Mary's Corner! (A letter from your Editor-in-Chief)
Welcome to the First Edition of the Balance Beam.
Those of you who know me well, know how important it is for me to keep in touch with you. One of the things I have always prided myself on, has been my communication...until the past several years. With the demands of splitting my time between the NYC and Denver offices, while launching The Speech Fitness Institute (SFI)® in the Rockies, an inspiration of mine...my best efforts to stay in regular contact have sometimes failed.
The Balance Beam reflects an effort to redeem myself by re-connecting with some of you and beginning a new dialogue with others, newer to me. To get back on an earnest (and more exemplary) communication track, I have devised this newsletter.
What you will discover in this issue and subsequent newsletters are
ideas that have inspired me and my team and
reflect my own philosophical approach toward Communication — one
that believes in adding the magic and re-igniting the passion; making
a holistic self-assessment--which encompasses a look at a more soulful
dynamic and one that s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s the body and mind. And, one through
which we strive to offer our clients total support and service.
Most importantly, we look forward to hearing from you, and from those
of you who may wish to share your own inspiring success stories
and ideas with our readers.
You can look forward to speaker and media tips from our team of exceptional coaches and consultants — tips to help our clients grow and keep their brands in the forefront of people's minds. You'll find additional tips from a host of colleagues on topics such as Performance, Networking and Media Relations.
Don't miss our updates on "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS NEW IN MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS", as well as what's happening at the Speech Fitness Institute (SFI)® in the "SFI BEAT".
We want to hear from YOU. So please write to us and let us know what you'd like to see more of!
Inspiration
of the Month:
"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere" -Lee Iacocca
How do you take "a brilliant idea" and make the leap from concept to execution? Everyone has ideas, but acting on them and taking the necessary steps to communicate your ideas effectively is what separates the thinkers from the doers.
Communication is key.
The actions implemented by Chrysler corporate legend, Lee Iacocca, point
out how the simplest steps can be the most important ones. Don't
discount that fact. Iacocca's original success with the Ford Motor
Company came out of his understanding the needs and desires of consumers.
In 1964, Iacocca's demographic research confirmed that "baby
boomers " were a huge source of potential buyers with real transportation
needs. Vets returning from Vietnam, students heading to college and
high school grads off to their first job needed a car that satisfied
their needs and could compete with the Camaro, Firebird and Chevy Malibu.
The Mustang was born! Years later, focusing on the changing needs in
the same target market, Iacocca created the Mini Van – a family
car and staple of the "Soccer Mom" – and repeated
his success. Even in the 21st century, he is addressing the changing
needs of consumers by introducing the New Millennium, an environmentally
conscious electric bike. Iacocca's innovative thinking
and execution revolutionized the car industry. In this
age of corporate disenchantment, his success reminds us that tried and
true core values still prevail and an ability to communicate them is
the key to your success.
You can do the same in your own corporate culture.
Let's start with Step I:
Plan and organize your approach.
How does your "brilliant idea" provide a solution to the problem
or issue you are addressing?
- Determine your objectives.
- What do you want the targeted audience to do as a result of your communication?
- What is your call to action?
- What action do you want them to take in the future?
- Analyze your audience.
- Who are they? Audience analysis involves more than demographic study. Analyze trends and the political, cultural and social climate surrounding them. Target your market. Know their educational background, work ethic and values.
- What information does your audience want and need? What don't they know? Give them the AHAs!
- How do they feel about you, your subject and your company?
- Do you share similar attitudes, thoughts or experiences? When crafting your message ask yourself what can they get from you that will effect a positive change in their lives?
- What questions are they likely to ask?
- And which ones would be difficult for you to answer?
So take Iacocca's lead and don't skip these necessary Steps that turn those inspired ideas into action.
***Contributors from the MM+A team:
Mary, Head Coach, Christina Julian, Marketing Director; Eileen Winnick,
Communications Coach and Account Executive; and Jenn Holl, Executive
Assistant, Reporter, Editor. ***
Resources You Can Relate to: (Recommended books on our topic of the month)
What's
the Big Idea? Creating and Capitalizing on the Best New Management Thinking
(This link will bring you directly to Amazon.com)
By: Thomas H. Davenport and Laurence Prusak/Harvard Business School
Press
The
Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action
(This link will bring you directly to Amazon.com)
By: Jeffrey Pfeffer, Robert I. Sutton/Harvard Business School
Press
Our next newsletter will discuss Step II
Execution: Moving from Interest to Implementation. Don't miss
it!!
Media Savvy:
Here's the "scoop"—
Always be professional! and -- act ‘as if'. No one
has all the answers and we can always prepare more.
Do not discuss with anyone how under-prepared you may feel. Keep it to yourself. It is neither confidence-instilling for those who invited you to be interviewed, nor solid self-support for driving your own powerful delivery.
Do not gab, chat, gossip or "dish" with others on the set. Assume that everything you communicate is ON THE RECORD—regardless of your close relationships with the media.
Stay focused on the task at hand which is to deliver your expert point of view in an entertaining way.
When at the studio or in the presence of station managers, producers and directors-or at an industry forum—perceptions count. Stay positive and cooperative.
