About this blog
I write about communication, leadership and change, drawing on a 30-year career in journalism, public relations and management.
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Category Archives: Communications
Using digital tools to make change stick
Last year, when I was doing research on change management for a book project, I came across a depressing statistic: up to 70 percent of change initiatives fail, usually due to employee resistance or lack of management follow-through. I first … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Management, Technology
Tagged change management, digital tools, feedback, McKinsey
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Strunk & White’s little book on style still packs a punch
It’s been 95 years since William Strunk Jr.’s guide to style was first published by Harcourt. In the years prior to its publication, Professor Strunk circulated his “little book” to English students at Cornell University, one of whom was a budding … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged E.B. White, grammar, style, The Elements of Style, usage, William Strunk Jr., Writing
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Great leadership, like storytelling, answers ‘why’ not ‘how’
Several years ago, I attended a Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership seminar. Ever since then, Dave (or more likely someone on his staff) has been very good about emailing me with business tips and info on his latest offerings. If anything, he’s … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Leadership, Purpose
Tagged branding, Daniel Pink, Dave Ramsey, Jim Collins, storytelling, vision, why
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‘Attraching’ and other portmanteau words
I’m a big fan of portmanteau words. These made-up words combine elements of two existing words to form a new one with a blended meaning. You might call them verbal mash-ups. A portmanteau is a trunk or suitcase that opens … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Marketing
Tagged attrach, Humpty Dumpty, Lewis Carroll, portmanteau, Through the Looking Glass
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Content marketing, Star Wars and customer service
If you want to see content marketing in action, the Microsoft Dynamics Blog is a pretty good example. I spend a lot of time on the Microsoft Dynamics and Azure websites for one of my clients. On the Dynamics site, … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Marketing
Tagged content marketing, customer service, Microsoft Dynamics, Star Wars
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Stand and deliver: how to give impromptu remarks like a pro
You’re at a meeting, a retirement party, an awards banquet, a birthday celebration, a wedding, a funeral—any place where people are gathered. Suddenly you hear your name called. Then the dreaded, “Can you say a few words…” You’re not prepared. You … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Leadership
Tagged impromptu remarks, public speaking, stage fright, Toastmasters
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Designers are the unsung heroes of communications
I’ve been working on a white paper for one of my clients, and this past week I got to see how the designer turned my copy into a fresh, reader-friendly piece that really pops. I was truly amazed by the … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged artwork, business goals, design, digital, graphic designer, print, public relations
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The power of a handwritten letter
When’s the last time you put pen to paper? This week I’ve been writing letters to inmates at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Va. Forty-two handwritten letters to be exact. And I’m not alone. There are about 45 volunteers on our … Continue reading
The blogs that got away…
This month marks the third anniversary of The Wayward Journey. It seems like a good time to take stock of how far I’ve come on the Journey, but I think I’ll leave some of that reminiscing for another day. Instead, … Continue reading
The Wayward Journey 