Worth reading or viewing

Occasionally, I will recommend a  news article, book, blog post, research or a short video clip to view relating to public relations. This “eperini Readview” references a Pew Research Center study about the current debt ceiling crisis –mbp

Public Wants Debt Ceiling Compromise, Expect a Deal Before Deadline
GOP Widely Viewed as “More Extreme in Its Positions”

“The public overwhelmingly favors a compromise in the debt ceiling standoff. And even as negotiations aimed at resolving the issue show little progress, a majority thinks that Barack Obama and congressional Republicans will reach a deal before the Aug. 2 deadline on a possible government default.

Fully 68% say that lawmakers who share their views on this issue should compromise, even it means striking a deal they disagree with. Just 23% say lawmakers who share their views should stand by their principles, even if that leads to default.

There is broader support for compromise today than on the eve of a possible government shutdown earlier this year. In early April, 55% favored a compromise even if that resulted in a budget deal they disagreed with, while 36% wanted their leaders to stand by their principles even if it led to a shutdown.

Large majorities of Democrats (81%) and independents (69%) favor a compromise to avoid default, but Republicans are more divided: 53% favor a compromise, while 38% say lawmakers who share their views should stand by their principles even if it leads to a default.

Among all Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 53% of those who agree with the Tea Party favor lawmakers standing by their principles even if it means the government goes into default. Just 24% of Republicans and GOP leaners who do not agree with the Tea Party express this view.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted July 20-24 among 1,501 adults, finds continued public optimism about prospects of a last-minute debt-ceiling deal. More than half (56%) say they think Obama and the Republicans will resolve the issue before Aug. 2. This is little changed from a Washington Post/ABC News survey conducted July 14-17 (54% will resolve issue).

Most Americans feel a personal stake in the efforts to resolve the debt-ceiling impasse. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say their own personal finances would be affected by a failure to increased the government’s ability to borrow; 32% say their finances would not be affected. More specifically, 45% are worried that a failure to meet the Aug. 2 deadline would harm their investments and retirement savings, and 46% are worried that they might lose government services and benefits that affect them personally.

The survey finds that the ongoing stalemate over raising the debt ceiling may be taking a toll on views of national conditions. Just 17% say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the country, down from 23% last month and the lowest measure since late 2008, during the financial crisis.

Barack Obama’s job approval ratings remain mixed — 44% approve of his job performance while 48% disapprove. But Obama’s ratings are far less positive than they were in May, immediately after the death of Osama bin Laden (56% approve).

Just a quarter (25%) approve of the job that Republican leaders in Congress are doing, down 11 points since February. Ratings for Democratic congressional leaders (30% approve) are little changed from earlier this year.

Republicans hold a 10-point lead over the Democrats as the party better able to reduce the federal budget deficit (43% to 33%), while running about even with Democrats on taxes, jobs and Social Security. The GOP’s advantage on the deficit is larger than it was in May (three points), but about the same as in April (12 points).

However, Republicans are viewed much more negatively than the Democrats on several important traits and characteristics. Notably, 50% view the Republican Party as “more extreme in its positions.” Far fewer (35%) say this phrase better describes the Democratic Party. Majorities of Democrats (64%) and independents (51%) view the GOP as more extreme, as do about a third of Republicans (35%).

As was the case in April, the Democrats also lead by wide margins as the party more willing to work with political leaders from the other party (by 25 points) and more concerned with the needs of typical Americans (by 21 points). Democrats continue to hold a smaller lead on honest governance (12 points).

Despite the intense focus in Washington on the debt and deficit, more Americans continue to view the job situation as their biggest economic concern. Nearly four-in-ten (39%) cite the job situation as the national economic issue that most worries them; 29% cite the federal budget deficit, while smaller percentages say rising prices (15%) and problems in the financial and housing markets (11%) are their biggest economic worries. Even among Republicans, as many cite the job situation (34%) as the deficit (37%) as the biggest economic problem.

