If nothing else, Sarah Palin gives us many teachable moments. Let’s focus on her most recent interview which generously provides us with two lessons learned. She appeared on the TODAY show to discuss the Iowa Caucus as she recently endorsed Donald Trump for President. However, she quickly took issue with her interviewers when they strayed …
An early indicator of when a leader may soon be leaving their organization is often their very own statement that they are not stepping down. This week Volkswagen’s Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn posted a video apologizing for his company’s actions related to fraudulent emissions reporting. He went a step too far when he said he …
This week we saw BMW’s new CEO Harald Krüger, collapse on stage. This is something many speakers and presenters fear but will rationalize that it will not happen to them. The chances of passing out on stage are slim, of course, but it can happen. The good news is that Mr. Krüger is fine and this …
Last week I heard a familiar statement: “Our message is so simple, I don’t know why people can’t understand it.” But I could see why. I listened to their message and was left with little-to-no idea about the value of their product. I simply didn’t get it, and I don’t believe that this firm’s potential …
There’s a great read in today’s Wall Street Journal, Inside the Showdown Atop Pimco. This story has all the elements of what reporters want—and everything executives and their PR staff dread. There’s an adversarial relationship, drama and juicy quotes meant to be private, from a brand that everyone knows and wants to read more about. In particular, an …
Recently Tim Armstrong, CEO of AOL, was forced to reverse an unpopular revision to the firm’s employee benefits plan. In an employee call, detailed HERE, Mr. Armstrong announced an adjustment to the company’s 401(k) matching program. Pretty straightforward although unpopular with employees, the change in itself should not have been a news event, let alone garner …
Movie director Michael Bay was to deliver a keynote address for Samsung at the Consumer Electronics Show, detailed HERE. When the teleprompter stopped working, he fumbled, and then made a quick and awkward exit. Although he could not control the technology, Mr. Bay could have controlled how he handled the debacle. Had he prepared effectively, he …
Some may wonder why Bill de Blasio flack Lis Smith’s personal relationship with a certain former Governor and NY Attorney General is an issue for the mayor-elect of New York City. Public relations executives have to be trusted by the press and trusted advisors to their charges. And yet, it has been reported HERE that Mr. de …
Last week, during a live interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Street Smart” Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon, was asked an open-ended question about issues with the material used in the company’s pants. After a long preamble, he said that Lululemon pants, “won’t work on some women’s bodies.” Cringe. Ok, not all pants fit all people. We know …
Last week we clicked on a video to watch a senior financial industry executive being interviewed about his area of expertise. He looked great. He had on a nice suit with a shirt that was not white. He smiled broadly; his posture was perfect. And then he spoke. First words out of his mouth? “Uh, uh, …
Headquarters: New York City + 1 646-322-9192
Affiliates In Major Financial Hubs Around the World