For years, we've been talking about upgrading the communications function - or at least modernizing it, bringing comms into parity with their Marketing colleagues. Embracing technology is the most visible part of this journey. But what good is technology - project management tools, social media management tools, intelligence and analytics software, email automation, and now Generative AI - without the people to drive it? You can't conquer the frontier of CommsTech without capable pioneers.   In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle reconnects with award-winning strategic communications leader and all-around CommsTech pioneer Megan DiSciullo, Senior Managing Director of US and Mexico Communications for PwC. Megan shares her extensive experience in communications, her journey from Edelman to PwC, and her insights on ethically integrating technology, particularly Generative AI, into corporate communications.

Join us as Megan shares her journey from the ground up in the world of strategic communications as she and Dan explore the transformative role of generative AI and CommsTech in today's corporate landscape. From her early days at Edelman to her ever-expanding remit at PwC, Megan has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, advocating for the ethical use of AI while enhancing strategic communications across the board.

This episode delves deep into how AI is reshaping the way we think about internal and external communications, the importance of ethical frameworks, and the potential of AI to streamline operations and create a more dynamic corporate environment. Megan's insights provide invaluable lessons on embracing change, leveraging technology for enhanced communication strategies, following an ethics-first approach, and AI's critical role in driving corporate narratives forward.

Whether you're a communications novice or a seasoned professional, this episode offers a treasure of knowledge and inspiration, showcasing how embracing technological advancements can significantly elevate your strategic communication efforts. Don't miss out on this insightful exploration of AI's impact on the future of corporate communications and how you can be part of this evolution in the industry.

Listen in and hear about...

• The evolving role of communicators in shaping internal culture and driving organizational change
• Strategies for integrating AI into corporate communications and the importance of secure, enterprise-specific tools
• How ethical considerations and policy development are important in AI deployment to maintain trust and data security
• AI's impact on productivity and efficiency, freeing up communicators to focus on higher-level strategic activities
• The necessity for ongoing learning and adaptation within the communications field to leverage new technologies like AI
• The collaborative approach required to implement AI across various organizational functions effectively
• The potential of AI to democratize learning and innovation within organizations, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and engagement

 Notable Quotes   On the Value of Kindness in Business:

"One of my mentors told me early on, Megan, always be direct, so people know where you stand and there's no misinterpretation. But always be kind, because you never know when you will need people or just, this is a business of teaming. And so, you know, people want to work with people who are kind."

— Megan DiSciullo [00:08:43 → 00:09:05]

On the Role of Data in Communications:

"Data is the ultimate neutralizer. Whether the data is coming from the comms team, the marketing team, or from our client insights team. The data is telling us key insights about our audience that we need to know."

— Megan DiSciullo [00:27:19 → 00:27:35]

On the Importance of Change Management:

"It makes for sometimes an uphill battle. And that's where change management culture change really needs to happen. And there's no amount of money, I think, that you can put down on the value of pilots and tests and stuff to kind of use that data and sort of show examples and gain permission and gain buy in over time."

— Dan Nestle [00:31:15 → 00:31:35]

On the Importance of Change Management:

"If you put out, even if it's a tech product that's in the 1.0 version and it's not a good experience, you've lost people. So it doesn't matter how many times you communicate about it if the experience isn't great, especially in today's world where people have little appetite and little patience."

— Megan DiSciullo [00:35:22 → 00:35:42]

On the Role of AI in Enhancing Productivity:

"Once you understand, okay, all prompting, and this is what it is, and this is what it means. That's that kind of first initial wall to get through with the user with the AI partner. And once they get through that wall, then it's about, oh, my goodness, I'm going to save all this time."

— Dan Nestle [00:45:39 → 00:46:00]

On the Future of AI in Communications:

"I see Gen AI, at least in its current function and form, to be a productivity and efficiency tool. There is still a need for really great counsel, really great crisis management skills, really great relationship building skills, really great dot connecting skills."

— Megan DiSciullo [00:48:39 → 00:48:55]

On the Future of Communications:

"AI is an enabler with that, of course, because a lot of the fundamental tasks that people associate with typical traditional comms can be essentially handed over to, at least at the first level, to these brilliant, co creative, co intelligent platforms, and then brought back to the human to make sure that it's all good to go, but it saves a lot of time, much more productive."

— Dan Nestle [01:02:13 → 01:02:35]

On the Evolution of the Communications Profession:

"I started faxing press releases. I am so far from a fax machine and loving it. But I'm now learning the next skill, and in ten years, I'm going to learn something that we haven't even started to think about. And that is the beauty of this profession."

— Megan DiSciullo [01:04:47 → 01:05:00] 

Resources and Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website

Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn

Dan Nestle | Twitter

Megan DiSciullo

• Megan DiSciullo | LinkedIn

Timestamped key moments from this episode (as generated by Flowsend.ai)

00:00:01: Introduction and Welcome

00:01:41: Megan DiSciullo Joins the Conversation

00:02:19: Early Career and First Impressions

00:03:21: Transition from Edelman to PwC

00:04:22: Predictive Analytics Project

00:05:25: First Meeting with Megan

00:06:08: Megan's Reaction to Predictive Analytics

00:08:43: Megan's Philosophy on Kindness and Teaming

00:10:16: Importance of Kindness in Business

00:11:06: Megan's Career Journey

00:12:07: Early Interest in Purpose and Ethics

00:13:09: Work with Business Roundtable Post-Katrina

00:14:10: Transition to PwC and Building Internal Change

00:15:12: Merging Internal and External Communications

00:16:14: Introduction to Comtech

00:17:15: Commtech vs. Commstech

00:19:41: Data and Analytics in Communications

00:21:13: Building the Tech Stack

00:22:15: Embedding Technology into Workflows

00:23:17: Audience-Centric Approach

00:24:05: Partnership Between Marketing and Communications

00:27:19: Navigating Conflicts Between Teams

00:30:13: Change Management and Culture Change

00:32:16: Integrating Marketing and Communications

00:33:22: Expanding Teams and Data Science

00:35:26: Importance of Pilots and Feedback

00:37:33: AI Implementation and Upskilling

00:39:21: Team Effort in AI Training

00:40:31: Hands-On Training and Gamification

00:42:02: Democratization of Learning

00:43:03: Bespoke Tools for Marketing and Comms

00:45:07: Mass Personalization with GenAI

00:47:12: Empowering Teams with AI

00:48:39: Encouraging Innovation and Experimentation

00:50:49: Framing AI as a Co-Intelligence

00:54:46: Ethical Implications of AI

00:57:02: Building Trust in AI

00:59:15: Transparency and Validation in AI

01:00:43: Future Focus for Communicators

01:02:13: Role of Communicators in Culture Building

01:03:53: Embracing Curiosity and Learning

01:04:48: Final Thoughts and Farewell

 

 

(Notes co-created by Humans and a variety of AI helpers, including Fireflies.ai and Flowsend.ai)

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When your brand, company, country, or even you are the target of social media attacks, what if you can't even identify the source of the problem? What if the attackers aren't real people? What if the entire attack is a complete lie, disinformation spread by bad actors with thousands, or millions, of fake accounts at their disposal? How do you uncover the good, the bad, and the fake online?   In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle is joined by seasoned PR and marketing expert Rafi Mendelsohn, VP of Marketing at Cyabra, a premier media monitoring platform specializing in the detection, identification, and mitigation of malicious actors, bots, bot networks, and generative AI content. Together, they unravel the complexities of the trust crisis exacerbated by advanced technologies like AI and bot networks. The conversation starts with a deep dive into the pervasive trust issues affecting our institutions and the role of technology in amplifying misinformation and disinformation. With his extensive background in agency and in-house roles across various markets, Rafi brings a unique perspective on how malicious actors use digital platforms to manipulate public discourse. Dan and Rafi explore the implications of these practices for communicators and marketers. They discuss the challenges of distinguishing between genuine and artificial interactions online and the impact of these interactions on corporate reputation and brand trust. Rafi shares insights into the mechanics of bot networks and how they are not just limited to political arenas but are pervasive across all sectors, influencing everything from consumer behavior to stock prices. He explains the sophisticated methods these networks use to appear legitimate and the difficulties this presents in identifying and combating them. Their conversation also covers practical strategies for organizations to protect themselves, emphasizing the importance of advanced media monitoring and the need for a proactive rather than reactive approach to digital threats. Rafi advocates for a blend of technology and traditional communication strategies to effectively manage and mitigate the risks associated with digital misinformation, empowering listeners with actionable advice. Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of digital misinformation, the tools available to tackle it, and how to strategically position their communications in an increasingly complex digital world. Whether you're a communications professional, a marketer, or simply interested in the impact of technology on public discourse, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice.   Listen in and hear about...

