5 Takeaways from the Council for Professional Women in Business and Finance Conference
By Kathy Walsh, Director of Marketing Recently, I was fortunate to attend the Maryland Bankers Association‘s Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance (CPWBF) Fifth Annual Conference, and while I’m not a banking or finance professional, I still walked away from the day with pages full of tips gleaned from their impressive line-up of speakers. While I could write an entire blog post on each of the incredible presenters, out of respect for our readers’ time, I’ve whittled them down to the top five takeaways from the day that I’ll be putting into action in my personal and professional life! Engage your team. Among the many fascinating workforce statistics shared by Dr. Shirley Davis, CSP, President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, was this: only 32% of U.S. employees say they are “actively engaged” at work. 52% report being disengaged while another 16% consider themselves “actively disengaged.” What are we doing to ensure our organizations are in that elusive top third? This is even more important as millennials are poised to become the majority of the workforce and as Generation Z enters the picture. Balance “fight or flight” with “rest and digest.” According to Dr. Jyothi Rao of Shakthi Health and Wellness Center, our bodies’ stress response causes inflammation associated with virtually all chronic illnesses. To counteract this, Dr. Rao recommends tactics including healthy eating, sleep, getting 10,000 steps a day and mind/body techniques such as yoga and meditation. One immediate action I plan to implement: downloading the free Headspace app she recommended as a great way to get in 10 minutes of meditation a day. Spend each day focused on what matters most. I’ve written about balance before, and it sounds obvious, but at the end of the day, it won’t matter what you achieve in your career if you don’t invest the same energy in nurturing the relationships you have outside of work. I was reminded of this as I learned about London’s Legacy, a nonprofit which delivers comforting blankets and care packages to pediatric intensive care units and which was the beneficiary of MBA’s 2017 Philanthropic Initiative. Take a few minutes to read the story behind this organization and be reminded about what really matters. Avoid “download data dump” meetings. This was one of the lessons I couldn’t wait to bring back to my own organization. AmyK Hutchens, owner of executive development firm AmyK International Inc., suggests maximizing your team’s brain power by asking attendees to send a brief report before a meeting that summarizes information the group needs to know and identifies areas in which they need the team’s brainpower. Then allocate ¼ of the meeting to reviewing the data and spend the remaining ¾ problem solving. Genius, right? Make your difficulties desirable. These words of wisdom came from the extraordinary Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose a limb in active combat and a recipient of both the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Both a patriot and athlete from a very young age, when Melissa awoke from her injury and subsequent surgery, she immediately realized she had a choice in how to react, and dedicated her life to turning tragedy into triumph. Melissa went on to compete in both the Beijing and Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, receiving a bronze medal for her triathlon performance in Rio and being selected by her fellow Team USA athletes to carry the flag in the closing ceremony in Beijing. Today, she runs Dare2tri, a nonprofit that provides opportunities to youth athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments. She attributes her success to a promise she made: to live her life for those who no longer could. Her “I get to” rather than “I have to” attitude is one we should all emulate. I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent with some incredible women professionals, and hope you are able to glean some practical advice from this blog that you can apply to your daily life.
Why Help DaddyOFive?
