Apart from the boisterous (woah, how often do you get to use that? +10points!) colleagues and overall environment that make work fun, ever so often, you realise that you are in a damn good place to learn how to be an effective consultant.
Remember how our (or at least my) GP tutors used to hand our essays back with more red ink than blue? That's how some of my work has returned, but the key is in reacting positively.
Of course, this is easier said than done, especially when there was genuine effort that went into drafting (you see, should've expected changes to begin with!) the original version.
On hindsight, so many of the comments and changes passed by the more experienced members of the team were so obvious I felt like kicking myself.
Simple things like "Refrain from using jargon" and "So what does this mean?" are basic rules that effective communicators need to constantly remind themselves of.
So here's a list of 7 things to keep in mind when you're drafting anything as a comms person:
1. Keep it simple: Don't use jargon and don't tolerate the use of jargon. Jargon is evil.
2. Why am I reading this?: Pictures are cool and uncomplicated. Words are boring and need a reason for reading.
3. Is this really, absolutely necessary?: Less is more. Berevity wins almost all the time - especially when you don't have a lot of it to begin with. Don't include the "usuals" just to make something look professional; if you choose to, make sure to go through it to see if it makes sense to the person reading it for the first time.
4. And......then?: Take things through to their logical conclusion (and if that's what you don't want to communicate, fantastic - reposition the potential issue); show the reader that you have thought it through.
5. Context, context, context: Add value to whatever you are communicating by providing the reader with a benchmark, comparison or at the very least, a sense of the severity/impact of the information you have just shared. Best used together with rule 1.
6. Don't waffle: Nobody likes wafflers; not journalists, not PRs, not the man in the street - well, unless the ice cream man didn't show ;). Just say what you came to say and do it quickly and clearly. See rule 3.
7. (Specifically for PRs) Spokesperson vs. Answerperson: Every interaction with the media is an opportunity to deliver your key messages. Every interview is so carefully prepared by people like us precisely because it is not a chit chat session; it is an opportunity to ensure that your organisation's message is heard clearly.
So there you have it... I must say though, that this list looks awfully familiar to me. Seems like something Duffy would've covered during one of his lectures.
It's that familiar feeling isn't it? You know, the one you get when someone tells you "I told you so".
Yeap. Should've listened harder during his classes.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Product review: Blurb Photobook (Large Format Landscape)
After three weeks - and many months of procastinating - of twiddling with the layout of the Blurb photobook, it arrived a couple of days ago by Fedex. I have to say that the first time I set my eyes on the book, I absolutely loved it.
You can't see it clearly cos of the light, but the spine says "Danny, Zheng, Vanessa Summer '08"
Yes, it cost $110 SGD, but believe me, it's worth every cent. So here's what I liked about my overall Blurb experience:
Likes
1. Software downloaded was intuitive and comprehensive, compared with the others I tried; giving you enough control without forcing you to create from zero.
2. Loophole that allowed to exploit the depreciating sterling pound. (Eh, I saved almost 40+ SGD by ordering in pounds ok!)
3. Excellent print quality of finished product. Each image was perfectly reproduced and I loved the full bleed option, which means you can print right to the edge of the page.
Dislikes
1. I chose the imagewrap option for the cover, as opposed to the dust jacket option, which I thought meant that the image would be "scanned" onto the cover, rather that being "pasted" (like it turned out to be). As a result, there are small crease marks at the edges of the the cover.
2. Edges of the pages were cut with a rather rough paper cutter, IMO, resulting in it feeling rather rough on the edges.
3. Ok, if I really wanted to nitpick, I'd point out that it's not possible to share the book in its entirity before printing, with someone else. It's ok if it's like a family project, so everyone just needs to physically sit in front of the same screen to vet the project; I wanted to share it with my friends to get their opinions - and the preview option only allowed them to see the first 15 pages of my 50 page book.
4. Last thing, after ordering your book, the "after-sales" email you receive to give you the details of what you've ordered, book tracking, etc, makes it really hard for you to contact them. I mean, I've just paid over 50 pounds to order something from you for the first time; is it really too much to ask for an email address I can send any queries I have to?
The bottomline
This is an awesome product that not only allows you to crystallise your memories, it also lets you have a ball of a time doing so. The flaws I pointed out are really minor and disappear the moment you first see your creation, fresh out of the Fedex package, and I really encourage you to try it for yourself.
The high price is a deterrent, but you should note that I chose the highest grade options for everything, and chose the largest size. Smaller books should be a lot cheaper to make.
Now if they would just open a branch here, like TheDigibook and iPhoto so that shipping is free...
