The Truth About Microphones

Lately it seems that microphones have been getting a bad reputation. Numerous politicians and CEOs have been caught saying things that shouldn't have. Is it the fault of the microphone? No, it's just a tool. But in today's world where it's incredibly easy to record and then disburse an embarrassing remark around the world, you've to be careful with them.

Here are some things to keep in mind the next time, you use a microphone:

1. If a microphone is put in front of you or is clipped on to your clothes, think of it as always being on. Just because your interview or meeting may not have started, don't think that you can't be heard. And if you can be heard, then you can be recorded. So don't say anything you wouldn't want the world to know.
2. If you're wearing a wireless microphone, make sure you turn it off if you have to go to the bathroom. Otherwise, you'll gain a new level of unwanted popularity.
3. Whispering while wearing a microphone doesn't mean that it can't pick up your voice. See point #1 for a reminder of what not to say.

Microphones can be a fun tool and recently I put together some video tips on how to make sure you're using them in the correct way.

A Moment of Fireworks

I enjoy photography and thought it would be fun to share some shots I've taken of fireworks. I've always been intrigued with the idea of how pictures capture a moment and what more brilliant moment to capture than a festive explosion.



I used a pretty standard Cannon camera. It's digital so you can take a lot of shots and not worry about wasting film. Much of the challenge is anticipating the explosion. You really have to hit things at just the right moment where the action hasn't started yet but the camera still has something to focus on. I'm sure it's much easier with professional equipment but sometimes it's more fun to experiment with circumstances and come up with creative solutions (or happy accidents) to a challenging situation.

Is Image Everything?

Who needs words when you run a Presidential campaign? This week Barrack Obama has gotten a ton of positive coverage of his international tour. Who ever set up the photo opportunities has done a great job. The Senator has been shown speaking to lots of foreign leaders as well as addressed large crowds in very photogenic locations.

Senator McCain may have had a productive week but not in the world of images. One that seems to be getting a lot of play is him sitting in a passenger seat of a golf cart being driven by former President George Bush. Something about the image reminds me of Michael Dukakis' infamous ride in a tank.

The disparity has been discussed by the national media but there hasn't been much talk about what the candidates have been saying. It's a bit like showing someone your family album without telling you anything about the trip.

President Ronald Reagan was a master at using images. In journalism school at Arizona State University, I learned how he would make a public appearance when bad news was coming out. While the story might be about inflation, the image was of the President shaking hands at a white collar bar. This would dilute the bad news of the story and make people say, "Gee, the President seems like a nice guy."

I expect both McCain and Obama will visit Texas very soon to survey the damage from Hurricane Dolly.

Power Introductions

Soon I'll be attending this year's National Speakers Association conference in New York City. About 1,200 people are expected to attend the four day function. They come from all over the United States as well as several different countries.

As most people are strangers, it's very common to be asked the question, "What do you speak about?" I've noticed that it tends to produce dull answers from most of us. Some will say something that's immediately forgettable, like, "I do sales stuff."

This is a bit embarrassing for a group that prides itself in excellence in public speaking. Would a baker say, "I make food." No, he or she would respond with something like, "I make the most amazing chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth and make you reach for the nearest glass of milk."

With that in mind, I've learned from branding experts that it's best to describe yourself in terms of what you can do for someone else. For example, "I help companies boost their profits through time management." The goal is to give people a taste of what you do and then be quiet. I'm suggesting silence because what you really want is to give the other person a chance to ask you a question that allows you to further talk about your expertise.

I'll keep track of the responses I receive at this year's convention and post some of them at a later date.

Thoughts From a Long Line...

Recently I found myself in a superstore we'll call, "Store X." In the past year I was excited to see Store X install self-checkout machines as the business routinely has long lines and slow moving clerks. But now months into this new era of buying, I'm starting to have doubts about the execution of the change.

Ideally the machines should create a win-win situation for everyone. Four self-check terminals can be overseen by one employee so Store X can sell more items at a lower employee cost. And customers who don't mind scanning their products should see their wait in line decreased. As a professional speaker I could imagine myself talking up this modernization.

But this marriage may be on shaky ground. You see the store has cut the number of clerks operating traditional lines. At some times, your only choice is to check yourself out. This creates massive challenges for those who are not technologically savvy, like senior citizens, of which there are quite a few in South Florida. The system seems more concerned with catching shoplifters than assisting those less knowledgeable across a technological divide. The clerks in charge of monitoring the self-check machines do not seem empowered by customer service training to assist those who need help.

So now the lines move even slower and I witnessed one customer abandon her cart and walk out of the store in frustration after a duel with the self-check machine. Down the street is a place we'll call, "Store Y." It doesn't have self-check machines and has significantly more clerks on registers during the day. Guess where I'll be shopping?

Airline Misses In-Flight Connection

US Airways has announced that soon it will drop its in-flight entertainment service from most of its domestic flights.  The reason:  Airline representatives say the system weighs about 500 pounds and that adds to the price of fuel.

While I'm all for saving money, I think US Airways is acting like someone who wants to lose weight by chopping off an arm.  When you consider all the weight on a plane, the entertainment system is not that big a deal.  Especially if you consider it a viable revenue source that can off-set the weight issue.  Think about it, an airline has a captive audience.  Why not charge a few bucks for on-demand use of the entertainment system.  People won't pay it, you think.  Maybe not but look at an airport terminal.  People pay a lot of money for overpriced food, water, and coffee.  Would they not do the same for something that would keep them occupied on a plane.  

Of course in today's world, people can watch movies from their laptops and listen to music on their i-Pods.  The in-flight service shouldn't look to compete with  that but rather find a way to give the passengers unique content.  What if the airlines showed videos about the flight's destination cities.  These could be made in collaboration with the city's Chambers of Commerce.  Wouldn't you like to learn more about a city's sights, hidden treasures, and fantastic restaurants before you arrived?

The challenge of high fuel costs should not be seen as a reason to reduce services.  It's an opportunity to find ways to improve the travel experience for both the passengers and the airlines. 

Survival vs. Success

I always keep a pad and pen near my bed as sometimes I wake up with some very good ideas. My latest one deals with how people and organizations can often fall in two one of two categories. Either they are in a state of survival or success.  It can apply to personal or professional life.

In survival, you are going from one emergency from another.   You find yourself rushing to get a lot of things done, like paying your mortgage at the last minute.  While you're always on the go, it doesn't seem like you're making much progress.  It's like trying to run up an escalator that's going down.  No matter how hard you work, you only continue to experience the status quo. It's all about managing a new crisis every day.  

Success is all about taking steps that can get you out of survival mode.  You take stock of your strengths and weaknesses and then build upon the strengths.  You'll still be busy but will see progress in your business or life.  You've picked a direction, made changes, and then further build upon those efforts.  Your life becomes more about possibilities than a weight of obligations.