Many people are asking, “Why would Fallston Group support a controversial client like DaddyOFive?” Thank you for your interest and questions, they are very important to us. A little background: when Fallston Group was contacted at the end of last week, we were briefed by an attorney who was working with the Martin family and by the Martin family themselves. In fact, our team went to the Martin’s home to interact with the entire family, including the children, for more than three hours before agreeing to take the family on as a client. Following this meeting, we had a choice to make – (1) walk away due to the fact that the mistreatment allegations from the public and the videos were very troubling or (2) engage with a set of parents who each put their hand up, said they were wrong, showed true remorse (with a lot of tears) and clearly didn’t know where to turn or who to trust to get the help their entire family so desperately needed. Fallston Group was founded on helping people during life’s most difficult times – we thrive on helping people. It’s baked into our DNA. We work with clients who range from very large public companies to small restaurateurs and individuals. We routinely manage complex and controversial issues including data breach, cyber-attack, social media attack, negative press, natural disaster, bankruptcy, crime, litigation, investigation, compliance issues, employee relations complications, job loss, labor unrest, audit sanction, IT issues, board dissension, poorly managed mergers, environmental damage, workplace violence, whistle blowers, IP theft, rumors, death, terrorism, riots, accidents, health issues, strikes, product recall, regulatory shifts, competitive disruption, hostile takeovers, abuse, poor leadership transition, discrimination and many, many more. The one common thread, regardless of the type of issue or the client type or size, is that if the client is willing to accept full responsibility for any lapse in judgment and desires to take whatever steps are needed to make amends and set a positive path for the future, it shapes our thinking. The Martin family fell squarely into this category. That being said, what our team initially recognized was a family who truly seemed to love each other but was in crisis and desperately needed stability and a return to normalcy for the kids. We absolutely do not condone some of the content that has been posted to YouTube. But under the circumstances, we did have an opportunity to positively influence a distraught family with our experience, instinct, resources and mentorship, particularly the children. After much discussion and evaluation, our team decided to help this family through what they describe as the most difficult period in their lives and as they strive to set things right…it’s what our company commits to do with our clients. This is not a PR play, but a very serious crisis management situation which requires a broad, long-term view within our three core verticals. The video apology released this past weekend was at the request of the family who wanted to articulate to the world how they felt, but didn’t feel they had the resources or knowledge to know how to effectively relay that message. The production was not scripted. The Martins described in detail how they felt, and the cuts and fades simply reflect editing to eliminate redundancy and keep the remarks to around three minutes. There is no question the Martins, in light of the public concern, took another look at the content they had shared through the eyes of people who don’t know them personally, and upon reflection, recognized the error of their ways. They now fully understand that they crossed the line and they describe how what started out as family fun quickly escalated into shock value for the purpose of viewership and subscriptions. They were caught up in their own characters and popularity – they were blinded by YouTube fame and again, upon reflection, made some very poor decisions. Our hope, moving forward, is that the public will take pause and realize the devastating effect the internet backlash is having on the kids. While we (and truly, the Martins, as well) appreciate the concern for the children’s safety, we can offer assurance that Maryland agencies, attorneys involved and our own company have all executed due diligence to ensure the children are safe, both physically and emotionally, and on the way to a much more positive future. This is everyone’s first priority. The Martins are currently in licensed family counseling and working with professional services providers who, in essence, serve as life coaches. We fall into that category as well. As a firm that has worked with very high profile leaders to struggling private individuals, there is perhaps nothing more important than to provide perspective and a sense of hope for the future. The path forward is critical as many of our clients simply want to return to some semblance of normalcy. This is what the Martin family wants (all of them) and we are committed to helping them during their plight. Make no mistake, the Martin’s desire does not replace parental accountability. But, it is a firm step in the right direction for five wonderful children. Our sincere hope is, as part of the professional team guiding the Martins, we can support them as they continue to work towards a life which involves very sound decision-making and a strong sense of peace and happiness.
