IT’S A PR THING

Episode 37 - Poor Customer Experience = Poor Public Mental Health

Poor customer experience is driving poor mental health -- and that's a PR thing and a brand destroyer. 
Join me today as we hear what studies and experts have to say, and how a U.S. culture of poor customer service and experiences is damaging the public's mental health in several ways. 
As we wave our banners about being compassionate, empathetic, kind and caring -- we as a U.S. business culture across all industries are missing the opportunities to show these behaviors in our customer interactions every day. 
Are you ready for this kind of truth? 
Of course you are -- you're a PR pro! Let's dive in for some more PR learning love! 
 
GILES CROUCH: "HOW TECHNOLOGY FAILED CUSTOMER SERVICE" 
 
HOST BIO https://www.audible.com/author/Stephanie-McFarland/B00YNFH16E
 

Episode 36 - Happy Mother's Day Franny J - The OG Relationship Builder

My First PR Teacher -- Thank you, Mamma.
Today we celebrate the upcoming Mother's Day weekend with a tribute to Franny J, the OG relationship builder.
Franny J came from northern Alabama, knew no one of influence in Indianapolis, but her relationship-building skills earned her a client list that included some of the most prominent names in Central Indiana.
And she's my mom. The start-up queen before start ups were a thing!
She started two businesses, grew them exponentially, and never advertised. But she has some old-school relationship-building skills that our flash and splash today can't match.
In today's episode you'll learn the backstory about Franny J, and the Franny J four rules of relationship building.
Enjoy!
 
HOST BIO https://www.audible.com/author/Stephanie-McFarland/B00YNFH16E
 
 

Episode 35 - CEO Confidence in PR

The news isn't good. CEOs and C-suite members have low confidence in their PR departments. In fact, the confidence rating for Congress at this moment is higher -- almost double -- compared to how C-suite members rate their PR teams. YIKES!
Houston, we have a problem! And waking up to it is our first step to resolving it.
Today IT'S A PR THING looks at some of the data points on what C-suite leaders think about their PR divisions and what they deem of value from the PR team.
And we give you five tips on how to inspire confidence from your CEO and the C-suite team, deliver value back to the organization, and help your company masterfully manage your public relationships. 
You'll definitely want to grab a pen and paper to take notes today. PR field, we've got work to do.
STUDY MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
 
NEED HELP IMPLEMENTING A STAKEHOLDER AUDIT? 
We can advise you, implement the process, or help your comms team facilitate the process across your organization. We'll help you create a relationship-capital dashboard, and map out a plan to improve, maintain and grow your relationship capital.
Visit us at MCFARLANDPR.COM
HOST BIO https://www.audible.com/author/Stephanie-McFarland/B00YNFH16E
 
 
 

Episode 34 - Auditing Your Stakeholder Connections

Just like your financials need to be regularly reviewed and audited, so do your stakeholder relationships. In fact, not having a finger on the pulse of your relationship capital can impact your organization's financial health.
This is another next level PR management practice that helps you know the relationship landscape across your organization, know what your relationship radar system is signalling, and help you to advise your C-suite leaders -- so they can decide how to invest time, energy, resources in building relationship capital. And it can be instrumental in helping your C-suite to pivot and swerve to avoid trouble before it takes root.
Interestingly, it's the CEO who most often gets this need to have a pulse on the company's stakeholder relationships. And when trouble raises its ugly head, it's the often comms team that is pulled into question as to how the company could have avoided the threat.
Follow today's five steps to become the trusted advisor who is managing the organization's relationship capital actively and effectively.
And avoid being the "fixer" that's expected to manage the mischief and clean up the mess.
NEED HELP IMPLEMENTING A STAKEHOLDER AUDIT? 
We can advise you, implement the process, or help your comms team facilitate the process across your organization. We'll help you create a relationship-capital dashboard, and map out a plan to improve, maintain and grow your relationship capital.
Visit us at MCFARLANDPR.COM
HOST BIO https://www.audible.com/author/Stephanie-McFarland/B00YNFH16E
 

Episode 33 - Next Level PR Transformation

NEWS ALERTFeedSpot named IT'S A PR THING among its top 70 PR podcasts "on the planet" you must follow in 2025. Read more.
EPISODE 33 - SUMMARYToday we dive into the five practices that can take your PR efforts from a content-creating, output-producing function to a value-creating, outcome-delivering operation.
This episode hits the high notes of which practices separate the tactical from the strategic, and the outputs from results. 
From the CEO to the new professional, this episode plays up and down the corporate scale -- and tells you exactly how to transform your PR work into Next Level PR.
Get ready to take some notes, because this episode packs a lot into a small space of time!
HOST BIO https://www.audible.com/author/Stephanie-McFarland/B00YNFH16E

