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Couldn't agree more, Steve. It wasn't until I turned 50 that I realized that my passion was training and consulting (at PR/communications agencies), and coaching executives. I don't regret the years I spent in the PR agency business, as that gave me the foundation to do what I'm doing today. But I sure wish I had figured this out at 45 or even 40. When I speak to young PR professionals, I tell them to turn on their "passion antenna," because that will lead them to the career that will provide the greatest satisfaction.
Passion vs. profits?
Like many business leaders, I've always advised college and university students, protégés and the occasional street person to follow his or her passion in life. Whether it's anthropology, aeronautics or astronomy, I've counseled young people to become experts in the area that most interests the...
Steve,
1)I'm CRYING with laughter;
2) The least you could have done was ID the newly-minted Account Supervisor;
3) I am an expert on the dances of the Indian sub-continent, and I can tell you that they were doing the "Dance For The Arrogant PR Dude"! The least they could have done was the "Dance For the Arrogant Integrated Communications Dude"!
A transmedia love story
My love affair with Zeno Radio had a rocky start. As I reported in a recent blog, the advertising sales company tried convincing me to buy their services to reach immigrant groups in the U.S. I responded by saying that, while we're always interested in advertising to immigrants, we were solely...
This all makes me wonder what kind of incompetent counsel she's getting from her internal communications folks. Someone should have said to her "What kind of message are you sending when you prohibit telecommuting but have an on-campus nursery for your child." Not only should they have said it, but they should have used the tone Elaine Benes employed when she reminded George Costanza, "YOU'RE BALD"
And having witnessed it with my own eyes, I strongly agree with Steve's point that when he's "working" from home, the crew at Peppercomm is running at 110% and happy! (However, I do think the "Pin The Tail On The RepMan" game in which they participate on those days might be a tad inappropriate!
Profits over people
Did you know that, according to published reports, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer enjoys chauffeured limousine service to, and from, the company's Sunnyvale headquarters? Did you know she's had a nursery built next to her office so she can care for her child? And, did you know she's notorious for keep...
Steve, you REALLY should have followed Andrew's advice about never inviting guest bloggers to post here!
A hand for a Foote
It occurred to me the other day that, in the seven years or so of banging out Repman copy, I've probably written more than 2,000 original blogs. That's borderline prolific and, if one knew how reticent I was to engage in blogging way back when, more than a tad ironic. In those hazy, crazy, anyt...
That was an important and potentially life saving post, Lia. Just shared via Twitter.
Putting my life in the hands of… someone who has their hands on the phone
Today's guest post is by Peppercommer Lia LoBello. A quick snap of all the cruise ships in port on a sunny South Florida day. The sentence, “I don’t know…maybe something with chicken?” Scrolling through Facebook updates obsessively. What do all of these things have in common? They are just a...
Steve, could you imagine the impact if you could get United's CEO to fly coach during the holidays or CES incognito? He'd probably end up drinking an entire bottle of duty-free Scotch, abusing his fellow passengers, and having to be bound to his seat with adhesive tape. "Fly the friendly skies..."
This Dreamliner is a nightmare
Picture the following scenario: You're squeezed in the middle seat of jam-packed United 757 about to leave Newark en route to Las Vegas. Flight attendants are yelling at passengers to pass their oversized luggage forward since it won't fit in the overhead bins, the aroma of Big Macs and pizza...
Thanks, Greg and Laura. So what are you planning on changing in 2013?
Make 2013 Your Year of Change
Today's guest post is by Ken Jacobs, principal, Jacobs Communications Consulting. When Repman asked me to write a guest post on what I believe owners and leaders of communications agencies should do in 2013, based on what I heard from them in 2012, one thought came immediately to mind: Make 20...
I think nothing says "Best Place To Work" like a free staff lunch, catered by your favorite restaurant, McDonald's! Mmmm, who wants another Big Mac TM?
Congrats!
A First World Problem
Peppercomm has won its fair share of PR industry awards over the years, but nothing prepared me for the positive deluge of vendor inquiries that flooded my cell phone, office land line, e-mail in-box and, yes, Virginia, even my desk itself after we'd been named ‘Best Workplace in NYC’ by Crain...
