Say whatever you like about the content and themes in South Park … but anyone who has ever written anything has to respect the creative process that produces a 22-minute animated show in exactly one week’s time.
The show’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone recently spoke to a storytelling class at NYU about the process they go through every week. While the fast-paced creative process might feel like a pressure cooker to some, Trey and Matt describe the simple rules they follow that help the process go smoothly week after week. Here are some of their very simple pointers to the students that serve as good reminders for anyone:
In our writers room, you never say no … you just don’t need that energy.
You can’t get writers block. Or you can for like an hour or maybe two.
For us, it doesn’t work unless you have a deadline.
Click here to watch the clip.
-- Alicia
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Col. Writingpen answers your questions
A few, ahem, years ago, I wrote a blog about a character I created for a college paper named Col. Writingpen. The blog post generated many comments and questions about grammar and syntax rules for “newer” writing platforms, such as e-mails, blogs and texts.
After years of pestering him, I have persuaded Col. Writingpen to come out of retirement and answer your questions. (That’s why this follow-up blog has taken so long.) With that, I’ll hand over this blog to the Colonel.
MKC writes:
Does each form of communication have its own grammar and syntax rules? When I instant message, I tend not to use capitalization or punctuation. But when I email, I always do, and find it frustrating when others don't. A grammatical double-standard?
Dear MKC,
Why yes, I do believe each form of communication has its own grammar and syntax rules; you have different tools at your disposal and varying restrictions on length of the communication. An abbreviation that would be appropriate in a text message might come off as lazy in an email.
Now, you mentioned two forms of communication that, more often than not, take place on the same platform – a standard desktop computing device. You, my dear, are one of the rare ones who holds email in such high regard.
I would say you are in the right by paying closer attention to your writing in an e-mail, and for many reasons. It’s so easy to type something the reader might interpret differently than what you meant; cattywampus grammar and punctuation only exacerbates the problem. This can lead to a confusing series of back-and-forth emails where neither of you knows what the other is trying to say anymore! Sure, the same thing can happen in an instant message, but those tend to be shorter and fleeting, more akin to a phone conversation where language is more casual and any confusion can be cleared up quickly.
Happy Communicating,
Col. Writingpen
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Listening as a daily practice
Listening is a vital skill and an important way we learn. In fact, 85 percent of what we know, we’ve learned by listening.
But listening is something we modern people do not do well. We live in a fast-paced culture, and we’re prone to the quick response, to speech and to action. We have a love/hate relationship with listening.
Perhaps it is because we listen at a much slower pace than we think: we listen at a rate of 125-250 words per minute, but think at a rate of 1,000-3,000 words per minute. The net result is that 75 percent of the time we are not really listening to others – we’re distracted and preoccupied with our own thoughts and formulating what we’ll say next in response.
I’m trying to do more listening in my business life, not rushing past what a client is saying to formulate some brilliant response. This is difficult to do, because my early business training was laser-focused on the fast decision, the quick articulation of the next action step.
But when I slow down and honor what others are saying and feeling, the conversation shifts. It becomes richer. And I see my work as my own kind of ministry in the world – helping to solve a business problem here, being a sounding board for a concern there.
Listening is a practice.
-Mary Lilja
But listening is something we modern people do not do well. We live in a fast-paced culture, and we’re prone to the quick response, to speech and to action. We have a love/hate relationship with listening.
Perhaps it is because we listen at a much slower pace than we think: we listen at a rate of 125-250 words per minute, but think at a rate of 1,000-3,000 words per minute. The net result is that 75 percent of the time we are not really listening to others – we’re distracted and preoccupied with our own thoughts and formulating what we’ll say next in response.
I’m trying to do more listening in my business life, not rushing past what a client is saying to formulate some brilliant response. This is difficult to do, because my early business training was laser-focused on the fast decision, the quick articulation of the next action step.
But when I slow down and honor what others are saying and feeling, the conversation shifts. It becomes richer. And I see my work as my own kind of ministry in the world – helping to solve a business problem here, being a sounding board for a concern there.
Listening is a practice.
-Mary Lilja
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Love Letters and Legacies
Through our Lilja LifeStories™ work, we help people share their own stories, most often in a book form. We publish these stories under our Lilja Press imprint. Some of them are for public sale; others are passed along as family keepsakes.
We have just finished three LifeStories projects. The first book, a collection of stories about growing up on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota, headed back to the printer for an update and a reprint. The original stock is gone and people from as far away as Europe were requesting copies! Published by the late author’s children, this book is a love letter that allows them to keep their father’s wonderful, witty voice alive and preserve a unique part of Minnesota history.
The next book was a beautifully written memoir of how the author grew up in Japan and came to America as a young scholar. It’s written for a very small audience: her own children and grandchildren, none of whom know these stories, except in bits and pieces. A love letter, indeed.
