mhdodick consulting

If contending with a devastating storm of gargantuan proportions were not enough, officials with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have another monster to slay as they try to keep people safe. Conspiracy theories and deliberate misinformation—with a partisan political overlay—are running amuck while FEMA officials strive to implement an orderly response to Hurricane Milton. Its ferocious power could see it exceed the damage in lives and property caused by its malevolent predecessor, Hurricane Helene. Sadly, if unsurprisingly, much of the misleading and trust-busting info-junk is being distributed and intensified by social media platforms. In the hypercharged atmosphere of a fraught presidential campaign and a red-blue, black-and-white polarized state and country, even the absurd is landing with a nasty punch. Communications professionals often have rumour control as a top-of-the-agenda priority. But debunking false claims in a situation where emotions are running especially high, trust is razor thin and algorithms are an anger accelerant is exceptionally challenging. An online contagion is not easily contained if people are unwilling to listen to reason, respect legitimate authority and use common sense. Here are some ideas to help you navigate situations where you are faced with dubious claims in a tense and uncontrolled environment. Apply dispassionate discipline to your own emotional responses to disruptive information. Insist on getting proof before making decisions and reassess it as new, verifiable facts come to light. Avoid validating or distributing unsupported allegations that undermine credible sources and sow mistrust, and counter those that emerge. Because when it comes to combatting misinformation and disinformation, we truly are all in this together. https://bit.ly/488LLR9

Autumn is a great time to grow your professional skillset. (So are winter, spring and summer.) If genuine curiosity or practical need requires you to become familiar with artificial intelligence (AI), the curated list of (non-commercial) AI links on the Resources section of my website (mhdodick.com) can help you build your knowledge. Even if your workplace offers training in how to use the tools (e.g., how to be effective at prompt engineering), these sources (many are Canadian) will offer added value. #artificialintelligence #professionaldevelopment #professionalism

It’s often said that, “hope is not a strategy” and that “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” But on the other hand, as communications pros will agree, agility is indispensable. Whether undertaking a public relations campaign, managing an emerging crisis, or engaging in an unscripted live chat on a social media platform, being able to turn on a dime is table stakes. The two capability sets aren’t mutually exclusive. Everyone—from those who plan everything to those who prefer to play it fast and loose—can achieve better results by working to integrate both styles/strengths. Want proof? Consider the uniquely challenging operating environment of astronauts who went to the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first to land (on Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969), had doubts about their ability to leave its surface after discovering a circuit breaker switch had accidentally broken off on re-entering the Lunar Module. They had to improvise and used a pen to get a “good complete circuit.” Agility, when it counted most. (https://lnkd.in/gaMEQHGq) But essentials—especially those encountered in exceptional environments—should be anticipated and can be prepared for. In the image collage from Apollo 12 accompanying this post, on the astronaut’s left forearm and clearly in the closeup is a detailed checklist featuring the sequence of required actions to be performed. That defines thinking ahead: Not just having a prioritized “to do” list but making it readily accessible for maximum efficiency. There will always be “Black Swan” events and no one can anticipate life’s every twist and turn. But preparing thoroughly and swiftly adapting to new contingencies can help you achieve better outcomes. Worth considering. #strategy #planning #strategicplanning #leadership #management #agility #communications   Image composition produced from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Apollo 12 Image Library (last revised July 3, 2017): https://lnkd.in/gkxWkbJd

If Canada aims to grow its prosperity in a complex and interconnected global economy, it must keep nurturing an enterprising international outlook in its business culture. The challenges of capturing customers beyond our borders are real. They shouldn’t be underestimated but can be overcome. With that in mind, here are selected insights from an informative session about entering new markets during yesterday’s The Globe and Mail Mail webinar on this theme: > Be diligent about pre-entry market research: test your value proposition in advance. > Use local market expertise to augment your inhouse knowledge. > Respect your sector’s compliance regime: fulfil all applicable obligations. > Appreciate that exceptionally large markets (e.g., the U.S.) are actually multiple markets. > Recognize the powerful influence of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), especially in China. > Adopt an OMNI channel marketing strategy: accept there’s no perfect success formula. > Customize messaging by audience, but ensure it flows from an integrated source. > Ensure you can scale up to meet your target market requirements when needed. > Differentiate your offering based on the specific market you are entering. > Adjust your strategy rapidly; be ready for trial and error and its affiliated costs. A closing note of appreciation to emcee Adrian Lee, and panelists Albert Chow, Alison Weyland and Jacqueline Prehogan for an engaging dialogue. #business #internationalbusiness #businessdevelopment #exporting #strategy #marketing #internationalmarketing #economics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an everyday reality across a spectrum of industries and for marketers a robust suite of tools is already available and growing rapidly. Staying current with the technologies and their application in various use cases is essential to remain effective, productive and creative. So, take advantage of every opportunity to build your understanding and capabilities and cultivate a skillset that sustains your professional relevance over the long term. In a recent post, I noted that my website now has a new list of curated links to reputable, non-commercial sources of AI insight (mhdodick.com – 04. Resources). You may find them helpful for getting an overview of AI developments and identifying where you need more knowledge. Good luck with your AI learning journey. #artificialintelligence #marketing #marketingstrategy #professionaldevelopment #professionalism