The public’s views of the impact of large cuts in federal spending on the job situation have changed in recent months. Currently, as many say such cuts would help the job situation as hurt it (26% vs. 27%). In March, more saw cuts in spending as harmful rather than helpful (34% vs. 18%); the shift since March has come across partisan lines.

Yet the plurality view, held by 39%, is that cutting federal spending won’t affect the job situation one way or the other.

In keeping with their desire to see compromise, there is no change in the public’s view that the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit is through a combination of both cutting major programs and increasing taxes. Six-in-ten (60%) say that both are in order; just 19% say that the focus should be mostly on cutting major programs while even fewer (8%) say the focus should be mostly on raising taxes. The proportion supporting a mixed approach of funding cuts and tax increases is about the same as it was last December (65%).”

by Michael B. Perini, ABC
perini & associates

Think about it. Technology has been like a rocket for public relations professionals.  Blasting off and heading for new frontiers.  However, what remains grounded back here on Earth is good old content.  That’s right, companies need content for text (smart phones, electronic reading devices, and tablets) audio (internet radio), video (Youtube) and photography (social media sites).  And, the challenge remains in two key areas.  First, how to mine for it.  Second, where to find talent to hire to produce it.

A mining operation:  Coming up with content is no easy task.  It is like looking for gold.  The demands for being fresh and new really serves to test the creative juices.  Also, we must not forget the three ABCs:  accuracy, brevity and clarity.  Before 2002, one could write volumes to make a point.  Today, you better try to do it with conciseness or you will loose people.  Also, one has to be able to understand how to write a compelling headline that will draw clicks. And, at the same time be able to write a lead while using bullets to make the article/post easier to scan.  The ability to have content that drives action across all platforms is also necessary.

Specialist vs Generalist:  Organizations often have different specialists or contractors for each type of content.  Writers.  Video specialists.  Photographers.   I believe, as do other experts, that this trend to have specialists will change.  Both economics and the talent pipeline is changing and will allow for people to integrate all the content management skills into one individual.  I’m not saying this will be an easy task but it will occur.  The ability to take a message and move it through all the mediums or platforms available (words, photos, art, video, audio, etc.) is an important new skill that CEOs now want and is critical to the success of public relations consultants.  In other words, being both strategic and tactical in approach and product is a growing and vital skill to manage content today and tomorrow.

One stop shopping for the company or organization who needs a PR person is now the cost effective way to go.

Remember, it’s all about content and it’s worth repeating times two!

by Michael B. Perini, ABC
perini & associates

Government contracting is a complicated process and successful business development is key to creating the relationships that will open doors to winning contracts.

Here are some useful tips — “The Important Dozen”.

1.  Seek a public relations expert.

2.  Think like a reporter.

3.  Have a good story…then TELL it!

4.  You need a great message!

5.  It isn’t just about churning out proposals.  That is the first step, sure, but not the last one.

6.  A PR consultant can help a company from being considered a “novice” business by avoiding these mistakes and helping with charting the correct course:

• Don’t market to every federal agency that MAY be a potential customer. Instead target the top few agencies.
• Don’t bid on every contract.  Pick and choose those that you can effectively manage.  (Companies have gone out of business “winning” contracts they cannot perform.)
• Do not try to be all things to everyone. If a company goes outside of their core competency, they will likely lose focus and confuse buyers and program managers.

7.Give it to the pros.  You go to a doctor when you are sick.  You seek a lawyer when needing legal advice.  So, ask for assistance and do not do PR yourself.

8. Do not be inconsistent.  Pleasant persistence pays.  A PR pro can assist you with the strategy and tactics for staying in touch regularly.

9. Public relations experts can help with positioning stories in proper print, electronic and Internet locations.

10.  Be smart about “delivery vehicles” – traditional and new media.

11.  Your company needs a crisis communication plan – before the crisis!

12.  Take the binders off and see that there is a key. marketing’s role in driving revenue, gaining market share and shaping mindshare!

EXTRA!  Shaping what contract officers and decision makers think of company “X” is a particular strong suit for a public relations consultant.