Finally, we published a collection of long-ago love letters, a book project lovingly edited and tended by the letter writers’ granddaughter. The project is her love letter to her family.
Indeed, all of these LifeStories books are love letters from one generation to the next. Back and forth; weaving the stories that hold precious family memories … and legacies.
It is an honor and a privilege to be involved in them all.
- Mary Lilja
We have just finished three LifeStories projects. The first book, a collection of stories about growing up on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota, headed back to the printer for an update and a reprint. The original stock is gone and people from as far away as Europe were requesting copies! Published by the late author’s children, this book is a love letter that allows them to keep their father’s wonderful, witty voice alive and preserve a unique part of Minnesota history.
The next book was a beautifully written memoir of how the author grew up in Japan and came to America as a young scholar. It’s written for a very small audience: her own children and grandchildren, none of whom know these stories, except in bits and pieces. A love letter, indeed.
Finally, we published a collection of long-ago love letters, a book project lovingly edited and tended by the letter writers’ granddaughter. The project is her love letter to her family.
Indeed, all of these LifeStories books are love letters from one generation to the next. Back and forth; weaving the stories that hold precious family memories … and legacies.
It is an honor and a privilege to be involved in them all.
- Mary Lilja
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Internal Communications: Lax No More!
When the seas get choppy in a company or communications department, one of the first things to go overboard is usually internal communications. It’s seen as a “nice to do” compared to the million other communication necessities.
But for companies big and small, employee frustrations may start to rise as the intranet goes woefully in need of updating, or they get company news from CNN instead of their CEO. Maybe they’re bombarded with so many emails every day with company news, they get deleted instantly. While some of the information being shared may not seem like a top priority (ice cream social, anyone?), each is an opportunity to gain employee loyalty and increase their understanding of company values.
Whether your company’s style is face-to-face meetings, an intranet, or regular email newsletters, employees appreciate a cohesive approach to internal communications. It reminds them that their work is part of a greater whole of the company and enables them to be better-informed ambassadors for your brand.
If any of these issues sound familiar, know that an internal communication plan need not be complex or elaborate to be felt throughout the company. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss internal communications at your company.
-- Alicia
But for companies big and small, employee frustrations may start to rise as the intranet goes woefully in need of updating, or they get company news from CNN instead of their CEO. Maybe they’re bombarded with so many emails every day with company news, they get deleted instantly. While some of the information being shared may not seem like a top priority (ice cream social, anyone?), each is an opportunity to gain employee loyalty and increase their understanding of company values.
Whether your company’s style is face-to-face meetings, an intranet, or regular email newsletters, employees appreciate a cohesive approach to internal communications. It reminds them that their work is part of a greater whole of the company and enables them to be better-informed ambassadors for your brand.
If any of these issues sound familiar, know that an internal communication plan need not be complex or elaborate to be felt throughout the company. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss internal communications at your company.
-- Alicia
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Social Impact
At Lilja Inc. we value “classic” communications tools and strategies, but that doesn’t mean we shun social media tools. The decision to use Facebook, Twitter or a blog in any campaign comes down to a simple question: will it get your message to the target audiences?
For Lilja Inc. client Educational Kits, Inc., Twitter did that and more.
Jill Berlin, a former educator and president of Educational Kits, Inc. is the creator of the Bee Ready Kindergarten Readiness Kit, which provides simple activities for parents to do with their children that lead to complex cognitive development, ultimately preparing them for kindergarten.
When we began working with Educational Kits, Inc., the company had an existing presence on the web, including a blog and Facebook page. As we got to know Jill, it became clear that her unique point of view on early childhood education was worthy of additional attention. We further developed her blog and launched a Twitter page to help push content to consumers and opinion leaders in education.
Just recently, the Bee Ready Kit was selected for the Pre-Emmy Awards Baby and Kids Suite, which showcases the newest and hottest in maternity, baby, and toddler products to Hollywood actors and actresses, with proceeds to benefit underprivileged children. Where did this opportunity come from?
The suite organizers found Educational Kits, Inc. through Twitter.
Now as we roll out our media campaign, we will continue to leverage the power of our social media strategy.
-- Alex
For Lilja Inc. client Educational Kits, Inc., Twitter did that and more.
Jill Berlin, a former educator and president of Educational Kits, Inc. is the creator of the Bee Ready Kindergarten Readiness Kit, which provides simple activities for parents to do with their children that lead to complex cognitive development, ultimately preparing them for kindergarten.
When we began working with Educational Kits, Inc., the company had an existing presence on the web, including a blog and Facebook page. As we got to know Jill, it became clear that her unique point of view on early childhood education was worthy of additional attention. We further developed her blog and launched a Twitter page to help push content to consumers and opinion leaders in education.
