I was both amused and confused this morning when a TV anchor wished everyone a “Merry Thanksgiving.” The unfamiliar holiday word choice reminded me it was time to write an annual Thanksgiving week blog post, beginning with the importance of thank-you notes — a lost art. Earlier this month, there was a large PR…… Continue reading 10 Tips to Make Yourself a Memorable Guest
Category: Off-the-Wall
A Lesson in How Not to Deal with Workplace Jealousy
After writing three books focused on increasing business acumen among strategic communicators, co-author Matt Ragas and I are constantly looking for contemporary literature, TV shows and movies that might help students and young professionals get non-textbook lessons in business. We often cite our favorite TV business show, Shark Tank, as well as important business…… Continue reading A Lesson in How Not to Deal with Workplace Jealousy
Entering the PR and Communications Content Creation Game? 5 Useful Lessons for Success
By Craig Engstrom Disclaimer: Ron Culp did not solicit this post. These are my opinions. If you’re reading this, you already know what I know: Ron Culp is the cool uncle you wish you had at family gatherings. He’s a seasoned PR and communications professional who has worked with big names like Eli Lilly,…… Continue reading Entering the PR and Communications Content Creation Game? 5 Useful Lessons for Success
Copyediting in the Time of COVID-19
By Jill Stewart Ok, so everybody needs a proofreader! During this public health crisis, the experts tell us we need a routine. Here’s mine: Every morning I wake up, make a pot of coffee, and then post the date and a little weather report on the family whiteboard. Sometimes I try to be clever with…… Continue reading Copyediting in the Time of COVID-19
The Death of Handshaking: What’s a PR Person to Do?
Everybody in PR recalls who taught them to properly shake hands. In my case, it was John T. Myers, a congressional candidate from southern Indiana who in 1966 offered this simple advice: “Get a firm grip, kid, smile and look them in the eye for a good five seconds.” That technique helped him get elected…… Continue reading The Death of Handshaking: What’s a PR Person to Do?
Unless You’re a Masochist, Avoid Polarizing Social Media Engagement
A few decades ago when the political world was far more civil, I covered government and politics for a small newspaper in southern Indiana. It was a great job since I met and interviewed hundreds of elected officials and political candidates. When it was time to move on, my two strongest references came from the…… Continue reading Unless You’re a Masochist, Avoid Polarizing Social Media Engagement
How Not to Frighten Prospective Employers With Your Social Networks: 6 Clean Up Tips
Did you know that Facebook might be keeping you from getting that dream job? Does it sound too crazy to be true? Well, it’s not. What you do during your free time (and what shows up on social media about your private life) can make employers or perspective employers decide that you will be a perfect…… Continue reading How Not to Frighten Prospective Employers With Your Social Networks: 6 Clean Up Tips
Create Your Own ‘Unternship’ and Get Hired
From the creative folks who blew up the traditional agency organizational model comes an unconventional way to recruit junior talent via a unique “unternship.” Here’s how it works: Untern candidates propose their own unique adventures anywhere in the U.S. Unlike other internships, the untern is guaranteed a full-time, paid position at Golin upon completion of the…… Continue reading Create Your Own ‘Unternship’ and Get Hired
Ignore Generic LinkedIn Requests
Despite efforts to promote personalized connection requests, 9 out of 10 LinkedIn invitations I receive are the standard 11-word generic default message: ”I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” That’s fine if you actually know the individual being contacted. Unfortunately, far too many invitations are extended by individuals who have passing…… Continue reading Ignore Generic LinkedIn Requests
How to Ace a Google Interview?
The above headline and artwork caught my eye as I was reading today’s Wall Street Journal. Author William Poundstone poses some of the actual questions raised during coveted Google interviews. It’s now clear why one in 14 high school students applying to Harvard is accepted while only about one in 130 applicants lands a job at Google. During one of my first…… Continue reading How to Ace a Google Interview?