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Archive for February, 2007

Oops, What Happened to Katie Couric’s Smile

Posted by admin   |   February 28th, 2007   |   1 Comment   |  Tweet This

Katie_cbs_news Well, nothing actually, except the case of a right thing in the wrong place.

Katie is continuing to slip in the polls – USA Today reported the rankings of her CBS News are a low third now at 6.9 million viewers to #1 ABC World News at 9.4 million edging out NBC’s 9.1 million. (Background in USA Today)

As readers of this blog know I like Katie and often used her as a great example of how far a smile can get you (if it reflects your personality – we don’t advocate phony smiles because they don’t work!) But in this case it got her $15 million in salary, but looks like not money well spent. Hard news needs a different feel – more of the trust and authenticity of a Walter Cronkite – serious but not grim.

But for my 2 cents, hard network news is not going to be around too much longer anyway – as it will be continuously cut into by the internet and cable and specialized news vehicles. And at that point SOME of those other alternatives will be specialized “happy news” shows where someone like Katie will thrive. But they won’t be paid $15 mil.


Categories: Musings, Short Bits

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The Eye Roll Discount

Posted by Bert Decker   |   February 20th, 2007   |   2 Comments   |  Tweet This

Eye_roll_1Beware the dreaded ‘eye roll.’ You know, when you cast your eyes up and away in silent response to a comment or statement. It is actually a pathology, but more common than we think in everyday communications.

Look at this clip from The Apprentice for a classic case of multiple eye rolls, and the disastrous results on a relationship. Note particularly how it is subtle, and oh so powerful. Like most of our body language habits.

Although many have commented on the destructive eye roll in personal relationships, I think this is one of the most common and destructive uses of negative body language in meeting history! It is probably one of the most effective and yet cruelest ways to say "You’re full of it," and not think you’re saying anything. Yet it is so common you probably have done it, unconsciously, a few times already today.

Once again this is an example of the power of video to let us know what it is, and then how we are really coming across to others by using video on ourselves. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a hundred thousand. See yourself on camera so you don’t let your unconscious eye roll sabotage you.


Categories: Meetings, Video - Use It

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The Habits of Brainman

Posted by Bert Decker   |   February 15th, 2007   |   1 Comment   |  Tweet This

"It takes 21 days to change a habit," says Maxwell Maltz (which we find to be true in our presentation skills training – give or take a week or so.)

But don’t tell that to Brainman – he wills his habits.Daniel_tammet

There is a fascinating story about habits in todays New York Times on Daniel Tammet, one of only 100 autistic savants in the world, who they refer to as Brainman:

"He has willed himself to learn what to do. Offer a visitor a drink; look her in the eye; don’t stand in someone else’s space. These are all conscious decisions. Recently, some friends warned him that in his eagerness to make eye contact, he tended to stare too intently. “It’s like being on a tightrope,” he said. “If you try too hard, you’ll come off. But you have to try.”

Daniel Tammet has to work on his habits. For us as leaders and communicators, can we do any less.

And Daniel is unusual as an autistic person, since he has also written a book on his experience, "Born On A Blue Day." which is a best seller (38 on Amazon list.)


Categories: Communication Skills, Musings, Short Bits

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Quality Video Shot on a Cell Phone

Posted by Bert Decker   |   February 13th, 2007   |   3 Comments   |  Tweet This

Amber_mac_1Toronto newscaster Amber Mac posted on several videos done on cell phones , one of them uploaded to YouTube. Great examples of new use of desktop video, one with immediacy and one with high compression and quality editing making it work.


Categories: Short Bits, Video - Use It

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Image Counts!

Posted by Bert Decker   |   February 12th, 2007   |   Leave a Comment   |  Tweet This

Increase your results 147% (or thereabouts.)

Grokdotcom is a great name, and a blog by Bryan Eisenberg that also has terrific research on persuasion.

One client increased his results 147% and Bryan surmised:

"Your product images can’t merely show the product; they need to tell a story. Unfortunately, I can’t show his test. But ask yourself which picture do you think would out-perform the other.

"Would you buy the pear on the left or the right?"

For people to ‘buy into your message" look at your packaging to see if you might be covering up too much of your personality. (And you might like to look for more on image, marketing and branding in Bryan’s best selling book, "Waiting for Your Cat To Bark?"


Categories: Public Speaking, Short Bits

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Amazing Grace – Amazing Movie

Posted by admin   |   February 9th, 2007   |   Leave a Comment   |  Tweet This

Amazing_grace Although this blog doesn’t usually promote movies, we are about communications and video and advice (and of course creating great communication experiences.) So go see Amazing Grace – opening Feb 23rd, and you’ll see some great examples of communicating and reaching the emotions of an audience – the goal of every message.

I’ve been fortunate to see two previews of Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery. I predict that this movie will be up for several Academy Awards next year. It is inspiring, epochal, and very well done. And has some lessons…

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Categories: Communication Skills, Leadership and Communications, Musings, Newsworthy, SHARPs and Stories

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Interview On Video

Posted by Bert Decker   |   February 7th, 2007   |   2 Comments   |  Tweet This

Camera_light_1Great interview here from Public Speaking Sucker – I’m biased as Ross Bowring actually interviewed  me. But in addition to some self serving stuff, there were some nice pieces on using Video, and how YouTube is being used to communicate. (See a good example here.)

Excerpt: "Hey Ross, these questions are too comprehensive – I could write  a book! Put simply:

  1. Everyone can, and should, put up their video clips! (short – not over a minute or two at most) on YouTube. But it’s more than YouTube.
  2. Hillary Clinton has used ‘this new tool’ best by making her …"

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Categories: Communication Skills, Musings, Political Communications, Public Speaking, Video - Use It

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