Take the Mystery Out of Twitter – 6 Tips to Give You the Digital Edge
By Andrea Lynn, Marketing Communications Manager Are you using social media to your advantage? One of the most common areas of confusion I see in the professional online community is Twitter. Under-utilized and often overlooked due to lack of understanding, Twitter is one of the easiest ways to increase your company’s community and media awareness. Here are 6 tips to give you an edge: Know the language. Don’t be confused by basic Twitter terminology – to “tweet” is simply to send out your message (in 140 characters or less). This platform encourages shorthand and slang; the key is to be quick and concise, not worry about complete sentences! How easy is that? Know where you’re @. If you’re tweeting about a particular product or company, or want your message to reach a specific person, be sure to use the “@” symbol followed by your message target’s Twitter handle (aka their username). This can also help expose your brand to a new market. Make friends with hashtags. It’s also important to understand hashtags, which are often misused. By putting the “#” symbol in front of a word, you are making it a searchable keyword. Your Twitter homepage will show you the current trending keywords on the left-hand side of your screen. Using these trending hashtags, if relevant to your message, is a great way to increase your overall tweet’s visibility. You can also create your own to start using on a regular basis. Follow your intuition. Ready to start using your new or stagnant account? The next step is to target which users to follow on Twitter. General best practice is to follow other companies in your industry, as well as any business in your target demographic for customers. (Extra hint: if you are looking for ideas for who to follow, go to your competitors’ profiles and follow relevant accounts!) Don’t forget the media. Additionally, be sure to follow reporters who work at news channels where you would like to pitch stories! Gone are the days of slow news and assignment desks waiting for breaking news via a phone call. News today is 24/7, and Twitter is one of the main platforms used by the media to track trending news. After you’ve followed reporters on Twitter, get to know them. A reporter is more likely to respond to a pitch tied to their “beat” – that is, the type of news they cover. By interacting with local, national and even international news outlets regularly on Twitter, you have the opportunity to gather intelligence, build relationships and become a trusted resource for relevant news. Make your brand shine. Finally, keep in mind that Twitter, like any other social media channel, is a reflection of YOUR brand, whether you’re tweeting from a company or personal page. Keep your messaging and visuals consistent, and make certain your profile is up-to-date and links back to your website. Tweet me at @AndreaLynnFG to share your news! And if you need help, not to worry – feel free to give me a call at Fallston Group at 410-420-2001 or email andrea.lynn@fallstongroup.com. #Tweetwithconfidence #demystifyingTwitter
Why It’s Time We Stop Chasing “Work-Life Balance”
Written by Director of Marketing, Kathy Walsh How many times have you heard people refer to “work-life balance?” Google it, and you’ll find literally millions of results: “6 Tips For Better Work-Life Balance,” “Rethinking the Work-Life Equation,” “The Link Between Work-Life Balance and Income,” “The Six Components of Work-Life Balance,” –the list goes on and on. It’s clear this is a topic that strikes home for many of us in the workforce who struggle to juggle the demands—and opportunities—of our professional careers along with personal goals and priorities, whether families, hobbies, friends, passions, etc. Yet despite the plethora of information out there on how to achieve that elusive “ideal balance” of work and life, I don’t know of a single person who has ever achieved it! Over the course of my 25+ year career, I certainly haven’t, and I personally think it’s time we all stop chasing that unrealistic goal. In fact, I’m choosing to approach the subject from a whole new perspective, and when I shared that perspective recently with a group of a few hundred area business professionals, the positive feedback I received was so overwhelming, it prompted me to share it via this blog as well. Here’s what I said: I think of balance as a seesaw rather than a tightrope: sometimes you are up high in the air wondering if you are going to fly off, sometimes you are ricocheting off the ground after a hard landing, and both of those can be more exhilarating than wobbling to stay balanced in the middle. At the end of each day, do I feel good about what I did and who I showed up for, whether it was my job, my family, my friends, my social causes or myself? The trick is being mindful of where you are needed most that week, day or moment and then aligning your priorities in the context of those needs. I’m certainly not saying I have all the answers, but I do have one personal sign I’m on the right track: when I recently asked my two teenage daughters if they thought my executive position, which requires I travel to Baltimore each day, impacted our family in a negative way, I got an unequivocal “absolutely not” from both of them, which makes me feel like I’m doing something right! So my advice is, don’t try for sustained balance, but embrace the seesaw ride and the next time you’re hitting the ground, push off, hold on tight and soar back up to the sky, guilt-free!
