How to deal with the ultimate loaded question: 'Thoughts?'

There probably isn't a communications professional who hasn't received a one word email or had a lengthy email/correspondence punctuated with the following, "Thoughts?" It's fair to say that more than a few of us have been conditioned to think it's a bit of a loaded question. Wonder what they're really asking? What happened? Did we do something right or wrong? Regardless of the situation, there are a few best practice items to take into consideration when confronted by this one...

5 Smart Communications Practices to Implement Right Now

The fourth and final question in the 4/4/4 Four Communications Issues. Four Perspectives. Four Weeks. Blog series, is the "Top Five Smart Communications Practices Companies Need to Implement Right Now." In keeping with the four week theme, it might have been cool to keep to four smart comms practices but "Top Five" is never a bad thing. From our perspective, it boils down to the following: Listen Actively As we've covered before, the new role of active and proactive listening...

Virtually in Dallas, A chat with Ovum's Tim Stammers on Citrix

I had a chance to catch up with Ovum Senior Analyst Tim Stammers after he attended a recent Citrix analyst event in Dallas, Texas. The following is a quick recap of the discussion. Tim, I understand there was considerable discussion it seemed coming out of the event about how relevant Citrix is in the virtual infrastructure, what’s your take? It’s difficult to credit Citrix with much influence over virtual infrastructure, aka public and private cloud building. Citrix’ XenServer is technically...

What role should a PR agency play in a client’s social media?

This week's question, number three in the 4/4/4 series inspired by Steve Farnsworth, Lou Hoffman, Paul Roberts and Todd Defren is "What Role Should a Communications Agency Play in a Client's Social Media?" I'm sure this one may get a few differing opinions. Can you outsource social media activity to an agency? Can an agency ghost tweet? Can an agency help promote a client via social media without being open, authentic and transparent? Can an agency raise awareness around products...

What communications pros need to do to stay relevant

In the second installment of the "4/4/4 Four Communications Issues. Four Perspectives. Four Weeks. Blog Series," inspired by the creative minds of Steve Farnsworth, Paul Roberts, Lou Hoffman and Todd Defren, the question is "To Stay Relevant How Do Communications Professionals Need To Evolve?" Maintaining relevance is one of my personal favorite topics. It's something I discuss daily with colleagues and clients alike; however, mostly from the standpoint of what is going on in the market, with media, analysts, conversations...

Is Ghost Blogging Ethical?

I’ve been an active follower of Paul Roberts of late (Twitter, blogosphere) and was intrigued when he referenced the 4/4/4 Four Communications Issues. Four Perspectives. Four Weeks Blog Series that he was undertaking with Steve Farnsworth, Todd Defren, and Lou Hoffman. It’s an effort to take a look at four timely communications issues, write separate and independent blogs and reflect on the conversation over a four week timeframe. The first blog in the series was “Is Ghost Blogging Ethical?” Ghost...