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Theme for January 2012 — Get Organized!

Jan 5

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Hard to believe that it’s really January 2012! Time has a way of speeding by, especially when we are busy, and like many people, one of my resolutions for this month focuses on getting organized. I officially launched ‘Margo Myers Communications’ in September of 2009. After 20+ years of being in TV news, I’m having a blast being on the other side in PR, and finding ways to tell my clients’ stories to get them positive media exposure. But I also find that the busier I am, the better organized I need to be. Add to that helping run a second company, the Springboard Academy, a professional development company to help people be more successful in the workplace, and my need for organization is at a ‘max level.’

Here are a few goals I’m setting for myself in January to become the most organized I can be. My top 5 goals for the month include:

1. A new desk with storage. Most people work more productively with a well-organized workspace. I’m no exception. Now that my business is becoming better established, I need more space for keeping files, supplies, laptop, printer and notes. My current desk just doesn’t provide a big enough workspace for me to spread out. It’s too messy, and doesn’t look anything like the desk in the photo! Goal: get a new desk by January 31st.

2. Develop improved bookkeeping systems. I recently attended a workshop with Elizabeth Harris, who runs Resultist Consulting. The biggest aha! moment for me was learning ways to use financial reports to grow your business. I had Quickbooks on my computer, but hadn’t really worked with it. Now I’ve already gotten help from an accountant to set it up, and am promising myself to actually use it in 2012.

3. Organize my email. I get emails — lots of emails. And this is the year I organize it. I will put emails in the appropriate folder, act on it if it needs immediate attention, defer it to the end of the day if it doesn’t, or delete it if it’s not relevant. And my other goal is to respond within 24 hours! (Yes, you can hold me to this one).

4. Keep up with my contact list. (As I write this, I’m looking at literally hundreds of business cards sitting on the corner of my desk). My goal is to add them to my contacts in Outlook by the end of the month, instead of shuffling through them every time I need a phone number or email.

5. Prioritize my day. I love lists, and I resolve to keep using them, especially if I can compose my ‘to-do’ items for the day, prioritize it with what absolutely needs to get done by the end of the day, and focus on each task at hand. I find I work better when I focus on each project, turn off email (or at least have it update only every 30 minutes), and then cross each item off my list! Not only do I get a lot done, but I can track where I am on a project, and I love that feeling of completing a task!

These are my top five goals for the month. What are yours? Do you have some systems in place that work well for you? Please feel free to share at margo@margomyers.com.

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

 

 

 

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Leadership Questions to Ask

Dec 20

Posted by admin in Events

Effective leadership is important to any organization’s success.  There are many different ways to lead, and one of the most important things is to choose a style that is authentic to you! People can see through someone who tries to be something they’re not. Such ‘leaders’ may find that when they turn around, there won’t be anyone following them.

This post from John Baldoni at Marketwatch looks at 3 questions to put leadership into practice — practice being the operative word. And I’m in total agreement about Baldoni’s observation: It’s not what you say you’ll do. It’s what you do.

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

3 Questions to Put Leadership into Practice

by John Baldoni

(Marketwatch) Practice makes perfect… but only if you are willing to practice.

Doug Conant, former CEO of the Campbell Soup Co., makes this point clear with a story he tells about himself in his new book, “TouchPoints,” co-authored with Mette Norgaard. As the fiscal crisis of 2008 was unfolding, Conant was worried about the effect it would be having on the people in his organization. In response, he made a practice of walking around the facilities, from the offices to the loading docks. Everywhere he went he engaged folks in conversation to get a feeling about what they were thinking. Typically, as measured by his pedometer, he would clock 10,000 steps a day.

Skeptics may say: “Doesn’t the CEO of a Fortune 500 company have better things to do?” At that moment, the answer was probably no! Conant who was one of the nation’s most respected (and well-liked) CEOs when he retired earlier this year. He did more than walk and talk; he was leading from the front in his company’s moment of crisis.

Conant’s conduct is similar to that of the best leaders I have known. Such leaders know that you cannot lead others unless you know what is on their minds. As much as it falls to the leader to set the direction for others, there’s no guarantee they’ll follow unless the leader knows how others will react to it.

In “TouchPoints,” Conant and Norgaard argue for a “head, heart and hands” approach to leadership that draws on logic, emotion and personal commitment.

When it comes to putting leadership into practice, there is no faking it. It’s hard work. Conant and Norgaard quote something that Wynton Marsalis wrote in his book, “To a Young Jazz Musician: Letters from the Road”: “Don’t start professing a love for the game. The love is what would have made you get your ass into shape.”