CTI’s The Evolution of Ransomware: Paying the Price in More Ways than One
Written by Kayla Twain, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Continental Technologies, Inc. The good ol’ days of ransomware are far behind us. The traditional, “I hack your system, encrypt your data, and send you the key if you cough up the cash” model is evolving at an alarming rate. Hackers are getting creative and customizing their approaches based on your business vertical. Sometimes, paying the money is just one of the many costs associated with a breach. When hackers will stop at nothing to infiltrate and exploit your business, how can you possibly keep up? CASE STUDY: RANSOMWARE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN OHIO TOWN GOVERNMENT Just this past week, a ransomware attack brought systems in the government offices of Licking County, Ohio to a halt. Frighteningly, this included systems at the local police department. According to an article on TechCrunch, “The county government offices, including 911 dispatch, currently must work without computers or office phones” and “the shutdown is expected to continue at least the rest of the week.” It was suspected that an employee, unaware of the common attack vectors for malware, clicked a malicious link in a phishing email. Within minutes the damage was done. As is the case in many ransomware horror stories, the Licking County government was forced to pay the ransom demand to expedite recovery and return their police and other critical departments to full functionality. Attackers are after more than just your data. It is critical to keep this in mind when cataloging business assets and creating a plan to defend your organization. EMPLOYEES: YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE When a digital attack is waged on your organization, it is natural to want to defend your network in a similar way. Companies wonder, “What systems do we have in place in our digital environment to protect us?’ Words like, “firewall” and “antivirus” come to mind. What most organizations fail to address is the human element. Your employees are the first line of defense against a hacking attempt. Have you educated them on what a phishing attack looks like, or not to click on potentially malicious links in emails from unknown senders? It is critical to involve your staff in a “Security Awareness Training.” For more information on CTI’s Security Awareness Training, click here. Additionally, keep the lines of communication between your IT Department and the rest of your organization open and transparent. If there have been attempted hacks on your system, let your organization know so they can be prepared. What they don’t know can hurt your company. ASSESSING YOUR NETWORK BEFORE THEY DO Mapping your IT environment is key to protecting your organization. If you don’t know where your vulnerabilities lie, how can you ever expect to fix them? Security Assessments help you identify and fix vulnerabilities in applications and infrastructure that can lead to a compromise of your sensitive data. Risk Assessments determine which of your information resources require protection, and identifies steps to mitigate risk. Originally published by CTI via their online blog.
The First Order of Leadership is Safety
Planning for and implementing an emergency action plan not only safeguards the physical and emotional safety of students, faculty and visitors, it reduces legal exposure. Organizations often forget that failure to create proven safety measures for each potential emergent situation can leave them personally and professionally exposed if disaster strikes. Protecting people, securing assets and strengthening brands is paramount, but often gets put on the back burner, leaving many vulnerable to sudden and smoldering crises. Academic institutions should have at least three types of emergency protocols in place (1) emergency evacuation procedures for fires, gas leaks or any other in-building threat that requires people to quickly evacuate in an orderly manner, (2) shelter in place protocols are designed to protect people in the event of natural disasters, weather related emergencies and other critical situations; and (3) active shooter or terrorist threat guidelines most often put the building and its occupants in “lock-down” mode. An emergency evacuation plan protects against what is the most common form of emergency to occur in academic settings, a fire. Having efficient routes in place for each section of the building to its easiest and fastest egress point allows for a much safer escape for workers. Rehearsed, timely evacuation models save lives. Shelter in place plans protect against natural disasters and weather related emergencies. Beside fires, this is the next most likely emergency to occur at work. This plan puts the building in “safety” mode and is designed to lessen the risk of personal injury should a disaster strike. From earthquakes to tornadoes to even heavy winds to nearby criminal activity, a plan must be in place for each potential threat. Different shelter in place severity levels can be used depending on the threat, but each predicted eventuality must be practices and employees trained to standard. The final plan that should be in place is an active shooter plan. Although this is the least likely to be used, should it occur, it will be very damaging and devastating, physically and emotionally. Given the recent acts of terror in public places, an active shooter plan can greatly decrease the likelihood a shooter succeeds in harming others. This plan puts occupants in “lock-down” mode, in most cases locking people in their classroom, office or other secure rooms to deny intruders easy access. The Run, Hide Fight model is alive and well! The first order of leadership at any level, in any industry, is to provide a safe place to live, work, go to school and raise a family. Are you doing everything possible to protect those that depend on you? Is your team ready to meet the moment? You better be. For more information about crisis leadership and planning, contact Fallston Group at 410.420.2001 or send along an email to info@fallstongroup.com. Also, learn more online at fallstongroup.com.
