Archive for April 2017
Leave it to us to screw up the “perception is reality” truism – SCN Encourager
School leaders and communicators like us just can’t help it. We’ll mess up most of the bell curves and pie charts created by well-meaning social psychologists. While everyone else under the sun is able to operate under the predictably safe umbrella of “perception is reality.” Not us. We do the opposite. I guess you could say we’re… well, a bit different. And as proof I…
Read MoreLessons from Lady Gaga, a strategic “rebranding” mastermind – SCN Encourager
Sometimes you’re up. Sometimes you’re down. That’s life. Agreed? And when you’re in the midst of a downturn, it’s time to seriously consider a “rebrand.” (Of course, you could always try what I do – just deny it – but your results will vary, with “lousy” being the best you could hope for.) No, you’re better off…
Read MoreThe absolute best way to keep your school PR focus – SCN Encourager
Other than having your desk stationed right by your Superintendent’s Meet Joe Pulizzi. Joe’s the founder of the Content Marketing Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Because content marketing is hot, hot, hot (AKA amazingly trending up and to the right), Joe’s on the radar screens of many top communicators and marketers who possess large Klout scores and massive “influencer”…
Read MoreWhere are you guaranteed to find “grit” on display? – SCN Encourager
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has a unique suggestion to offer. But before I tell you – I’ll ask the question again. But just a bit differently. Where would you go if you wanted to see “grit” in action? One of your kindergarten classrooms? An AP chemistry class? The high school’s weight & training center? On a ride-along with one of your…
Read MoreHow do you tackle a problem? Where do you begin? – SCN Encourager
Problems come in all sizes and shapes. So do potential solutions. Dang. Even Easter could be considered an ideal case study of the application of an effective long-term solution to a universally pervasive problem. Now rarely do our problems ever rise to this level, though. Some might say they never do. But I’m not so sure. None of us are…
Read MoreA speedy-kwik test to see if you’re a school communicator “pro” – SCN Encourager
It seems everyone is getting tested on something this week. Why not you? Here are three questions to wrestle with. I modified them (AKA pulled them out and totally mished-mashed them) from Steven Pressfield’s insightful and intelligent book “The War of Art.” He wrote this book with folks like us in mind. I’m convinced you’ll find it…
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