Leaders face the same challenge when it comes to leadership. It’s not what you say you will do, it’s what you do that matters. So how to make it happen? Shift focus from yourself to those you lead. Specifically ask yourself three questions:

What does the organization need? You may answer this question with another question: Do people have what they need to succeed? It is the leader’s responsibility to ensure that employees have the tools, resources and management to fulfill the organization’s mission.

What can others do to help it? When an organization is running well, everyone is pulling together in the same direction. When things are not going so perfectly, it will fall to the leader to re-align the organization to its mission and ensure that people succeed.

What must I do to make certain we are on track? This question gets to the heart of leadership because it focuses on specific actions the leaders must take. The answers will be both strategic and tactical. But most important, they will focus on moving the organization forward in ways that engage people.

The questions are straightforward, but the answers they evoke make require a great deal of exploration and thought. That’s natural; to lead effectively you need to willing to practice, practice, practice.

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Leading Electronics Company Changing Ownership

Dec 13

Posted by admin in Events

I wanted to share this press release for friends who might be looking for new communications systems for their business, or new marine electronics for their boats! Great people to work with.
Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications
New Ownership for Two-Way Radio and Marine Electronics Firm
Customer Service Remains a Top Priority for Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc.
TACOMA, Washington – Longtime family-owned two-way radio and marine electronics firm, Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc. (PSI) is being sold by Richard Hart to new owner Peter Ollodart, an experienced product marketer in the software industry. The company, founded in 1965 by Raymond and Norma Hart, is a leading provider of two-way radio communications, marine navigation, surveillance and wireless communications based in Pierce County.  PSI has extensive sales worldwide via their website at www.psicompany.com.
“It’s been a lifelong dream to own a growing business of the caliber of PSI, which also provides me with fresh technical challenges,” said Ollodart, incoming President and CEO of Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc. “I want to assure customers, suppliers and our employees that I’m dedicated to carrying on the tradition of superb customer and supplier satisfaction for which PSI is known.”
Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc. continues to grow in a tough economy, featuring high quality products from industry leaders, including:
  • Motorola Solutions
  • Furuno Marine Electronics
  • JRC
  • ICOM Radio
  • Vertex Standard
  • Raytheon JPS Communications
PSI provides equipment and services for businesses and government agencies, including Washington State Ferries, Metro Transit – Seattle, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Arizona Department of Transportation and Red Wind Casino in Olympia, among others. PSI also provides communications equipment and services for numerous fire and police departments, universities and municipalities.
Both the current and incoming owners are dedicated to creating a seamless transition for their customers, suppliers, and employees.
“Working with Peter during this transition, I know the ownership change will be smooth,” said Richard Hart, current President and CEO. “I trust the company will be successfully positioned for future growth, not just in the Pacific Northwest, but for our global customers as well.”
Ollodart brings 24 years of successful experience as a product marketer in the hardware and software industry, most recently at Microsoft.  He is well versed in IP communications and wireless technologies, and is familiar with marine electronics as an avid boater of 30 years. Prior to PSI, Ollodart has held leadership roles in product planning, business development, partner and product marketing.
“My goal is to continue the tradition of customer and supplier focus that has made PSI so successful,” said Ollodart. “We will continue to work hard to ensure PSI continues its strong sales performance and growth.”
For more information about Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc., and its products and services, please visit www.psicompany.com. For additional information about the sale of the company, or interviews with Richard Hart or Peter Ollodart, please contact Margo Myers at Margo Myers Communications, margo@margomyers.com, 206-604-4535.

Since 1965, Puget Sound Instrument Company, Inc. has been a leading provider and industry award winner of two-way communication equipment, marine navigation, surveillance and wireless electronics based in Tacoma, Washington. PSI takes pride in its customer relations and high attention to quality and detail, providing both products and service. Visit www.psicompany.com for more information.

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10 Reasons Why PR Matters

Nov 8

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In case you’re on the fence about why PR is important, consider this article by Doug Flora. Comments in blue are my own!

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

By Doug Flora | Posted:
November 4, 2011

From “the press release is dead” to “PR is dead. Long live SEO” (or variations on those themes), there have been some catch phrases and other memes going around to suggest that public relations might be going the way of the buffalo. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

The PR industry is going through some growing pains and significant change, but the importance of effective communications has never been more pronounced than in today’s integrated media environment.

1. In the social universe, messaging is key

It isn’t enough to engage on social media, or have lots of “likes” and followers. If an organization isn’t communicating its key messages, then the social media effort is a waste of time. That’s where the professional communicators come in. What are your key messages? Who is taking the time to build them and distribute them throughout your organization, so they can then be communicated in an effective way? What are you telling your customers?

