The same impulse that drives a tech PR person to create an 18-page briefing sheet for their CEO’s 15 minute interview can also drive them to give way too much feedback to that CEO during prep.
In both cases, the PR person’s hidden message to their executive is something like: “Please notice that I am a nuanced thinker who sees every detail! Please notice that I am valuable!”
But there isn’t a tech company C-Suite officer who has time to read a voluminous briefing sheet. Nor is there one who can address 12 development issues in two days before a big press interview.
One of my great clients (an effective, pragmatic communications lead) got what her CEO needed.
She and her team created a tight, useful table. Column A had one message with one soundbite, some numbers and customer names in the row below, column B had the second message, again with those brief answer memory joggers in the row below. Column C had the third.
Our prep session focused on ONE technique – delivering a reactive and a proactive answer for each question.
Her CEO appeared on CNBC recently and crushed it.
The best way to demonstrate value to your C-Suite is to help them be successful. In a way that is useful to them. In a way that their overstimulated brains can digest.
Take the risk out of being in the spotlight! I can prepare you, your teams and your leaders to tell your company’s story with confidence, shape the industry and maybe even change the world.
Need some pragmatic, actionable communications advice? There are tons of resources in poseycorp’s newsletter – subscribe here. Become a change agent by becoming a great communicator!
