9 business terms that gross me out
The second half of my job title is Cutter of C.R.A.P. The acronym stands for Corporate Rhetoric And Pomposity. My mission is to help businesspeople stop using words that alienate or irritate a target...
View ArticleYour positive words can drown out negativity
Every community has its pot-stirrers. You know the ones. People who drop negativity and nonsense into conversations like stink bombs in a locker room. On the playground, we call these people bullies....
View ArticleYou can’t automate authenticity: a rant in rhyme
“Beth, what do you think of AI as a creative marketing tool?” Not a day goes by when I don’t hear some variation on this question—usually from a client who’s hoping I’ll bless their use of artificial...
View ArticleGot a communication problem? Cut the C.R.A.P.
If your organization has a communication problem, it’s probably not because you lack information. Nor is it likely due to a lack of strategic thinking or positive intent. Your policies are reasonable....
View ArticleCrack the glossy wall: the case for being human at work
Polished. Professional. Prepared. Quite possibly, these are among the qualities that landed you where you are today, leading a project, a team, an organization, or an entire industry. But...
View ArticleThe ABCs of business communication
Earlier this month, in one of my 1-Minute Monday videos, I shared my friend Julie’s strategy for getting better sleep. I’d been complaining about disruptive thoughts that were keeping me up at night....
View ArticleYour workplace is your stage, so communicate like a serious actor
I love the theater. As a longtime resident of Chicagoland, I was fortunate to see many incredible productions—some featuring big-name performers—on urban and suburban stages. Then, a few years ago, I...
View ArticleSet your audience on fire (in a good way)
You’ve been asked to present at that upcoming conference, summit, forum, or whatever your industry/organization calls an important meeting. Quick: as you prepare for this speaking opportunity, what...
View ArticleWhat does the bot say? Ideally, NOTHING in these 5 crucial communication zones.
A month ago, I published a tiny video lesson proclaiming that AI stands for ALMOST intelligent. I take inordinate pride in inventing acronyms that make fun of the putrid alphabet soup we consume at...
View ArticleTalk about small (business, that is)
As a strategic communication consultant, I spend my days counseling large organizations on what to say and how to say it. Most of my clients are massive for-profit companies, staffed by thousands of...
View ArticleHow to detox your outbox
I thought by now email would be a thing of the past. I guess I imagined it would go the way of fax machines, Rolodexes, and land lines. Antiquated and nearly gone if not forgotten. But no. Somehow this...
View ArticleAllow me to repeat myself
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.” These are the wise words of Disney’s Thumper. My mom used to quote them to my younger self when I’d get my undies in a bunch about...
View ArticleCommit to consistent content creation in 2025
Halfway between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, my eyes flew open at 2:26AM. “Holy self-imposed deadlines, Batman! I have a blog post to write before December ends.” It’s been a hectic year, and the last...
View ArticleWhat I learned from a snowman. Or was it a duck?
“Do you know what this is? Of course you do. It’s a snowman!” That’s how I opened my 60-second video post this week. (Every Monday I share a quick bit of instruction or wisdom for people who want to be...
View ArticleHow 3 minutes of writing can change your workday
Would you like to be known as a person who solves problems, inspires progress, and gets sh*t done at work? Then make sure you reserve start-up time for clear, creative communication. All it takes is 3...
View ArticleNon-compete: creative collaboration in a business community
When consulting with mammoth corporations, I encounter a lot of protectionism. Big brands are fierce guardians of their assets, investments, and position in the marketplace. They are obsessed with...
View ArticleMatch your message to the market, the moment, and the mood
“There’s a saying in fly fishing,” my husband said. “You ‘match the hatch.’ You choose a bait that mimics whatever’s recently hatched, because that will be appealing to the fish.” Mind you, I don’t...
View ArticleAdvice for anxious presenters: don’t present
Over the past few weeks, my coaching calendar has been full of anxious presenters. Every single one of them is an intelligent, successful business person who’s earned the right to speak about their...
View ArticleThought leaders need thought partners
So, you want to be a thought leader … Or maybe you feel pressure to become one … Or perhaps you’ve already reached this place of influence … Whatever your status on this continuum, as thought leader...
View ArticleHow about a game of 20 Questions?
When I was a restless kid enduring long drives in the back seat of my dad’s VW Beetle, Mom would occupy my brain with games. We did a lot of “I’m going on a trip and taking something that starts with...
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