2. Reputation is a C-level concern

Reputation is top of mind, even at the executive level, and especially at the biggest companies. We’re even seeing chief reputation officers being appointed. Good reputation management is good PR. While a good reputation is paramount, so is transparency. Do what you say you will, and be above-board at all times to maintain that reputation.

3. Crisis is chronic

Recent history has shown us how crucial effective crisis management is. And in today’s fast-paced media landscape, an ultra-quick response with finely-tuned messaging is a must. Incidents like the 2010 BP
disaster in the Gulf have shown us how good the executive level is at handling crisis management without good PR counsel: not at all. Enough said.

4. Visibility is both an art and a science

The rise of social media and SEO metrics have convinced some that brand visibility is solely a matter of numbers. However, good positioning is also the product of craftsmanship. We can’t forget that the
quality and targeting of the message is of paramount importance. Sometimes clients don’t know what they don’t know. They only know that everyone’s talking about social media. But taking time to craft your key messages (see 1 above) and target them to the right audience will get you the visibility you seek.

5. Marketing people are not necessarily social media geniuses

It is popular to say that social media management is the domain of marketing. But social media is about communities and engagement, and the goal is to achieve earned influence. While PR has some work to do when
it comes to mastering social media, it is still the best equipped to leverage the social message.

6. The media is alive and kicking

The scenery has changed, but the media remains the primary influencer of public opinion. And while PR people have had to grow and adapt to keep up with the media’s new modus operandi, they are still the pros
at this. If you have a message you need delivered to a wide audience, the media is still your best bet. Yes, blogs are helpful, but to reach a mass audience with your message or product, TV, newspapers, radio and online are still king.

7. It’s the economy, stupid

Many organizations, especially smaller ones, are on tighter budgets and don’t have as much to spend as they might like on integrated marketing. PR is the most cost-effective way to communicate to a
broad audience. It’s just a matter of convincing this to clients and prospects.

8. Content and context

From blog posts to bylines to webinars to tweets, good content builds the face of the organization. PR should steer that ship because communicators know when, why and how best to send the message. Providing the
right context gives content the chance to really flourish.

9. Values make your brand

Especially in the era of the Global Village, an organization’s values are of utmost important to the public, and make up a bigger portion of its brand strength than ever. What’s your brand? What results do you want to deliver? Your brand strength is built on your values, whether you are a Fortune 500 company, or a sole proprietor. What do you stand for?

10. There is, in fact, a ROI

But don’t just slap a dollar value on media placements and call it a day. Part of the challenge of communicating ROI is convincing the C-level that PR builds a reservoir of goodwill, and that public confidence in a
brand is the measure of that goodwill. Quantifying public confidence can be accomplished through a combination of surveys, media tone analysis, traditional ad values and circulation numbers, market penetration, brand buzz, etc.

But however the ROI is calculated, it must be clear that it is about more than just dollar signs. As companies like Johnson & Johnson have learned, building a reservoir of goodwill can help companies overcome crises during which their reputations are under scrutiny. And as Apple will likely demonstrate after the passing of former CEO Steve Jobs, a bulletproof reputation can protect a brand even during trying leadership changes.

Doug Flora is an account associate at Morrissey & Company. This story first appeared on Ragan.com.

 

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Shopping — Differences between men and women

Oct 27

Posted by admin in Events

I found this article from McKinsey interesting — as it not only looks at the differences between the sexes when it comes to shopping, but it also names the companies that are doing well, and what steps they take to make ‘shopping’ a great experience. Is your company on this list? You can check out the article here: http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com/marketing/what-women-want-when-they-shop.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Oct 5

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It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Eastside Domestic Violence Program is doing what it can to help people who are victims of DV. Barbara Langdon and the rest of her team just held an amazingly successful Hope Starts Here breakfast in Bellevue this week, with KING 5′s Jean Enersen as emcee. Jean also did an incredible story about a woman who’s family tragedy had been in the news, but that also hid a much darker secret. That woman is now speaking out to help others!  Here’s the link: http://www.king5.com/health/Domestic-violence-131119928.html.    Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

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Stacy London — Down to Earth Stylist!

Sep 26

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Sometimes I get to do some pretty cool things, and meet incredible people! That was the case this past weekend, when I had the opportunity to be part of the VIP group who had a special breakfast, received swag bags, be first in line to be ‘styled’ by a fashion stylist (evidently, I DO need to show I have a waist), made up by a makeup artist, (they recommended the plumping lip gloss which left my lips tingling for the next 3o minutes), then seated in the front row of a ‘fashion talk’ by Stacy London of TLC’s What Not to Wear, Laura Cassidy of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, and Krystal Lechner, makeup diva and Creative Director from FabTurn magazine. I’d love to say (nonchalantly, of course) – just another day in the life, but that would be so far removed from my day-to-day operations, normally spent in front of my computer!

