Sexual Harassment: Reducing Risk
In order to avoid the severe consequences of sexual harassment reports, prevent legal exposure, and protect managers and subordinates, the Fallston Group offers employers suggestions for reducing risk of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Distracted Teen Drivers: Lessons for Safety
80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes are due to driver distraction. Drivers under the age of 20 represent the largest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes. Take the time to help your teenager understand the seriousness of staying attentive on the road.
Safety Tips for College Students
College students: familiarize yourself with these safety tips as you head off to school.
3 Questions to Consider: A Psychologist’s Take on Anthony Weiner
Amidst scandal, Anthony Weiner is still running his campaign. Should he be?
The Phony Express: Identity Thieves Love When You Get Mail
Your identity is one of the few things in your life that is irreplaceable. Unfortunately, it has also become a hot commodity on the black market. Although many scam artists use a number of high-tech methods to commit identity theft, one of the easiest ways is by taking your mail. You may not have given it much thought, but your mail is filled with the type of personal, credit and banking information that identity thieves absolutely love.
Media Boot Camp for Executives Coming October 3, 2013
The Fallston Group and SLM Multimedia will host their 2013 Media Boot Camp for Executives on Thursday, October 3rd, 2013. The inaugural program season in 2012 was a tremendous success as the Fallston Group and SLM teamed to execute two sold-out programs for executives in varying industries from different parts of the country. Participants in the next session will receive personalized training on how to effectively tell their story, whether during an on-camera interview or to their key stakeholders. This interactive day of training will improve the preparation, messaging and presentation skills of leaders who must be at the top of their game in the “court of public opinion.” As with all previous “Boot Camps,” participants will have a behind-the-scenes tour of the WJZ-TV newsroom (Baltimore’s CBS network affiliate), a session on brand-building via the media, on-camera interviews with local media personalities, a media roundtable discussion and post-interview analysis and critiques. The roundtable discussion, media training and a lunch will take place at the Four Seasons – Baltimore Hotel & Resort after the WJZ-TV portion of the day. “This is an exciting opportunity for executives who want to sharpen their confidence and communication skills,” Rob Weinhold, principal of the Fallston Group, said. “We have put together a high-performing training team from all segments of the news media, including local news reporters, producers, videographers, editors and public affairs experts. Our goal is to provide participants with the unique skills they need to concisely, effectively and successfully tell their story, whether on-camera or within their stakeholder network.” A portion of the proceeds from each event will benefit the There Goes My Hero Foundation, http://www.theregoesmyhero.org, which provides hope and nourishment to leukemia patients and their families. “There is no better way to learn than from those who will ultimately tell your story,” SLM Multimedia Principal and event partner Greg Marsh said. “The event will give participants a deep understanding of how to speak concisely, manage nervousness, eliminate distractions and project a sense of poise and belief while educating, informing or persuading.” Click here for more information about this year’s Media Boot Camp for Executives. To register for the event, please contact Kristi Frisch at the Fallston Group, 410-420-2001 or kristi.frisch@fallstongroup.com.
School and University Safety
“Providing a safe place to live, work, and raise a family is the first order of leadership,” says Rob Weinhold, Principal of the Fallston Group. Students work and sometimes live at school; therefore, school leaders must keep student safety as their first priority. A social media crisis management plan is one way that school and university leaders implement to help promote the safety of their students.
San Diego Mayor Should Step Down
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner should resign; he should take some time to solely focus on his personal issues. After Filner works on himself, if he wishes to seek office in the future, the people will then decide if he is fit for duty.
The Traveler’s Safety Guide
If you are traveling unaccompanied, you must take extra precaution. Make sure you are ultimately prepared by remembering these ten travel safety tips.
The Public Has Voted with Its Feet
Paula Deen recently hired a professional crisis manager to help repair her reputation. The fact of the matter is that before Deen’s story even hit the news, she should have proactively developed an assertive, heartfelt crisis communications strategy which forthrightly dealt with the racial slur she apparently espoused decades ago. Deen has become one of the most famous women in the cooking industry with a wide range of fans that fell in love with her southern charm and food. But after her admission to using a racial slur (almost 30 years ago according to Deen) hit the court of law (deposition) then the court of public opinion, even the most loyal fans are questioning her character and ethics. Fans aren’t the only ones abandoning Deen. The Food Network announced they will not be renewing Deen’s contract and corporate sponsors (Target, Wal-Mart, Smithfield Foods, etc.) are cutting ties. Based on Deen’s reputational crisis, some stakeholders believe continuing a working relationship with her would not be good for their own brands and violate their ethics and beliefs. This week, Deen also severed her relationship with her long-time agent who helped get her the Food Network gig. Candidly, the Deen empire is in shambles and her financial future in jeopardy. None of us are in a position to truly judge the heart of another; however, the actions of high-profile business leaders are always fair game in the court of public opinion. Regardless of Deen’s true intent, ability to apologize or attempt to lend perspective, many have already voted with their feet – they’ve run for the hills and have distanced themselves as far away as they can from Deen’s slur. Were these the right and most appropriate corporate decisions? Did Deen handle herself well in the court of public opinion since the issue became public? Should a remark 30 years ago define one’s character? Many will debate these questions over time, but one thing is clear…regardless of opinion and conjecture, the reality is Deen’s slur has cost her lots of time, unimaginable amounts of money, countless customers and, quite possibly, her storied career. Image by SLOETRON