• The pervasive trust crisis in modern institutions and the role of misinformation and disinformation.
• The impact of AI and technology on the spread of false information through bots and fake accounts.
• Strategies for communicators and marketers to identify and combat misinformation in their fields.
• The challenges and responsibilities of PR and marketing professionals in managing brand reputation amidst misinformation.
• The evolution of malicious actors using sophisticated AI tools to create and spread disinformation.
• Practical steps and tools for organizations to detect and mitigate the effects of disinformation on their brands.
• Future trends in communication strategies to handle emerging technologies and misinformation threats effectively.

  Notable Quotes   On the Trust Crisis: "We're in the thick of an unprecedented trust crisis. Trust in our institutions, especially government, education, and media, is in freefall. Misinformation and disinformation are everywhere, and it's only getting worse." — Dan Nestle [00:01:00 → 00:01:20] On the Role of AI in Social Media: "AI has enabled bad actors to disseminate bad information at scale through deepfakes, AI-enabled content farms, and bots. This is the world we're contending with." — Dan Nestle [00:01:20 → 00:01:30] On the Role of Communicators: "As communicators and marketers, we're often on the front lines of this information-driven trust crisis. We have to tell stories, protect our clients and companies, and ensure that the information we share is trustworthy." — Dan Nestle [00:04:00 → 00:04:20] On the Challenges of Modern Communication: "We don't know who we're talking to, and we don't know whether we're telling the right stories or if we have the right facts on our side. The whole thing has been corrupted over the last decade or so." — Dan Nestle [00:04:10 → 00:04:20] Rafi Mendelsohn On the Role of Bots in Social Media: "From our research, the average conversation across social media has around four to seven percent of fake accounts. When we start to see certain conversations, whether it's political, wartime, or around brands, and those numbers are significantly higher, that's when we need to take a pause and understand exactly what's going on." — Rafi Mendelsohn [00:19:01 → 00:19:20] On the Impact of Fake Accounts on Brands: "Brands can find themselves in hot water, not just because of something they've done, but purely by virtue of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fake accounts can escalate a situation to the point that it gains media attention and impacts the brand's reputation." — Rafi Mendelsohn [00:31:00 → 00:31:20] On the Importance of Understanding Social Media Conversations: "We need to differentiate between the fake accounts and the real ones, understand the narratives being pushed by fake accounts, and assess their impact on the real conversation. This is crucial for brands to respond appropriately." — Rafi Mendelsohn [00:49:00 → 00:49:20] On the Role of GenAI in Communications: "GenAI can be a powerful tool for communicators. It can help us game out scenarios, prepare responses, and mitigate social media negativity. It's about using the technology to stay ahead of the challenges we face." — Dan Nestle [00:52:00 → 00:52:20] On the Role of GenAI in Disinformation: "GenAI is fantastic, but in the hands of malicious actors, it becomes a tool for creating very believable content. This makes it harder for us to distinguish between real and fake accounts, complicating the challenge of maintaining trust." — Rafi Mendelsohn [00:17:30 → 00:17:45] On the Future of Communications: "The next six to twelve months are going to be really interesting from our industry perspective. We need to up our game and work through the challenges posed by new technologies and threats to guide our organizations effectively." — Rafi Mendelsohn [01:03:00 → 01:03:20]     Resources and Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website

Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn

Dan Nestle | Twitter

Rafi Mendelsohn

• Cyabra | Website

Rafi Mendelsohn | LinkedIn

 

Timestamped summary for this episode (as generated by ChatGPT)

The trust crisis (00:00:00)

Discussion about the unprecedented decline in trust in institutions, the prevalence of misinformation, and the impact of technology and AI.

Introduction of Rafi Mendelsohn (00:01:12)

Dan introduces Rafi Mendelsohn, VP of Marketing at Cyabra, and discusses his background in PR and marketing.

AI's role in communication (00:02:09)

Exploration of the evolving role of AI in communication and the challenges faced by communicators and marketers.

Rafi's background (00:04:01)

Rafi's career journey from working in PR agencies to leading marketing at Cyabra, and his passion for data storytelling.

Cyabra's focus and mission (00:07:54)

Rafi discusses Cyabra's role in uncovering and mitigating misinformation and disinformation online, particularly in the context of social media.

Defining misinformation and disinformation (00:10:23)

Clearing the distinction between misinformation and disinformation, and the impact of these on societal narratives and trust.

Challenges of identifying bots (00:18:04)

The prevalence of bots in online conversations, the difficulty in identifying them, and the potential impact on public discourse.

Extent of bot presence (00:19:13)

Insights into the average percentage of fake accounts in online conversations and the significance of higher numbers in certain discussions.

Elon Musk's Twitter Acquisition (00:20:29)

Discussion about analyzing data for Elon Musk's potential acquisition of Twitter.

Impact of Fake Accounts (00:21:29)

Exploring the impact and dominance of fake accounts in online conversations and their influence on narratives.

Bot Activity on Various Platforms (00:22:39)

Observations of bot and malicious activity on different social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Geopolitical and Brand Disinformation (00:27:11)

Examination of how fake accounts drive conversations around geopolitical and brand-related issues, impacting public perception and creating crises.

Influence of Fake Accounts on Brands (00:29:14)

Analysis of how fake accounts can negatively impact brands, including examples of orchestrated campaigns targeting companies.

Challenges for Communicators (00:32:20)

Discussion on the challenges faced by communicators in defending brand reputation against bot-driven disinformation and crisis management.

Defensive Communications and Brand Disinformation (00:37:23)

Exploring the gap in defensive mindset between security and communications teams, and the need for tools to address bot attacks and disinformation.

Global Origins of Malicious Actors (00:39:32)

Understanding the diverse origins and motivations of malicious actors behind bot networks and disinformation campaigns.

Malicious Actors and Their Motivations (00:39:56)

Discussion on the motivations of malicious actors, including power, influence, and money, and their use of fake accounts to influence opinions.

Understanding the Different Actors and Risks (00:40:47)

Exploration of the various types of criminals and actors involved in cyber attacks, and the low barrier to entry for conducting such activities.

Dealing with Disinformation and Crisis Communications (00:41:46)

Addressing the challenges of combating disinformation, crisis communications strategies, and the impact of shadow banning on disseminating good information.

Social Media as One Channel for Communicators (00:44:10)

Emphasizing the importance of understanding the conversation and the individuals involved, and the need to differentiate between fake and real accounts.

Addressing Fake Accounts and Negative Activity (00:45:16)

Strategies for addressing fake accounts, including identifying and addressing "superspreaders" of negativity, and amplifying positive voices.

Vigilance and Defensive Measures (00:48:09)

The importance of vigilance, proactive defensive measures, and the need for companies to have systems in place to differentiate and respond to attacks.

Proactive Monitoring and Ignoring Certain Threats (00:52:09)

The significance of proactive monitoring, the need to respond selectively, and the empowerment of ignoring non-threatening issues

Using AI for Scenario Planning and Mitigation Tactics (00:53:17)

Exploring the potential use of AI for scenario planning and mitigation tactics, and the importance of early detection and preparation.

Impact of Bunker Mentality and Brand Exposure (00:54:52)

Discussion on the impact of brands adopting a bunker mentality and the need to address the increasing weaponization of social media by malicious actors.

Opportunity for Marketers and Communicators to Lead (00:58:40)

The opportunity for marketers and communicators to lead in understanding and addressing the impact of cyber threats and disinformation on society.

Profile Building and Concerns (01:00:00)

Discussion on the generation of profiles and the concerns regarding identifying real people.

Future Challenges for Communicators (01:00:59)

Predictions and concerns about the evolving role of communicators in dealing with new technology and threats.

Impact of Technology on Roles (01:03:46)

Discussion on the potential realignment of roles and responsibilities due to the influence of AI and technology.

Gratitude and Contact Information (01:05:56)

Expressing gratitude to the guest and providing contact information for further engagement.

Conclusion and Call to Action (01:07:24)

Closing remarks, encouraging subscription, sharing, and participation in future episodes.

 

(Notes prepared by humans with the assistance of a variety of AI tools, including ChatGPT and Flowsend.ai)

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Is AI the greatest gift ever for lazy people? I've often said that if you want to find a better way to do something, ask a lazy person. Laziness, as it turns out, is a virtue. Lazy people want to find the most efficient way to get through a task. No wonder they're taking to AI like fish to water.

