Olympian communications
I believe the best public relations practice is also the best and most ethical social and business practice: focus on substance first, then work on communicating that substance clearly.
Sounds obvious, right? But in practice, it often doesn't work that way. How many times have you been frustrated by poor customer service (complicated automated voice mail, rude or incompetent floor staff) only to see that same company invest in a campaign with a "commitment to customers" or "people come first" message? And when you do, do you -- can you -- believe it?
The Olympics ended yesterday and for me, the most striking aspect of the games was the lackluster performance by major athletes, such as Bode Miller and Johnny Weir, who had made names for themselves for their "bold" statements to the media. Too bad their big words and "unconventional" postures weren't complemented by big performances or exceptional athleticism.
Lots of messaging, little substance.
But take heart: Today, I read about a little-known American athlete who's all about substance, Sarah Konrad. No, she didn't bring home any medals. But this 38 year-old (that's not a typo -- 38!), who started cross-country skiiing in her thirties, became the first U.S. athlete to compete in two different sports (30K team x-country relay and the bialthlon) in a winter Olympics.
Today's Wall Street Journal article presents a fascinating portrait of a modest, brilliant (Dartmouth gradute, PhD in geology) and down-to-Earth athlete whose determination reminds you of what the Olympics is really supposed to be about: talented athletes doing their best. Substance, not showing-off.
Sounds obvious, right? But in practice, it often doesn't work that way. How many times have you been frustrated by poor customer service (complicated automated voice mail, rude or incompetent floor staff) only to see that same company invest in a campaign with a "commitment to customers" or "people come first" message? And when you do, do you -- can you -- believe it?
The Olympics ended yesterday and for me, the most striking aspect of the games was the lackluster performance by major athletes, such as Bode Miller and Johnny Weir, who had made names for themselves for their "bold" statements to the media. Too bad their big words and "unconventional" postures weren't complemented by big performances or exceptional athleticism.
Lots of messaging, little substance.
But take heart: Today, I read about a little-known American athlete who's all about substance, Sarah Konrad. No, she didn't bring home any medals. But this 38 year-old (that's not a typo -- 38!), who started cross-country skiiing in her thirties, became the first U.S. athlete to compete in two different sports (30K team x-country relay and the bialthlon) in a winter Olympics.
Today's Wall Street Journal article presents a fascinating portrait of a modest, brilliant (Dartmouth gradute, PhD in geology) and down-to-Earth athlete whose determination reminds you of what the Olympics is really supposed to be about: talented athletes doing their best. Substance, not showing-off.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home