Perini & Associates is CCR-registered.  If you need assistance with the PR challenges when seeking government contracts please contact us.

by Michael B. Perini, ABC
perini & associates

Public speaking often takes the #1 spot as a phobia or fear.  This intense anxiety prior to, or simply at the thought of having to verbally communicate with any group can cause physical distress, nausea or feelings of panic.

I have had the opportunity to be both a public speaker and the individual drafting up comments to be delivered by someone else — from U.S. Presidents and general officers to small business owners and non-profit leaders.  An estimated 75% of all speakers experience some degree of anxiety/nervousness when public speaking, according to Communicating for Results: A Guide for Business and the Professions/Edition 8.

I know I have felt some uneasiness just prior to stepping to the stage but have been able to overcome this distress with experience.  Organizations such as Toastmasters International, POWERTalk International or Association of Speakers Clubs (in the United Kingdom) are great sources for training and gaining the confidence to reduce the fear to manageable levels.

Writing a speech, can for some,  be an equally daunting task and can seriously add to the discomfort associated with public speaking.  As I mentioned, I have written numerous speeches for all organizational levels and all possible public events.  Here are tips from my many years of perseverance, perspiration and inspiration.  There is nothing better than to start with a blank page  and end with a standing ovation.

• Find out the nature of the speaking occasion.  Details and more details.  Here is where you conduct research about the purpose, venue and props.  The occasion will dictate content, duration, tone and audience expectations.  This is a necessary first step that cannot be shorted.  Again, dig deep and deeper still.

• Meet with the person delivering the speech.  What I call “Ghost writing” or writing a speech for someone you don’t know has many risks and is often the key reason for ending with a bad speech.  So, meet with the speaker.  Bounce off ideas and word choices to ensure that the speech is in the style that is comfortable for the speaker.  Learn from results and key on enhancements that make future speeches even better.

• Come up with a theme. Determine the “road” that the speaker and those in audience will follow to ensure that no one gets lost along the way.  Remember, the heart of a speech is the message.  The job of both the speech writer and the public speaker is to pass that message to the audience.  Ask yourself:  ”Are we conveying a theme?  Evoking an emotion?  Eliciting a response either emotional or a call-to-action or maybe both?”

• Who is the audience. Young?  Senior?  Special?  Educated?  How many?  Today, with the internet and smart phones the audience is NOT just those at the venue.  The speech could be a useful vehicle for informing others and this fact should be part of the brainstorming process when reviewing speech topics.  Also, associates of the speaker or experts in the subject matter should be consulted as a source for additional information to fine-tune the speech. These additional aspects — golden nuggets — will enrich the speech and be appreciated.

• Yes, you need a structure. Start with a speech outline.  Key categories include:  Introduction, Main Sections and Concluding comments.  In other words, determine the “chapters”  or main points — like in a book — to chart the direction of the speech. Your public speaking goal should be to engage, stimulate, entertain and pique your audience’s interest as you convey a message.

• Seek Feedback. Many speechwriters loath this advice.  I have found, however, that feedback is an invaluable step.  This practice will potentially save you from much controversy and embarrassment.   It’s better to learn any problems with the speech before it is delivered, don’t you think?   I try to seek feedback from 2-3 people to include one not directly related to or attending the event.  Through experience I have gained feedback regarding inappropriate content, error(s) of omission, grammatical problems and appropriate use of humor.

• Your voice or perfect English. I’m a strong advocate of using natural language with it comes to writing non-formal (e.g. business, award ceremonies) public remarks.  The familiarity will allow the audience to engage with you and put the speaker at ease when delivering the speech.

Again, as a formal speechwriter I’ve studied many speechwriters and many public speakers.  In my opinion, the best was Abraham Lincoln, and his best speech is the Gettysburg Address.

I would like to hear from you.  What essential speaking tips have you learned?  What are your favorite speeches?  Speakers?

Remember, we are here to take your speaking ideas from blank paper to standing ovation.