We’re deep into the story at WidgetCo now. If you’re new, start here. Or, re-read Chapter Two. As Clara and Marcus execute their communications plan, there are a few risks. What if Jones finds out? He’s got strong ties to the VCs on the board. … [Read more...] about Careful navigation
Dramatis Personae
If you’re reading poseycorp’s newsletter, you’ve seen the first installment of the story of Clara, the long-suffering product manager at WidgetCo. You know that Clara and Marcus have drafted their Who What What table for the management team. Here are … [Read more...] about Dramatis Personae
Let’s make it real
When I put together the Six Essentials for Every Leader/Communicator, it occurred to me that it would be fun to tell a story about how people do and don’t use communication skills at work. So we’ll be spending the next issues of both poseycorp’s … [Read more...] about Let’s make it real
What’s next?
Remember when the New Year was a time of delightful anticipation? We’d make plans to conquer the world? In March 2020 I looked back with a sinister laugh at my January and February 2020 self and said, I’m never doing THAT again. But even though … [Read more...] about What’s next?
Looks like we made it
Well here we are, at the end of another chaotic year. Will 2023 be more “normal”? Do we even know what “normal” means anymore? Regardless, we made it. We piloted our rafts through whatever rapids came at us. We got thrown out of the raft and … [Read more...] about Looks like we made it
Take the opposite view
My head loves worst-case scenario thinking. It was great when I was a PR person who needed to envision and prepare for any potential crisis, but it’s not so awesome when I’m just trying to live my life. One tool I’ve learned from a few coaches is … [Read more...] about Take the opposite view
Your brand
Your customers and prospects are a skeptical bunch. They have been burned before, so they are super careful about committing time and money to someone new. How do you get them to trust you? Table stakes: You listen. You do what you say you’ll do. … [Read more...] about Your brand
Can people change?
A few weeks ago my manicurist said to me, “I can’t imagine you getting angry.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Anyone who knows me from days as a senior PR person would be incredulous. A cheerful, mellow Lisa Poulson? Impossible! When I had my last day job, at … [Read more...] about Can people change?
A good apology
Your customers, investors, employees may be disappointed or angry. You may need to apologize. If so, do it immediately. Do it gracefully, patiently, and consistently. Via every communications channel. Take control of the narrative. Suck up your … [Read more...] about A good apology
Keep calm, keep climbing
Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is The Way is the perfect read for a crisis. When something horrible happens, our nervous systems impede our ability to make good decisions. You must make clear-eyed decisions about how to respond to and communicate … [Read more...] about Keep calm, keep climbing