Here’s the highlight – I actually got to conduct a one-on-one interview with Stacy London! She’s awesome. Totally down to earth. Not a diva. Just someone who has found her niche helping primarily women, discover how to dress better, gain self-confidence, and become their best selves — not a cookie cutter version from the latest fashion trends. Now, I don’t have the link yet to the interview, or any of the photos, but you can bet I’ll be posting them as soon as I get them.

Many of you know, in addition to my PR/Communications company, I serve as the Executive Director of The Springboard Academy (we’re transitioning from GoGirl Academy). That’s how this opportunity came about. Terry Henderson of FabTurn Magazine recognized that our philosophy of giving people the tools to become their best selves totally aligns with what Stacy is doing. Talk about a mind-meld with her. We’re on the same mission, although ours encompasses far more than fashion! We want people to have the skills, know-how and presence to be able to move forward with confidence and be their best!

Here’s the other cool thing – I’m all about connecting people. Relationships make the world go round and that’s especially true in the working world. One of our GGA students, Janet Spangler, a stylist herself, and founder of Colors Made Easy, had the opportunity to meet Stacy with me, and might actually become Stacy’s first Seattle Stylist for Hire. We’re all about relationships and meeting people, and connecting them when it makes sense to do so! I’ll be posting the links and photos as soon as I can.

In the meantime – I’ll also be trying to dress just a little snappier with more flair, inspired by both Stacy and Janet.

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

 

 

 

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Joining Seattle Tradition

Sep 21

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I’m very excited to become one of the newest members of the Seafair Board — working to keep one of our most-prized Seattle-area traditions great! The people I’ve met on the board are impressive, and I am looking forward to working with them.

Even though I didn’t grow up in Seattle, (I grew up in Ephrata in Eastern Washington) our family had a connection to the hydroplane races through marriage. My cousin, John Karelsen, was Ed Karelsen’s son. Ed of course, was the builder of the great hydros back in the day, like Miss Bardahl and Miss Budweiser in the late ’60′s. John lived for hydro racing. And his neighbor, Dan Walters, has worked as crew chief for a number of teams over the years. They were passionate about boats, racing, and engines! So much so that my dad bought a ‘kit’ to build a small hydroplane from Ed, put a 10 hp outboard on it, and it would scream across the water at 40 mph! Sadly, John was killed while testing a boat in 1980. But our family’s interest in hydroplanes would live on. My dad, brother and nephew race the small boats now, boats built by my dad.

So that is where my love for speed and noise began. In my first reporting job in Redding, California, they hold a huge air show every year. The Blue Angels were taking only two reporters up for the media rides, and I wasn’t one of them. They Navy guy in charge tried hard to get an extra fuel allotment so I could go, but no luck. Flash forward 20 years later when I was at KIRO, and asked to go up. I jumped at the chance. (I mean, after all, I’d only been waiting for 20 years!) It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and something I’ll never forget. We took off from Boeing Field straight up to 9,000 feet, and out to the coast near Long Beach in 9 minutes. We didn’t break the sound barrier, but came close. We did loops, rolls, flew upside down and did simulated carrier landings.  We also pulled 7.3 G’s.  I didn’t throw up, but I did pass out briefly while our pilot was doing those vertical rolls where you fly straight and roll. There was no way I could keep the oxygen to my brain. This means I have amazing respect for the Blue Angel pilots.

And then there’s the Torchlight Parade. I had a blast announcing the parade during my time at KIRO, watching all the beautiful floats, the precision drill teams, and incredible entries from all around. There’s nothing like a grand parade on a warm summer night, and the Torchlight fits the bill.

As I learn more about all the Seafair events (and I’m sure, meet more pirates), I’ll be looking for your input and feedback! What do you like best? What might change to make it better? Here’s a link to the other board members who pull off one of the best traditions of the Seattle summer! http://www.seafair.com/news.aspx?ID=166&Mon=9&Yr=2011.

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

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Boating Couples — Smooth sailing? Or Rough Passage?

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Events

I always make sure the wheel is ‘centered’ before I put the engines in reverse and pull away from the dock. I know it’s an elementary move, but if I forget, my Coast Guard licensed husband will wonder what the heck I’m doing, and I’ll be assigned to ‘line duty.’  Not that line duty is bad – in fact, I know I need to learn my knots and how to correctly tie a spring line, but I prefer to drive. And since he drives boats for a living, albeit big ones, he doesn’t mind me taking the wheel as long as the wind isn’t blowing.

