Media Tip from a Pro

A pr whiz from Chicago, Tom Ciesielka, offers this media tip which follows my advice to spend time with people on their agenda!

Here's his comment:

About 99 percent of the time, we are asking reporters for things we want. What do you think would happen if we asked reporters what they want? GASP! The end of the world?! No. More often than not, I've found that reporters will appreciate your interest in knowing exactly the topics they are writing about and sources they are looking for. It helps you find the right fit and makes the reporter happy, for at least a little while. If it doesn't make them happy, I hear reporters like Ferraris.

Reply to Tom Ciesielka at tc@tcpr.net or check him out at http://www.tcpr.net/index.php

Thanks Tom, I think this is invaluable because it changes the typical mindset!

Relationships over resumes

In the last year, I've been coaching my out-of-work friends, relatives and clients on how to make the best impression during their interviews.

My advice is simple: connect, connect, connect. People hire someone, not just because they have a good skill set, but on the strength of the way they feel the person will fit into the organization and onto the team.

One of my friends is an accountant. He wanted to tell prospective employers that he was a hard worker, had experience in taking companies public, etc. That was evident from his past jobs; laid out on his resume. He had to connect with the CEO who was interviewing for a new CFO. I coached him on how to uncover the CEO's hobbies, interests, values and then match them up with his. After a few hours, he got the concept and landed the job.

You see, the advice to connect is simple but the execution is not. The underlying tenet is that "emotion motivates and information justifies."

By the way, the title of this blog was taken from am interview in the Los Angeles Times with Jason Reitman Oscar-nominated director of "Up in the Air." He said, "I want a shorthand. I believe in relationships over resume. . .Things are going to get tough . . .and you have to question who you want to be standing next to when they do.

Sounds like a concept that applies to almost anything!

Taking Away Silos

Last week, I was listening to NPR and I heard an Washington politician talk about the old days. He said that elected officials would hang out at night in some of DC's famous watering holes, have dinner together and on the weekends, they would go to parties together.

Not now! They leave town every weekend and, during the week, they stay in their own camps. The result? A very polarized Senate and House. Our representatives do not get to know each other on a personal, casual basis. Without that relationship, they can't cross party and policy lines to work together.

A similar story was told to me recently by a Board member. She said her Board members rarely saw each other or the staff outside the board meetings. In addition, the meetings were so tightly organized that people didn't even have much of an exchange at the meeting!

I suggested that they have a potluck barbecue at someone's house so they could all get to know each other better, as people. That would make working together smoother and a lot more fun!

Anyone for a big barbecue in DC?

MH&A and COMMUNITY ACTION

It was one of the moments of "kismet." For years, Tim Reese, a very forward-thinking association executive, head of California/Nevada Community Action Partnership /The State CAA Association and I have been friends. We visit each other and talk about the world and personal issues in general and tried to work together a few times.

Nothing seemed to click until he was watching a wecast about the recovery funds and said, "I'd like to do something like this to tell the world what we are doing."

Say no more. . . our agency joined him to outline how we could use the power of the web to tell emotionally engaging stories.

As I travel the country, I find most nonprofits do not know about their local Community Action agency. These are very dynamic agencies and great partners with other nonprofits in their town.

Here's a recent news bulletin about this project:

FULFILLING THE PROMISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM – 25 AGENCIES PARTICIPATING

Thanks to the leadership of Tim Reese and Biz Steinberg, Cal/Neva’s “first of its kind” education and outreach campaign, to show how Community Action Agencies are fulfilling the promise of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is flourishing.

Tim saw the importance of telling the American public how Community Action is using ARRA funds to help people back to work, help those low-income and vulnerable people, and help families and children cope with and survive during our economic downturn. Cal/Neva, in partnership with colleagues at Marshall Howard and Associates, specifically Mike James MHA’s Vice President of Program Development, has produced numerous video spots showing ARRA dollars at work, providing jobs, training, and essential services. See the Fulfilling The Promise work to date by visiting www.fulfillingthepromise-us.org

More than 20 Cal/Neva agencies currently participate in the exciting Fulfilling the Promise Educational and Outreach Project. As part of the participation package, at all three levels, the logo, depicting a butterfly representing hope, transformation and renewal, created under the direction of Trever Barker of T-Dogg Studios, www.tdoggstudios.com is available for use.

Last September, Tim Reese, Mike James, Marshall Howard, and Richard Lemire presented an overview of the “Fulfilling The Promise” project at the Philadelphia National CAP Conference, garnering significant interest and enthusiasm at a national level.

Happy New Year!

Usually at this time of year, it's quiet and I enjoy a little vacation time and family celebrations.

However, this year, we used the time to create new products that will take people far beyond the book! I'll announce this exciting venture in just a few weeks.

In the meantime, Happy New Year to all of my friends and colleagues. As we slowly pull out of what has certainly been a daunting economic time, I'm looking forward to new opportunities.

I invite everyone to look around, enjoy the positive people around you and continue to reach out. You never know what great stories people have to tell and what resources they may offer you.

My very best wishes for a great 2010!

Taking "Let's Have Lunch Together" to a new level

I recently worked with Anne Ready, head of a media training firm in Los Angeles. For more than 25 years, READY FOR MEDIA has coached thousands of corporate executives, celebrity spokespeople, authors, doctors, lawyers and many others to be concise, credible and compelling.

Years ago, she realized her dream to work and live at the beach. She bought a beautiful house right on the sand at Topanga Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway.

Of course, I gave her my book and she became a star student.

After reading my book, Anne told me, "I decided to take a very personal approach and invite guests to have lunch at my Malibu beach house. I cook lunch and make it very special."

From the book, she also learned to make sure the meeting was 60% personal and 40% business.

"My first guest mentioned other client referrals while she was here at lunch. Thanks Marshall, you helped me present myself in a whole new, more meaningful way!"

Thanks to Anne for her story. To check out her media services click here.

Review of "Let's Have Lunch Together"

"Let's Have Lunch Together" is full of "specific, effective strategies and problem- solving ... well worth reading and adopting."

I don't often get a reader to review my book, especially to his or her entire community. Thanks to Don Mathis, President and CEO of Community Action Partnership for his generous review of “Let’s Have Lunch Together” in the Fall 2009 issue of “The Promise.” After my recent keynote at their national conference in Philadelphia, many of the CAP leaders have enthusiastically embraced these principles of relationship-building.

Here’s a synopsis of Don’s review: “Thoughtful, easy-to-understand strategy for fundraising, board and resource development and strengthening any agency’s viability and sustainability.

“Howard . . .makes a compelling case that it’s essential for nonprofit executives and leaders to build and maintain close relationships with potential funders, board members, policymakers and a wide variety of people-with-influence. . . . it’s equally important for the agency’s leader to build, nurture and expand the number of strong personal relationships.

The book describes specific, effective strategies and problem-solving techniques that are well-worth reading and adopting. Howard makes his book fun to read and reflect on.”

I appreciate his kind words!