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be just starting to touch your professional life, or perhaps it’s already redefining your workplace. But in either case it’s poised to have increasing influence on them over time. New technologies are embraced eagerly by some and cause deep unease among others. With AI, anxieties about employment loss or restructured roles are being expressed even as applications multiply to monetize potential benefits. To help you navigate these developments, a new list of curated links to reputable, non-commercial sources of AI insight has been published to https://lnkd.in/gvv4Mcjm. Many are Canadian because nurturing homegrown AI capabilities and capturing their commercial potential is a national priority. Gaining an understanding of AI cannot alleviate all concerns. But building your awareness about its capabilities and limitations and the implications for your livelihood is smart. These sources can help you prepare for future deployments and be better able to accommodate their impact. #artificialintelligence #innovation #technology #strategy #leadership #management #professionaldevelopment #humanresources

No matter what you do in your professional life, communications tools are vital for performing your duties. Try to function without them.   Media and media channels—which shape and share information and enable and empower action—are changing rapidly. Understanding consumption habits and usage trends is advantageous for anyone with leadership responsibilities and essential for anyone who oversees marketing campaigns.   Comms Savvy examines a variety of media and offers a quick-hit review of key facts and trends to depict the evolving state of communications in a Canadian context: it can therefore inform your strategic thinking and program planning. All of the extracts capture a meaningful pattern or insight and are from credible information providers. URLs to original sources are included, though some may link to an archived page or are accessible only at a cost.   Please feel free to share Comms Savvy with anyone seeking enhanced media literacy and the knowledge needed to navigate a communications environment in transition. Your feedback about it is welcomed. #communications #communication #media #socialmedia #journalism #TV #television #video #radio #podcasts #internet #streaming #telecommunications #technology #marketresearch #publishing #photography #websites #artificialintelligence

No matter what you do in your professional life, communications tools are vital for performing your duties. Try to function without them.   Media and media channels—which shape and share information and enable and empower action—are changing rapidly. Understanding consumption habits and usage trends is advantageous for anyone with leadership responsibilities and essential for anyone who oversees marketing campaigns.   Comms Savvy examines a variety of media and offers a quick-hit review of key facts and trends to depict the evolving state of communications in a Canadian context: it can therefore inform your strategic thinking and program planning. All of the extracts capture a meaningful pattern or insight and are from credible information providers. URLs to original sources are included, though some may link to an archived page or are accessible only at a cost.   Please feel free to share Comms Savvy with anyone seeking enhanced media literacy and the knowledge needed to navigate a communications environment in transition. Your feedback about it is welcomed. #communications #communication #media #socialmedia #journalism #TV #television #video #radio #podcasts #internet #streaming #telecommunications #technology #marketresearch #publishing #photography #websites #artificialintelligence

Never gets tired.   We naturally value the scientific explanation of today’s solar eclipse that traversed much of North America (or we should).   But ultimately, it’s the aesthetic experience of this rare phenomenon that still provokes an emotional response and an unfiltered expression of genuine awe: “history in the making.”   Please forgive a self-reference, but as an article I published in 2017 stated about a similar celestial event: “The torrent of verbal and pictorial accounts reveals that despite living in an era of unprecedented technological sophistication, we are still deeply drawn to the world beyond human invention and control.” And the credit goes to “powerful storytelling shaped by skilled storytellers” in all content forms. (https://lnkd.in/gUpj4cJE)   It was true then. It’s true today. And it will still be true in the future.    NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration   #eclipse #eclipse2024 #communications #communication

In what has become a sadly familiar story for many media companies, the SaltWire Network Inc., Atlantic Canada’s largest newspaper publisher, has filed for creditor protection.   Like other outlets, the company struggled with declining ad revenues and readers’ reluctance to pay for online access (despite a federal tax credit). https://lnkd.in/ggM7XMEK   This is not news. J-Source.ca | The Canadian Journalism Project reported that during year one of the pandemic, 67 Canadian outlets closed. The picture hasn’t improved since and isn’t confined to newspapers. Much lauded, all-digital BuzzFeed News bit the dust last year (See: A Notable Media Milestone or Just Another News Outlet Obit? https://lnkd.in/gkNp7Nrc). Remember the recent layoffs at Bell Media?   Coverage about the ailing-but-still-operating Saltwater has focused on the business narrative, employee impact and local news coverage implications. A “news desert” may follow in affected communities, i.e., there may be no “nutritious” information source to keep citizens current and democracy healthy.   One undiscussed consequence applies to public relations. PR outreach campaigns depend on viable outlets with well-defined audiences for their “earned media.” Without them, there is no third-party transmission conduit. Just as media businesses must adapt to survive and thrive, so too must the PR pros who rely on them. Change is coming…or else.   #media #journalism #newspapers #publicrelations #communications #communication #digitalcommunications #businessstrategy #economics Andrew Yates Christopher Stathousis, MS IMC Jenny Cruxton Maura Drew-Lytle Nigel Miller Philip Zanotti Ragul Chari Susan Bourette Tim Butters Simon Segall Fabrice de Dongo Fred Rutman G. Bruce Chapman Linda Filippi Marty Goldberg Steve Kee Mario Longo, MBA, Prosci-ADKAR (CMP) Katie Ophelders Evan Thompson Joseph Levi, CPA Megan Paul Wendy Greenwood Kimberley Race Anna Tiefenboeck Dylan Fedy Rita Men Irving Frydman Loretta Levinson Corby Fine Joshua Levi Michael Ophelders Richard Rotman