Just recently, the Bee Ready Kit was selected for the Pre-Emmy Awards Baby and Kids Suite, which showcases the newest and hottest in maternity, baby, and toddler products to Hollywood actors and actresses, with proceeds to benefit underprivileged children. Where did this opportunity come from?
The suite organizers found Educational Kits, Inc. through Twitter.
Now as we roll out our media campaign, we will continue to leverage the power of our social media strategy.
-- Alex
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Devil Is in the Details
I had an art teacher in high school who would walk around the room while we were painting and chant: "The DEVIL is in the details!"
It was his way of reminding us not to get caught up in any one part of our project. While it was a strange way to get his point across, I understand his sentiment. Filling 80 percent of your canvas will be easy, but the other 20 percent is where you'll spend most of your time, analyzing and reworking and agonizing over it. Maybe you'll even paint over something that was already perfect just as it was.
The same can be said of almost any PR endeavor. Eighty percent of a project will breeze by, but it's that 20 percent that'll getcha. You'll rewrite one sentence in a release ten times, or debate which reporter to call for an hour.
There's no grand solution to this problem other than to accept it and be on the lookout for it.
And it is this 20 percent that wakes us up at night wondering, "Did I do the right thing?" Or, as my art teacher might say, it's the Devil getting to you.
-- Alicia
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Family Breakfast
While I certainly can understand the draw of a beautiful sunrise, I must confess I prefer the sunsets. A morning person, I am not. So why on earth would I be excited about a breakfast meeting, starting as early as 6:30 a.m. on June 7th?
Because this breakfast meeting is for MVNA – Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency, one of our longstanding clients. MVNA sends nurses into people's homes, providing a safety net for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
This year, the MVNA "There's No Place Like Home" breakfast included touching stories from a nurse who works with teen mothers. We heard from the mother of a former hospice patient, and saw a video highlighting the work MVNA nurses do every day in people's homes. We also heard from MVNA's new CEO: Jen Van Liew, who introduced us to her family, and shared a bit about her first weeks at MVNA.
And this year, we brought our family to hear about MVNA's family! Special thanks to Alicia's mother and Mary's sister and sister-in-law for joining us to hear about the good work that MVNA does every day.
To learn more about this wonderful organization, visit mvna.org.
- Kadee Crottier
Friday, May 13, 2011
Mary Lilja selected as an “Industry Leader” by The Business Journal
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recently honored 51 women for its 14th annual “Women in Business” awards. Honorees were selected “who contribute to the broader Twin Cities community, either by volunteering their time with nonprofit organizations, or by sharing their knowledge with peers as leaders of industry associations.”
Among the women selected was our very own Mary Lilja.
After 23 years in business, Mary is no stranger to being recognized for her leadership in the communications industry. But as you may know, like any true Minnesotan, Mary is not prone to self-aggrandizement.
I have had the honor of working with Mary for more than eight years. In that time, one thing is clear: Mary is a tireless advocate for all her clients, from Fortune 500 companies to the smallest non-profit.
For a complete list of the 2011 honorees, visit the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Congratulations, Mary!
-- Alex
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Storytelling: Gramma’s Grand
At Lilja, we focus on telling stories. Here’s a story I recently wrote for a newsletter at my grandmother’s request.
“Gramma” has always meant music to me. This isn't all that surprising in my family; Gramma, Mom, my sister – we're all musicians and have sung and performed together since each one of us could barely speak. Gramma's husband was a piano tuner, as was his father before him. Gramma's mother played piano (usually patriotic marches, as loudly as possible), and Gramma's brother played trumpet during and after World War II. There was always a piano at home, and Mom was frequently teaching lessons. But Gramma and Gramma's house was something different.
Not only did Gramma have a piano, she had an organ. Sometimes she had two pianos. But best of all, she had the grand.
Many years ago, my grandfather purchased an old, beat up grand piano for my grandmother and rebuilt it. Completely. I remember not being able to go into the music room because the action, all the hammers and the innards that make the piano hit the string, was laid out on the floor. The cabinet was off at a furniture repair shop to be refinished, but Grandpa did all the rest himself. Re-felting the hammers. Adding weights to and rebalancing the action. Meticulously going through each of the 88 keys to make sure there was a consistent touch and beautiful sound every time.
Once his work was done, Gramma's began. I remember lying underneath the piano, listening to her practice. Chopin was always a favorite, and rightly so – she can trace her piano teachers back to Chopin himself. Once, I elbowed my way into playing “duets” with Gramma and my mother. And when I got my “59 Solos You Like to Play” book, a rite of passage in my family, I remember sitting down at that beautiful grand myself, Gramma by my side to guide me through our favorite pieces.
Wherever she's moved, we always must make sure there's room for the grand piano. This usually meant getting a slightly larger apartment so Gramma and her piano roommate would both have space. But this was a necessity. Gramma and her grand were not to be parted.