Episode 32 - Don't 'Stay on Message'

Don't 'Stay on Message'
Yes, you read today's title right. Don't "stay on message".
We hear it a lot in our field, the directive to "stay on message". And, for the most part, it's bad advice. 
Today you'll hear for yourself what it actually sounds like put into practice. And we talk about what those receiving the "message" think about its delivery.
Of course, we don't leave you with a "do not" without also giving you a new "do".
Make sure you listen to the end for a special message that will stay with you all day long!
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SOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Clip 1: Minnesota DFL - A Simple  Question: Yes or No?
https://youtu.be/VySnpLoaUrI
Clip 2: Tuesday Tip 2: Audience vs. Stakeholder: It's not Tomato Tomahto
https://itsaprthing.podbean.com/e/audience-vs-stakeholder-it-s-not-tomato-tomahto/
Clip 3: Walmart is Closing - @cowboy_fred_425 (TikTok)
https://www.tiktok.com/@cowboy_fred_425/video/7189098351571340586?lang=en
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HOST BIO: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00YNFH16E/about

Episode 31 - DEI and the C-Suite -- A New Study (Littler Mendelson)

Don't just take our word for it, learn what this new study has revealed about where organizations are taking their DEI programs. This new survey published recently by the Littler Mendelson firm (labor- and employment-law experts) adds some new quantitative data to the ongoing conversation on whether DEI is ending or evolving.
SPOILER ALERT: This new survey confirms our own briefing whitepaper titled The State of DEI: A Reflection Point.
HOST BIO: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00YNFH16E/about

Episode 30 -- Is DEI Ending or Evolving?

DOES DEI HAVE A FUTURE?
Today I share the highlights from our latest market-voice briefing whitepaper on the current state of DEI in the United States. Have DEI programs in the workplace come to the end of the road, or will DEI evolve and endure?
Tune in today to catch the highlights of what we found in our briefing whitepaper titled The State of DEI: A Reflection Point.
This briefing whitepaper is a compilation of information, facts, market voices and resources to help businesses understand the current state and future of DEI. This publication compiles a wide range of input and perspectives from business leaders, legal analysts, HR professionals, and DEI consultants and managers, whose collective input makes it clear that DEI is at a reflection point, rather than an inflection point. Following the insights, advice and suggestions from these sources, corporations and entities throughout the U.S. can help organizations reflect on their DEI programs, ensuring legal compliance, good management practices and clear communication.
To get a copy of The State of DEI:  A Reflection Point, click here.
HOST BACKGROUND
Check out the host's bio @ https://www.amazon.com/author/stephaniemcfarland
 

Episode 29 -- The Beat Down on Gen X

Why is Gen X battling a beat down online currently?
Join me today as we explore what's happening through the practice of stakeholder analysis.
You'll learn how to "seek first to understand" about the smallest of the adult living generations, and you'll get to "know thy stakeholder" through the lens of historical, social and cultural shaping, and the insights lived experience provides.
This exercise in stakeholder analysis is not only somewhat entertaining, but it's a best practice that will encourage respect for diversity and help your organization build relationships that build business.
Come on! Let's dive in for some more PR learning love!

Episode 28 -- PR Mail Bag Q&A

PR Mail Bag Q&A (with Bonus Recipes!)
After that heavy helping of trust problems we've dished out over the past three weeks, today's episode is going light and a bit random with our mail-bag format. 
Today we dive into a cornucopia of common questions we get from clients, podcast listeners, new professionals, students and sometimes business leaders with no PR experience. 
We'll dig into which branch of PR is the Big Wheel of them all, what hiring leaders need to consider when scouting new PR talent, why PR pros leave organizations, and what do those letters "APR" mean. 
No notepad needed today. Just kick back, languish in your Thanksgiving Day foodie hangover and ponder the philosophies of public relations. 
 
RECIPES AS PROMISED:
Roasted Butternut Squash with Sausage and Spinach
https://www.crazyblondelife.com/blog/61sq2ztcdhdumwox53ea780xh7ui5b?rq=BUTTERNUT%20SAUSAGE%20
Easy Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia Muffins
https://biteswithbri.com/garlic-rosemary-focaccia-muffins/
Cranberry Brie Bites
https://www.wellplated.com/brie-bites/