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle connects with Kami Huyse, CEO of Zoetica. A self-described "lazy entrepreneur," Kami has nonetheless blazed new trails in AI adoption and implementation and is a recognized PR industry thought leader, speaker, and author.  Dan and Kami explore the transformative impact of AI on the PR and marketing industries, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and critical thinking. 

Their discussion highlights the necessity of asking better questions, experimenting strategically, and maintaining a human-centric approach to AI. They also delve into AI's ethical challenges, stressing the need for transparency and responsible use. 

It's anything but a lazy conversation - it's a must-listen for professionals looking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in communications.

Listen in and hear about....

• The importance of an entrepreneurial mindset while embracing AI
• AI "recipes" that can help you advance from a "home cook" prompter to a true AI "chef" 
• How prompting skills may become obsolete as AI integration in software increases
• The necessity of critical thinking, curiosity, and a strategic mindset for effective AI interaction
• The importance of ethics and transparency when we use AI
• How AI can assist in content creation while maintaining a brand's unique voice and style
• Practical insights on leveraging AI for community building and social media strategy

Notable Quotes

On Being a Lazy Entrepreneur: - "I call myself a lazy entrepreneur in a sense, because what I've always done is I look at a problem that's in front of me, and I try to figure out a way to do it more efficiently and different." — Kami Huyse [00:03:33 → 00:03:45] On the Evolution of Social Media and AI: - "I've always been a forward-leaning person, and we did some of the first social media campaigns for big, big brands that you would know. So we did those social media campaigns early because we look at solving problems with current technology. And to me, AI is just an extension of that." — Kami Huyse [00:05:00 → 00:05:20] On the Importance of Asking Better Questions: - "We need to start to think about how to elevate those conversations. What do we need to, what questions do we need to be asking? We need to ask better questions. That's where the training comes in." — Kami Huyse [00:12:00 → 00:12:10] On the Role of Imperfection in Human Creativity: - "How do we have a pattern interrupt? I'll tell you how you throw in the imperfect human. That's how you tell imperfect stories. You talk about being a lazy entrepreneur. These are pattern interrupts that AI won't come up with on its own." — Kami Huyse [00:30:00 → 00:30:15]

On the Future of AI and Human Interaction: - "We need to think about what can we bring to the table that is like a spice of human while understanding fully the AI and using it fully. So not throwing the baby out the bathwater, as we always said, but using the AI for what it's good for and throwing in your own spice." — Kami Huyse [00:30:30 → 00:30:50] On the Ethical Use of AI: - "AI isn't inherently evil, but the people who wield it are maybe so there's people that wield the AI. Here's the problem with AI in general. It's just like our society. Like, we talk about, you know, racism and bias and, you know, sexism and terrible things. Here's what AI does. It takes all of the knowledge of the world, and it boils it down and it repeats it back to you." — Kami Huyse [00:59:41 → 01:00:10] On the Role of Communicators in Ethical AI: - "We as PR communicators should be the ombudsman for our organizations. We should bring our point of view to protect the people that we represent as PR people. And the people we represent are our audience, are our customers, our stakeholders." — Kami Huyse [01:06:25 → 01:06:45]

Resources and Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter

Kami Huyse

• Kami's Flowpage: Links to social media, resources, and more
• Zoetica Media, Digital Agency | Website

Books Mentioned

The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever: More than 350 inspiring ideas!, by Mark Schaefer and Friends (Including Kami and Dan)

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, by Ethan Mollick

 

Timestamped summary for this episode (as generated by ChatGPT)

The origin of ideas (00:00:00)

Dan discusses his excitement for new ideas and tech, including the concept of creating custom GPT.

The traits of successful idea execution (00:01:02)

Dan outlines the traits and qualities required for successful idea execution, such as discipline, focus, and support.

Introduction of Kami Huyse (00:02:01)

Dan introduces Kami Huyse, highlighting her background and expertise in PR, marketing, and AI integration.

Kami's problem-solving approach (00:03:46)

Kami discusses her approach to solving problems efficiently and her focus on community building and AI integration.

Evolution of media and technology (00:09:53)

Dan and Kami reflect on the digital transformation and the importance of hands-on experiences in the marketing profession.

The importance of AI training and mindset (00:11:55)

Kami emphasizes the significance of training and developing an entrepreneurial mindset for effectively integrating AI in communication and marketing.

Ethan Mollick's principles of AI interaction (00:17:07)

Dan discusses Ethan Mollick's principles for interacting with AI, including inviting AI to the table, being the human in the loop, treating AI like a person, and acknowledging AI's continuous improvement.

The importance of asking better questions (00:18:56)

Kami discusses the importance of asking better questions to guide AI in achieving desired tasks and outcomes.

The analogy of home cook and chef (00:19:37)

Kami compares the difference between a home cook and a chef to illustrate the importance of understanding and utilizing AI tools effectively.

The need for strategic training in AI tools (00:21:40)

Kami emphasizes the significance of strategic training for the next generation to effectively use AI tools and adapt to the evolving marketplace.

The integration of AI in software applications (00:22:54)

The discussion revolves around the increasing integration of AI capabilities in various software applications and its impact on prompting and human interaction.

The evolving role of prompting in AI usage (00:24:01)

The conversation delves into the evolving role of prompting in AI usage, the impact of contextual understanding, and the distinction between chefs and home cooks in utilizing AI.

The significance of asking power questions (00:25:04)

The importance of asking power questions and the role of strategic prompting in utilizing AI effectively is highlighted.

The importance of being relentlessly curious (00:27:07)

Kami emphasizes the significance of being relentlessly curious and training the brain to notice and understand AI interactions.

The concept of almost homemade solutions (00:29:01)

Kami discusses the concept of almost homemade solutions, encouraging individuals to add their own unique touch to AI tools for personalized outcomes.

The value of the imperfect human in AI interaction (00:30:01)

The significance of embracing imperfection and adding human elements to AI interactions for unique and effective outcomes is emphasized.

The need for critical thinking and curiosity in AI interaction (00:32:02)

The importance of critical thinking, curiosity, and asking questions to drive effective interaction with AI tools is discussed.

The importance of adding personal touch to AI tools (00:33:56)

The significance of adding a personal touch and unique spice to AI tools for tailored and effective utilization is highlighted.

The significance of being a critical thinker and inquisitive communicator (00:37:05)

The importance of critical thinking, curiosity, and being an inquisitive communicator in adapting to AI tools and driving effective outcomes is emphasized.

Critical thinking (00:38:20)

Emphasizing the importance of critical thinking skills in evaluating information and avoiding deception.

Asking better questions (00:39:12)

Highlighting the significance of asking great questions to avoid monolithic content and promoting individuality.

Life experiences and personal touch (00:40:10)

Discussing the value of bringing personal experiences and unique elements to content creation to avoid generic outcomes.

Human element in AI (00:41:49)

Emphasizing the need for human input and caution when relying solely on AI, acknowledging occasional breakdowns and the importance of adding personal touch.

Ethics and AI technology (00:42:43)

Exploring the ethical implications of AI technology, including power consumption and the need for continuous input of new information.

Reading and vocabulary (00:48:27)

Stressing the importance of reading to enhance vocabulary and improve communication with AI.

Writing and editing (00:50:20)

Emphasizing the significance of being a good writer and engaging in editing to effectively communicate with AI.

Community involvement (00:52:52)

Advocating joining communities to learn from peers and stay informed about emerging technologies.

Curiosity and diverse learning (00:54:51)

Encouraging continuous curiosity, diverse learning, and open-mindedness to expand knowledge and perspectives.

Neuroscience and AI (00:57:08)

Discussion on the neuroscience behind AI interaction and the concept of neural networks.

Ethical Considerations (00:58:22)

Exploration of the societal, political, and civilizational changes brought by powerful digital entities and the focus on ethical AI usage.

Bias in AI (01:00:04)

Insight into the biases present in AI and the need for training to reduce biases, with examples of biased prompts and diversity representation.

AI Governance and Ethics (01:05:44)

Discussion on the need for external oversight in AI governance and the role of communicators as ethical safeguards.

Transparency and Ethics (01:08:24)

Importance of transparency in AI usage and the alignment of AI ethics with general ethical principles and governance.

Ethical Decision-Making (01:13:25)

Emphasis on the responsibility of individuals to inject morality and ethics into AI, and the ongoing discussion and importance of ethical considerations.

Backbone and Ethics (01:15:08)

The need for courage and backbone in ethical decision-making, with a focus on the role of communicators in promoting ethical practices.

Difficult decisions (01:16:14)

Discussion on the challenge of expressing contravening opinions and the weight of decision-making in today's society.

Tools and resources (01:17:14)

Mention of plans to discuss tools and resources, and a recommendation to connect with Kami for valuable resources.

