader and Executive Vice President at PeopleScout.

Michael is passionate about global leadership, talent acquisition, business operations and strategic transformation. As a seasoned senior executive, he has years of experience in creating, building, and managing organizations and providing strategic advice via Board of Directors membership ...

#526: Lee Henson and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Understanding organizational inefficiency to gain the best certification possible. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Lee Henson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/). He is the founder and president of Agile Dad. He is also a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Project Management Professional (PMP), Motivational Speaker, Coach, and a Mentor.

Lee’s 15 years of experience spans a broad array of roles and responsibilities. He is currently one of just over 160 Certified Scrum Trainers worldwide. His unique blend of real-world experience in various roles combined with the ability to drive home complex concepts in an easy to understand manner make him an amazing coach to get any team best focused on project related initiatives.

If you’re running a company that has #OperationalInefficiency, you should consider reaching out to Agile Dad. Reaching out to Lee Henson by visiting his website at www.agiledad.com or through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Companies who have #OrganizationalInefficiency should reach out to Lee Henson by visiting his website at https://www.agiledad.com/.

* We want you to feel the comfort of knowing that we humanize work, that we take pride in everything that we do and we help people engage in a way that they haven’t seen before. #OrganizationalInefficiency https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/ @AgileDad

* We don’t want them to just build more things. We want them to come away with “less is more”. #OrganizationalInefficiency https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/ @AgileDad

* We wanted to achieve the best #Certification possible that would empower us and help us to uplift other companies and individuals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/ @AgileDad

* People need not just a #Certification to check the boxes but something that’s applicable in the real world. Something that is industry recognized. Something they can use not just today, but throughout the entirety. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/ @AgileDad

To view the video interview click here.

#527: Kimberly Carlson and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Figuring out how to navigate your business through this new norm based on the market and what is coming your way versus what already hit you. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Kimberly Carlson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/KimberlyACarlson), the President of AppWorks. She is also a mentor, speaker, creative consultant, and business analyst.

Kimberly works with companies to help them identify, clarify, and articulate their hurdles and goals enabling them to forge a path to success. She is passionate about helping them develop and implement actionable steps and infrastructures so they can navigate their way through this new norm based on market trends and what hurdles are coming their way versus what has already hit them.

If you’re a business that is struggling with “What next?” and has been a brick and mortar you’re entire life and all of a sudden that has gone away, you should reach out to Kimberly Carlson via

#522: George Donald Miller and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Being in the right place where you are expected to be while having happiness and satisfaction on what you have. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert George Donald Miller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/), an Executive Coach, Life Coach, Mentor, and a Motivational Speaker.

He coaches and trains in social and emotional intelligence, helping small business owners and startups get out of their own way. He is an activator, coaching emerging leaders in a variety of professions and communities. He also works with teams to bring together vision, innovation and character, in the service of sustainability and meaning in business and the marketplace.

If somebody in your network, you heard them say at some time in their life I’m not unhappy or I’m not where I need to be or is there something else in life, you should reach out to George Donald Miller at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/ or georgedonaldmiller.com.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Professionals who are not #Right where they are expected to be should reach out to George Donald Miller by visiting http://georgedonaldmiller.com/.

* Professionals may be mid level through their career and they are wanting something more. They are unsatisfied with where they’re at and thinking about leaving and they reach out because they’re like, what am I missing here? #Right https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/

* We will come up with something that helps them move forward from #Right where they’re at, not necessarily jumping to something else. https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/

* For people who have stayed with their current company, but are way happier in that position. If they have gone on to something else, they’ve done it in a way that’s honoring and respectful of that they have good credibility back. #Right https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/

* I’m right there in the trenches with the people I’m working with. There’s a level of we’re in it together. That really helps people be with #Right where they’re at and to take advantage of what’s right in front of them. https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgmiller/

To view the video interview click here.

#523: Marc Jospitre and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Bringing your greatness back by pulling it out from you. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Marc Jospitre (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-jospitre-94a38015/), a Mindset Expert for Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs, Seasoned Insurance Coach and also a Keynote Speaker.

