Latest "What Were They Thinking?" Department Communication Awards

It was a busy end of September with entries for the much-sought-after "What Were They Thinking?" Department Communication Awards. Given the historic nosedive o f the Boston Red Sox, who were predicted before the season began to be in the World Series facing the Philadelphia Phillies, and who didn't even make it into the postseason, it's not surprising that two of this week's awards are related to their very public crash and burn. It pains me to give the "Timing...

Healthcare Communication: How to Not Sound Like Everyone Else in Five Easy Steps

I got a pretty good laugh the other day from a NY Magazine slideshow on “How to Create a USA Show in Six Easy Steps” (and then secretly went home to set my DVR to record re-runs of “Burn Notice”). But it actually reminded me of the increasing number of healthcare companies today whose messages sound exactly the same. Now that the industry has collectively set its sights on the Triple Aim – better care, lower cost, healthier patients –...

Being Present + Polite = Productive

Over the past month, our new location in the heart of Boston's Financial District has afforded us the opportunity to catch up live with many clients and friends who are in town for meetings or conferences, or who also work in the city. A meeting with one of our Austin clients last week got me thinking about how helpful it's been to catch up live with all of these people. Even though we communicate with them frequently over any and...