Connect with Kami (01:18:00)

Information on how to connect with Kami Huyse on social media and her company, Kamchatka, and a mention of her live streams and AI show.

Closing remarks (01:19:52)

Gratitude for Kami's participation and an invitation to subscribe, share, and provide feedback for the podcast.

 

(Notes prepared by humans with the assistance of a variety of AI tools, including ChatGPT and Flowsend.ai)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do FBI hostage negotiation tactics link to public relations and corporate crisis management? And how can understanding both help you prove your value to your stakeholders and audiences? 

Demonstrating value is a familiar hurdle for communicators, especially when navigating the turbulent waters of a crisis. Effective crisis communication provides a crucial lifeline that can make or break a company's reputation.

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle sits down with two incredible guests: PR agency CEO, crisis counselor, and advisor to at least one US president, Adele Gambardella, and retired FBI agent, hostage negotiator, and spy chaser, Chip Massey. Now, as co-founders of The Convincing Company,  they help their clients navigate crises and provide the training they need to prepare for the challenges ahead. With Dan, they dive deep into the art and science of crisis communication and persuasion and how a methodical approach to analyzing conversations - Forensic Listening - may be the most powerful skill a communicator should have. You'll discover the power of forensic listening, the subtlety of non-verbal cues, and the strategic use of targeted validation to build trust and rapport and get to the core of hidden narratives that drive crisis response.

Adele and Chip also discuss groundbreaking topics like the role of AI in communication analysis, the persuasive power of predictive statements, and why companies need to take bold stances on controversial issues. Drawing from their book Convince Me, they highlight the importance of deep listening and emotional control in mastering effective communication and negotiation.

Don't miss out on these practical tips that are ready to be implemented, designed to enhance your crisis communication strategies and empower you to confidently demonstrate your value to stakeholders.

Listen in and hear about...

• The evolving role of crisis communication in handling modern threats like misinformation and AI misuse.
• The formation and impact of the Convincing Company, which integrates PR strategies and crisis negotiation.
• The concept of forensic listening and its application in understanding and addressing communication nuances.
• The importance of adapting communication strategies to handle high-stress situations effectively.
• Strategies for corporate communicators to prepare for and respond to contentious societal issues, especially in politically charged climates.
• The distinction between convincing and negotiating, emphasizing the importance of aligning values and visions for effective communication outcomes.

Notable Quotes

On the Importance of Crisis Communication: "When there's trouble, communicators roll up their sleeves and get to work. We turn trouble around and send it away. Nobody questions our value then." — Dan Nestle [00:01:30 → 00:01:40]

On the Value of Forensic Listening: "Forensic listening is the art and science of analyzing a conversation after it's happened. Words leave clues." — Chip Massey [00:16:30 → 00:16:40]

On the Importance of Crisis Training: "Crisis management is a muscle. It's one of those things that, like, I love it because I think really fast and on my feet... It's a muscle, though." — Adele Gambardella [00:52:44 → 00:53:00]

On Convincing vs. Negotiating: "As a hostage negotiator, I never negotiated with anybody. I was actually convincing that person to value what I valued." — Chip Massey [01:06:00 → 01:06:10]

On the Importance of Not Starting with Your Strongest Point: "Never start with your strongest point first, because if you do that, all you do is make everybody in the room dig their heels in." — Adele Gambardella [01:10:45 → 01:11:00]

On Deep Listening: "Deep listening... our own stress improves when we're really listening and trying to help somebody else and we can come up with better solutions." — Chip Massey [01:11:45 → 01:12:00]

Resources & Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter (@dsnestle)

Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey

• Adele Gambardella | LinkedIn
• Chip Massey | LinkedIn
• The Convincing Company | Instagram (@convincingco)
• The Convincing Company | Website

Mentioned

• Book: Convince Me: High-Stakes Negotiation Tactics to Get Results in Any Business Situation

 

Timestamped summary for this episode (as generated by ChatGPT)

Introduction of Guests (00:01:07)

Introduction of Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey, their backgrounds, and their collaboration in crisis communications.

Formation of The Convincing Company (00:02:11)

Adele and Chip explain how they met, their complementary skill sets, and the formation of The Convincing Company.

Adele's Burnout and Meeting Chip (00:09:28)

Adele's experience with burnout, meeting Chip, and the realization of their complementary expertise. 

Forensic Listening (00:16:40)

Chip explains the concept of forensic listening and its importance in understanding emotions and themes in conversations for effective communication.

Understanding the Meeting (00:21:37)

Interpreting underlying messages in a meeting, identifying emotions, and linking them with the topic.

Body Positioning (00:22:33)

Understanding the significance of body positioning in communication, its impact on energy and value.

Voice Analysis (00:23:42)

Analyzing pitch, tone, and cadence in communication, and its importance in understanding emotions and messages.

Forensic Listening Story (00:27:13)

A real-life example illustrating the importance of observing body positioning and non-verbal cues in communication.

Applying Forensic Listening (00:35:50)

Understanding the application of forensic listening in different scenarios, including crisis situations and meetings.

Validation and Trust (00:39:19)

The importance of validation in corporate communication, building trust, and influencing positive outcomes.

The fortune teller's impact (00:41:38)

Discussion on the convincing nature of fortune tellers and a personal experience with a fortune teller in a high school class.

Predictive statements in convincing (00:43:28)

Exploration of how predictive statements are used to convince and manipulate, with an example of a statement made to the host.

The power of open questions (00:45:00)

The effectiveness of open questions in conversations and negotiations, and the different responses they can elicit.

Predictive statements in interviews (00:46:52)

The use of predictive statements in hostage negotiations and interviews to encourage conversation and elicit information.

Emotion in crisis response (00:49:51)

The role of emotion in crisis response and the importance of managing fear as a motivator in difficult situations.

Crisis management as a skill (00:53:24)

The discussion of crisis management as a skill that needs to be continuously practiced and developed, with a workshop example.

Challenges in crisis communication (00:55:15)

The challenges faced in crisis communication, including conflicting advice from legal and the importance of countering instincts.

Understanding unstated narratives (00:57:17)

The significance of understanding unstated narratives and how it can provide an advantage in communication and negotiation.

Future of crisis communication (01:00:02)

Anticipation of companies taking stances on controversial issues and the need for communicators to identify core issues and boundaries.

The duty to respond (01:03:20)

Discussion about the duty of companies to respond to relevant issues that align with their core values.

Training for emotional control (01:04:07)

Importance of training for emotional control and scenario planning in heightened and polarizing times.

High-level convincing (01:06:40)

Exploration of convincing as a higher level negotiation strategy, focusing on future and motivation.

Social media presence (01:10:02)

Mention of the convincing company's social media presence and content strategy.

Effective communication strategy (01:10:44)

Insight on the importance of not starting with the strongest point first in communication strategies.

Deep listening (01:11:46)

The benefits of deep listening for stress reduction and creativity.

 

(Notes prepared by humans with the assistance of a variety of AI tools, including ChatGPT and Flowsend.ai)

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Generative AI may be the first form of artificial intelligence that we can all interact with directly, with no skill needed apart from the ability to write or speak a set of instructions. And while it's arguably the hottest topic right now, other AI tools and applications can elevate capabilities and help communicators and marketers move up the value chain. 

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle ventures once again into the transformative potential of AI in the communications field with guest Danny Gaynor, Head of Kelp (which he co-founded) at Signal AI. Danny's journey from a political strategist and corporate communications executive to an AI innovator offers a unique perspective on how technology can reshape the way we approach storytelling and reputation management. Dan and Danny explore the critical role of AI in enhancing the precision and impact of communications strategies. They discuss the limitations of traditional methods like surveys and focus groups, which often provide outdated and narrow insights. Instead, Danny introduces the concept of discriminative AI, a powerful tool that uncovers the nuanced context of topics and entities - allowing communicators to identify their true areas of strength, optimize their narratives, and navigate potential risks with unprecedented accuracy. Danny shares practical examples of how this technology can validate intuition, offer reputational ROI, and act as a single source of truth across an organization.

They discuss how connecting discriminative and generative AI can be a powerful combination, helping communicators and their colleagues make data-driven decisions and demonstrate their impact. Looking ahead, they envision a future where AI-enabled communicators are not just content creators but strategic leaders who drive decision-making with data-backed insights, painting a compelling picture of the transformative potential of AI in the communications field.

Listen in and hear about...