Never negate yourself and remember that your behavior reflects upon your publicists' relationships with their media contacts and your future opportunities with them—relationships that are hard won and hard kept.
Center yourself and review your "Grabber", "Kicker"
and your Key Messages.
Tell yourself that you are ‘good to go'. BE FLEX-ABLE.
And offer your unique perspective.
Mary's Link of the Month:
The Daily Motivator: www.greatday.com This was sent to me by a colleague and Coach, Jeannette Paladino, who specializes in Positioning and Brand Marketing. Jeannette shares my passion for quotes and inspiring ideas to motivate personal achievement and change.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you click through; it will offer focus with which to begin your day. When you're not feeling 100% "on top of you're game", here is a chance to refocus thoughts – a peaceful and gentle reminder of what matters most.
News you can Use!
The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Conference in Denver last
month provided a wonderful opportunity to network with entrepreneurs
and shared strategies for merging and acquiring businesses and how to
live with the deal. The keynoters and panelists were exceptional talents,
themselves and those in attendance-- the real stars. For more on ACG—click
here.
Don't miss next
month's newsletter where we will profile inspiring
ACG Speaker William Ury's (co-author of the national best-seller
Getting to Yes) new book The Third Side.
Get great insights on taking negotiation past Yes or No and meeting on a higher ground — that of the Third Side. This is an important book to further human understanding in the global political climate with many lessons for us all.
Event Watch
Mary's Colorado Dates--contact the office directly if you have any regional needs while she is out West.
303-321-8935
May 2-May 11
Denver Chamber of Commerce-Colorado Business Show May 6, Denver, Colorado
June 2-14
TA DA!!
Success Stories (yours, and ours)
Happy 10th Anniversary to everyone at InStyle Magazine—it's been a great 10 years!! 3 cheers!!
To Our friends at People Magazine on their 30th Anniversary!! Bravo!
To Robin Stone on the launch of her new book "No Secrets, No Lies"
To Charla Krupp on her move to Hearst Publishing, where she is working on the development and launch of a new magazine Shop, etc. It promises to be a big success with Charla's talents and Mandi Norwood at the helm. Best wishes to both of you!
And to Charla, once again on her new Today Show Segment "The
Brilliant Buy" –
a brilliant idea!
To Dan Meyer on his successful Chairing of the Rocky Mountain
Corporate Growth Conference last month and on his new position
at Merrill Lynch.
We wanted to share a few kind words from Dan, who sought our support
for the presentations at the ACG Conference:
"Thank you so much for lending your professional expertise to
the Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference. Your skilled guidance
and support was a key factor in our success! Looking back to our preparation,
I can now truly appreciate the hours you spent coaching me on the content,
format and delivery of my speeches. As you will recall, our event was
attended by accomplished corporate executives from middle-market and
large corporations; our keynote speakers were world class; and our panels
were composed of thought-leaders from across the industry. After the
event I received calls from many participants who commented on my success
with the event and the quality of my presentations. I could NOT have
accomplished this level of success without you! Best of all, several
of the participants have invited me to meet with them as potential clients
- predominately due to the credibility I achieved through your coaching."
Thank you
Daniel R. Meyer
Congratulations to all! Take a Bow! Keep us posted on all of your "WINS" !!
The SFI® BEAT
"Your Mind, Your Muscles, Your Soul--they all need Exercise"
Don't
miss out on a fun way to re-engage and inspire teams. We will customize
your retreat or sales meeting for you.
The Speech Fitness Institute® (our summer "camp" in the Rockies) and MARY MAYOTTE + ASSOCIATES have been inspiring exceptional leaders for the past 13 years. Whether you're seeking the perfect locale, roster of events or speakers for your next corporate meeting, or simply looking to grow and motivate your team, SFI® can customize it all.
The mind-body-spirit approach exemplified in SFI's time-tested leadership and team building exercises -- is designed to loosen the mind, unlock each person's individuality, and coach you toward becoming a more effective, prepared, and confident communicator.
Spend a few days with Mary and friends. It will make all the difference in your Communication.
Booking now for Summer 2004, and Fall/Winter/Summer 2005 Sessions.
Click
here for more information-www.speechfitnessinstitute.com
What is YOUR Biggest Communication Challenge?
Email us your communication challenge, and if we select your challenge
to report on in our next newsletter, you will receive a complementary,
one-hour Executive Coaching telephone consultation with the Head Coach,
herself: Mary Mayotte.
Click here
Tell A Friend:
For the month of May, if you refer a friend who books a training or
consultation with MM+A, you will receive a 10% discount toward your
own coaching services with us.
Don't forget to visit our Website for information on
our services and to discover how MARY MAYOTTE + ASSOCIATES can help
you to achieve your communications goals at
www.speechfitness.com
Or simply call us directly at 212.772.1275/303-321-8935
We look forward to discussing your specific training needs.
We invite you to communicate with us!—Comments and suggestions
are always welcome! info@speechfitness.com
As always at MM+A, we strive for communication excellence as we aim to inform. If you would like to be taken off our newsletter mailing list, please click here to "unsubscribe". As always we respect your privacy, and your information will never be used or distributed without your express, written consent.