"We take out more money from the Federal government than we put in, so we want to secede," said voters from states with the lowest education levels!
The Civil War 2.0
You have to tip your stove pipe hat to Steven Spielberg for the superb timing of his new epic, 'Lincoln'. Not only is the film debuting in the aftermath of one of the most divisive elections in recent history, but it's breaking in the midst of what appears to be Civil War 2.0. As The Huffingto...
Amen, Brother Steve. I know that many leaders believe that acknowledging failure to the team is a sign of weakness. In reality, it's a sign of strength, and makes them more attractive to their followers.
Don't fear the F word
Most CEOs fear failure like the plague. Failure to a CEO means a dip in stock price, a termination note from the board of directors and, worst of all, a huge hit to our hero's ego. But, more and more, I'm seeing CEOs step up and admit failure. And, I'm seeing more and more CEOs inspiring employ...
Wait, you mean you're not in the dotcom business? Mazel Tov on the New & Improved. BTW, I'm now going to call you Rep Mann.
Peppercorn, 1995-2012 R.I.P.
Peppercorn died today of self-inflicted wounds. The name was 17-years-old and all too often used instead of Peppercom, the firm's correct name. And, so, in tandem with a major re-branding and the launch of a desperately-needed new website, the Peppercorn name was laid to rest while Baby Pepper...
I enjoyed your post.
When I get messages in which I'm included in the CC line, I always send a polite email asking them to please only use BCC for "mass" emails. and take the time to explain why. If it happens a second time, I send a reminder. If it happens a third time, I mark their email address as "Junk," because that's what they're sending me.
If they send me political emails, regardless of their views, I send them a diplomatic, humorous email, telling them "That's What Facebook's For!"
Weekend Thoughts: Sharing
One of the great things about social media is the ability it gives us to share our thoughts and opinions with many people at once. Have good news? Throw it up on Facebook and all your friends can know about it instantly. Got a cute photo of your kid or grandkid... or your dog? Share it with...
Thought-provoking post, Laura. While it can be a slippery slope to over-generalize, the reality is that the many in this generation have attitudes that are considerably different than Boomers, and especially GenXers. And why wouldn't they? They grew up in a very different world, and were affected not only by technology, but the fact that they were raised by Boomers. I, for one, think that the majority of them are a great generation, who have much to give our workplaces and our communities. Boomers and GenXer managers and leaders would be well-advised to stop lamenting how "entitled" members of this gen appear, and instead, study them more, and develop better strategies to lead, motivate and inspire them. Companies which have done so have reaped the benefits, as pointed out in a WSJ article a few weeks back.
It's called enabling
Laura 'Bedrock' Bedrossian is one of Peppercom's brightest and hardest-working employees. Recently named a runner-up in PR Week's prestigious and hotly contested 'Young PR Professional of the Year' competition, Bedrock has graciously agreed to author today's guest blog. Enjoy... The millenn...
Congratulations to two of the smartest, hardest-working guys in the business. Well, one of the smartest, hardest-working guys in the business, and Steve Cody! I'm confident that with 10,000 more hours of practice, you just may get this strategic communications thing down pat. And tip o' the hat to the brains behind the business, Dandy!
Black October
Today's post is dedicated to Peppercom Co-founder, Edward "Aloysius" Moed. Peppercom opened for business 17 years ago this Friday. That's when two men, burnt out by the red tape and politics of big agency life and chomping at the bit to capitalize on a bullish economy, gave the entrepreneuria...
Thanks Kate. It's a pleasure to be your mentor. And if anyone out there is looking for a great mid-level PR professional, Kate's your woman!
Six reasons why you should hire a consultant
Ken Jacobs* is a good friend and superb consultant to PR firms "Why should we hire you? My senior executives and I should be able to do for ourselves what you say you’ll do for us. After all, we run a successful PR agency.” It’s a question I’ve heard, and not infrequently, as a consultant to PR...
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