• How measurement in communications is being transformed by AI, enhancing capabilities significantly.
• Danny Gaynor's transition from a political and corporate communications expert to co-founding an AI-powered corporate reputation platform.
• Distinguishing between generative AI and discriminative AI, and their unique roles in enhancing communication strategies.
• Identifying and leveraging unique proof points to create differentiated corporate narratives.
• AI's role in helping communicators validate their intuition, provide reputational ROI, and unify information across organizational functions.
• Why communicators need to experiment with AI, train their own AI models, and showcase the impact of data-driven strategies.
• Shifts in the role of communicators within organizations, moving from reliance on intuition to becoming strategic, data-driven influencers.

Notable Quotes

• [06:05] "As a communications professional, I think we're all vexed by the exact same question: Am I throwing the right spaghetti at the wall?" - Danny Gaynor
• [07:18] "A goal without a deadline is just a dream." - Danny Gaynor
• [40:13] "I very much see the folks embracing AI in communications as being even more influential leaders at their companies, as opposed to being out of a job." - Danny Gaynor
• [41:18] "If you're stuck with 'Oh well, if AI takes this away, what am I going to do?' then frankly, you probably deserve not to do anything once AI takes your job away." - Dan Nestle
• [57:50] "You can make AI your own, you can make the ingredients your own, and you can make the outputs your own in a way that is more accessible than ever before." - Danny Gaynor
• [59:52] "It's a very rare moment in the history of capitalism where we can develop something that will be industry standard and that will be reputational ROI, that will be quantifying the impact of communications." -DannyGaynor

Resources & Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter

Danny Gaynor

• Signal AI | Website
• Kelp | LinkedIn
• Daniel Gaynor | LinkedIn

Timestamped summary for this episode (generated by ChatGPT)

[00:01:09] Daniel's career journey

Daniel Gaynor shares his career trajectory from politics to communications and his focus on measurement and AI.

[00:05:35] Understanding discriminative AI

Daniel Gaynor explores the concept of discriminative AI and its role in communication and measurement.

[00:09:29] The need for data-driven insights

The discussion turns to the limitations of traditional research methods and the potential of technology to provide better audience research and insights.

[00:15:53] Leveraging AI for communication

The benefits of using AI to analyze big data and craft communication strategies based on authentic proof points are explored.

[00:19:44] Discriminative AI vs. generative AI

The conversation contrasts discriminative AI with generative AI and highlights its role as a complement tool in communication and creativity.

[00:20:42] Generative and Discriminative AI

An explanation of generative and discriminative AI and their potential synergy for content evaluation and categorization is provided.

[00:21:56] Limitations of Boolean Searches

The limitations of using keywords and the need for discriminative AI to evaluate accuracy and create reputational ROI are discussed.

[00:22:25] Identifying Areas of Strength

How discriminative AI can help communicators identify narrative strengths and weaknesses in competitive landscapes is discussed.

[00:25:17] Challenges in Identifying Strengths

The difficulties communicators face in identifying narrative strengths and the importance of foundational theory and horizon scanning are discussed.

[00:27:26] Training AI Topics

The process of training topics in discriminative AI to ensure accuracy and relevance in content categorization is explained.

[00:28:35] Tweaking Topic Definitions

The process of refining individual topic definitions until reaching high accuracy and the benefits of a broad horizon scan are discussed.

[00:29:33] Narrative Validation

The need for narrative validation and specificity in corporate narratives to ensure credibility and relevance is emphasized.

[00:30:41] Analyzing Message Effectiveness

Understanding where messages are falling flat and the importance of focusing on fewer, deeper storylines is discussed.

[00:31:50] Risk Avoidance and Reputation Threats

Using discriminative AI to determine material threats to reputation and focus attention on critical issues is discussed.

[00:33:01] Data Insights and Strategic Reports

The importance of providing data insights through dashboards and strategic reports to make data digestible for communicators is highlighted.

[00:36:29] Generative AI and Product Development

The potential for communicators to become product developers by leveraging generative AI and retooling the power of discriminative AI is discussed.

[00:40:13] AI as a Convening Force

The role of AI in communications as a single source of truth that provides quantitative rationale and reputational ROI is discussed.

[00:41:18] Abundance Mentality with AI

The speaker encourages embracing AI as an additive element and to have an abundance mentality towards change and upskilling.

[00:42:17] Embracing AI in Communication

The potential of AI tools and the need to experiment and gain expertise in AI are discussed.

[00:44:23] Strategic Shift in Communication

The evolving role of communicators from writing press releases to being strategic advisors and decision-makers is discussed.

[00:46:40] Professional Advancement and Recognition

The need for the communication profession to be recognized for AI expertise and strategic input within the organization is emphasized.

[00:47:10] Training AI and Socializing Data

The importance of training AI, socializing data-driven messaging, and demonstrating data-driven impact is discussed.

[00:50:09] Utilizing AI for Analysis

Ways to use AI for benchmark analysis and deep dive analysis to demonstrate the capacity of AI and big data are explored.

[00:54:53] Corporate Environment and AI Ownership

The need for AI ownership shared across different teams and the importance of recognizing AI's potential are discussed.

[00:57:50] Humanizing Messaging with AI

AI's role in humanizing messaging and making communications more relatable, digestible, and emotionally resonant is discussed.

[00:59:22] Hopeful Future of AI

Predictions about the future impact of AI and the development of industry-standard reputational ROI metrics are made.

[01:02:48] Adapting AI to Unforeseen Avenues

The speaker encourages embracing disruptive innovation and adapting AI to new and unforeseen applications.

[01:03:48] Reputational shifts in less sexy industries

Experimentation with AI in non-household name industries to manage reputational shifts is encouraged.

[01:04:42] Connecting with Daniel Gaynor

Information on how to find and connect with Daniel Gaynor on LinkedIn and Signal AI is provided.

[01:05:53] Future mini-series and show and tell

Discussions on making a mini-series within the Trending Communicator ecosystem and a potential show and tell video demonstration are mentioned.

[01:06:44] Closing remarks and call to action

The speaker expresses appreciation, salutation, and a call to action for subscribing, sharing, and leaving reviews for the podcast. 

(Notes prepared by humans with the assistance of a variety of AI tools, including ChatGPT and Flowsend.ai)

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Like it or not, Generative AI is becoming part of the communications toolkit. But unlike any technology that has preceded it, AI is able to perform tasks and produce results that have always been the domain of PR professionals - especially at the entry-level. And that's just today; AI is only going to get better. How can communicators and marketers adapt, adopt, and advance in this new, AI-enabled reality?

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle dives deep into the challenges and opportunities AI presents for communications professionals with Anne Green, CEO of G&S Business Communications. Anne, an award-winning communicator, thought leader, and advocate for ethics within the PR profession, is leading the charge toward AI enablement within her agency and for her clients. But she’s keenly aware of the technology's black-box nature and, in the episode, outlines an approach that ensures ethical adoption and enablement.

Anne and Dan delve into these ethical considerations and much more as they examine the evolving role of AI in marketing and communications. They discuss the importance of approaching AI with a critical and ethical lens, considering its impact on human interactions and the industry's hiring practices. At the same time, they explore how AI can enhance strategic thinking and help communications professionals deliver greater impact to their businesses. Anne also shares her concerns about online divisiveness and disinformation, emphasizing resilience and big-picture focus. The episode concludes with a positive outlook on human creativity and the importance of staying engaged in societal discussions.

Listen in and hear about...

• Ethical dilemmas for marketers in the tech and AI revolution.
• The critical role of ethics in AI-driven marketing.
• AI's growing business role and the imperative of strategic adoption.
• The need to find a personal advantage in new tech adoption.
• Adapting to AI's impact on communication and thought.
• The importance of bridging AI and organizational goals.
• The rise of online disinformation and its societal impact.
• Optimism in the human capacity for innovation.

 

Notable Quotes

• [05:50] "I want to see writing that's electric, that leaps off the page, even if it's a marketing pitch or something." - Anne Green
• [20:13] "There's a lot of misperceptions about what this industry is about, but like anything in human life, there are the angels and the bad actors." - Anne Green
• [29:01] "I want to invite people to think about big picture questions like what will it mean to be human? What does authorship mean? What does it mean to have co-intelligence or augmented intellect?" - Anne Green
• [41:08] "In the case of generative AI, you need to approach it as if you are about to have an interaction." - Dan Nestle
• [01:05:01] "I am kept up with the proliferation of divisiveness and fake stuff online, and very much engineered disinformation, which is upsetting to me." - Anne Green

 

Resources & Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter

Anne Green

• G&S Business Communications | Website
• Anne Green | LinkedIn

 

Timestamped summary for this episode (generated by ChatGPT)

[00:01:15] Anne Green's career path

Anne Green discusses her career path, from an internship to becoming CEO, highlighting the accidental nature of her journey.

