#communication – Tell Your Story

September 23, 2015

in Association, Interesting Things, Events, Business Marketing Association, Brand Communications

8 Steps to Storytelling Success

Tell Your Story Founder George Rafeedie gave a recent breakfast seminar with the Chicago Business Marketing Association where he taught a group of B2B marketers how to develop and share stories on any budget. In his dynamic presentation, George explained how every organization (big, small, start up, non-profit, division) has a story. And our job as marketers is to find it. Then develop it. Tell it. Measure it. And lastly, improve it. The story should be unique and tied to an organization’s purpose, the difference they make in the world, says George. He shared the following 8-step process that marketers can use, right now, to develop and share their story/purpose. 1) Executive download & brainstorm. This is where executive buy-in happens. It is where you go to your boss/CMO/President/whomever and explain the process and why your organization needs it. This step is crucial as it ensures your stakeholders feel like they are part...

February 11, 2015

in Blog, Interesting Things, Career Thoughts

by Nicole Benzer

All the Feels: 14 Reasons Why Marketers Are in Love with B2B

The closer we get to February 14, the harder it becomes to avoid the Valentine’s Day restaurant guides, Tinder-themed events and Red Velvet Oreos (although nobody really wants to avoid Oreos). While B2C marketing steals so much of the spotlight, all this attention only reaffirms my love for one thing: the B2B industry. I know I’m not alone in this thinking. All the B2B marketers I know are filled with passion, admiration and respect for the work we do. You may not know it, but B2B is hot. Here are 14 reasons why B2B marketing is the ONE for so many of us. 1) “It’s where the business is! And because we can.” – Jeffrey W. Hayzlett, Primetime TV & Radio Host, Chairman of the C-Suite Network 2) 3) Understanding B2B is to understand the world around you; how businesses operate, how purchase decisions are made, how the global and digital economy works. 4) B2B...

February 11, 2015

in Blog, Client News, Interesting Things

by Ellen DePodesta

It’s More Than Love – The Female Condom Story

Say the words “female condom” and you’ll get a raised eyebrow, a nervous laugh or worse. But did you know the manufacturer of the FC2 Female Condom is headquartered here in Chicago? The Female Health Company has distributed tens of millions of female condoms to 144 countries around the world since 2007. Recently the company enlisted our help to roll out new female condom packaging, which went from hospital-looking white to passionate purple. [caption id="attachment_3054" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New packaging for the FC2 Female Condom was introduced to public health workers, educators and clinics.[/caption] Tell Your Story was charged with introducing the new package to public health workers, educators and clinics in the U.S., so this was a B2B, not consumer, campaign. We developed refreshed messaging that emphasized the protection, empowerment and choice that the female condom represents for women. The Female Health Company invited five of the world’s leading experts on sexual...

February 4, 2015

in Blog, Interesting Things, Career Thoughts

by Karen Davis

Why I Am Outraged By the Lack of Love in the Workplace

We are pleased to share this guest post from our friend, Karen Davis. This post originally appeared on Karen's Facebook page, and we LOVE it! [caption id="attachment_3020" align="alignleft" width="300"] Karen Davis, Executive Coach, NCC, PCC[/caption] I have a fire burning in the very depth of my soul and it has been burning for a very long time. I am outraged by the immense stress, intimidation and fear created in our country by the vast majority of organizations. Our people are walking out of their jobs every day with bottomless empty souls. My children and your children will be walking in those doors if we don’t do something about it now. According to the latest Gallup study only 1 in 4 people are engaged with their jobs. People are going home from work every day with no sense of meaning or purpose in their lives. These same people go home to their families and treat...

January 16, 2015

in Blog, Interesting Things, Business Marketing Association, Career Thoughts

by Amanda Pollard

Lemonade Stands & Business Acumen at BMA Chicago

Did you ever have a lemonade stand as a kid? As it turns out, that early business experience can help you succeed in your career as a communications professional. As I learned at yesterday’s BMA Chicago luncheon with DePaul professors Ron Culp and Matt Ragas, having business acumen is one of the top criteria needed to be a successful marketing/communications pro. Ron and Matt discussed how in order to earn—and keep—a seat at the table and maximize your full value, communicators need to be able to speak the language and understand business goals, issues and trends. The problem is that most communicators don't hold an MBA and didn't study business in college. Ron and Matt offered the following tips to help you develop greater business acumen: Understand Your Company’s Business Model. Transparency is key here. Make sure everyone on your team understands what drives your business. How does your company and clients make...

May 30, 2014

in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association

by Ellen DePodesta

Joe McCormack on Profound Brevity

Dispatches from BMA14: a Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago [caption id="attachment_2049" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Joe McCormack presents at #BMA14[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2050" align="alignleft" width="122"] Joe McCormack[/caption] Profound brevity. A crucial skill in business communications, a beautiful concept, one that I personally applaud, one that I hope more of us can attain. One of my favorite sessions at #BMA14 was led by Joe McCormack, Managing Director, Sheffield Marketing Partners, and author of Brief. His point? Go deep, but keep it simple. We're all too busy for long-winded, blustery talk. No one's going to listen if you go on too long. People will tune out. Your email will be deleted. There's a difference between superficial brevity, when you just don't know that much and therefore you have to keep it short; and profound brevity, when you know your subject so well, you're able to distill it down to the essential facts and talk...

February 21, 2013

in Blog, Social PR News, Events

by Angi Day

Social Media Preview at the Chicago Auto Show 2013

Social media has grown to play a major part in our lives; whether in the personal or business world, social media has made its mark and has proven its importance when it comes to communicating and promoting a message. On February 8th, we attended the 2013 ChicagoAuto Show for the Social Media Preview Day. While decked out cars and the latest in automotive technology were prominently showcased, the power of social media was the focus and spotlight of the day. In attempt to reach a bigger audience and promote the exciting schedule of events that cater to the media savvy, the Chicago AutoShow rebranded this day to a more Twitter-friendly, #SMP13 and #CAS13. As we walked around to each exhibit, it was hard to ignore the theme of new and innovative thinking, as each exhibit prided itself on being a “game changer” in the automotive industry. Although there were many vehicles that were...

All the Feels: 14 Reasons Why Marketers Are in Love with B2B

It’s More Than Love – The Female Condom Story

Why I Am Outraged By the Lack of Love in the Workplace

Lemonade Stands & Business Acumen at BMA Chicago

Joe McCormack on Profound Brevity

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