How many words do you mispronounce or misuse? You might think the answer is zero. Because people will rarely call you on it. It wouldn’t be polite.

But as a person who specializes in communicating, I will.

There are a handful of words in the English language that are continually mispronounced. And while it may seem like a minor thing, it discredits everything about you and your message.

Here are a few to watch out for.

Supposedly. This is a word. Supposebly is not. Try looking it up. You won’t find it in any dictionary. So don’t say it.

Irregardless. This is also a word. But it really shouldn’t be used. Ever. Just think about it. You don’t need the “ir.” Do everyone a favor and strike your character count by two.

Expresso. This is not correct. Sound it out. Ess-press-o. Bingo. Instant credibility.

What words do you commonly hear mispronounced? And what does it make you think about the person saying it? Creating the right perception with your target audience is critical to any successful communication effort. Let’s work together to make sure that perception is a positive one.

~ Emily

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

5 Comments
Labels: , ,

Adweek recently reported on a new business scam  that took agencies around the country to the tune of $400,000.

Stephan & Brady might have been on that list, except for one thing: We don’t need to pay to play.

Don’t get me wrong. Like many full-service, small-to-mid-sized agencies these days, we’re hungry for new business. Client budgets are tighter than ever. Bigger agencies are swimming in our pond, competing for projects they wouldn’t have considered two years ago. New business is something we take very seriously, indeed.

Which is why when we were approached by someone claiming to have a prime opportunity that could be ours for the taking, we paid attention. It seemed like something right up our alley — a full-service, integrated branding and advertising campaign introducing three new beverage products, a sweet spot for us both in terms of industry and execution.

We did what we usually do — held an informational phone call and put together a capabilities presentation complete with insightful research and information. Nothing over the top, just enough to showcase what makes Stephan & Brady different and demonstrate our level of interest. All seemed to go well, until the kicker: Our contact was really acting as a new business “finder” and wanted to be paid for bringing us this lead.

Here’s what we said in response:

“Maybe it’s our Midwestern roots, but we’re just not comfortable with an upfront ‘pay to play’ approach.  To us, it seems job #1 is finding the right agency partner for what you need to help these programs succeed long term.  Having us ‘invest’ in activities that demonstrate our abilities to help you achieve this success makes sense.  But having the ‘winner’ selected based on who’s willing to pay a finder’s fee commission up front before final papers are signed just doesn’t feel right. Hope you can understand and appreciate our position. Best of luck to you on these initiatives.”

Turns out, S&B made a smart move in turning down the “opportunity.” But at the time, we didn’t know that. What we did know is that we’re a strategic, smart, talented group of people who shouldn’t have to pay for an opportunity — at least not in cash.

Like most agencies, we invest heavily when pursuing new business opportunities that are a good fit for what a potential client needs us to do as their Chief Customer Officer. We research, strategize, and propose. Sometimes, if it makes sense, we provide actual tactical plans or creative concepts—which is really another kind of payment (we avoid beauty contests and off-the-shelf proposal buys like the plague). But investing makes sense when you’re talking about a strategic relationship. Paying cold, hard cash doesn’t.

Bottom line, you should hire us not because we’re smart, strategic, hard working, fun to work with and smell nice, but because you need a Chief Customer Officer and we’ve demonstrated that we’re going to help you move the meter in meaningful ways with your customer. Period.

~ George Whitely, President & CEO

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels: , ,

Seriously. This is ridiculous. The holidays are over. OVER. No more. Enough.

Besides, as Ogden Nash wrote, “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.”

Who wants to meet up at the Ale Asylum after work?

~ Emily

This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments

 If we are truly pioneers, forging new ground and pushing the limits (Resolution #27), there are bound to be tremendous successes along with a few failures. No one likes to fail or plans to fail, but in order to reap the benefits of a great success we open ourselves up to the chance for failure (see Resolution #18).

When a failure happens, it’s our responsibility to first admit that we failed and then take and learn what we can from the mistake. Mistakes definitely sting a bit, and sometimes it’s hard to force yourself to take a hard look at what went wrong, but it’s necessary in order to ensure that:

1. We won’t repeat the same mistake again.
2. We uncover any pieces that will make our next idea stronger, better, successful.

Some of my best successes have come on the heels of a failure. I won’t say I ever look forward to a mistake, but I do look forward to the idea that follows. 