Until now.
I'm moving into a townhome in Apple Valley, and, as I've been told since the grand was reassembled all those years ago, the piano is going with me. Now I must make sure there's room for my piano roommate. I know Gramma will miss her pal, but as she noted when we talked about it, now she'll have room for another chair in her apartment. And next time I visit her, we'll just have to play our duets on the community piano at her apartment complex, instead.
- Kadee
“Gramma” has always meant music to me. This isn't all that surprising in my family; Gramma, Mom, my sister – we're all musicians and have sung and performed together since each one of us could barely speak. Gramma's husband was a piano tuner, as was his father before him. Gramma's mother played piano (usually patriotic marches, as loudly as possible), and Gramma's brother played trumpet during and after World War II. There was always a piano at home, and Mom was frequently teaching lessons. But Gramma and Gramma's house was something different.
Not only did Gramma have a piano, she had an organ. Sometimes she had two pianos. But best of all, she had the grand.
Many years ago, my grandfather purchased an old, beat up grand piano for my grandmother and rebuilt it. Completely. I remember not being able to go into the music room because the action, all the hammers and the innards that make the piano hit the string, was laid out on the floor. The cabinet was off at a furniture repair shop to be refinished, but Grandpa did all the rest himself. Re-felting the hammers. Adding weights to and rebalancing the action. Meticulously going through each of the 88 keys to make sure there was a consistent touch and beautiful sound every time.
Once his work was done, Gramma's began. I remember lying underneath the piano, listening to her practice. Chopin was always a favorite, and rightly so – she can trace her piano teachers back to Chopin himself. Once, I elbowed my way into playing “duets” with Gramma and my mother. And when I got my “59 Solos You Like to Play” book, a rite of passage in my family, I remember sitting down at that beautiful grand myself, Gramma by my side to guide me through our favorite pieces.
Wherever she's moved, we always must make sure there's room for the grand piano. This usually meant getting a slightly larger apartment so Gramma and her piano roommate would both have space. But this was a necessity. Gramma and her grand were not to be parted.
Until now.
I'm moving into a townhome in Apple Valley, and, as I've been told since the grand was reassembled all those years ago, the piano is going with me. Now I must make sure there's room for my piano roommate. I know Gramma will miss her pal, but as she noted when we talked about it, now she'll have room for another chair in her apartment. And next time I visit her, we'll just have to play our duets on the community piano at her apartment complex, instead.
- Kadee
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Share the Vision - Donate Eyeglasses to Haiti
Watching the destruction in Japan makes me think of one thing: Haiti. While the two island nations couldn’t be more different in terms of culture, economic structure and stability, the human emotion involved is, I think, universal. Watching a scene unfold of a Japanese man who has just realized his son and his son’s family have perished, I’m reminded of a similar scene I watched in Haiti of a woman realizing she was the only member of her household to escape the earthquake with her life.
Material things suddenly seem so unimportant to me, as I’m reminded of these people who don’t have shelter or clean water to drink. Looking at pre-earthquake pictures of Haiti, it’s easy to see what little material goods they had to begin with and the chaos that already existed. It’s a notion that hasn’t left me. So many organizations were already providing aid to Haitians, serving food, building homes, taking in orphans, and more.
While I can’t claim to doing anything profound to help Haiti, it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind. That’s why when I discovered how many pairs of prescription eyeglasses I had going unused, I knew exactly what I was going to do with them. After doing some research and making a few phone calls, I will be sending a package of very-gently-used prescription glasses to the Haitian Health Foundation, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the poor, sick and infirm in Haiti.
If you’re in the Twin Cities and have very gently used eyeglasses to donate, I just might be persuaded to come pick them up from you to add to my outgoing package. If you’re not in the Twin Cities but would still like to donate frames, email me for details.
-- Alicia
Material things suddenly seem so unimportant to me, as I’m reminded of these people who don’t have shelter or clean water to drink. Looking at pre-earthquake pictures of Haiti, it’s easy to see what little material goods they had to begin with and the chaos that already existed. It’s a notion that hasn’t left me. So many organizations were already providing aid to Haitians, serving food, building homes, taking in orphans, and more.
While I can’t claim to doing anything profound to help Haiti, it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind. That’s why when I discovered how many pairs of prescription eyeglasses I had going unused, I knew exactly what I was going to do with them. After doing some research and making a few phone calls, I will be sending a package of very-gently-used prescription glasses to the Haitian Health Foundation, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the poor, sick and infirm in Haiti.
If you’re in the Twin Cities and have very gently used eyeglasses to donate, I just might be persuaded to come pick them up from you to add to my outgoing package. If you’re not in the Twin Cities but would still like to donate frames, email me for details.
-- Alicia
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Power of the Purple Brain
In her recent blog post “The Power of Human Interaction,” Mary lauded the value of the face-to-face meeting.