“Use more power! You have to learn how to use power,” urges my husband, whom I grudgingly admit, is likely right. My rule – never go any faster than how fast you want to hit something. That rule serves me well when the winds are calm, but if it’s blowing in the marina and I need to dock our 32’ powerboat, I can quickly find myself in trouble, calling for my ‘better half’ to bail me out.

I’ve informally surveyed other couples who boat, and found that many women take line duty, or even galley duty on a regular basis, but few actually drive and dock the boat, or even want to.

Dan McClure trains couples on how to drive their boats – and says it’s usually not a good idea to have the husband teach the wife, unless the guy’s a ‘really good teacher.’ In McClure’s experience – he finds he sometimes has to tell the guy to go stand in a different part of the boat. That’s to ‘take some of the pressure’ off the driver. He says the yelling can start when people are nervous or uneasy, and I’m in full agreement with that.

My husband and I are just starting the ‘empty-nester’ phase of our marriage, and while we’re sad on one hand that our son is off to college, on the other, we’re excited to get to boat overnight on weekends without worrying whether hordes of teenagers will descend on our house while we’re gone.

We first bought a boat after our son’s freshman year of high school. (Yeah, I know – a lot of you might be thinking why didn’t we start boating earlier, but our son played sports year round and weekends were devoted to coaching and being spectators). But then we decided to head out on the water.  I figured, since I’m married to a captain, why not get some real use out of that license? Turns out for us, it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

I love the sense of teamwork and learning new skills on the water from my husband. And he in turn, (mostly) enjoys teaching me what ‘twist right’ and ‘red right returning’ mean in boater’s terms.

Yes, there are times when I’ve been reduced to tears — you have to tell me ‘why’ I’m turning the wheel a certain way and it has to make logical sense before I’ll act, but overall, the result has been a positive for our marriage and our relationship as a team.

In fact, during a recent visit from friends on the East Coast, my husband suggested we take them out on the boat and he insisted that I drive the entire time. I’m proud to say that once back at the slip, all he had to do was step off the stern onto the dock to tie up the boat, telling me, “that was your best docking job ever!”

Now I say, just bring on the wind.

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

 

 

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From my Winemaker Friends…..

Sep 2

Posted by admin in Events

I received this press release from illustrious local winemaker Bob Betz about the benefits of drinking wine! (Of course, Bob says he knew it all along). But as we head into this Labor Day weekend, and you’re considering a glass of wine — remember, Washington state wineries produce some of the best red blends in the world, and also keep in mind — ‘everything in moderation.’

Margo Myers, Principal, Margo Myers Communications

CDC Study Recognizes Moderate Alcohol Consumption As One of Four Key Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors
For Immediate Release – 8/29/2011
Contact: Public Affairs
Telephone: 202-682-8840

Washington, DC – A new study by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that moderate alcohol consumption is one of four healthy lifestyle behaviors that help people live longer.

According to the CDC, the four lifestyle behaviors were: having never smoked, eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption. Each was “significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality.”

The CDC researchers concluded that these low-risk lifestyle behaviors, “exert a powerful and beneficial effect on mortality.”

Additionally, the CDC press release about the study stated: “This study adds to the mounting evidence of the substantial gain in life associated with healthy behaviors, and underscores the need for the clinical and public health communities to work together to promote greater adoption of these behaviors.”

The CDC study, “Low Risk Lifestyle Behaviors and All-Cause Mortality: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Mortality Study,” was published recently online in the American Journal of Public Health. Researchers analyzed data from 16,958 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Mortality Study from 1988 to 2006.

The researchers found that each lifestyle behavior was significant in reducing mortality, and found that the greatest benefit was when moderate alcohol consumption was included with the other three lifestyle behaviors. The researchers stated, “using a sample of the U.S. population, we showed that 4 low-risk behaviors exerted a powerful protective effect on mortality and several cause-specific categories of mortality.” They cited a number of studies reporting potential health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption including reduced all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The researchers also cited “the well-documented harm caused by excessive alcohol use.”

The study authors pointed to the recommendations of the Federal 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which defines moderate drinking as consuming up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. The Guidelines define a standard drink as 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol) distilled spirits, 5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol). Each of these standard drinks contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol.

The Distilled Spirits Council does not recommend that people drink alcohol for potential health benefits and have always encouraged those adults who choose to drink to do so responsibly and in moderation. Even drinking in moderation may pose health risks to some people and some individuals should not drink at all.
Abstract of CDC Study in American
Journal of Public Health

 

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