You can't see it clearly cos of the light, but the spine says "Danny, Zheng, Vanessa Summer '08"
Yes, it cost $110 SGD, but believe me, it's worth every cent. So here's what I liked about my overall Blurb experience:
Likes
1. Software downloaded was intuitive and comprehensive, compared with the others I tried; giving you enough control without forcing you to create from zero.
2. Loophole that allowed to exploit the depreciating sterling pound. (Eh, I saved almost 40+ SGD by ordering in pounds ok!)
3. Excellent print quality of finished product. Each image was perfectly reproduced and I loved the full bleed option, which means you can print right to the edge of the page.
Dislikes
1. I chose the imagewrap option for the cover, as opposed to the dust jacket option, which I thought meant that the image would be "scanned" onto the cover, rather that being "pasted" (like it turned out to be). As a result, there are small crease marks at the edges of the the cover.
2. Edges of the pages were cut with a rather rough paper cutter, IMO, resulting in it feeling rather rough on the edges.
3. Ok, if I really wanted to nitpick, I'd point out that it's not possible to share the book in its entirity before printing, with someone else. It's ok if it's like a family project, so everyone just needs to physically sit in front of the same screen to vet the project; I wanted to share it with my friends to get their opinions - and the preview option only allowed them to see the first 15 pages of my 50 page book.
4. Last thing, after ordering your book, the "after-sales" email you receive to give you the details of what you've ordered, book tracking, etc, makes it really hard for you to contact them. I mean, I've just paid over 50 pounds to order something from you for the first time; is it really too much to ask for an email address I can send any queries I have to?
The bottomline
This is an awesome product that not only allows you to crystallise your memories, it also lets you have a ball of a time doing so. The flaws I pointed out are really minor and disappear the moment you first see your creation, fresh out of the Fedex package, and I really encourage you to try it for yourself.
The high price is a deterrent, but you should note that I chose the highest grade options for everything, and chose the largest size. Smaller books should be a lot cheaper to make.
Now if they would just open a branch here, like TheDigibook and iPhoto so that shipping is free...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
11.11%
1. Get fit
1.1 Complete a full marathon (Ok, so I've only resistered - but still!)
1.2 Pick up a sport that I can play on a weekly basis
1.3 Pass the year's IPPT
2. Get financially savvy
2.1 Read the biz section of the papers more
2.2 Research and start a savings/investment plan
2.3 Advance to the next stage in my career
3. Get ready for goal 2010
Friday, January 09, 2009
Comments please!
Hello all, comments on the (full) preview of the soon-to-be photobook! I've uploaded the book in 4-page spreads, so the odd pages are the ones on the left.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Blurbed
I've been meaning to do this for the longest time, and now I have. Check it out! Still mulling over whether to purchase it leh. $110 SGD is a lot of moolah.
Donations, anyone?
Donations, anyone?
Are you afraid of the dark?
I put on my sneakers (the ones that don't quite feel right) a couple of nights ago for a short run. Just 3km later, I was probably sweating enough to form my own rain cloud. Shit. See lah, one month never run properly become liddat.
I am this close to signing up for it. Technically, I've done 21 x 3 = 63km already, but this... woah... this is venturing into nutty land. Okay, later when I meet Zheng, I'll ask him if he's made up his mind.
May 30th is only five months away! The movie, Run, fat boy run, comes to mind, and this has the added incentive of being a New Year's resolution, haha.
I am this close to signing up for it. Technically, I've done 21 x 3 = 63km already, but this... woah... this is venturing into nutty land. Okay, later when I meet Zheng, I'll ask him if he's made up his mind.
May 30th is only five months away! The movie, Run, fat boy run, comes to mind, and this has the added incentive of being a New Year's resolution, haha.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
New year - New layout
Well folks, unknowingly, it's been three years since I first started blogging and it's time for a change. Some of the more significant changes:
1. Blog title - It began as a homage to local food, but I think the blog's true purpose has revealed itself slowly over the past year - to serve as a repository for my verbage. In any case, it goes with the picture, so there. Don't worry, lah, still will have food reviews from time to time.
2. Colour scheme - I'm not sure about the colours, have been fiddling around with it for awhile, hope you guys like it.
3. Yep, that's pretty much it. heh. Not really one for change, I am.
Sigh, it's back to "real" work on Monday - buckle up, folks, it's a bumpy year ahead!
1. Blog title - It began as a homage to local food, but I think the blog's true purpose has revealed itself slowly over the past year - to serve as a repository for my verbage. In any case, it goes with the picture, so there. Don't worry, lah, still will have food reviews from time to time.