After we learn more about our clients’ business goals, the next step is to develop a plan. And in my opinion, the most effective plans are developed under the guidance of an efficient pubic relations team that can collaborate to meet the clients’ objectives.
When people ask about Lilja Inc., they are often surprised by how small our company actually is (we have five staff members, for those of you taking notes).
But being a part of a small agency means that we are an agile team that can pool together our unique talents at a moment’s notice to form what we lovingly refer to as “The Big Purple Brain” (of course, purple is the official Lilja color).
This intellectual cooperative is the single greatest resource we can offer our clients, as the ideas that come from these Purple Brain sessions inspire, challenge and guide our work. And like Superman taking Lois Lane to the Fortress of Solitude, clients are involved in these sessions and can lead to an even more powerful outcome.
In one meeting, our collaborative work swiftly navigated the complex task of developing positioning and key messages. In another, we reviewed a broad media relations approach suggested by a client and developed a more honed, strategic campaign.
To lift from a well known ad campaign: “What can Purple do for you?”
Almost anything you throw our way.
- Alex
After we learn more about our clients’ business goals, the next step is to develop a plan. And in my opinion, the most effective plans are developed under the guidance of an efficient pubic relations team that can collaborate to meet the clients’ objectives.
When people ask about Lilja Inc., they are often surprised by how small our company actually is (we have five staff members, for those of you taking notes).
But being a part of a small agency means that we are an agile team that can pool together our unique talents at a moment’s notice to form what we lovingly refer to as “The Big Purple Brain” (of course, purple is the official Lilja color).
This intellectual cooperative is the single greatest resource we can offer our clients, as the ideas that come from these Purple Brain sessions inspire, challenge and guide our work. And like Superman taking Lois Lane to the Fortress of Solitude, clients are involved in these sessions and can lead to an even more powerful outcome.
In one meeting, our collaborative work swiftly navigated the complex task of developing positioning and key messages. In another, we reviewed a broad media relations approach suggested by a client and developed a more honed, strategic campaign.
To lift from a well known ad campaign: “What can Purple do for you?”
Almost anything you throw our way.
- Alex
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Power of Human Interaction
We recently hosted a new client at our offices, a wonderful woman who is launching a new product that meets a real need in the marketplace. (Note: More to come on this!)
We could have arranged introductions via the electronic world we all inhabit: We could have conferenced her in, emailed our ideas and followed up via text, and friended her on Facebook to social network our way to a working relationship.
Instead, she suggested the old fashioned approach: meeting face to face. She flew in to meet with us on our home turf. We listened and learned about her expertise, saw her quick laugh, experienced firsthand her wonderful wit. We brainstormed ideas together, having fun all the way. We broke bread together. We pondered approaches and made great progress. As we drove her to and from the airport, we chatted about kids and family, interests and hobbies. It was time well spent, indeed.
How many times do we take the shortcut in human interactions? How many times do we send a text or an email when it would be better to pick up the phone? How many times do we send our expressions of concern when our presence would make the difference?
Years ago, I developed media tours for a new product launch, one to the California tech market, the other to consumer media in New York. On the way, my client and I stopped at a nondescript Midwestern suburban hotel restaurant to meet with an editor of a small journal. We ate a rather bland meal while the local Rotary Club sang “God Bless America” loudly in the next room.
The editor reflected, “No one ever comes to see me.” But we did. He tried out the product, liked it and wrote a positive review, which was later syndicated in U.S. and Japanese newspapers. My client landed a positive business deal as a result of the overseas coverage.
Face to face is powerful; sometimes you just have to leave home. Never resist the impulse; it can make the difference because, when all is said and done, we are human beings first, business people second.
- Mary Lilja
We could have arranged introductions via the electronic world we all inhabit: We could have conferenced her in, emailed our ideas and followed up via text, and friended her on Facebook to social network our way to a working relationship.
Instead, she suggested the old fashioned approach: meeting face to face. She flew in to meet with us on our home turf. We listened and learned about her expertise, saw her quick laugh, experienced firsthand her wonderful wit. We brainstormed ideas together, having fun all the way. We broke bread together. We pondered approaches and made great progress. As we drove her to and from the airport, we chatted about kids and family, interests and hobbies. It was time well spent, indeed.
How many times do we take the shortcut in human interactions? How many times do we send a text or an email when it would be better to pick up the phone? How many times do we send our expressions of concern when our presence would make the difference?
Years ago, I developed media tours for a new product launch, one to the California tech market, the other to consumer media in New York. On the way, my client and I stopped at a nondescript Midwestern suburban hotel restaurant to meet with an editor of a small journal. We ate a rather bland meal while the local Rotary Club sang “God Bless America” loudly in the next room.
