Independent Thinking » Communications

What’s Trending in the Digital Space?

Daria Steigman — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:01:24 +0000

Web 2.0 was so last year. Or last decade.

Either way, we’re moving on.

So what’s going to be trending in the digital space moving forward?

If you’re in the D.C. region, join me and my fellow panelists for an IABC/Washington breakfast meeting on January 12 as we discuss trends in digital communications.

I’ll be joined on the panel by Dan Horowitz of Fleishman-Hillard’s Digital Group; Steve Radick of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Digital Strategy and Social Media Practice; and Rick Dunham, Washington Bureau Chief of the Houston Chronicle and chief author of the Texas on the Potomac blog.

This should be fun. If you’re in the Washington area, please do join us.

Photo by Rosaura Ochoa (Flickr).

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Tact and Bluntness

Daria Steigman — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:05:40 +0000

A colleague complimented me on my tact, saying I “have a wonderful way with words… poise and grace.” Another likes my bluntness, saying that “real friends tell it straight, compliments AND criticisms.”

Tact and bluntness.

My mom once said she was glad that I had acquired some of my dad’s diplomacy to go along with her outspokenness.

Tact and bluntness. In business (and in life) I think you’re best served when you use both.

Photo by Chris P. (Flickr).

Get Rid of that First Impression Once and For All

Daria Steigman — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:46:22 +0000

You can’t really shake a first impression. It’s done. When we screw it up, we have to live with that.

But I’ll share a secret: You can make a second impression.

I received a call recently from someone I’d talked to a few months ago about a possible project. She had read my blog post on The Importance of Saying “No” and saw herself in there. And so she called to say “I’m sorry.”

It takes guts to apologize. More important, it takes a lot of class.

In my earlier post, I wrote:

Most of us have mental lists of people who have gone out of their way to be helpful–or not. To answer or return phone calls–or not. To give an honest answer to an honest question–or not.

Guess which list she’s on now?

Photo by David Spender (Flickr).

The Importance of Saying “No”

Daria Steigman — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:15:39 +0000

Saying “NO” is becoming a lost art in the business world. The losers are the people who ditch phone calls, avoid e-mails, and twist and turn themselves into pretzels rather than tell someone they don’t have the job, the project, or five minutes of your time to hear or help them out.

It’s okay to just say NO:

You can say NO to the job applicants who don’t make the cut.
You can say NO to the prospective bidders who don’t win the work.
You can say NO to the vendor who’s looking for new customers.
You can say NO to the consultant who is cold calling.

What you can’t do (or shouldn’t do) is ignore them. Devalue their effort. Treat them as disposable, unworthy of common courtesy.

I make it a priority to answer personalized queries, whether from a company pitching a report, a printer looking for new customers, or a colleague looking for work. In my condo leadership role, I made it a point to personally call the lead attorney at a firm we were about to fire to give him a heads up, and I sent thank you notes to the losing law firms we’d interviewed to replace the old one. Why? Because it was the right thing to do.

If you have the guts to say NO, you gain a competitive edge. Most of us have mental lists of people who have gone out of their way to be helpful–or not. To answer or return phone calls–or not. To give an honest answer to an honest question–or not.

Which list do you want to be on?

Photo by Simon Doggett (Flickr).

Your Attitude Can Make or Break You

Daria Steigman — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:36:44 +0000

Do you lead with your attitude?

Trick question actually. We all lead with our attitudes. It’s just what attitude you’re showing that counts. And you can learn a lot by how people act when they don’t know you.

There are 5-10 “regulars” who strength train at my gym around the same time every day. We tend to say hi or at least nod as we navigate weight benches and barbells.

Except that guy.

I don’t think he’s acknowledged me once. Or anyone else, so it’s not an anti-girl thing. I think I could collapse in front of him and he’d just walk around me.

The thing is, I could be his next customer. Or his patient if he’s a doctor. Or have connections at the company he really wants to work for next. But he’s blown his chance by conveying that I’m irrelevant. Guess what, that guy? No one’s going to help you if you treat us this way.

Business is about people, and your attitude can make or break you. Make sure you know which signals you’re emitting.

Photo by Joccay (Flickr).

Why Marketers Are Getting the Axe

Daria Steigman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:26:34 +0000

This recession has not been kind to marketers and other communications pros. Especially at the senior level.

Frankly, I’m not surprised.

Just look at how we typically refer to ourselves. Marketer. Public Affairs Specialist. Writer. Editor. Media Relations Manager. Videographer. It’s all task-based.

