Every day we’re bombarded with statistics from organisations wanting to make their point. But a good journalist will be sceptical about the figures handed out. As Benjamin Disraeli said: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Statistics can be used for or against any argument. For example “Our customer satisfaction survey…
read moreIf the person you knew the least in your organisation could do the most damage to its reputation, would you treat them differently? If the answer is yes, then maybe this year is the time to think about how you communicate with them – particularly around the issue of cyber security. We’re all only one…
read moreNo matter how confident you are at doing your job and no matter how high level that role is, it is natural to feel apprehensive about doing media interviews. Even if you, as a CEO, have done dozens of interviews, there will still be an adrenaline rush once the camera/radio microphone is switched on. If…
read moreIf you have ever found yourself with a crabby email you might like to read about a new device I found recently. You can add it to your inbox and just like an out of office reply, it will deal automatically with all those terse responses for you. Do let me know if it works…
read moreKnow your audience is the best advice I was given when I started as a trainee journalist a thousand years ago. My first job was on a local newspaper in Warwickshire. The audience were the people who lived in the town the newspaper served. Woe betide you if you spelt any names wrong or misquoted…
read moreI don’t know where the phrase “You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig” originated, but for animal lovers out there, including myself, I want to reassure you I have never tried. Unfortunately that can’t be said for some businesses, organisations and even PR and Marketing agencies. Their unsuccessful attempts to make something ugly look more…
read moreIf like me you've had occasional twinges of guilt about blogging, or rather your lack of it, you are not alone. I've started them with huge enthusiasm. Written two or three then got busy, bored or just downright bolshie as it became another thing to do on my to do list. Of course as a…
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