[00:06:10] Reflecting on past experiences

Dan Nestle and Anne Green reminisce about their past experiences, specifically their connection through Cooper Katz and the impact of their mentors.

[00:10:56] The enduring importance of writing

Dan Nestle emphasizes the timeless importance of writing and critical thinking in the PR profession, despite technological advancements.

[00:13:14] Adapting to changes in communications

Anne Green reflects on the changes in communication, from the advent of social media to the impact of technology on writing and critical thinking.

[00:16:14] The role of PR in upholding quality

Dan Nestle discusses the frustration of spin in PR and the need for the profession to uphold quality, truth, and critical thinking.

[00:19:22] Challenges in content quality

Dan Nestle and Anne Green acknowledge the prevalence of low-quality content and the need for PR to play a role in promoting good writing and ethical standards.

[00:19:31] Ethical Awareness in the Industry

Discussion about ethical awareness in the communications field and the responsibility to maintain integrity.

[00:21:15] Adoption of New Technology

Exploring the industry's capability to use new technology tools and the need to bring an ethical lens to their usage.

[00:24:46] Impact of AI on the Profession

Discussion on the changing landscape of the communications profession due to the rise of artificial intelligence and the need for professionals to adapt.

[00:35:17] The Personal Relationship with Technology

Exploring the personal impact of technology and the process of finding "killer apps" that create a personal connection with technology.

[00:38:23] Projection into the Future

Contemplation on the profound changes brought about by new technology and the challenges of projecting forward in a rapidly changing industry.

[00:39:16] The complexity of AI

Discussion about the evolving security measures and the need to adapt to changing technological threats.

[00:40:04] Understanding the "black box" of AI

Exploring the mystery and complexity of AI's decision-making processes and the work being done to uncover its inner workings.

[00:41:04] Learning a new way of speaking to AI

Adapting communication styles to interact effectively with AI, emphasizing the need for a different approach compared to traditional search engines.

[00:42:07] Refining questions for AI interaction

Emphasizing the need for iterative and refined questioning when engaging with AI to extract the desired information.

[00:44:14] Adapting to conversational AI

Drawing parallels between the evolution of search engines and the need to adapt to conversational AI, highlighting the shift in interaction styles.

[00:45:55] Challenges and opportunities with AI adoption

Discussing the learning curve, mindset shift, and the potential for leveraging AI to work smarter and add value.

[00:53:19] AI's impact on communication professionals

Exploring the unique skill set of communication professionals and their potential to excel in leveraging AI for business and client needs.

[00:55:42] Evolving roles and skill sets in the AI era

Emphasizing the elite nature of communication profession and the need to recognize, practice, and adapt to the skill sets required in the AI era.

[00:59:02] The role of a communicator

Understanding the depth of knowledge needed about a business and its stakeholders.

[01:01:00] Enhancing communication through AI

Using AI to enhance communication by connecting dots and providing additional insights.

[01:05:01] Challenges and hopes for the future

Concerns about disinformation and divisiveness, along with hopes for a better future and the role of AI.

[01:06:55] Looking ahead with optimism

Expressing hope for positive changes through human creativity and invention, and the potential of AI.

 

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Want to stop wasting time and money on conferences that don't impact your business growth? Imagine being able to select conferences that not only boost your brand's influence but also drive strategic partnerships and sales. Fortunately, there's a solution that will help you achieve this and more. Let's dive in and take your conference strategy to the next level.

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle is joined by guest Melanie Samba, the CEO of Sproxxy, a one-of-a-kind platform that helps corporate communication and marketing professionals make data-driven decisions for events and conferences. 

Dan and Melanie delve deep into the ever-evolving role of technology in marketing and communications, especially as it relates to the traditionally Excel-driven world of conference and event planning. Melanie discusses the challenges of promoting communications technology (also known as commstech or commtech) to investors and emphasizes the importance of integrating technology into corporate strategies. 

They discuss Sproxxy's State of Conferences report, highlighting the significance of conferences for business-building, industry influence, relationship-building, and networking, and how the use of data-driven tools like Sproxxy can help optimize conference strategies. Through their conversation, Melanie shares her experiences as a tech founder, the integration of AI in Sproxxy, and the platform's potential to predict industry trends and influence conferences. She highlights the use of AI to gauge audience engagement at events and the insights that can be derived from conference data. Melanie also reflects on the challenges and excitement of being a woman founder in tech, her journey with Sproxxy, and her vision for its future.

Listen in and hear…

• Data-driven AI-powered approaches to measuring the impact of conferences
• The significance of building relationships with conference organizers
• Business impact of speaking engagements at conferences
• The integration of technology into marketing and communication strategies
• Skepticism surrounding commstech and conveying its value to investors
• Inevitability of technology's role in shaping the future of all companies
• Efforts of communications professionals to advocate for the integration of technology
• Insights from Melanie's experiences as a tech founder

Resources & Links

Melanie Samba

• Melanie Samba | LinkedIn
• Sproxxy | Website
• Sproxxy | Twitter/X

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter/X

Timestamped summary for this episode (generated by Capsho, my AI assistant)

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Importance of Conferences  Dan Nestle highlights the significance of conferences for learning, reputation building, and business development in the field of communication and marketing. He also acknowledges the anxiety and challenges associated with choosing the right conferences due to budget constraints. 00:01:39 - Leveraging Data-Driven Approach for Conference Selection Melanie Samba, the CEO of Sproxxy, discusses the need for a data-driven, AI-powered approach to choosing conferences and measuring their impact on an organization. She emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions rather than relying on past experiences or emotions. 00:05:03 - Challenges of Managing Conferences Melanie shares her experience in managing conferences for a pharmaceutical company, highlighting the complexities involved in coordinating over 400 employees' participation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining consistent messaging across the organization. 00:07:25 - The Underappreciated Role of Conferences in Corporate Communications The conversation delves into the underappreciation of conferences in corporate communications, with Dan and Melanie discussing the budget allocation challenges and the perception of conferences as a nice-to-have rather than a strategic necessity for thought leadership and brand positioning. 00:14:39 - Evolution of Sproxxy from Idea to Product Melanie shares the journey of transforming her initial idea of Sproxxy into a tangible product. She reflects on the pivotal moment when the pandemic led to the realization of the increased demand for events, prompting her to productize Sproxxy and pursue her entrepreneurial venture. 00:16:39 - The Rise of Virtual Events Melanie discusses the explosion of virtual events during the pandemic, highlighting the shift in focus and the doubling of industry events to 1.8 million. She also shares her insights into how conference organizers adapted to the new landscape. 00:19:31 - Building Relationships in the Conference Space Melanie talks about the importance of building relationships with conference organizers, similar to how relationships are built with the media. She explains how she developed these connections over time through her role in pitching executives and contributing to event programs. 00:22:44 - Importance of Community in Conferences The discussion delves into the significance of being part of a community at conferences, with Melanie sharing her personal experience of meeting her corporate comms head at a conference in Portugal. The community aspect is highlighted as a key motivator for attending conferences. 00:25:57 - Engaging with Media at Conferences Melanie sheds light on the presence of journalists at conferences and the opportunities they present for engaging with the media. She emphasizes the value of leveraging conferences as a platform for securing media coverage and building relationships with journalists. 00:33:07 - The State of Conferences Report Melanie introduces the State of Conferences report, emphasizing its focus on the brand's perspective and the value it brings to understanding conference strategies. The report aims to provide insights into the current trends and perceptions surrounding conferences for marketers and agencies. 00:33:59 - Peer-to-Peer Insights on Conferences Melanie discusses the importance of peer-to-peer insights for branding, marketing, and communications professionals in understanding what their peers are doing in the conference space. The report highlighted common issues such as managing conferences using Excel spreadsheets and the need for audience reach metrics. 00:36:56 - Differentiating Conferences and Trade Shows Melanie differentiates conferences from trade shows, emphasizing the focus on thought leadership, branding, and strategic partnerships. She highlights the importance of audience reach as the number one metric for measuring success at conferences, as revealed in the report. 00:40:06 - Impact of Speaking Engagements The report uncovered the increasing value of speaking engagements for executives and the business impact they have. Melanie discusses the importance of understanding the rationale for attending conferences and shares how Sproxxy provides insights on competitor activity at conferences. 00:44:01 - Refining Product Based on Customer Feedback Melanie shares how the state of conferences report was used to refine the Sproxxy product, aligning it with the needs and challenges faced by marketing and communications professionals. She emphasizes the importance of developing a data-informed approach for attending conferences and measuring success. 00:49:40 - The Evolution of Comstech and Sproxxy Melanie discusses the challenges of selling Comstech to investors and emphasizes the need for technology in every company. She reflects on her transition from corporate comms to developing Sproxxy and highlights the role of Comstech in enabling communicators to 00:50:59 - The Importance of Digital Communications and Marketing Integration Melanie and Dan discuss the necessity for companies to integrate digital communication and marketing strategies. Melanie emphasizes the importance of being equipped with the right tools to remain relevant in the future. 00:52:52 - The Origins of Sproxxy and its Purpose Melanie shares her journey of developing Sproxxy and its original purpose to prove the value of her work as a corporate comms professional. She highlights the need to have a data-informed approach and the role of AI in providing insights. 00:55:56 - AI Integration in Sproxxy and its Impact on the Industry Melanie discusses the integration of AI in Sproxxy and its potential to predict conference topics, influence industry evolution, and gather insights on audience demographics. She emphasizes the power of AI to accelerate innovation and change the trajectory of an industry. 01:00:27 - Leveraging Sproxxy for Thought Leadership and Industry Influence Melanie explores the potential of Sproxxy to predict conference topics, tailor thought leadership platforms, and influence the industry based on gathered data and insights. She highlights the role of communicators in shaping industry trends and influencing audiences. 01:02:28 - The Challenges and Excitement of Being a Woman Founder and the Future of Sproxxy Melanie reflects on the excitement and challenges of being a woman founder and the unexpected growth of Sproxxy. She emphasizes the need for more solutions in corporate comms and marketing and encourages others to step up and provide the necessary help for the industry. 01:06:56 - Exciting Future for Listeners Melanie expresses her excitement for the future of the listeners, emphasizing the potential for growth and success in their businesses. 01:07:22 - Where to Find Melanie Dan and Melanie discuss where listeners can find Melanie online, including her website, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 01:07:54 - The Cutting Edge of Conferences Melanie highlights the innovative functions and capabilities of Sproxxy.com, emphasizing its ability to help individuals understand and navigate complex conferences. 01:08:21 - Making Speakers Shine The conversation focuses on the importance of helping speakers shine and exerting influence at conferences, positioning the podcast as a platform for discussing impactful communication strategies. 01:08:40 - Closing Remarks Dan wraps up the episode, encouraging listeners to subscribe, share, and leave reviews, while also inviting potential future guests to reach out and be part of the show.

