While trying to book phone briefings for a tech client, this wonderful reply from James Powell, Editorial Director of Enterprise Systems, came to my Inbox. I share it so that others may learn.
In my time, I’ve said what Mr. Powell outlines below to clients, sometimes, with little or no luck. He's been kind enough to let me share ... certain contact information withheld for his benefit … and mine!
The Lesson? Listen before you speak. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason (to quote everyone’s grandmother).
And thank you, James, for your cooperation.
I hear you.
-----Original Message-----
From: James Powell
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:01 PM
To: Robert Minicucci
Subject: [Client name and product] at Interop.. request phone briefing
Hi, Robert.
I will be happy to attend a telephone briefing if:
1. The product has shipped or will be shipping within one week of our meeting. We DO NOT run stories about product announcements -- only products (or services) that are shipping.
2. You avoid all technical jargon. I am not interested in a briefing filled with three-letter acronyms. If you have a new technology or new feature, I want to know the problem it solves, how IT currently tries to solve the problem, and how competing products address (or do not
address) the problem. Save the technology explanations for your press release. I have to cover ALL mainframe technologies; I am not a virtualization expert or a storage expert or a systems expert.
3. The main information drawn for product/service announcements we publish comes from the press packet you send (press release, backgrounders, etc.), NOT from the telephone briefing. Be sure the press release is available at the time of the briefing (we will honor embargoes).
…
If you have further questions, feel free to reply to this message.
James E. Powell
Editorial Director
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Would you like some bailout with a side of swine flu?
Is it me or has NPR talked about nothing but these two issues - no one has any money (still) and everyone has the flu.
It has kept me in bed all week ... Who wants to get up when you know "Morning Edition" has nothing good to talk about.
This 24-hour news cycle is making me wheeze. I am travelling to California soon and my first thought is to wear a haz-mat suit on the plane. But then --it occurred to me -- people have the flu all the time. Relax. People get sick all the time. People are sick all the time.
Anyway, hope to wake up tomorrow to hear about a good natural disaster in Korea -- like an earthquake in the mountains or something.
That should help me get out of bed with a spring in my step!
It has kept me in bed all week ... Who wants to get up when you know "Morning Edition" has nothing good to talk about.
This 24-hour news cycle is making me wheeze. I am travelling to California soon and my first thought is to wear a haz-mat suit on the plane. But then --it occurred to me -- people have the flu all the time. Relax. People get sick all the time. People are sick all the time.
Anyway, hope to wake up tomorrow to hear about a good natural disaster in Korea -- like an earthquake in the mountains or something.
That should help me get out of bed with a spring in my step!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Communication of Institutional Knowledge
Just got off the phone with AT&T -- have been trying to order a phone for my wife all week. It has been one big head bang. Each time, the person on the line knows one thing, but not enough to get me to get my phone.
I just spoke to a great lady. She knew what to do. And did it in record time. Thank you, lady (didn't get her name).
I said she should be a trainer/supervisor. But she didn't want to be a supervisor --too much for her. That's unfortunate because it was clear from the minute she answered my call -- she knew what she was doing. She was a Veteran of the company.
So, Ms. Veteran, thanks to you, I'm staying with AT&T Wireless for two more years.
The lesson: When you stop banging your head and talk to a veteran, things work ... you just have to keep at it. It feels great when you stop.
Next time, I plan to ask the customer service person how long they've been the company ... and then be asked to speak with a Veteran!
I just spoke to a great lady. She knew what to do. And did it in record time. Thank you, lady (didn't get her name).
I said she should be a trainer/supervisor. But she didn't want to be a supervisor --too much for her. That's unfortunate because it was clear from the minute she answered my call -- she knew what she was doing. She was a Veteran of the company.
So, Ms. Veteran, thanks to you, I'm staying with AT&T Wireless for two more years.
The lesson: When you stop banging your head and talk to a veteran, things work ... you just have to keep at it. It feels great when you stop.
Next time, I plan to ask the customer service person how long they've been the company ... and then be asked to speak with a Veteran!
Have arrived...where's the coffee?
So this is my first posting. Will try to do better than before.
I had wanted to put this quote up on my company's web site, but my boss probably would have not liked the idea.
“All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”
Harry S. Truman
Harry knew what he was talking about. All of the accountability but none of the abilty to make things happen. It's a trust thing.
Am going to try and post things here that are the things I think and want to say about things that might not be PC...this is my vent on kids, job, family, lack of control.
Don't know if anyone will read. Don't know if I care. I need to more say things for myself and hope people like it. I just feel like by having this, I will journal more and get in touch with myself more and do the things that I need to do to be happy.
That's what it's all about now. Being happy. Happy at work, family, my wife, my life, hobbies, photography, money, people, friends, ballgames, jazz, poetry, art, food, wine, beer, cigars, cigarettes, beaches, BBQs, Red Sox.
What makes you happy? Write about it. It'll make you feel better. It has helped me.
I had wanted to put this quote up on my company's web site, but my boss probably would have not liked the idea.
“All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”
Harry S. Truman
Harry knew what he was talking about. All of the accountability but none of the abilty to make things happen. It's a trust thing.
Am going to try and post things here that are the things I think and want to say about things that might not be PC...this is my vent on kids, job, family, lack of control.
Don't know if anyone will read. Don't know if I care. I need to more say things for myself and hope people like it. I just feel like by having this, I will journal more and get in touch with myself more and do the things that I need to do to be happy.
That's what it's all about now. Being happy. Happy at work, family, my wife, my life, hobbies, photography, money, people, friends, ballgames, jazz, poetry, art, food, wine, beer, cigars, cigarettes, beaches, BBQs, Red Sox.
What makes you happy? Write about it. It'll make you feel better. It has helped me.
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