#cornerstroke

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Ideas are powerful but communication will change the world

You have the most amazing things to say, but are struggling to engage your audience. Your thoughts are complex and the visionary thinking is lost in the messaging. There are 200 slides in your PowerPoint presentation, but none of them relate to you personally.

Sounds familiar? If so, in 2016 make it your mission to discover how to transform your presentations and persuade audiences with clear ideas through thoughtful communications.

For more inspiration, watch Nancy Duarte share the secret structure of great talks at TED 2011.

Effective communication allows ideas to evolve, emerge and expand.

There is magic in narrative that cannot be evoked by presentations – storytelling creates responses; words in PowerPoint can fall flat.

As a presenter, you are the storyteller, the mentor and the hero. Without passion there can be no persuasion.

There is a common architecture to all great presentations that can be learned. Great stories and presentations have arcs that transport us from the present situation to the future that can be. Great storytellers can take us there.

A call-to-action is the most important aspect of your story, yet the most overlooked…

…so do let me know what your great ideas are, and if – and how – you are inspired to communicate them in 2016.

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Connecting Digital Strategy with Social Business and Next-Gen Mobility

A comprehensive tour through the various and interconnected elements of digital strategy. 

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5 key considerations for effective marketing and corporate communications

With over 15 years of experience in delivering successful marketing communications in healthcare and pharma, as well as promoting internal corporate initiatives across both small and large organizations, I have learned a few things about how to tell people what they want or need to know – and maybe sell a few things along the way. Here are my top five tips on optimizing all your interactions with stakeholders, be they customers, shareholders or employees. Audience – who are you speaking to? Are you tailoring the content, tone and messages in your communications appropriately? Always bear in mind your audience when writing content. Imagine sitting in front of your intended audience and reading your words aloud. Are you having a dialogue without patronising or boring them? Messages – keep these simple, succinct and preferably single! Most marketing or corporate communications revolve around money as an indicator of success – how well we have performed, what we can do for you in your budget…If people want to know where the money goes or what it gets them, tell them and they will pay attention. Delivery – will your audience connect better with digital or print-based vehicles? Do you know if they can access websites, use mobile apps or QR codes, or log onto Facebook or Twitter to listen to what you have to say? Or do they only have time for a HTML email on their desktop or an A5 flyer on their desk? Be memorable and creative – it’s a noisy world in marketing communications and there’s a lot of competition for the attention of your client or employee. But you can be noticed by giving careful consideration to the branding and layout of your newsletter, website, poster or exhibition stand. Again, bear in mind your audience, and try to have some fun if you can! Create a dialogue – always include a call to action and facilitate feedback by including contact details – phone number, email, website or Twitter. If you can challenge your audience to respond or debate your content, you have already engaged them with your messages and services. So if you have anything to add, email me at [email protected], or find me on Twitter (@cornerstroke).

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Tumblr - for all your micro-blogging needs

Tumblr has been around for a while, but is sadly underused as a professional blogging platform. I don't know why, as it is ideally suited for small and large business alike. More expansive/expressive than character-limited Twitter, less fangirl than LJ and simpler than WordPress.

If you are turning onto blogging for your business or yourself, first consider the following.

What do you need to communicate to your customers? Self-generated articles, useful information, clever graphics, images or links?

Who are you communicating with? What's your demographic?

Do you have the time and resources to start and keep the ball rolling?

Are you linking from your own website? And pushing to Twitter?

Does any of the above make sense to you??

If not, drop me a line. I'd love to hear your thoughts and share ideas.

In the meantime, take a look at the following:

Tumblr for Small Business (for professional platforms)

The 90 Best Tumblr Blogs Of 2011 (for self-expression)