The editor reflected, “No one ever comes to see me.” But we did. He tried out the product, liked it and wrote a positive review, which was later syndicated in U.S. and Japanese newspapers. My client landed a positive business deal as a result of the overseas coverage.
Face to face is powerful; sometimes you just have to leave home. Never resist the impulse; it can make the difference because, when all is said and done, we are human beings first, business people second.
- Mary Lilja
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A Sight for Sore Eyes
For the last few days, the world has watched the tragic events in Japan unfold. In these moments of chaos and destruction, we hold our breath, watch and wait for a sign of hope.
My next door neighbor is from Japan and has family who lives just north of Tokyo. As she explained to me, her family may be relatively safe, inland from the tsunami-ravaged coasts and 200 miles away from the Fukushima nuclear plant, but food and water are still scarce.
Just the other day, I saw a video posted on several blogs of helicopter crews from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan – one of the first Naval vessels to arrive off the coast of Japan – delivering aid to the people of Sendai as part of Operation Tomodachi, which translated means “Operation Friendship.” I was overjoyed to see our nation reach out to people suffering from the unimaginable horror of this disaster.
Help is beginning to arrive for these people, but writing this post in a warm office with a fresh cup of coffee, lunch waiting for me in the refrigerator, I am motivated to help. So, I have made my donation to the Red Cross.
As you read this, I challenge you to do what you can to help these people in their time of need as well by making a donation.
-- Alex
My next door neighbor is from Japan and has family who lives just north of Tokyo. As she explained to me, her family may be relatively safe, inland from the tsunami-ravaged coasts and 200 miles away from the Fukushima nuclear plant, but food and water are still scarce.
Just the other day, I saw a video posted on several blogs of helicopter crews from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan – one of the first Naval vessels to arrive off the coast of Japan – delivering aid to the people of Sendai as part of Operation Tomodachi, which translated means “Operation Friendship.” I was overjoyed to see our nation reach out to people suffering from the unimaginable horror of this disaster.
Help is beginning to arrive for these people, but writing this post in a warm office with a fresh cup of coffee, lunch waiting for me in the refrigerator, I am motivated to help. So, I have made my donation to the Red Cross.
As you read this, I challenge you to do what you can to help these people in their time of need as well by making a donation.
-- Alex
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Marco Polo SEO
Rather than throwing out some academic definition of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), I’ll sum it up as this: Think of the Internet as a big swimming pool of people playing Marco Polo. The person yelling “Marco” is looking for some sort of information using a search engine and the ones yelling “Polo” are all the possible search results. Only in this game, the one yelling “Polo” the loudest gets tagged first and wins.
It’s not hard to up the volume on your website or blog’s SEO. Playing by some simple rules when writing a news release, website, or anything else purposed for the web, can help all those people yelling “Marco” find you.
While search engines’ goal is help users find exactly what they’re looking for, they are merely robots and need help knowing which online sources are experts. They rely on the text of any given web page, placing importance on the words at the top of the page, URLs, anchor text, page summary text and more. Making sure these key areas are clear and hold important phrases is paramount to making sure the Marcos of the internet find your Polos.
Of course, some key phrases have multiple meanings. For example, someone searching for images of the Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo mostly will find drawings of the historic figure … and this slightly off-topic image that does have “Marco Polo” in its URL.
-- Alicia DeMatteo
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Wisdom of Mark Twain
This is the story of my life. You might have guessed by now that I’m a professional worrier. Partly I am paid to worry as part of my job. We do a lot of implications thinking in this line of work: if we say this here, how might it play out later? Is it best to be proactive and tell our story?
Another part is my nature – I come from a long line of worriers. My mother was a world-class worrier, although she doesn’t worry much anymore, she says. Life is pretty good, now that she’s 80.
But I don't want to wait that long.
So, day by day, the challenge is to be mindful about it. There’s a difference between worrying enough to be productive so we don’t make missteps in the present – things like misspelled words in news releases, or incorrect figures on budgets – and worrying so much that life becomes a nightmare, full of imagined bad things that never happen.
Sometimes I do it well and keep things in balance. Sometimes I don’t. It is a practice.
Mark Twain’s quote nudges me to remember.
- Mary Lilja
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Do You Not Hear What I Don't Hear?
As communication specialists, my colleagues and I will get caught up with words and punctuation quite often. Which word should we use here? Should that be a dash or an ellipsis?
But as humans, we are constantly communicating nonverbally and often without even thinking about it.
Now there are specialists out there who can tell you what crossing your legs or rubbing your nose means, but I am more interested nonverbal cues a bit higher up – specifically eye contact.
I’ve run a little experiment several mornings while trying to make a left-hand turn onto a busy street during morning rush hour. Wearing my sunglasses, car after car will pass me by. But if I take the glasses off and make direct eye contact with the driver of the car about to pass me, I have a pretty good chance of someone letting me. Though I have caught a few cold drivers notice my eye contact and veer away quickly to pretend they didn’t see me.
