Archive for November 2014

Avoiding the Grand Plan Re-do: Part II

Thanks for coming back for Part II of veteran school communicator Gerri Allen’s tips on how to do research — and why it’s so important for school leaders to make decisions after having listened to a cross-section of constituents, about 75 percent of which don’t have school-aged children. Gerri handled school communications for the Washtenaw…

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Thanksgiving is wonderful. Black Friday I can do without. – SCN Encourager

Have a great Thanksgiving… and please be on guard against those embarrassing “shopping trip” slips. Where is crisis communications expert Zac Rantz now that I really need him? I could use some advice on how to avoid getting in trouble on Black Friday. Cindy always keeps hoping we’ll enjoy a traditional holiday shopping experience together. But it never seems to…

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This piece of crisis communications advice is worth repeating – SCN Encourager

I don’t hear “Can you repeat that?” all that often. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever quoted myself before. But the recent Encourager highlighting last week’s MSPRA seminar on crisis communications boomeranged several requests that demanded my speedy-kwik attention. I was so proud. I couldn’t contain my high spirits when I emailed the respondents back to find out which particular quotable gem…

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Start with good research and avoid the “re-do.”

I’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder with people who consider “research” to be procrastination – one step on the ladder of productivity from contemplating one’s navel. No time to be tentative, they’d say. Nothing is accomplished until you roll up your sleeves and actually do something.  That’s why I started taking notes when I heard Gerri Allen speak with conviction…

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