~ Megan
This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels: , ,

We’ve all been victims of the “Reply All” button for e-mail. Maybe you are a frequent offender.  If so, I’m asking you to stop. Please. The “Reply All” function should be reserved for only the most necessary occasions, much like the “high importance” symbol (that might be a resolution for next year).

To save you and your coworkers from another offense, simply ask yourself these three simple questions before clicking “Reply All.”

1. Do the all recipients of the e-mail care what my response is?
Now, this sounds simple enough, but I can’t count the number of times when I get included on someone’s response about what they would like to order for lunch, what work they’ll be showing at the next staff meeting or why they won’t be attending a meeting. I’m sure you have a great answer the sender of the e-mail is eager to hear. But, you can keep that between you and the sender. Spare the rest of us.

2. Does everyone on the original e-mail even know what I’m talking about? 
This might be specific to the agency world, but I’m sure it has other applications as well. I think it’s lovely that we try to keep all departments in the loop on happenings with clients or work within the agency. But, before you start giving an update on, say, the most recent media buy or talent release, think about everyone you’ve included on the e-mail. Someone in creative probably thinks you are speaking Greek and could do without the inbox clutter. 

3. Am I going to say something that could offend someone on the e-mail? 
It’s best not to hit “Reply All” if you are going to make some sort of offensive or snarky comment. In fact, it’s just best not to do that via e-mail at all.

~ Megan

This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels: , , ,

If you work in marketing, chances are you don’t spend your day working in the ER, tending premature babies, putting out fires, routing air traffic control, feeding poor people or any of the occupations that mean the difference between life and death.

So stop acting like you do. Take a breath. Step back. There, feel better?

~ Valette
This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels:

It’s no surprise that agency life can be a bit demanding. There is constant stress, looming deadlines, travel and long hours.  With all of that, it can be pretty difficult sometimes to lead a healthy lifestyle. I’d rather not admit how many breakfasts and lunches are consumed at my computer, or how many times a workout is replaced with work.

However, we really are better at our jobs and just life in general when we feel good and take care of ourselves. I’m the first to attest, when I’m eating right and working out I have more energy and my stress levels stay in check. I am able to accomplish more, and I can do most of it with a smile on my face. 

But, being healthy has to be a priority. I know for me, I have to add it to my daily to-do list in order for it to get the attention that it needs. And I know it’s possible.  I trained for an Ironman in 2009 and am planning to do so again in 2011. It requires a lot of time devoted to working out and eating right, but I’m ready for the challenge and ready to reap the benefits of a sound mind and body at work.

I hope you’ll join me! Ironman entry is not required. Start small, maybe it’s more fruits and veggies, or a walk at lunch, whatever works for you! 

~ Megan
This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels: , , ,

I don’t think any of us here at S&B claim to know everything about our professions. But with that said, it’s very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget about the need to continue learning. In the agency world especially, things change at such a rapid pace. It’s amazing to think that during my relatively short time working in public relations we’ve gone from mailing hard copy press releases with a photo slide attached to using Social Media Releases with photos embedded and ready for download. There were of course many small steps and adjustments along the way, but it’s a good reminder that things change quickly and it’s important that we set aside time each day, week, month and year to focus on learning, growing and developing as professionals.

I’m going to start small – making sure to scan my favorite industry blogs and websites daily for useful tips and information. At S&B, we take that one step further with a professional “book club” of sorts that requires us to read three industry-related books each year. That doesn’t sound like that many, but again, you really have to make time. Beyond that, I’m personally going to try to attend more PRSA and Madison Social Media Club meetings – at least once a month, depending on the speaker and topic.

On a larger scale, I have several big food-related events on my calendar for 2011 (we do a lot of food PR here). As usual, I’m planning to attend the National Restaurant Association show and the International Foodservice Editorial Council conference. But, I’d also like to make time to attend the IACP conference (International Association of Culinary Professionals) and the Southern Foodways Symposium. Many of the food conferences I attend do double duty by packing food, marketing and PR-related content and speakers into one conference. For example, the IFEC conference this past fall included a day-long seminar devoted to brainstorming – it was fabulous! What’s on your professional development list for 2011? 

~ Megan
This is one of 31 entries that will be posted during the month of January describing the New Year’s resolutions proposed by the 40 vibrant and talented CCOs at S&B.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

No Comments
Labels:

« Older Entries