Clearly I’ve mastered the exclamation point of eye contact. Now for that elusive dash/ellipsis gradient …
-- Alicia
But as humans, we are constantly communicating nonverbally and often without even thinking about it.
Now there are specialists out there who can tell you what crossing your legs or rubbing your nose means, but I am more interested nonverbal cues a bit higher up – specifically eye contact.
I’ve run a little experiment several mornings while trying to make a left-hand turn onto a busy street during morning rush hour. Wearing my sunglasses, car after car will pass me by. But if I take the glasses off and make direct eye contact with the driver of the car about to pass me, I have a pretty good chance of someone letting me. Though I have caught a few cold drivers notice my eye contact and veer away quickly to pretend they didn’t see me.
Clearly I’ve mastered the exclamation point of eye contact. Now for that elusive dash/ellipsis gradient …
-- Alicia
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Power of Determination
For as long as we’ve known her, we at Lilja have believed Mary Ann Blade, CEO of Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA), to have magical powers to move barriers on behalf of MVNA’s clients – 90 percent of whom fall below the poverty line. As we found out at her retirement party, her staff also has witnessed the power of Mary Ann’s will and determination to perform the seemingly impossible.
From programs that help pregnant and parenting teens be the best parents they can be, to helping a senior citizen sort through a shoebox full of medicines, her innovation and leadership has left an indelible mark on our community. And at the heart of it all is a woman who has worked tirelessly to make a difference.
After 20 years, Mary Ann celebrated her last day at MVNA Feb. 13. The Star Tribune's Warren Wolfe recently sat down with Mary Ann to discuss the agency’s history and Mary Ann’s future plans.
I’ve had the honor of following many MVNA nurses as they make their rounds visiting clients’ homes where they are welcomed with open arms and a friendly smile. They are just as determined as Mary Ann to make life better, brighter and easier for their clients.
Congratulations, Mary Ann, and the entire MVNA team, on all your accomplishments!
-- Alicia
From programs that help pregnant and parenting teens be the best parents they can be, to helping a senior citizen sort through a shoebox full of medicines, her innovation and leadership has left an indelible mark on our community. And at the heart of it all is a woman who has worked tirelessly to make a difference.
After 20 years, Mary Ann celebrated her last day at MVNA Feb. 13. The Star Tribune's Warren Wolfe recently sat down with Mary Ann to discuss the agency’s history and Mary Ann’s future plans.
I’ve had the honor of following many MVNA nurses as they make their rounds visiting clients’ homes where they are welcomed with open arms and a friendly smile. They are just as determined as Mary Ann to make life better, brighter and easier for their clients.
Congratulations, Mary Ann, and the entire MVNA team, on all your accomplishments!
-- Alicia
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
As the News Media Evolves, Print Still Shows Signs of Life
Last week, Apple and News Corporation launched the iPad-only news app: The Daily. Its mission: “to provide the best news experience by combining world-class storytelling with the unique interactive capabilities of the iPad.”
As an owner of an iPad, I have enjoyed seeing how traditional outlets have adapted their product to this revolutionary device. Naturally, the arrival of The Daily comes with great curiosity and excitement, especially as many traditional media outlets – particularly print – are in survival mode.
But while many print publications are seeing a decline in readership, one is experiencing remarkable growth.
Long-time Lilja client Game Informer magazine reported a six-month average paid circulation of 5,073,003 in the December 2010 Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Fas-Fax Report released Feb. 7, 2011.
Of the top 25 consumer titles by total paid and verified circulation listed in the report, Game Informer saw the largest increase of 33 percent since December 2009. Game Informer now ranks as the fifth largest consumer magazine in the United States.
As Game Informer publisher Cathy Preston explained: “Our growth exceeds industry expectations for a print magazine – especially when you consider that 62 percent of our subscribers are from the hard-to-reach 18 to 34-year-old male demographic.”
Congratulations, Game Informer.
-- Alex Cook
As an owner of an iPad, I have enjoyed seeing how traditional outlets have adapted their product to this revolutionary device. Naturally, the arrival of The Daily comes with great curiosity and excitement, especially as many traditional media outlets – particularly print – are in survival mode.
But while many print publications are seeing a decline in readership, one is experiencing remarkable growth.
Of the top 25 consumer titles by total paid and verified circulation listed in the report, Game Informer saw the largest increase of 33 percent since December 2009. Game Informer now ranks as the fifth largest consumer magazine in the United States.
As Game Informer publisher Cathy Preston explained: “Our growth exceeds industry expectations for a print magazine – especially when you consider that 62 percent of our subscribers are from the hard-to-reach 18 to 34-year-old male demographic.”
Congratulations, Game Informer.
