Is green the new pink? March 16, 2007
Posted by mpollock in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Yesterday I was flipping though Glamour magazine. With all the text book/media reading/browsing, magazines are the only additional reading I make time for during the semester. I’m actually excited about Spring Break because then I can catch up on some of the must-read novels I’ve been dying to read. I saw the usual new trends for spring, tips on how to get that to-die-for body, foods you had no idea had those many calories, countless perfume advertisements and a section that got me thinking — Save the planet!
In honor of Earth Day, everyone in editorial writing, and the media in general for that fact will be touching on this eco-friendly holiday.But what I begin to think about was its more of a trend than just a editorial subject. Being green has been the pin point for many companies, celebrities and projects for sometime now.
But Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge summed it up at the Academy Awards in her reception speech by saying, “…caring about the Earth is not Republican or Democrat. It’s not red or blue, we are all green. This is our job. Now we can become the greatest generation, the generation that changed, the generation that woke up and did something and changed.”
And people are listening. They are stepping up and taking reusable totes to the grocery stores, driving fuel-efficient vehicles and eating local produce.
While green may be one of my favorite colors, right behind the old standby pink! I think I’m going to take my time in my switch in going green.
Advice from a prime minister March 9, 2007
Posted by mpollock in advice, networking, professionalism.add a comment
I was catching up on a few of my blogs and I came across some advice — never complain and never explain. While the phrase is credited to British prime minister Bejamin Disraeli, I believe this phrase can be valuable a lot to PR people.
Never complain — the phrase ranks up there with never, say never — say it al you want. but the reality is it will not leave your vocabulary. While I will be the first to admit I complain, I have been working on it to reveal a sense of professionalism. But I got to thinking, and decided this would be a great motto. Rarely do you ever see mentors, leaders, bosses complain — the reason? It shows a great deal of professionalism to keep it in. When someone complains no one wants to be around her. Who wants to be Debby Downer’s friend? Cathy Complainer! I can tell you right now, that’s no place for you. Think about the last time you heard someone complaining, especially if it was someone you looked up to. It really makes think less of the person. 
Another aspect of the never complain aspect is don’t burn any bridges. Always remain professional when speaking about your superiors. If you stay close to all your contacts — both peers and professionals — you’ll have all those networks literally at your disposal.
Never explain — this part of the phrase will be heavily disputed, especially in Campaigns class because that’s all I do is explain. But I can see where this fits in, show don’t tell. We are communicators and we must be able to explain, but I don’t feel it’s something you should do all the time. If you show someone what you mean with facts, figures, research, visuals then the person questioning or not understanding what you’re talking about will see what you mean — literally.
Next time you get the urge to let out your complaints about why you need to explain something, take this advice and try to use it!
