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Lilja Celebrates Earth Day

“A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.”

—John James Audubon

This past Earth Day, we continued our Lilja tradition and took an afternoon to clean up the ponds and grasses that surround our office. We ended up with eight bags of trash, among them an array of interesting items. Not only is the view from our office much improved, but we’re confident the wildlife that calls these ponds home are enjoying our housecleaning efforts.

And those interesting items we found? They ranged from a volleyball (apparently owned by someone named Reese), a hair salon sign, a photo of a newborn baby, and a sticky note with a cryptic message about a Hollister shirt. Being the storytellers we are, we immediately started coming up with tales surrounding these objects and how they ended up in our pond. Perhaps we’ll start dabbling in fiction writing soon?

We are proud to have had our clean-up efforts featured in two local papers – Eden Prairie News and the Eden Prairie Sun Current!

Big Warehouse on the Prairie

Murphy Warehouse Company will bring a “touch of green” to its new logistics campus in Eagan. The company will transform the campus to meet LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications. Partner tenKsolar will install solar panels on the roof – something that four other Murphy Warehouse buildings already feature.

With the new solar array, the company expects to generate 320kW of power annually – enough to meet the annual power needs of 42 Minnesota homes. Murphy Warehouse will be the third largest solar power generator in Minnesota, with excess power generated fed back into the grid.

“It's the right thing to do. Besides, being Irish, we've always been green,” Richard Murphy, president and CEO of Murphy Warehouse, notes with a smile.

During a recent visit to Murphy Warehouse's Minneapolis headquarters, we had the chance to tour the native prairies around the company's innovative storm water system. Though late in the season, the prairies, pictured, were still blooming brightly, attracting dragonflies, butterflies and bees. Since the company began planting native prairies around its warehouses, Murphy estimates they have saved nearly $950,000 in lawn maintenance costs. How's that for sustainable ROI?

Celebrate the Fifth of July with Lilja's New Website

Happy Fifth of July, also known as “get back to work day” for those of us not taking vacation. The upside is that it’s a light week for most of us office workers, and an easy commute, too.

You may be wondering what to do with those extra five minutes you shaved off you drive time this morning, and we have the solution! Take some time to peruse Lilja’s new website! The new website encompasses all three areas of our business: public relations, Lilja LifeStories and Lilja Press.

So enjoy that air-conditioned office, a quicker commute and Lilja’s new website!  

-- Alicia

A big day for a (mostly)* introverted PR firm

Though we're aggressive in our pursuit of coverage for our clients, it isn't often that we receive coverage ourselves. So imagine our surprise that the stars lined up today, and we have TWO stories about our firm in the media!

The first is a lovely profile of Linda Tedford in the business section of the Star Tribune. The profile details Linda's interesting background and passion for storytelling.

The second is an op/ed penned by yours truly about our annual cleanup of a nearby pond on MinnPost.

Whew! Big day, indeed.

Best regards,

Mary Lilja

* The non-introvert among the rest of us is Linda!

A facility reborn

In late 2010, Lilja client United Properties announced it would undertake the historic renovation of Ford Center, an office building just north of downtown Minneapolis.

The 1912 building was home to the first showroom and vertical assembly plant for Ford Motor Company in the Twin Cities. Model Ts regularly rolled off (or should we say dropped down?) the assembly line.

We invited the Star Tribune in for a hardhat tour of the building as the final details took place, and to see the painstaking measures taken by United Properties and RJM Construction to ensure its historic preservation.

The result was a beautiful story about the renovation and history of this building.

Photo courtesy of United Properties

Meet Lilja's newest staff member: Linda Tedford

We are happy to announce that Linda Tedford has joined our team in the newly created role of vice president. Linda brings 25 years of major and planned gift fundraising to Lilja as the firm seeks to broaden its services to nonprofits and increase its LifeStories work.

First job: I was a counter girl at Cathay Chow Mein on 54^th and Nicollet when I was 14.

Favorite book: The Short History of a Prince by Jane Hamilton is probably the novel I will always consider my favorite. Hamilton's prose is beautiful, painful and full of compassion for her characters.

Something surprising about yourself: I worked as a singing telegram to earn money for law school!

Favorite quote: Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mohandas Gandhi

What you enjoy most about your work: Being part of a small team of highly talented and creative people to help our clients tell their stories. Honoring the heart of a story, whether it is for a press release or a client's personal story, is among the most wonderful things we do at Lilja!

A crisis of social media proportions

There are volumes written about media best practices in a crisis situation. But in today's world, social media is the new force to be reckoned with. Just ask Rush Limbaugh, Invisible Children or Susan G. Komen for the Cure about the power of social media to shape and convey public opinion. Are you prepared to respond to a crisis in this new world of communications?

The best way to address a crisis is, as always, to 1) be prepared; and 2) react thoughtfully, quickly and completely. Reacting too quickly without care is problematic; so is waiting too long to respond while the flames flare higher. Here are four questions to ask yourself as you prepare for potential crises.

What is it you want to communicate? In this new social media world, key messages are more important than ever. Make sure you're communicating the same message across your website, all of your social media platforms – and in the traditional media, too.

How robust is your social media presence? In a crisis, your current friends or followers can be your biggest allies. It's important to start the conversation in good times. Then give them genuine responses when something goes wrong.

Who will manage and respond via social media during a crisis? Will it be your CEO? One or two point people?

How will you balance traditional and social media? Don't forget the traditional media, particularly those outlets and reporters who already know you well. If they aren't knocking on your door, knock on theirs. Use every avenue to tell your story.

In the words of Louis Pasteur: "Chance favors the prepared mind."

Some Lessons from South Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 7^th?

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

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

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

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

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