-- Alex Cook
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Wall
I learned to ski when I was seven. It wasn’t a question of whether or not I would ski, or even if I liked to ski. It was a given; everyone skied in our family, including my mother, who gamely learned to ski after she started dating my father in college.
Life is like that: we face many obstacles, some of them planned, others unknown. But in that moment of facing our fear, we realize we can do it. We’re not in charge, but we can make a turn, and then another, and soon, we realize we have made it down the mountain.
So when my father took me to the top of Mt. Normandale (now Hyland Hills) and showed me approximately how to get down, I followed him, scared all the way.
After conquering my early fears, I learned to love skiing. I mean REALLY LOVE IT. I married a good skier and between us, we raised three good skiers. Year after year, we returned to our favorite family ski area, Snowmass at Aspen. But there was one part of the mountain I avoided: the dreaded Wall and Hanging Valley Glades, all of it double black territory.
So let me tell you why, after 48 years of skiing, I decided to ski that part of the mountain. One could say it took me that long to build up my courage. But I was not confident; I was scared. My husband told me that I would have at least one moment of oh sh**, I can’t do this, and I did. It hit me while standing at the very top of the steepest slope I have ever skied. The moguls were the size of my VW Beetle. The hill was vertical. Literally straight down.
Scared, I “hacked” my way down it. I did not fall. As I strung together more imperfect turns, my confidence grew. And when we made our way down steep chutes filled with trees, I started to have fun.
Life is like that: we face many obstacles, some of them planned, others unknown. But in that moment of facing our fear, we realize we can do it. We’re not in charge, but we can make a turn, and then another, and soon, we realize we have made it down the mountain.
I may not ski those slopes again, but now I know I can. It is good to know.
23rd Anniversary--Time flies!
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Lilja Inc. I founded the company when I was 32, mother of three young children under the age of six. Now I’m 55, mother of three young adults. Thanks to everyone I’ve met along the way – those who have been our clients, and those who have worked here – you have made our success and longevity possible.
-- Mary Lilja
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Audience, Audience, Audience!
Real estate agents have always had the motto, “Location, location, location.” Today, I’m giving communication professionals a motto of our own: “Audience, audience, audience.”
Audience selection guides a number of decisions as we assemble and execute a communication plan:
Remember: audience, audience, audience.
-- Alicia DeMatteo
Audience selection guides a number of decisions as we assemble and execute a communication plan:
- What key messages do we want those audiences to hear? Even when announcing the same thing, two different audiences may want or need to hear different messages.
- What is the best way to reach my audience? Maybe your audience should be targeted through the news media or a blog. Maybe you can reach them directly through an e-newsletter.
- What will get the audience’s attention? A well-crafted plan takes its audiences’ needs into consideration. And remember that reporters keep the audience in mind; they want material that is of interest to their readers.
Remember: audience, audience, audience.
-- Alicia DeMatteo
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Remember, Silence
I will admit it - I can be a loud person.
My voice carries. I’m not shy when I laugh. And I have been known to break the tension in group settings. But as the father of two young daughters, I also understand that value of quiet reflection.
On Jan. 10, President Obama requested a moment of silence in honor of the Tucson shooting victims. We at Lilja decided to observe that moment of silence, and at 10 a.m., time stopped.
Now I choose to keep my thoughts from this experience private, but I will describe what I learned from this period of silence.
For the first few moments, the mind starts to panic: “Why is it so quiet? Is something wrong? What should I be thinking about?” It’s in this mental drowning phase that you realize just how much you carry inside everyday. But as the seconds drip away, peace and quiet emerge once again, and you feel the return of something we often forget in this highly-connected, on-demand world: solitude.
To put it plainly, it’s a feeling we could afford to become reacquainted with, and I challenge you to do so. What you’ll discover once you find solitude again may surprise you.
I know I was.
-- Alex Cook
My voice carries. I’m not shy when I laugh. And I have been known to break the tension in group settings. But as the father of two young daughters, I also understand that value of quiet reflection.
On Jan. 10, President Obama requested a moment of silence in honor of the Tucson shooting victims. We at Lilja decided to observe that moment of silence, and at 10 a.m., time stopped.
Now I choose to keep my thoughts from this experience private, but I will describe what I learned from this period of silence.
For the first few moments, the mind starts to panic: “Why is it so quiet? Is something wrong? What should I be thinking about?” It’s in this mental drowning phase that you realize just how much you carry inside everyday. But as the seconds drip away, peace and quiet emerge once again, and you feel the return of something we often forget in this highly-connected, on-demand world: solitude.
To put it plainly, it’s a feeling we could afford to become reacquainted with, and I challenge you to do so. What you’ll discover once you find solitude again may surprise you.
I know I was.
-- Alex Cook
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| Singing bowls bring people in and out of silence in some traditions. |
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