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Dear Janie,
At some point, we are only as smart as the people
we work with. I've been working mostly with myself
for the past two years, so you do the math.
The Savvy Communicator is going on hiatus so I can
go work with some really smart people. I’ve
accepted a position in the Chicago office of the
public relations/advertising firm Burson-Marsteller.
The good news is, in this position, I will continue to
provide communications coaching and speech writing
to existing and new clients. The better news is, I am
expanding the solutions I can offer you to include
advertising, interactive web solutions, video
productions, events, branding, design collateral and
media planning.
I now have access to the resources and expertise of
award-winning designers, video producers, brand
marketers, interactive on-line experts and a lot
more. Take a look at my new home at:
www.marsteller.com
I can be reached at:
janie.gabbett@bm.com.
As for the Savvy Communicator Newsletter, its name
may change (for branding purposes), but once I
figure out where the water cooler is, I plan to start
writing it again.
It may take a few months, but as Arnie says, “I’ll
be back.”
Savvily Yours,
Janie Gabbett
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Members of the faculty, distinguished guests |
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Have you ever given a commencement speech? Me
neither.
Nevertheless, it is commencement speech season
and I’ve been doing some research on the subject for
a client. Here’s what I have gleaned:
- The best ones typically make about three points
that are illustrated by stories from their own lives.
- The best ones help the graduates feel good
about themselves, then encourage and inspire them
not just about career, but also about life.
- The best ones usually involve some self-
disclosure that’s not always flattering – a time they
failed or lost their way.
In Steve Jobs’ acclaimed 2005 Stanford
commencement speech he talked about dropping out
of college, getting fired from Apple and getting
cancer.
He told each of these stories in a compelling,
personal way, then he explained the good fortune
that came from each of these life-changing events.
Finally, he used the authority of those experiences to
encourage and advise the graduates.
You don’t have to be a college graduate to see that
the elements of a good commencement speech can
apply to any good speech.
When we tell heart-felt, personal stories we become
accessible. When we relate those stories
directly to messages that are pertinent and
meaningful to our specific audience we become
credible. And when we share information
and insight that can help them on their journey we
become inspiring.
Accessible. Credible. Inspiring. Works for me. It
worked for Steve. It will work for you.
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