Boards Behaving Badly

  • Fran Stephenson
  • July 3, 2012
  • 3 min read

A friend was recently lamenting his frustration on yet another crazy board meeting. The group dynamics were contentious and the meetings went way too long. The leader often stifled conversation during meetings. After serving 12-plus community organizations in the past 10 years, I have experienced boards, committees and organizations with a wide range of communication […]

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It’s Time to Evolve Media Training

  • Fran Stephenson
  • May 16, 2012
  • 3 min read

In the early days of my public relations career, it was an accepted fact that you should train the key people in your organization who may be called upon to speak to the media. In some organizations, this “training opportunity” was geared to one or a few key executives. In larger organizations, it was often […]

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Goodbye Attention Span

  • Fran Stephenson
  • May 9, 2012
  • 4 min read

A lot changes when you age.  My attention span has really changed in the last five years. While I’m not exactly sure whether it’s physical aging or environmental factors, I have recently begun calling this syndrome “late onset ADHD.” Never in my working life have I had so many things happening at once.  Irons in […]

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On My Mind: Talk Value

  • Fran Stephenson
  • April 24, 2012
  • 1 min read

Is PR talk value?  At a recent professional development event I attended, the speaker continually  referred to talk value as PR. The first couple of times, it was okay. By the seventh or so reference, I started to cringe each time the phrase was used. What is it about this reference which grates on my […]

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Your Next Job Interview May be Weirder

  • Fran Stephenson
  • April 19, 2012
  • 3 min read

I attended the “Rockstars vs. Roadies, Who Makes a Better Employee?” session at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival last month. This session was a real stretch for me because I am a one person shop, so I don’t hire people, at least not right now.  A thread which emerged during the session about interview […]

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Three Signs You’re About to Lose That Client

  • Fran Stephenson
  • April 16, 2012
  • 2 min read

During a recent Twitter chat with solo PR practitioners, the subject of recovering from the loss of a client became a hot topic.  As the chat progressed, the group serendipitously compiled a list of signs that all, in hindsight, recognized were signs that a client was about to change their mind about the relationship. Change […]

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The Future of Health Care is Bright!

  • Fran Stephenson
  • April 10, 2012
  • 3 min read

I am NOT talking about “Obamacare” or anything related to recent issues in health care. I am talking about students from HOSA, the Health Occupation Students of America.  They are our future health care providers and my recent experience with them made me so relieved for the future of health care in our country. Recently, […]

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Happy Birthday Girl Scouts!

  • Fran Stephenson
  • March 12, 2012
  • 3 min read

Happy birthday Girl Scouts! Today this venerable organization for girls turns 100.  I attribute my success in my life and my career to a great Girl Scouting experience. The motto “Be Prepared” has served me well in public relations and in my family life. I was a Girl Scout for the ten best years of […]

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How to Put Your SWOT Analysis to Work for You

  • Fran Stephenson
  • March 6, 2012
  • 3 min read

A SWOT Analysis, often used by businesses in strategic planning, is a great way to determine your next career step.  By now, you’ve created a SWOT Analysis with your “trusted advisors,” so  it’s time to look at it and analyze your results. Reflect on Results Put all the Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities |Threats together […]

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Thinking about a Career Change? Think SWOT.

  • Fran Stephenson
  • February 21, 2012
  • 3 min read

No doubt you’ve made some resolutions about your career after your annual review.  If it’s time to evaluate your career path, why not start with a SWOT? A SWOT Analysis is an acronym for a business analysis in which you evaluate Strengths –Weaknesses –Opportunities – Threats.  The concept is often credited to Albert Humphrey, who […]

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