Part of the draw of the presidential debate is the ensuing conflict. We want to hear how each candidate responds to points of difference, and clarifies their own perspectives.

Yet, on the job, many people feel that conflict is not a desirable state. They are even afraid of it. Well, I beg to differ. I think that it is wonderful when folks are not afraid to engage in passionate dialogue around issues and decisions that are key to personal and organizational success. When people do not hesitate to disagree with, challenge or question one another — all in the spirit of finding the best answers, discovering the truth and making great decisions — some really cool things can happen.

It can increase commitment, engagement and accountability; drive results; and build understanding, trust and rapport. We can disagree and thrive. And here is another reality: when conflict isn’t surfaced and discussed, it can actually undercut situations and relationships in ways that are insidious and harmful.

How we manage conflict is where the rubber hits the road!

Continue reading " How To Debate Better Than A Presidential Candidate and Manage Conflict Like A Pro "

Listen to Inside PR‘s podcast interview with Conference Co-Chair Rob Flaherty to hear more on what to expect at the PRSA International Conference this year. The PRSA 2012 International Conference takes place October 13 – 16, 2012 in San Francisco. 

Interview: PRSA 2012 International Conference Co-Chair Robert Flaherty, APR

Continue reading " Looking Forward to the PRSA 2012 International Conference: An Interview with Robert Flaherty, APR [Podcast] "

Diagnosis:  In an ideal world, this should be the first stage of all of our client engagements. But in reality, do we actually give diagnostics the weight they are due?

If a patient comes to a doctor, and based on online research, says “I have a certain condition and I know how you should treat me,” would the doctor simply prescribe the medication requested by the patient? It’s unlikely that a good doctor would do that.

As communicators, we face a similar predicament. We frequently find ourselves faced with specific requests from our clients, such as placing an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal or securing an interview with a morning show, that they think will solve their problems.  However, unless we ask key questions and clearly understand the issues, we may not get to the root of their issue by simply meeting the request.

Continue reading " Determine Your Diagnosis: Setting Up Your Clients for Success "

Build on the latest strategies and tactics for senior-level communicators at the PRSA 2012 Counselors Academy Spring Conference, May 6-8, in New Orleans. The conference is designed to help your agency maximize profits, people and potential.  

I’ll never forget the day the Counselors Academy brochure arrived in the mail.

It was Jan 2009, and my public relations business was almost five years old. I had been growing it every year in double digits and had added an employee in 2008.

And then it all hit the fan and I lost about 40 percent of my business in one fell swoop, and let my one employee go.

It felt like I was back to square one.

I realized at the time I knew a lot about public relations, but I didn’t have a clue about running a public relations business.

That’s when I opened the Counselors Academy brochure — a conference for agency CEOs and leaders about the business side of the agency. I thought long and hard about it. At a time when I was to be implementing austerity measures, I was contemplating a fairly significant expense.

There are two reasons for this post:

1. I have drunk the Kool-Aid that is Counselors Academy and want to pass the glass around.
2. Whether Counselors is for you or not, the idea of taking a risk and investing in yourself and/or your business is an important one.

Continue reading " PRSA Counselors Academy: Austerity Measures and Raising the Bar Do Not Mix "

A new key Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) membership benefit grants members free access to the 50 live and on-demand online public relations training webinars that are planned for this year, and now, there is a more user-friendly way for you to find them.

We have been working behind the scenes on the PRSA Calendar of Events to make virtual programming and in-person training easier and faster for you to locate. You can browse training sessions by date, or fine-tune your search by selecting a category to find a session by category.

Click Narrow By Category to see the categories available.

To access the free live and on-demand online training webinars or pay the member rate for in-person training seminars, first log in to your MyPRSA account and then complete the registration.

Expanded program categories, which are defined on each category page, now include:

• Accreditation Preparation & Maintenance
• Communication Strategy
• Crisis & Reputation
• Leadership & Management
• Measurement & ROI
• Media Relations
• Social Media
• Techniques & Tactics
• Writing

Continue reading " A New Look for the New Year: The PRSA Events Calendar "