• On Public Relations Management

    Tips and tactics that may be useful as you try to put the pieces together.

    Women Taught Me Leadership Lessons of a Lifetime

    by  • April 22, 2013 • On Public Relations Management

    Greatly enjoyed the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Senior Summit, the annual conference of PRSA’s Counselors to Higher Education section. I was honored to have the opportunity to participate on two April 17 panels, one on career transitions, the other on preparation for presidential changes. My remarks on career transition focused on the extraordinary [...]

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    The Gamble of a Presidential Transition

    by  • March 26, 2013 • On Public Relations Management

    Looking forward to participating in a panel discussion on presidential transitions at the annual meeting of the Counselors to Higher Education section of the Public Relations Society of America on April 17 in Washington, D.C. I’ve been fortunate enough to survive a number of leadership changes during my career, and I know it can be [...]

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    Constancy of Change a Fundamental of PR Practice

    by  • January 28, 2013 • On Public Relations Management

    The late George Harrison had it right in his song “The Light That Has Lighted the World” on his 1973 album, “Living in the Material World.” “It’s funny how people just won’t accept change,” Harrison sang, “as if nature itself they’d prefer rearranged.” In his international bestseller, “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying,” Sogyal [...]

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    The Seven Deadly Sins of PR Job Applicants

    by  • January 19, 2012 • On Public Relations Management

    Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to scan hundreds, probably thousands, of cover letters and resumes. I got even broader exposure to letters and resumes when I handled the Job Placement Service for the Pittsburgh chapter of the Public Relations Society for a number of years while vice president for university relations at Carnegie [...]

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    The Strategic Planning Top 10

    by  • January 11, 2012 • On Public Relations Management • 0 Comments

    Strategic planning for public relations can be a tough, time-consuming and politically challenging assignment, particularly at a college or university. Because public relations, unlike most other administrative functions, involves itself with almost every aspect of an institution and addresses (when it is done correctly) all of that institution’s key constituencies, development of a viable and [...]

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    Lincoln a Role Model for Public and Human Relations

    by  • December 21, 2011 • On Public Relations Management • 0 Comments

    If there was ever any doubt in your mind that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest of American presidents I suggest you read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, “Team of Rivals.” There are lessons in there for all us, especially public relations professionals. This wonderful and engaging work draws a compelling picture of a brilliant leader who [...]

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    Duties That Likely Belong in a PR Manager’s Job Description

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Public Relations Management

    This checklist is from a presentation on what actually belongs in a PR professional’s job description done while vice president for university relations at Carnegie Mellon University. Does your job description include: Building relationships with external and internal audiences, publics and stakeholders? Building partnerships with on-campus colleagues? Supporting the goals and objectives of your institution? [...]

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    Some Ways to Reward Valuable Employees

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Public Relations Management

    Some ideas from Bob Nelson, author of “1001 Ways to Reward Employees,” on how managers can recognize employees for a job well done. Write at least five personal thank-yous on Post-It notes and hide them among an employee’s papers on his or her desk. Name a space after a worthy worker, such as the “Sally [...]

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