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In This Issue ~ Feb 2007
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Happy 2007!

For the new year, The Communication Center®
is offering new services for Speech Anxiety.

Heart palpitations, stuttering, “cotton” mouth; all tell-tale symptoms of a common fear known as speech anxiety - the most widespread phobia, affecting as much as 75% of the population in varying levels of severity.

Mark Twain once said,
"There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars." Mild forms of speech anxiety can at best be a minor irritant. But, at its worst, speech anxiety can be a debilitating affliction.

Learn how to uncover the causes and identify the symptoms in a two-hour private session with one of our executive coaches.

To learn more, please contact Erin Lawlor at 202.463.0505.

ACING a TV Interview:
Stick to the Story

After more than 30 years in television news, former reporter and our most recent trainer, Nathan Roberts offers you the insider's guide to a television interview.

In a media interview, your job is to make sure your newsworthy message is one that reflects positively on your company or organization. If you’ve prepared well, you can deliver that same message multiple times stating it in different ways – ways that continue to drive your main points home in a manner that is both interesting and compelling to the viewers.

In addition, you should consider the format of the interview.

Soundbite In a “soundbite” interview, a reporter has numerous questions, asking for lots of information that may or may not be used in the story, and listening for short “soundbites” from you.
Typically, you may be on camera in the finished report for only a few seconds, maybe once or twice. Keep in mind though, that everything you say to the reporter, before, during and after the interview, is fair game that can be used in the finished story.

Remote Another type of interview is the remote, where the reporter is interviewing you from another location and you’re speaking directly to a camera. This type of interview is normally broadcast “live”, which means everything you say is on the air.

Talk Show A third type of interview may involve you and the reporter speaking in the television studio, usually live, in a talk show or long form interview format. Again, everything you say will most likely be on the air in this interview.

If and when that dreaded question does come your way, be ready to give a brief and honest answer that you can easily transition from as a reinforcement of your positive message.

Nathan Roberts is an Executive Media Coach with
The Communication Center®
Global Body Language

When it comes to assessing people for the first time, whether in professional settings or social environments, body language plays an enormous role. The audience forms a judgment based on body language first, and message second. But, what works in the U.S. as a positive expression, may backfire in a different culture.

Closed body language taking the form of a frown, locked arms, or knitted eyebrows is generally interpreted globally as a negative, while the smile is the most universal positive facial expression, reflecting confidence, conveying reassurance and easing tension.

Differing or controversial body language when conducting business or interviews around the world may change the dynamic of the communication. Depending upon what country or region you are in, crowding or personal space plays a role, as does prolonged eye contact and use of animated or restrained facial expression. Pay particular attention to hand gestures, such as the popular thumbs-up gesture that signals a positive in the U.S., but is considered offensive in many other cultures.

Shelley Sims is an Executive Coach with The Communication Center®,
who heads media training programs for our international clients.
Be on the alert and on guard for negative, emotionally-charged words, otherwise known as buzzwords.

We believe it's best not to repeat the negative buzzwords when you answer any questions. Check out these
latest quotes.

"I’m not a crazy person. I’m not stupid, I don’t know how it happened, it was an accident."
-- Baltimore Oriole, Rafael Palmero after being suspended for using steroids.

"This is the first time that I've ever been called a liar and a bigot and an anti-semite and a coward and a plagiarist. This has hurt me."
-- Former president Jimmy Carter addressing the personal attacks by some American Jews following the publication of his book, Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.

"We've never focused on profits above safety.”
-- BP CEO John Browne reacting to criticism for failing to devote enough money to refinery safety after a deadly blast in 2005 in Texas City killed 15 and injured 170.

“We’re not hiding information; we’re not burying information under the rug.”
-- Jerry N. Johnson, general manager of the D.C Water and Sewer Authority on WASA withholding information from residents affected sewage backup.
Strategic Communication Team at The Communication Center®

Have you ever wondered about the effectiveness of your communications and how you are perceived by your target audiences? Are your messages resonating? Do you need to develop a strategic communication plan for your organization and wonder how to begin?

Our new Strategic Communication Team (SCT), headed by Susan Peterson, can assist you with your strategic communication needs.

In the past year our Strategic Communication Team has helped:

  • Conduct a communication audit to assess the effectiveness of print and web-based communication with target audiences for an Ivy League college.

  • Carry out a communication audit and reputation assessment for a large Midwest healthcare organization to determine the effectiveness of communication practices.

  • Conduct face-to-face interviews with more than 50 employees, senior leaders, board members, physicians and community leaders.

  • Facilitate an issues management and message development process involving more than 175 individuals including employees, senior leadership and board members.

  • Develop an operational business plan for a non- profit client to implement an approved strategic communication plan.
The SCT at The Communication Center® can also help you create successful strategic communication programs, for short term or long term projects. We offer immediate value and expert advice to develop an integrated and proactive approach to communicating with your audiences to achieve your organization’s strategic goals.

Donna Buckley is a Strategic Communication Coach with The Communication Center®
Philippe Cousteau
President & Co-Founder EarthEcho International

With numerous appearances both on screen and in print over the past several months, we congratulate Philippe Cousteau, conservationist and CEO of the environmental non-profit EarthEcho International.

Notable appearances include:

Access Hollywood
Anderson Cooper: 360
Larry King Live
The Today Show
The Washington Post
Washingtonian's Men of Style

Philippe's latest appearance in the spotlight has been as host and narrator of Steve Irwin's (The Crocodile Hunter) final documentary, "Ocean's Deadliest", which premiered on Animal Planet on January 21st.

Philippe and his sister Alexandra founded EarthEcho International seven years ago in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr., famous son of the legendary explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau.
We're proud to support him.

For more information on Philippe and his organization, please visit his website, www.earthecho.org
Welcome to the newest members of our
Executive Coaching Team!

Nathan Roberts is a familiar face in the DC-region having spent nearly 15 years at Newschannel 8 as the weeknight anchor for the Primetime and Latenight Reports. Besides offering latest insights into TV reporting, Nathan also brings a wealth of experience from his work in radio.

Tom Hoagwood joins The Communication Center as an Executive Communication Coach after working for several years as an in-house communication consultant at Capital One. His expertise in media and presentation comes from nearly a decade developing and executing communications strategies including media, investor and executive relations as well as handling speechwriting and media requests.
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Keri Osborne, Editor
The Communication Center


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