Remorse Communicated

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From PEHub today:
“There’s a WSJ report this morning that Bob Willumstad has rejected a $22 million severance package from AIG, where he served as CEO for the past few months. If accurate, this is an exceptional decision, in multiple senses. My hat’s off to the man, although it would be further off had he managed to execute AIG’s restructuring plan.”
Now that is a good example of communicating remorse.  There is nothing like action to speak louder than words and turning down $22 million is ACTION.
I couldn’t find the WSJ report on www.wsj.com — I think they forgot to update the search engine when they reconfigured the website because that is the third article I’ve tried to find with no avail.
Anyway, good to see Willumstad is being responsible and turning down severance.

Hey, you’re ok

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Here is what we all need to hear.  Song to remind us to chill out.
http://www.zefrank.com/zesblog/archives/2008/09/childrens_songs.html
If only this could play continuously in our minds then we would all feel better and communicate more kindly to one another.

Surfaces More Content Faster

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That is the claim to fame for the new website of the Wall Street Journal.  You can reach more items from the home page to get what you want faster.  That is such a reflection of our current media consumption culture.  The Internet gives it to us faster and easier and then we want it faster and easier.  Not to say that I don’t appreciate the surfacing of more content faster on the Wall Street Journal, because I do.  I tended to only use the search function when I went to the site, now I find it more appealing.  I also find the new Journal Women section appealing and the greater access to more video. Check it out yourself.  http://online.wsj.com/public/us

Talking About Going Green

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Bill Green, partner at Vantage Point Venture Partners interviewed Mayor Reed about how San Jose is leading the charge to go green. S.J. Mayor Chuck Reed has created a Clean Green Roadmap
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/mayor/goals/environment/GreenVision/GreenVision.asp
See his talk at AlwaysOn Going Green conference.
http://alwayson.goingon.com/
Though his body language is still and formal, Reed speaks articulately and gives concrete examples about his ideas.  For example, changing street lights to LEDs with sensors.
Bill Green does a good job of asking some easy questions and some challenging ones.

Wearables as Nonverbal Communication

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A wearable is a clothing garment that has a technology element to it — like conductive thread or an LED.  Since I love the intersection of technology and communication I think this is the ultimate in cool.  Talk about nonverbal communication through what you wear.  One of these clothing items can light up and really say something about your personality.  Forbes just covered the story of one woman who is a maverick in this space.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/09/09/innovation-geek-fashion-tech-egang08-cz_cf_0909fashion.html?partner=technology_newsletter

Imitate Steve Jobs’ Presentations

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The month’s MacLife magazine has an article by David Biedny on using Keynote to build killer presentations (www.maclife.com).  While the article has some interesting examples of using Keynote features, my favorite part is the side bar on imitating Steve Jobs.  The words “minimalism”, “multimedia stage”, and the phrase “clear, intelligible sequence of ideas” are what really struck me as on target.  If  presenters emulated the simplicity and multimedia artistic flare of Jobs’ presentations, we would all stay much more engaged.

Communication from the Hospital

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When someone you love is sick and in the hospital you want to know how they’re doing every single minute.  But that’s impossible.  The immediate family by the sick person’s side is really busy and doesn’t have time to make a million calls.  I just experienced a technology that helps this entire process.  It is called Caring Bridge. http://www.caringbridge.org/?gclid=CNG1-8rHvpUCFRxNagodOGeXQQ

My N.Y. cousin was going through surgery and her husband was able to keep us all up to date using Caring Bridge.  Plus, everyone could post notes on the site and then he could read the to my cousin to boost her spirits.  Care Bridge is a wonderful example of technology helping communication.

Hillary Communicates Unification

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Wow. That was one compelling speech by Hillary Clinton at the DNC. Of course, you can catch part of it on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pUFuzaRdNU

Not only were her words just what Democrats needed to be assured the party was unity, but look at her body language. She is very confident and self-assured. There is no hidden signs of resentment about losing the primary. She sounds and looks like she is really behind Obama. A good lesson for us lesser speakers to be aware how our body language contributes to our message.

Commenting on Communications

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First blog.  The purpose of this blog is to comment on the world of communication.  In particular on trends and news in public speaking, PowerPoint creation and use, and how technology influences communication in the 21st century.