Marc is helping result seeking individuals and companies worldwide to increase their results quickly providing tools for high performance jumps. Through the teaching of a precise methodology and the study of the human mind, Marc instills effective ideas and habits (Paradigm Shift).

When you ask yourself “have I not achieved what I wanted in life?”, consider reaching out to Marc Jospitre through his LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-jospitre-94a38015/ or visit

On the sixth day of Christmas, Spin Sucks gave to you…six SEO tricks, five breakable habits, four PRM tools, three AI experts, two PR trends, and one mindset shift in a pear tree.

Welcome to the sixth day of Christmas at Spin Sucks!

We’re not really talking SEO “tricks” per se (I used that only because it fits better in the lyrics of the song); more like SEO best practices.

SEO, or search engine optimization, often feels a bit like magic.

We know we should know how it works, but do we really?

It turns out, it’s not magic, we don’t have to be David Copperfield—and it’s pretty easy for a communicator to add to one’s skill set.

In the end, while you must master SEO if you create content, it isn’t the only source of new leads.

It must be used in tandem with other tools you have at your disposal in today’s digital world.

After today, you’ll know how to incorporate these six SEO best practices into your communications planning.

Resources Included In Episode

* Moz

* Help! My Domain Authority Has Fallen!

* Blog Checklist

* They Ask, You Answer

#518: Quinn Ferrall and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Optimizing performance by harnessing the power of emotional intelligence. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Quinn Ferrall (https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-ferrall-pe-mba/), who is the founder and performance mindset coach at Infinite Humans.

Quinn helps engineers and other design professionals find success in their careers by bridging the gap between their hard and soft skills. He helps you harness the power of emotional intelligence and provides the opportunity for you and your team to achieve optimum performance every time.

If you are an engineer who is product-focused and not people-focused, you should consider reaching out to Quinn Ferrall by visiting his website https://www.infinitehumans.me/ and going to https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-ferrall-pe-mba/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* Engineers who are either project-focused or not people-focused should reach out to Quinn Ferrall. #EmotionalIntelligence https://www.infinitehumans.me/ @QuinnFerrall

* #EmotionalIntelligence is not an inherent trait but a skill developed through targeted education and practice. I can work with you to unlock the power of EI to boost engagement and maximize efficiency. https://www.infinitehumans.me/ @QuinnFerrall

* #EmotionalIntelligence is about getting people to think with their heart and not their head. Through group coaching, I can help your team achieve optimum performance all the time. https://www.infinitehumans.me/ @QuinnFerrall

* With AI automation today, if engineers can’t connect and collaborate with other people and can’t be creative, they could easily lose their edge at work. I can help you tap into your #EmotionalSkills to increase your career success. https://www.infinitehumans.me/ @QuinnFerrall

* What made me successful wasn’t just the professional registrations I got but how I related to the people around me. I can help you achieve success by learning to connect with people. #EmotionalIntelligence https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-ferrall-pe-mba/ @QuinnFerrall

To view the video interview click here.

#519: Nicole Roberts Jones and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Building your billion-dollar brand and creating multiple streams of income through corporate programs. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Nicole Roberts Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/NicoleRobertsJones), the Founder and CEO of NRJ Enterprises. She is also a nationally-recognized transformational speaker, purpose to paycheck expert, and best-selling author of four books, the most recent being, Find Your Fierce.

Nicole is uniquely gifted in drawing out the best in her clients, especially women, and helping them take their brilliance to the bank. She brings with her 27 years of experience in teaching program development at 2 universities (Boston University and University of Southern California) and consulting businesses. She is passionate about helping women build billion-dollar brands and create multiple streams of income by developing corporate programs out of their genius.

If you’ve been a successful female executive,

#514: Greg Williams and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Get the most of life by learning how to negotiate better. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Greg Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/), The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert at The Master Negotiator.

Greg is Harvard trained to do what he does. As a Negotiation & Body Language Expert, he is passionate about helping organizations harness this skill. He has worked with reputable companies including Merck Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America, Mercedes Benz, and Unilever. He also provides insights on how to read body language to enhance the negotiation process.