2. Colour scheme - I'm not sure about the colours, have been fiddling around with it for awhile, hope you guys like it.
3. Yep, that's pretty much it. heh. Not really one for change, I am.
Sigh, it's back to "real" work on Monday - buckle up, folks, it's a bumpy year ahead!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Two oh-oh Eight in review
It shouldn't be fair that 365 days could yield so much - how on earth are we ever gonna live up to 2008?
Among the many milestones that happened this year, here are the few that truly stand out (in chronological order):
1. FYP - The sweat and frustration of spending so much time and effort on a year-long project was matched only by the incredibly satisfying feeling of doing work you can be proud of. The process also taught me a lot about myself; both good and bad, and I have absolutely no regrets embarking on that crazy crazy journey with the three of you.
2. South America - What sounded like a crazy idea over kopi with the guys turned out to be an incredible adventure. Van, I still remember both Zheng and I having to meet your mom to convince her that you weren't crazy and we were going to keep you safe from amorous Brazilian men.
28 days in a place where we as Asians stand out completely; where you speak only human; where we touched the sky. The people we met that opened their homes, lives and hearts to us, even for that brief interlude, made it the perfect grad trip.
3. Graduation - I think that in retrospect, convocation was unnecessary. Unnecessary in the sense that while it does give a definitive "end" to your formal education, it's been all about the journey, not the destination. Cliched as it might sound, the four years in Uni have been the best years of learning in my life. More than the friendships forged, the satisfaction of doing well; the best thing about going to university is the perspective it affords you. Sure, much of it is up to you to read, question and make sense of, but there is probably nowhere else where you are given four years to derive your personal worldview. Brilliant.
4. Got a real job - So many things came together - a confluence of factors - for me to begin work at B*M this July. The invaluable ten-week stint at the BT newsroom, quiet conversations with colleagues (before they were my colleagues) on career advice, countless career assessments/tests/talks. In the end, what really swung it for me was the working environment. When the average age of your employees is 30, you know that work is gonna be one helluva ride. So far, the choice has been vindicated. I've learnt so much in the short space of 5 months and am really settling in. The boss commented last week at my desk that I seem to be more "moved-in" than she has, judging from the amount of stuff on my table, haha.
2. South America - What sounded like a crazy idea over kopi with the guys turned out to be an incredible adventure. Van, I still remember both Zheng and I having to meet your mom to convince her that you weren't crazy and we were going to keep you safe from amorous Brazilian men.
28 days in a place where we as Asians stand out completely; where you speak only human; where we touched the sky. The people we met that opened their homes, lives and hearts to us, even for that brief interlude, made it the perfect grad trip.
3. Graduation - I think that in retrospect, convocation was unnecessary. Unnecessary in the sense that while it does give a definitive "end" to your formal education, it's been all about the journey, not the destination. Cliched as it might sound, the four years in Uni have been the best years of learning in my life. More than the friendships forged, the satisfaction of doing well; the best thing about going to university is the perspective it affords you. Sure, much of it is up to you to read, question and make sense of, but there is probably nowhere else where you are given four years to derive your personal worldview. Brilliant.
4. Got a real job - So many things came together - a confluence of factors - for me to begin work at B*M this July. The invaluable ten-week stint at the BT newsroom, quiet conversations with colleagues (before they were my colleagues) on career advice, countless career assessments/tests/talks. In the end, what really swung it for me was the working environment. When the average age of your employees is 30, you know that work is gonna be one helluva ride. So far, the choice has been vindicated. I've learnt so much in the short space of 5 months and am really settling in. The boss commented last week at my desk that I seem to be more "moved-in" than she has, judging from the amount of stuff on my table, haha.
---
2009
This year's shaping up to be a big year. I just know it. I've got my new year's resolutions all mapped out:
1. Get fit
1.1 Complete a full marathon
1.2 Pick up a sport that I can play on a weekly basis
1.3 Pass the year's IPPT
2. Get financially savvy
2.1 Read the biz section of the papers more
2.2 Research and start a savings/investment plan
2.3 Advance to the next stage in my career
3. Get ready for goal 2010
Yep, so like I said, 2009 is shaping up to be an eventful one.
Happy Niu Year everyone!
This year's shaping up to be a big year. I just know it. I've got my new year's resolutions all mapped out:
1. Get fit
1.1 Complete a full marathon
1.2 Pick up a sport that I can play on a weekly basis
1.3 Pass the year's IPPT
2. Get financially savvy
2.1 Read the biz section of the papers more
2.2 Research and start a savings/investment plan
2.3 Advance to the next stage in my career
3. Get ready for goal 2010
Yep, so like I said, 2009 is shaping up to be an eventful one.
Happy Niu Year everyone!
