August 24, 2011
Lessons at 10,678 feet
This weekend I’ll embark on one of those crazy adventures, participating in the Colorado Relay. It is a 195 mile endurance … Read More “Lessons at 10,678 feet”
Category: Uncategorized
June 14, 2011
Power Kiosks!
There are power lunches, power ties and now… power parking meter kiosks! Parking my truck curbside at the Gold Street … Read More “Power Kiosks!”
April 26, 2011
Movie Lessons for the CEO
You know your business. You have a passion for what you do and a process for how to accomplish it.
The people you have in place are the “right ones on the bus.” You are well read and can work an iPhone or android better than most people half your age. So what’s keeping you up at night? You go to bed early and wake up early. But it isn’t on purpose. Unresolved issues shake you in the night and tire you throughout the day. It is a vicious cycle that can zap the life out of you and your organization.
You want to connect with your customer in a unique way. You not only want them to buy the product, you want them to feel like their organization and world will be a better place as a result of their partnership with your business. The connection with your customer is where the science of deliberate communication occurs. That point of contact says you understand your client and know how they consume information. It also relays confidence in your product, messaging, team and how the “collective” integrates with the community to make our world a better place to live.
How do you become that company? Have a team come along side your organization that specializes in message development, customer relationship management, and shaping perception. Public relation firms have a proven track record of helping clients generate business results and goodwill in their respective communities.
Since you’ve seen all of the movies that come on in the middle of the night, here are a few “movie lessons” to consider when bringing on a team to help you:
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (Gone With The Wind) Be Rhett Butler. Know who you are and what you want. Having firm goals will set the course for all of your initiatives.
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (The Godfather) Don Corleone can name his own price, can you? Identify a marketing budget. It will ensure nobody is wasting their time “capisce.”
“I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way.” (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Take time to research perception about your company. You might be like Jessica Rabbit, looking good for all of the wrong reasons.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (Jaws) That’s chief Martin Brody’s way of saying know when you are in over your head. In “PR” terms: you don’t need a news release, you need a strategic plan.
“You had me at ‘hello’” (Jerry Maguire). There is paralysis in analysis. Dorothy Boyd went with her gut, so should you.
“In this town I’m the leper with the most fingers.” (The Two Jakes) Jake Gittes’ advice is value integrity and be sure you have an ethical communications partner.
My best to you as you become the company that integrates with your community.
Sincerely,
Tom
April 12, 2011
GPS: Government
The 2011 Garrity Perception Survey of New Mexico residents provides a unique take on the perception of government. Only 18% of residents trust government to do the right thing most of the time. And 54% feel that Government is trying to do too many things.
March 29, 2011
The Garrity Perception Survey
While everyone knows the answer to the New Mexico’s official state question (Christmas), how do people feel about the industry that provides us red and green chile? Oil and gas tax and royalty contributions account for more than 20 percent of New Mexico’s general fund revenues, but does the industry have a favorable impression in our state? Where professions and people are raised – do we trust our pastor or priest more than our physician? How much do we trust family, relatives and friends? Do New Mexico residents have more trust in lawyers or journalists? The answers to these questions help shape communication strategies for our clients.
February 24, 2011
Why I “Like” Attending #CAPRSA
In 2007, I participated in my first PRSA Counselors Academy event. The opening session featured a speaker talking about this social media thing called Twitter, I was hooked. Over the years, #CAPRSA programs have kept pace; addressing new technologies and ways to help connect my firm and clients with our respective target audiences.
February 4, 2011
Is there something better than Groupon?
There are a lot of people jumping on the Groupon bandwagon. The discount service provides some tremendous value, helping businesses … Read More “Is there something better than Groupon?”
December 20, 2010
Don’t go knockin’ if the hotel is rockin’
About 9:45pm, the “horror of the night” (thank you Jay Baer for the epic line) manifested itself, this hotel is located right next to the railroad tracks and highway. Calling the front desk, I learn that the train comes through two/three times a night. My room literally swayed and shook when the train passes. When the third train passed at 3am, it occurred to me… the front desk actually moved me from the peaceful east side of the hotel to the Armageddon’esqe cacophony of the west side.