If you know the importance of negotiation and you’ve realized the role it plays in your life, but you are not good at it, you might want to reach out to Greg Williams by going to his website at https://www.themasternegotiator.com/ or visiting his profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/.

Here are a couple of AHA messages from this episode:

* People who don’t realize that they’re always negotiating should reach out to Greg Williams. https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/

* A lot of times, when I’m either hired by a C-suite network or executive, they want me to come in and train their sales staff to get better outcomes from a negotiation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/

* Children have the innate ability to negotiate. Why? Because they don’t necessarily take no for an answer. That’s something we should learn how to do better as we become adults and that’s exactly what I teach my clienteles to do. https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/

* I have literally spoken and trained in corporate and live seminar environments around the world. That’s number one. Global gurus ranked me as number 18 out of 30 top body language expert throughout the globe. https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/

* I appear on TV as a news contributor and what network wants me to do is to come in and critique either the body language that’s displayed by those in the news or the negotiation strategies that they are engaged in. https://www.linkedin.com/in/themasternegotiator/

To view the video interview click here.

#515: Brenda Cross and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Achieving optimal productivity through behavioral transformation. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Brenda Cross (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendacross-trainer/). She is a Corporate Trainer and Keynote Speaker of communications and resilience. She is also a Leadership Development Coach.

Brenda’s facilitation includes a bit of entertainment with education along with cutting-edge behavioral and neuroscience. Most often revered as “highly engaging,” Brenda has trained and coached over 11,000 people across the globe for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. Her post session evaluations are over 93%.

If you’re either running a team or you’ve got a series of teams underneath you that are just demonstrating suboptimal #Productiv...

#510: Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

 

Scale up your revenues through generating leads. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dravisjonesdeweever/), a media monetization mentor, media commentator, award-winning author, and international speaker.

As a business coach extraordinaire, Dr. Avis makes businesses thrive in uncertain times. She also drives entrepreneurs to generate more leads and massive revenue.

If you are an entrepreneur who goes strictly by the book but are frustrated because you can’t really break into the noise to let the people know you exist, then you should visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/dravisjonesdeweever/ and https://perfectmediapitch.com/.

Here are several AHA messages from this episode:

* Business owners who are actually badass at what they do but not enough people know that they exist should reach out to Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever. #leads https://perfectmediapitch.com @SistahScholar

* I work with entrepreneurs who don’t understand how to maximize the power of their business. So, I educate them on how to take advantage of various types of media in order to draw attention to their businesses. #leads https://perfectmediapitch.com @SistahScholar

* Business owners are frustrated because they can’t break into the noise to let the people know they exist. So, I help them leverage the power of the media in order to drive more leads and more revenues for their businesses. #leads https://perfectmediapitch.com @SistahScholar

* Marketing’s more complicated than just getting on any podcast or any TV or radio show. You have to be strategic and discern the media vehicles your prospective customers are going to consume information. #leads https://perfectmediapitch.com @SistahScholar

* I have appeared for over 20 years now in the media in various media spaces. Everything from CNN to Washington Post, USA Today, MSNBC, you name it, I have probably been there. #leads https://www.linkedin.com/in/dravisjonesdeweever/ @SistahScholar

To view the video interview click here.

#511: Cali Yost and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode

Achieve employee engagement and well-being with work and life flexibility. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Cali Yost (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caliwilliamsyost/), An Internationally Recognized Flexible Workplace Strategist, Futurist, Founder, Author and Speaker. She is the Founder and CEO of the Flex+Strategy Group, a solutions company that helps leaders unlock performance and engagement by reimagining how, when and where work is done.

In her two decades of experience in transforming work, she has been passionate about relentlessly seeking the answer to how people and businesses unlock the power of flexibility. She has foreseen this workplace trend coming, hence, she helps organizations build dynamic, future-ready cultures that would attract and retain engaged, diverse workforce; increase productivity and innovation; enhance employee wellbeing and maintain operating continuity when faced with unexpected disruptions.

If you’re a part of the management team, and you recognizes that your workforce needs mor...