| Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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Hi John,
I've just had a few days in the sun, thinking about nothing in particular. I find that downtime is really important, and I'm convinced that I'm far more productive if I take plenty of time off with my family and friends. OK, I realise that some people have commitments to work and family, and it's hard for them to get time away, but it doesn't have to be a holiday - it could just be a walk or a half hour on the sofa with a cuppa.
I was in Malta, which I'd never been to before. It was a fascinating place - influences from Sicily and North Africa, but also strangely British, with familiar shops and products. Alas, the British Boot and Shoe Factory was closed. Maybe Andrew Barbara was on holiday. |
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We were holidaying with some pals from Canada, who asked us to explain Brexit. Even in the few days while we were there, our explanation kept changing. In the end I gave up.
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The MediaMaestro is none other than Sir William Connolly CBE, or Billy Connolly as we know him. He has been delivering a series of interviews this week on the occasion of the publication of his latest book "Tall Tales and Wee Stories: The Best of Billy Connolly".
He has no parallel as a storyteller in my view. In his interview with Chris Evans, he said "I've stopped performing because of my Parkinson's disease and I've stopped touring. I may perform at some other point but I have no plans to. And I'm quite happy taking my medicine and getting along with it. I walk unsteadily and my hearing is going and it's bizarre that bits of me are falling off but it's interesting.”
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition, in 2013. Despite having no plans to perform, Billy went on to say life “is good” as he praised his wife and family for their help.
He deserves the term "genius". Buy the book! |
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The MediaMug is UK fashion company Boohoo, which has been told one of its emailed advertisements must not use the phrase "Send nudes"
The company put the phrase in a message sent to promote a range of clothes coloured to resemble skin. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint about the advert because it made light of a "potentially harmful social trend".Boohoo has also been told to make sure its advertising is "socially responsible".
In its ruling, the ASA said it knew the term "nude" was often used in the fashion world to refer to colours similar to skin tones. But it said the phrase "Send nudes" was more likely to be interpreted as a harassing request for sexual photos rather than as a reference to a range of clothes.
Boohoo said: "We note the ASA's ruling and recognise our obligations to ensure that advertising is socially responsible." |
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| Speaking Tip - Can you do just ten minutes? |
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You may find yourself in the position of having to make an impromptu speech. If someone knows you are a speaker, and the expected speaker hasn't arrived, a heavy hand may fall on your shoulder. If you find yourself in this position, then you must grab whatever time you can to prepare. Write some keywords down on anything to hand - a napkin, or the back of a menu. Don't apologise for your lack of preparation, but use your usual pauses, eye contact, and impressive closing line (that you wrote five minutes before).
You should know by now that an off-the-cuff speech takes a long time to prepare (as Mark Twain used to say). Once on your feet, you may be tempted to digress during your speech, particularly if you are feeling confident and the speech is going well. Unless you are very experienced as a speaker, you must resist this temptation. Once you divert from your ideas (however quickly assembled) , you could find yourself up a blind alley with no way back.
Here's the formula for 2-minute speech preparation.
Decide on your message Write down the closing line Write down the opening line Note down a story to tell between the opening and closing Go for it
However, if you have a few day's notice of a short speech, remember Churchill's words: "If I have to make a two hour speech, I can prepare it in ten minutes. If it is a ten minute speech, then it will take me at least two hours" |
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| Media Tip - Know your media rights |
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When you do a media interview, you have certain rights that are not always mentioned to you in the rush to put you on air. All broadcasters will give you the right to know:
the programme title and timing the style and approach of the show whether the interview is pre-recorded or live whether there are other interviewees what precedes your interview how you will be introduced the first question (sometimes there is no time to establish this) the length of your interview
You will also have the right of reply to correct any factual errors, even after transmission. However, there are some things that you do not have the right to do, such as:
decide where you appear in the running order reject anyone from a panel discussion receive a list of questions in advance specify topics that are not to be discussed (unless there are legal issues) give approval to, or reject the interview before it is transmitted
Make sure that you know the rules of the media game before you step into the studio. |
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| Social Media Tip - Mind your manners |
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It doesn't matter what social media you use for business, you will get the best from them if you behave well, and help others. Here are a few rules that I abide by. I hope they help you too.
Don't join more networks than you can cope with Offer valuable advice, not just marketing Give more than you expect to receive Use the networks regularly Make your profile interesting and engaging Always publish a recent picture, in business dress Be polite If you don't like something or someone, move on, don't complain Join groups and participate in debates Don't expect instant results
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| The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk." |
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