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How do language and psychology impact leadership behavior and financial performance in organizations? Are we overlooking the influence of corporate language?

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle sits down with psychologist, neuroscientist, speaker, consultant, and author of Neuroscience for Organizational Communication: A Guide for Communicators and Leaders, Dr. Laura McHale. 

Dan and Laura explore the intersection of neuroscience and organizational communication, looking into Laura’s background in executive communications and her journey into neuroscience for leadership psychology. They delve into how status affects the brain, the SCARF model, and the concept of power distance in workplace dynamics before examining the complexities of employee engagement, the impact of social exclusion, and the importance of relatedness for a sense of belonging. They touch on the challenges of absentee leadership and the significance of inclusive communication practices for a positive work environment. 

They also discuss the intricate relationship between language, communication, and AI within organizational contexts. Laura emphasizes the significance of "pronoun agility" and the problematic nature of weasel words in corporate communication. Using Enron's internal communications as a case study, they explore how language can reflect a company's financial health. The conversation also addresses the potential of AI, like ChatGPT, to revolutionize the communications field while also considering the risks of misuse and the importance of understanding psychology and neuroscience. The episode concludes with reflections on the future skills needed by communicators in an AI-influenced landscape. 

Listen in and hear…

• The importance of understanding psychology and neuroscience in communications within organizations
• The complexity of communication in remote interactions and interpreting cues
• The neuroscience behind followership and cultural influences on behavior
• Impact of status on the brain and the SCARF model
• Leader distance or power distance and its effect on communication dynamics
• Complexity and challenges of measuring and understanding employee engagement
• Impact of social exclusion in the workplace and fostering a sense of belonging
• Implications of absentee leadership on employee communications and internal communications
• The relationship between corporate language and financial performance
• Concerns about the erosion of language and acceptance of weasel words
• Potential impact of AI on the communications profession and political discourse

Notable Quotes

• [27:56] - "When our relatedness is threatened, it lights up so many pain centers of the brain; it's an extraordinarily painful phenomenon." -Dr. Laura McHale
• [22:28] -"Absentee leadership is reported seven times more than any other destructive leadership behavior; it is absolutely epidemic in our organizations and a big problem.” - Dr. Laura McHale
• [45:03] - “It really doesn't matter how perfect a communication is if the leadership behavior doesn't back it up; actions speak louder than words.” - Dr. Laura McHale
• [45:30] - “We as communicators can be brilliant at drafting words, but it ultimately needs actions and behaviors backing it up, otherwise it just becomes an exercise in cynicism.” - Dr. Laura McHale
• [47:55] - “We can only go so far in helping the leaders to frame what they're going to say, but ultimately it's going to be their behaviors that truly matter.” - Dr. Laura McHale

Resources & Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter

Dr. Laura McHale

• Dr. Laura McHale | Website
• Dr. Laura McHale | LinkedIn
• Dr. Laura McHale | Email

Laura's Book

• Neuroscience for Organizational Communication: A Guide for Communicators and Leaders by Dr. Laura McHale

 

Timestamped summary for this episode (generated by Capsho, my AI assistant)

00:00:00 - Introduction to the importance of neuroscience in communication  Dan introduces the importance of understanding neuroscience in communication and the impact it has on leadership and organizational success. 00:01:15 - Laura's journey from communicator to psychology doctorate Laura shares her career journey from being a communicator to pursuing a doctorate in leadership psychology, driven by her fascination with leadership and human behavior. 00:06:39 - Laura's introduction to neuroscience Laura shares her introduction to neuroscience during her academic journey, where she developed a deep interest in the subject and its application to organizational life and communication. 00:13:14 - Differentiating psychology and neuroscience Laura explains the relationship between psychology and neuroscience, highlighting how neuroscience focuses on the physiological aspect of behavior, providing a deeper understanding of human communication and interactions. 00:15:27 - Impact of Zoom fatigue on communication Laura discusses the impact of Zoom fatigue on communication, highlighting the neuroscientific and psychological effects of excessive screen time and self-reflection during virtual interactions. 00:16:19 - The Impact of Zoom on Self-Image and Sociological Effects Laura discusses how our self-image impacts our focus and how the increase in dentistry and plastic surgery is related to the COVID Zoom epidemic. 00:17:07 - The Physiology of Behavior and Cultural Differences Laura delves into the physiology of behavior and how it leads to anxiety and stress, especially in different cultural contexts and power dynamics. 00:18:23 - Power Distance and Relatedness in Leadership The discussion explores the neuroscience behind deference to leaders and how it varies across cultures, emphasizing the importance of relatedness and its impact on the brain. 00:23:00 - Complexity of Constructs in Work Laura highlights the complexity of constructs in the workplace, such as leader power distance, and the challenges in understanding and measuring them, emphasizing the need to acknowledge this complexity. 00:27:29 - The Pain of Social Exclusion and Impact on Communication The conversation touches on the pain of social exclusion and its impact on workplace dynamics, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing relatedness in communication to avoid potential harm and misinterpretation. 00:33:43 - Inclusive and Exclusive "We" Laura discusses the use of inclusive and exclusive "we" in language, how it impacts social exclusion in organizations, and how politicians and leaders deploy them. 00:36:15 - Absentee Leadership Laura delves into absentee leadership, its impact on social exclusion, and the neglectful nature of this behavior in organizations. 00:37:10 - Understanding Absentee Leadership Laura emphasizes the prevalence of absentee leadership in organizations, its impact on employees, and the need for dialogue between leaders and their teams to address this issue. 00:39:01 - Recognizing Absentee Leadership Laura shares personal experiences of absentee leadership, the signs to look out for, and the importance of proactive communication and engagement to address this issue. 00:45:50 - Leadership and Communication Laura highlights the symbiotic relationship between leadership behavior and communication, the significance of words in corporate discourse, and the impact of language on company performance. 00:51:49 - Importance of Authentic Leadership Communication Dr. Laura McHale discusses the importance of aligning a leader's language with their behavior in order to avoid a disconnect. She emphasizes the need for transparent and direct communication without using negative messages padded with positive messaging. 00:53:10 - Impact of Weak Modal Words in Communication Dr. McHale points out how weak modal words and weasel words have influenced the acceptance of ambiguous language in communication. She stresses the importance of clear and direct communication, encouraging communicators to use concrete words and active voice. 00:55:38 - Influence of AI on Communication The conversation shifts to the impact of AI, specifically chat GPT and large language models, on communication. Dr. McHale shares insights on the potential implications and concerns related to using AI to craft messaging, highlighting its ability to generate hate speech and manipulative content. 01:01:10 - Communicators' Superpower in AI Era Dan Nestle expresses optimism about communicators leveraging their expertise in words and language to harness the potential of AI, particularly in prompt engineering. He emphasizes the importance of understanding psychology and neuroscience in working with AI. 01:05:36 - Cynicism and Optimism in AI Application The conversation delves into the dual nature of AI as an enabler and a potential manipulative tool. Dr. McHale discusses the need for vigilance in utilizing AI for communication and its potential impact on social cohesion and pro-social behavior.

