My name is Jeff, and I am Canadian
January 28, 2012 | Category: Life
Canada! As soon as I read it, I knew that was the answer. Proof positive that I am Canadian. With the help of that yellowed news clip I realized the truth that had always been there … hidden just beyond the obvious. Read more …
Just who do you think you are?
November 19, 2011 | Category: Life
To be fair, I can be a bit of a dreamer with the bad habit of thinking aloud. And that’s the kind of thing that can frighten a blushing bride’s mother. While I never threatened to run away to the circus with her daughter, I did talk of leaving a great job and heading off to the seminary in Missouri, or a creative writing graduate program in Ohio. Read more …
Moving from journalism to PR?
September 10, 2011 | Category: Media & Marketing
When I moved from the newsroom to a public relations office more than 20 years ago, I was sure it would be a natural fit. I’d simply be a journalist in residence, assisting my new employer with the news media while writing and producing my company’s publications. Just like the newspaper biz, but with better pay. Maybe I was a bit naive. Read more …
Playing dodgeball with Dylan
April 30, 2011 | Category: Life & Media
As a young news reporter I learned to dodge labels and categorization for the simple reason that it got in the way of my job. To be taken seriously, I wanted the information below my byline to be considered by readers on its own merits. And, I wanted sources who were – while not always happy with the information disclosed – at least confident that I was scrupulous in presenting complete, accurate facts and not taking sides. Read more …
Trade shows: Finish strong or don’t show up
April 30, 2011 | Category: Marketing
Walk through a trade show in its death throes and you’re likely to find a collection of burnt-out sales and marketing reps slumped in chairs or tearing down early. While we all feel miserable after a long exhibit, let your competition look miserable. This is your opportunity to shine with an enthusiastic final push to the show’s close. Read more …
Hubris and the self-made man
March 20, 2011 | Category: Faith
In my mind, hubris is the opposite of gratitude. And it is hubris that leads us to believe all our strengths – a slender physique, financial success, or public recognition – are due exclusively to our own hard work and merit. And, others’ weaknesses or setbacks are due to their slothfulness, intellectual feebleness, or gluttony. Read more …
Gratitude: Join me for the journey?
March 6, 2011 | Category: Faith
I’ve learned a thing or two about pain in the last couple of years. First, I find it surprising just how much physical pain some people can endure without much complaint. Second, it is clear to me that I’m a pain wimp. Read more …
Dominant Coalitions: The Power to Fail (or Succeed)
February 20, 2011 | Category: Marketing
Often the consultant is called in because an organization has failed to thrive while similar organizations with similar resource challenges have enjoyed consistent success. While there may be a number of explanations for this failure, identifying the dominant coalition and its relationship within an organization is essential. Read more …
Is the Fourth Estate terminally ill?
June 13, 2010 | Category: Media
I remember the first time I was harangued for being a journalist. It was Christmas Eve 1982 and I was home from college for a gathering of family and close friends. Read more …
Brace for impact …
February 21, 2010 | Category: Life
If I had a near death experience, you’d think I’d know it. But, apparently I had one in December and was among the last to recognize it. Read more …
Marketing echinacea … the power of belief
February 14, 2010 | Category: Marketing
Echinacea and marketing have a lot in common. At least that’s the conclusion I reached while listening to a report on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition a few years ago. Read more …