PSA’s Perspective: Not Another Blog on Cyber Security
Written by Frank Giachini, MBA of PSA Insurance and Financial Services. No, really, this isn’t just another blog on Cyber. If by now the news of breaches at Target, Home Depot, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sony, The US Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Defense haven’t raised alarms for you, there is nothing I can say that will bring you up to speed on the pervasiveness of cybercrime. No doubt many organizations are aware, and have taken precautionary steps to mitigate cybercrime but an unnerving number of companies continue to believe that they are ‘too small’ to become the target of an attack. Unfortunately the reality is quite different. One of the largest breaches in recent memory was Target Stores where 40 million credit card numbers and 70 million total records were stolen. It resulted in 46 percent drop in profits, $100 million in additional security improvements and $200 million in costs to financial institutions to re-issue new credit cards. What you likely didn’t know is that the source of the Target breach was their HVAC vendor – a small shop located in Sharpsburg, PA. And just consider, credit card information is among the LEAST valuable information stolen, whereas health and general login information is one of the most valuable. While a stolen credit card number might be worth $5 or less on the black market, health related information may sell for as much as 100 times that amount. To make matters worse, 81 percent of healthcare related organizations have been compromised in the past two years. Do you run the risk of being that HVAC vendor? Are you doing business over the internet with larger firms, including your vendors, customers and banks? If you’re not paying sufficient attention to cyber exposures, then I would argue you are at significant risk. Keep in mind that not all cyber-attacks are targeted – actually in many cases they are crimes of opportunity. Login credentials left out in the open, weak passwords, lax network monitoring, and failing to provide regular and consistent cyber risk education to your staff can expose your firm to catastrophic losses. In the coming months, PSA will feature technical ways in which you can ‘harden’ your infrastructure by working with experts in the field. Yes, we believe in cyber insurance, but the best course is prevention – you may have homeowners insurance, but would you really leave a window open in your home during a thunderstorm? There are a number of relatively easy steps you can take to at least raise awareness of exposures and potentially prevent data and financial loss – not to mention damage to your reputation and credibility – which may be the greatest loss of all: Have staff develop strong passwords where feasible. These are passwords that are hard to guess, include symbols such as #!% and have a combination of capital and lowercase letters. Don’t leave passwords out for all to see. Educate your staff on PHISHING attacks – where seemingly legitimate emails are really disguised attempts to gain access to your credentials (e.g. an email advising you to wire money coming from the CFO, a package is being delivered, etc.). Limit access to your network using only encrypted and approved devices. Ensure you have an active and up-to-date firewall and malware applications in place. Develop an intranet policy that clearly spells out acceptable uses of computers and the intranet. Limit the use of internet access as much as possible to business applications. Many attacks are propagated through malware that lurks behind legitimate ads and links. Make sure you have the latest operating system upgrades completed. In many cases the upgrades include fixes to known security risks. Most email programs allow you to encrypt sensitive communications. Use it whenever you are sending non-public information to any recipient. Last but not least expect to be a victim of cybercrime and prepare accordingly. At PSA, we see ourselves as much more than an insurance broker – we are your partner in protecting and growing your assets. We’ve learned a thing or two along the way when it comes to mitigating risk – and this is an area we feel many small and medium size firms don’t readily understand. We are here to help and will be glad to assist you in developing any of the ideas shared in this post. Feel free to contact me at FGiachini@psafinancial.com. Originally published by PSA Insurance and Financial Services via their online blog. About the Author: Frank Giachini, MBA, oversees PSA’s Operations, including support for the Wealth Management, Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits Business Units. He has over 25 years of experience in the Property & Casualty and Financial Services Industries. Frank joined PSA in October 2008 after serving in various leadership and management roles for All Risks, Ltd, a national, independently owned Excess & Surplus Lines brokerage headquartered in Maryland. He also served as Vice President for Marsh USA and Zurich Financial Services in various client support and financial management positions. Disclosure Information Information contained herein is generic in nature and provided by sources believed to be reliable. It is for informational purposes only and is not guaranteed as to accuracy, is not intended to be the primary basis for insurance or investment decisions, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Neither PSA Insurance and Financial Services, its affiliates or employees render, or offer to render, personalized insurance, investment or financial planning advice through this medium. PSA employees are not licensed legal or tax professionals. Contact your qualified professional for legal or tax advice. As tax and other regulations may change, always consult your advisor before acting on any information provided. Due to various factors, including market changes, this content may no longer reflect our current opinion. PSA may only transact business in those states in which they are registered or exempted from registration. Information herein is directed only toward U.S. citizens. All rights reserved. No reproduction
