A Reflection on Earning Accreditation in Public Relations

December 6th, 2010 | 11:26 am | Categories: Public Relations, SWC, Team

I took a test a few days ago. I haven’t taken a test like this since Econ 51 while I was in journalism school. That was a long time ago, and let’s just say it was not my best class. Continue reading…

Effective Issues Management Requires Imagination

November 24th, 2010 | 3:22 pm | Categories: Crisis Communication, Public Relations, Utilities

All across America, electric utilities (including many of our friends in the electric co-op world) are installing a new generation of smart meters that will help them deliver better service and improve the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. Continue reading…

Each of us has a unique reason for choosing a certain career path. Here’s mine.

November 9th, 2010 | 10:51 am | Categories: Public Relations, SWC, Team

Last Friday, the Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America hosted its annual event for college students who aspire to work in PR. In addition to serving as emcee of the fashion show, I was searching for the next great intern to join our team. Continue reading…

Baseball can teach us a lot about celebrating tradition while looking toward the future

November 1st, 2010 | 1:45 pm | Categories: Public Relations, Utilities

The Super Bowl might be America’s most spectacular sports championship, but the World Series is the championship with the most tradition and history…and as a kid who grew up in a community that’s nearly 150 years older than our country, I really dig tradition and history. Continue reading…

Airline misses connection on social media customer service

October 28th, 2010 | 4:38 pm | Categories: Crisis Communication, Public Relations, Social Media

Earlier this month, I wrote about how social media listening provides organizations with an outstanding opportunity to gather customer feedback and address customer service issues. The airline industry is a leader in this field. Continue reading…

Are you sporting a digital mullet?

October 11th, 2010 | 12:42 pm | Categories: Design, Public Relations, Social Media, Utilities

One of the public relations groups I follow on LinkedIn has recently been debating the merits of freelancers, independent consultants, and other self-employed professionals using an email address from AOL, Hotmail or Yahoo for professional purposes. Continue reading…

Earning respect and loyalty by embracing criticism

October 5th, 2010 | 12:51 pm | Categories: Crisis Communication, Social Media, Utilities

If you’re pleased with our work, tell a friend. If you’re not, tell us. I remember the first time I read that expression. Continue reading…

Are your customers mint chocolate chip, peach cobbler, or banana split?

September 28th, 2010 | 8:54 am | Categories: Public Relations

My girlfriend and I are a well-matched couple. She’s a lawyer. I’m a PR guy. Our tastes are similar, as are our politics. Her cat and my dog even get along (for the most part). But our relationship has one significant rift that we have struggled to resolve…ice cream preference. Continue reading…