Gotta hand it to her

So how bad is it that Sarah Palin wrote notes on her left hand and referred to them during the Q&A following her Tea Party Convention speech?

Pretty bad.

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Advice for Exploding Celebrities

When I logged on this morning the first thing to pop up was a headline and link to yet another story and video about Mel Gibson losing his temper in a television interview. This time we were treated to two clips of Gibson unloading on interviews along with five other such losses of decorum by celebrities dating back over more than a decade. Tom Cruise, Quinton Tarantino, and Tom Selleck were among the others whose negative clips were featured.

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Revisiting Big Mac’s 2005 Testimony

We castigated Mark McGwire five years ago for saying in front of Congress’ steroids hearing that he was “not there to talk about the past.” It seemed like an attempt to avoid the issue, to play on his celebrity and popularity. And had a hint of star athlete hubris to it: “don’t ask me about that, it’s none of your business.”

McGwire’s confession, and subsequent information about what happened behind the scenes in 2005, shed some new light on those hearings. According to a Newsday story McGwire wanted to come clean (and did so behind closed doors), but would not do so without a promise of immunity. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez refused to grant one, which led to the disastrous appearance McGwire made. (more…)

Winning at the Lectern

What delivery techniques persuade an audience to buy a product, service, or idea?
How do you overcome nervousness? What makes a good PowerPoint presentation?

Those are some of the topics covered in Winning at the Lectern, VS&A’s new guide to successful presentations. The 36-page booklet was written and edited by Virgil and Ken Scudder and is given to everyone who enrolls in one of our presentation training programs. This informative and highly readable document is illustrated by the outstanding New York graphic designer Richard Sheinaus, who also produces our newsletter.

The publication offers tips on how to structure a talk for easy, confident delivery; tells what makes some PowerPoint presentations so much more successful than others; suggests ways to turn the Q&A session into a deal sealer; and outlines techniques for using humor. It is laced with quotes from experts that are often wise, insightful, and funny and illustrate key principles of successful presentation.

Opportunity Knocks

One of our basic tenets is that every crisis represents an opportunity. When you’re battling the snakes at your feet, it’s hard to see the situation as one of opportunity.

But opportunity can come in several ways. One is covering yourself with glory through the responsible and effective handling of the situation. Another is coming up with an effective fix so the same situation can’t recur in the future. (more…)

Ken Hits the Links Press

Do one interview with Oprah or Larry King and one news conference, and then talk only about golf.

That’s the advice Ken Scudder gave in an interview published in the December 23 issue of GolfWorld. Ken was one of six crisis experts asked to weigh in on the question, “what should Tiger do now?”

Once Tiger is back on the trail, Ken says “winning won’t make the problem go away. But it will help a lot.”

You can read the entire article here.

In Memoriam - Renee Johansen

In many years of working with investor relations officers of top corporations, I have never met one who was a better person or a finer professional than Renee Johansen.

Renee, the vice-president of investor relations for Avon, died unexpectedly at her home on December 6 of an apparent heart attack. She was only 48. Since she was in superb physical condition, and was meticulous about taking care of her health, her passing hit her friends and colleagues like a thunderbolt.

We worked very closely with Renee during the last three years as CEO Andrea Jung and CFO Chuck Cramb steered Avon through a challenging turnaround. Renee was the perfect person to be on the front line in dealing with investors. She was candid, knowledgeable, and always upbeat. Investors trusted her and respected her. Her performance was an important element in the high credibility Avon enjoys on Wall Street today.

Renee is survived by Scott, her husband of 13 years, and two children: River, age 10, and Sophie, 8. Avon has set up a scholarship fund for the children’s education.

Renee will be sorely missed by all of us who had the privilege to know her and work with her. She was truly special.

Tiger Woods: A Litany of Blunders

Will Tiger Woods ever get out of the rough? Not at the rate he’s going.

No crisis in recent years has been bungled in as many ways at every stage as this one. Let’s take it step-by-step. (more…)

A Bright Spot in Dubai

These are tough days in the heretofore magic kingdom of Dubai. The economy has tanked; construction has come to a halt; and the national investment arm says it can’t pay back its loans for at least six months. The emirate is hurting.

But, the annual Dubai Air Show went on as always and a grand spectacle it was.

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Living My Fast-Track Dream

As a long-time auto racing fan, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to zoom around a racetrack at 180 miles an hour. In October, I found out. In a word, “awesome.”  The smile on my face right after I got out of the car says it all.

The place was Miami Homestead Race Track in South Florida; the date was October 8. The superfast ride was a gift from my family. (more…)