Giving Thanks – The Business Way
Giving thanks and showing appreciation toward others is the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Whether it be with friends, family or complete strangers, it is important for people to show gratitude toward others that have had a positive influence in their life, the same goes for the business world. One of the most important tactics companies can take is giving thanks, being grateful for and appreciating their customer and stakeholder bases. While many look forward to a short work week and a relaxing holiday, it shows a sense of professionalism to give credit to those who have helped support your business along the way. Who The first step in showing appreciation as a business is determining who exactly to thank. The list may be long, so start in-house and show gratitude toward your employees. Without dedication and hard work from your team, a successful business is not possible. Current customers and clients are next on the list. Showing the people who put their trust in your company that you genuinely care is a huge reputation builder. Be sure that not everyone they do business with will be reaching out to them this time of year, and even more sure that they will remember you for doing so. Next is past customers and clients. Even though your company may not be currently engaged in business with former clients, it is still important to remember them for work that was done in the past. This shows that they were not just a forgotten “job” or “money-maker,” but a relationship your business gained and greatly appreciates. Colleagues are also deserving of a thank you, as they may have played a crucial part in the success of your business. Although you may not have done business directly with every colleague who has helped you, some may have acted as stepping stones to success during your company’s growth. Remembering these individuals or groups will exhibit that their help was admired, not forgotten. Lastly, reach out to other local business, whether it be restaurants, offices or even mom and pop shops. These businesses find comfort in knowing that they have the support of other local companies, and vice versa. Companies in the same community can help each other succeed in a variety of ways, and it is important to build these relationships. How After determining who to thank, you’re probably wondering how or what to thank them with. Your employees are deserving of a small token of appreciation, be it a gift or a custom gift card. Something more than just a “thank you” seems fitting for the people who directly impact the success of your business. This will be greatly appreciated, but not expected. And, in turn, makes employees want to work for your company. A small gift is also appropriate for current customers and clients. Nothing fancy; even a pen with your company’s logo will do. Reaching out to the customer base that fuels your business’ income is always appreciated. Past customers, colleagues and local businesses can be thanked with a card or picture of your company’s team with a written greeting, or even a simple email or post on their social media sites. This will remind them that your company cares, and remembers its past, present or even potential future relationships during this time of year. While it may not be expected, thanking the people who have impacted your business goes a long way. Not only does it keep the people you do business with relevant to your company, it can spark future relationships as your reputation builds. Keep this in mind as a business owner, and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. Image by soft4portable.com
Crisis Leadership Expert Rob Weinhold and New York Times Best-Selling Author Kevin Cowherd Talk Crisis Leadership at Local Book Tour Stops This Week
Fallston Group Founder and Chief Executive Rob Weinhold and New York Times best-selling author Kevin Cowherd will make book tour stops at Catholic University and Towson Barnes & Noble locations this week. Weinhold and Cowherd will host an interactive discussion about their highly praised book, “The Art of Crisis Leadership,” and sign copies for attendees. This week’s event locations and times are listed below: Washington D.C Book Tour Stop Barnes & Noble at The Catholic University of America Bookstore 625 Monroe Street NE Washington, DC 20017 Thursday, October 6 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Towson Book Tour Stop Towson Barnes & Noble 1 East Joppa Road, Suite 100 Towson, MD 21286 Saturday, October 8 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Weinhold and Cowherd’s book hit the shelves in May and since then, has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, American City Business Journals and other prominent news outlets. Additionally, “The Art of Crisis