IABC has the word “business” in it, but our titles rarely do. And too often we haven’t made the case that storytelling is key to selling widgets (or sneakers, politicians, goodwill, or support for your cause). That communications is a core business function, as necessary to organizational success as product designers and the sales team.

We talk about transparency and authenticity. Our bosses care about sales, opportunity costs, and ROI.

I’ve heard a lot of hand wringing about how communicators don’t have a seat at the table. Yada, Yada, Yada. Feel better?

Now, what are we going to do about it?

The comments are yours.

Note: This post originally appeared on IABC’s Communication World blog.

Photo by Randy Son of Robert (Flickr).

Let’s Talk About You

Daria Steigman — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:05:40 +0000

This blog turns 2 today. It all started with a 74-word post about communications, business, and unique selling points. But the blog is here because of you — my community.

So in honor of our second anniversary, let’s talk about you:

Who are you? I know who some of you are — but not all of you. Whether you’re new or a seasoned reader, please take a minute to introduce yourself to the Independent Thinking community.
What do you want me to write about? I’ve tried to stay true to my pledge to write about business, entrepreneurship, communications,social media, and how technology is impacting the way we work. But what kinds of posts resonate with you? Is there something you’d like to see me write about more? Something that’s missing from this blog?

Thank you. The comments are yours.

Photo by mischvelente (Flickr).

Influence, Relevance, and Core Competencies

Daria Steigman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:39:28 +0000

What happens when you put smart people on a dais together and ask them about trends in their profession? If they are Shashi Bellamconda, Torod Neptune, Paul Sherman, and John Taylor, then we’re in for some great insights.

I had the pleasure of moderating last Thursday’s IABC/Washington panel discussion. Between asking questions and keeping the conversation on track, I also took a few notes. So if you missed the conversation, here are a few highlights:

The most dramatic change in the communications landscape in the last decade? Torod Neptune said it was “commoditization” (with fewer people seeing communications as a specialty). Paul Sherman pointed to user-generated content, the elimination of gatekeepers, and the power of a person’s network. John Taylor said the implications of social media mean that he increasingly sees himself “as a business person who does communications.” Shashi Bellamkonda said that people were no longer anonymous online; rather, it is now the norm to establish a virtual presence and to promote your personal brand by helping someone else.
How do communicators stay relevant in 2010? While PR hasn’t changed, Neptune noted that “the nature of influence has.” [See also Guy Kawasaki’s comment about “build[ing] a critical mass of nobodies.”] Taylor talked about reaching out quickly to correct mistakes and address problems, and stressed that face-to-face meetings are still important. Bellamkonda said that the new landscape has leveled the playing field, pointing out that small companies today are just as likely to be in the news as bigger ones.
How should companies manage their reputations? Companies need to be “comfortable being naked,” said Neptune in response to a question about the blurring lines between our professional and personal lives. Taylor pointed to one of the simplest corporate social media policies; what he termed Hair Cuttery’s “don’t mess up our brand” policy.
What’s the impact of mobile (particularly in the context of the first large-scale use of text messaging for micro-philanthropy)? Taylor cited some revealing statistics about the growth of mobile: a 37% increase in wireless data use and 730 billion text messages among U.S. wireless subscribers in the first half of 2009; and over $5 million for Haiti earthquake relief via text in just two days (including $3 million to the Red Cross in $10 donations). [The Washington Post has a great article and more stats here.]
What skills do today’s communicators need? Sherman said the biggest skill is the ability to identify the real influencers. Neptune stressed that good writing skills are still important. Bellamkonda said that the most important qualification is “someone who can tell a story.”

The last insight goes to Taylor, in response to a question about community—and how the concept is changing. Taylor suggested that values remain constant, because people have always valued transparency and authenticity. What has changed, he said, is how these values are expressed and rewarded.

What would you add to this conversation?

Photo by Shashi Bellamkonda/Network Solutions.

Do I Have Your Full Attention Now?

Daria Steigman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:07:21 +0000

Do you multitask at the expense of those around you?

It used to be “put down the pen.” Now perhaps it is more aptly “turn away from the computer screen” with its data streams, non-stop e-mail, and multiple tab browsers. Or turning off the smartphone. Whatever your multitasking method of the moment, sometimes it’s just not good enough.

Next time an employee, office mate, or colleague (or anyone else) asks to talk to you, put down your pen and let them know they have your full attention.

Photo by keela84 (Flickr).

Careers in Motion DC

Daria Steigman — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:54:11 +0000

IABC/Washington is holding a terrific event this Thursday, Sept. 11, for those looking for jobs in the communications field or seeking to make a career change. Includes resume reviews (by appointment at time of registration) and roundtable discussions on topics from networking to starting a business. Learn more and sign-up here.