 

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….and we’re back! Welcome to the first episode of The Trending Communicator. Dan Nestle reignites the airwaves with an electrifying new episode that will teach you how to think faster and talk smarter with communication expert, Stanford professor, author, and podcaster, Matt Abrahams.

Dan and Matt explore the nuances of effective communication and impromptu speaking. They discuss the importance of mindset, active listening, and structured communication in professional settings. Matt shares practical strategies, such as managing anxiety with academically verified techniques, reframing speaking situations as opportunities, and adopting a growth mindset. 

They highlight the use of storytelling and structured frameworks like the Problem-Solution-Benefit method and the hero's journey to craft compelling narratives. The episode also addresses cultural communication differences, the significance of audience-centric approaches,  and some thoughts on how AI might affect our approach to impromptu speaking. The conversation provides actionable advice for enhancing communication skills across various contexts.

This riveting conversation isn't just talk; it's a blueprint for revolutionizing your communication skills across every domain. 

Listen in and hear…

• The importance of effective communication and storytelling
• Managing anxiety and building confidence in speaking
• Reframing spontaneous speaking situations as opportunities
• Mindset shifts for successful impromptu speaking
• Techniques for adopting a growth mindset
• Improving listening skills through pace, space, and grace
• The role of structure and focus in effective communication
• Using frameworks and structures for impactful communication
• Challenges of communication in different cultural and professional contexts
• How AI might affect impromptu speaking
• Structured approaches to pitching ideas

Notable Quotes

• [12:27] - “Most people, up to 85% of people, report being anxious in high-stakes situations.” - Matt Abrahams
• [22:28] - “When something doesn't go the way you want it to, simply say to yourself, 'Not yet.'” - Matt Abrahams
• [25:46] - “Getting inside your head is such a big one, and I think if people pick up one thing from this, it's to get out of your own way.” - Dan Nestle

Resources & Links

Dan Nestle

• The Trending Communicator | Website
• Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
• Dan Nestle | Twitter

Matt Abrahams

• Matt Abrahams | Website
• Matt Abrahams | LinkedIn
• Matt Abrahams | YouTube

Mentioned Books

• Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams
• Speaking Up Without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams

 

Timestamped summary of this episode (thanks to Capsho, my AI assistant)

00:00:00 - Introduction and Personal Experience  Dan Nestle introduces the podcast and shares his personal experience of using Matt Abrahams' book to improve his communication skills in a workshop. 00:09:20 - The Six-Step Methodology Matt Abrahams explains the six-step methodology for speaking on the spot, focusing on reducing anxiety and striving for connection over perfection. 00:12:51 - Managing Anxiety Matt Abrahams discusses the two-pronged approach to managing anxiety - managing symptoms and managing sources. He shares techniques for symptomatic relief, such as deep belly breathing and purposeful movement. 00:13:37 - Overcoming Anxiety in Public Speaking Matt Abrahams provides tips for overcoming anxiety in public speaking, including purposeful movement and embracing the adrenaline response. He emphasizes the importance of managing anxiety to improve communication effectiveness. 00:13:55 - Overcoming Anxiety and Nervousness Matt shares techniques to reduce anxiety while speaking, including leaning in, holding something cold, and focusing on audience connection. 00:15:23 - Anxiety Management Plan Dan shares his anxiety management plan called PITS, and discusses the importance of finding mindset hacks to overcome challenges and setbacks. 00:17:55 - Seeing Opportunities Matt discusses reframing situations as opportunities rather than threats, and how this mindset shift can benefit communication and collaboration. 00:19:16 - Importance of Listening Matt emphasizes the importance of active listening to understand the bottom line and respond appropriately, highlighting the impact of deep listening on effective communication and insight. 00:25:31 - Mindset and Next Play Dan and Matt discuss the significance of mindset in communication, particularly the "not yet" and "next play" approaches to adopt an opportunistic mindset and avoid rumination. 00:27:46 - The Importance of Listening Deeply Matt Abrahams discusses the impact of not listening deeply and shares a three-step approach to improve listening skills: pace, space, and grace. He emphasizes the need to slow down, create mental space, and give oneself permission to pay attention to not just the words but also the underlying messages. 00:29:52 - The Art of Unspoken Communication Matt highlights the importance of listening for what's unsaid, referencing a hypothetical scenario where the unspoken message was "I just had a bad time in there." He emphasizes the need to pay attention to non-verbal cues and intuition. 00:33:19 - The Power of Structure in Communication Matt explains the significance of structuring messages in a logical way for better understanding. He introduces the concept of problem-solution-benefit and emphasizes the need for concise communication to deliver a clear message. 00:36:01 - The Impact of Personal Mindset on Communication Matt and the host discuss the mindset and personal tendencies that influence communication, such as the tendency to engage in "clock building" by providing unnecessary details. They also touch upon the impact of deference in communication, especially in hierarchical settings. 00:39:13 - The Value of Frameworks in Communication Matt highlights the benefits of using frameworks in communication, comparing it to having a map that guides the direction of the conversation. He shares a personal experience of using structure to deliver impromptu presentations and emphasizes the relief it brings in 00:41:50 - The Power of Table Topics in Communication Matt Abrahams discusses the benefits of table topics in improving impromptu speaking skills, drawing on his experience in Toastmasters. He emphasizes the value of being able to respond effectively to questions and situations. 00:43:45 - Importance of Knowing Your Audience Dan Nestle and Matt Abrahams highlight the significance of knowing one's audience in communication. They stress the need for communicators and marketers to be audience-centric and focused on the needs of their listeners, whether in a formal presentation or informal conversation. 00:46:02 - Practical Applications for Communicators and Marketers Matt Abrahams discusses the practical applications of communication methodologies for marketers and communicators. He emphasizes the importance of various communication skills, including pitching, small talk, and feedback, in influencing and engaging an audience. 00:48:19 - Structuring a Compelling Pitch Matt Abrahams shares a four-sentence structure for crafting a powerful pitch, using the example of pitching a whiteboard. He explains how the structure incorporates elements such as a hook, relevance, concreteness, and demonstrating the broad impact of the idea or product. 00:53:00 - Impacts of AI on Impromptu Speaking Dan Nestle raises the question of whether AI poses a threat to impromptu speaking skills. Matt Abrahams discusses his agnostic yet optimistic view on the potential impact of AI on communication, highlighting both its benefits and concerns. 00:57:00 - Embracing Humanity Matt encourages embracing human communication over potential future technological implants, urging listeners to prioritize improving their communication skills. 00:57:41 - Repetition, Reflection, and Feedback Matt emphasizes the importance of repetition, reflection, and feedback in improving spontaneous communication, highlighting the need for practice, self-assessment, and guidance from others. 00:58:19 - Free Resources Matt directs listeners to his website for free resources and encourages them to check out his book and podcast for further communication improvement. 00:58:56 - Gratitude and Contact Information Dan expresses gratitude to Matt for joining the show and initiating the next phase, while Matt offers to return and wishes Dan luck. They also provide contact information for further engagement. 00:59:21 - Conclusion and Call to Action Dan concludes the episode, inviting listeners to subscribe, share, leave a review, and reach out with guest ideas or interest in appearing on the show.

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Discover the surprising transformation of "The Dan Nestle Show" into "The Trending Communicator." Just when you thought you knew what to expect, Dan flips the script, bringing a whole new focus on the power players in PR, communications, and marketing. Get ready to dive deep into the ever-changing world of communications, explore cutting-edge innovations, and unravel the impact of technology on our profession. Join Dan as he uncovers the secrets of information control and the immense responsibility that comes with it. But wait, there's more! Be prepared to meet the movers and shakers who are shaping the future of communications, from AI to neuroscience and beyond. Brace yourself for some mind-blowing insights and captivating discussions. It's a whole new era with "The Trending Communicator." Are you ready to join the conversation? Check back soon for episode one and get ready to be amazed.

 

Like these notes? You can thank Capsho, my AI podcast notes assistant. 

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