Leadership” quickly rose to the #1 book in the PR and Crisis Management categories, while also cracking the top 100 in Leadership on Amazon immediately after its release. In today’s digital age, anyone with an internet connection and recording device can wreak havoc on your brand. It’s not if crisis will occur, but when. The real question – are you prepared to meet the leadership moment? “The feedback we’ve received since the book release has been amazing – many have said it has helped them persevere both personally and professionally. To know that we’ve already helped people is incredibly rewarding. We look forward to continuing to share the book’s value – real people, real emotion, real results. According to readers, the takeaways at the end of each chapter have been the edge they’ve needed to both inspire and help them manage their own lives,” said Weinhold. A former Baltimore police and U.S. Department of Justice executive who has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and many other national, regional and local media outlets, Weinhold expertly discusses, among other topics, data breaches, negative press, social media attacks, natural disasters, financial distress, sex scandals and political vendettas – and how to turn short-term adversity into long-term advantage. Weinhold has conducted thousands of media interviews during his storied career and is routinely called upon by local, regional and national news outlets to lend expert crisis leadership and public safety perspective. He has recently presented at multiple Department of Justice conferences and will be presenting at the Public Relations Society of America’s 2016 International Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana later this month. Press review copies are available by request. Please contact Shannon Cooper at 410-420-2001 or shannon.cooper41@gmail.com to request a copy of the book or interview. Learn more about “The Art of Crisis Leadership” and order online at Amazon (Hardcover, ISBN 978-1627201124, $25.99) or https://www.apprenticehouse.com. Join the crisis leadership conversation online using #TheArtofCrisis, #Leadership, and #movement. About the Author After working 23 years in the private and public sectors, Rob Weinhold decided to continue his career mission of helping organizations during life’s most critical times by launching Fallston Group—a Baltimore-based crisis management and communications firm. Fallston Group works with large public companies to individuals to build, strengthen and defend their reputations, each and every day (http://www.FallstonGroup.com). Throughout his distinguished career, Weinhold worked on the core executive leadership team at all three levels of government, including the Baltimore Police Department, U.S. Justice Department and Maryland’s Governor’s Office. Privately, Weinhold worked with Ripken Baseball where he oversaw all aspects of Cal Ripken Jr.’s core amateur sports business. Weinhold maintains extensive experience in the areas of executive leadership, strategy and communications. He has been routinely recognized for his unique ability to lead by creating vision and building consensus across diverse stakeholder bases to drive real results, particularly during critical times. Weinhold has provided professional guidance to corporate executives, high-profile professional athletes, U.S. Attorney General, White House domestic policy staff, U.S. Congresspersons, state governors and other high-ranking public service officials. Weinhold earned a graduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University and undergraduate degree from the University of Baltimore, both marketing disciplined. About the Co-Author Kevin Cowherd is the author, along with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., of the New York Times best-seller “Hothead” and five other baseball novels for young readers. Their sixth book, “The Closer,” was published by Disney-Hyperion in March. Cowherd’s last two non-fiction books for Apprentice House Press were “The Opening Act: Comedy, Life and the Desperate Pursuit of Happiness,” a look at the career of Baltimore comic Larry Noto, and “Hale Storm: The Incredible Saga of Baltimore’s Ed Hale, including a Secret Life with the CIA.” Cowherd was an award-winning sports and features columnist for The Baltimore Sun for 32 years and has also written for Men’s Health, Parenting and Baseball Digest magazines. A collection of his newspaper columns, “Last Call at the 7-Eleven” can still be found in fine remainder bins everywhere. About Fallston Group, LLC Fallston Group, LLC is a highly trusted, executive advisory firm focused on building, strengthening and defending reputations. The firm operates where leadership, strategy and communications intersect. Reputations are both positively and negatively impacted by many variables; and, whether working with clients in a proactive or reactive sense, Fallston Group engages with velocity and vision while turning short-adversity into long-term advantage. Fallston Group team members provide a blend of both executive and operational services to help leaders prepare for, navigate through, and recover from issues of adversity and crisis. Many leaders refer to Fallston Group as their “Chief Reputation Officer.” To learn more, visit fallstongroup.com.
Meltdown in Rio: Ryan Lochte
Although Ryan Lochte is at the tail end of his swimming career, the 32-year-old still has some very serious repercussions stemming from his crisis in Rio.
