Catch up on all of HearSay Season One episodes here:
The 3 Themes of the Midterm Elections
President Lee Carter and CEO Michael Maslansky are joined by Partner Ben Feller to uncover the three main themes that are defining this midterm cycle. And why the message that resonates in each of these themes is usually from the party or candidates playing offense rather than defense.
You Need a Personal Messaging Strategy
President Lee Carter is joined by Partners Keith Yazmir and Ben Feller for a conversation on how to use language strategy in your everyday life — from meetings, to customer service interactions, to any presentation setting.
The Secret to Improving Your Brand’s Reputation
President Lee Carter and CEO Michael Maslansky are joined by Senior Vice President Katie Cronen to discuss one of the often overlooked elements of reputation management, the effective use of language, message, and narrative.
Continue Reading ➔ The Secret to Improving Your Brand’s Reputation
You Win the Debate by Framing the Debate
President Lee Carter and CEO Michael Maslansky are joined by Partner Ben Feller to talk about the value of personalization, why keeping it simple in your messaging gets you further, and what the idea of credibility and plausibility mean in a post-truth era.
How to Change Someone’s Mind
President Lee Carter, CEO Michael Maslansky, and Partner Keith Yazmir highlight what it means to practice active empathy; the need for understanding your audience, especially if you don’t agree with them; and how successful empathy can drive growth for your company.
Differentiation: How You Stand Out From Competition
Using examples like “zero proof” non-alcoholic beverages, a “no hoops” rewards credit card, and an insurance company that “looks for ways to say yes,” President Lee Carter, CEO Michael Maslansky, and Vice President Will Howard highlight the tools you need you stand out from the crowd.
Continue Reading ➔ Differentiation: How You Stand Out From Competition
Your Audience is Always Right
President Lee Carter and CEO Michael Maslansky are joined by Partner Keith Yazmir to talk about how maslansky + partners invented language strategy, why certain messages resonate (and don’t), and share some of their favorite Language Strategy wins: from Starbucks VIA® Instant Coffee to variable annuities.
The Smartest, Stupidest, + Savviest Messages of 2021 (So Far)
Season One of HearSay ends with a bang: the smartest, savviest, + stupidest messages of 2021 so far. Michael and Lee are joined by HearSay veterans Keith and Katie to give their takes on the messages that have stood out: from Voltswagen, to Harry and Megan’s Oprah interview (and the royal response), to President Biden’s infrastructure plan and the true pronunciation of “cheugy.” They focus in not just in some of the biggest language moments of the year so far — but what we can all learn from them.
Continue Reading ➔ The Smartest, Stupidest, + Savviest Messages of 2021 (So Far)
Tell A Different Story: Words To Use And Lose For Sustainability Comms
With everyone telling their sustainability story, are you cutting through the crowd? Have you found one bold idea to center your communications around? It used to be that sustainability experts evaluated how companies were performing in this area. But now, customers and employees alike are paying attention. The old language of sustainability doesn’t work now. This week on HearSay, Michael and Lee welcome back podcast alumni Will Howard and Sachi Pettit to talk about all things sustainability, including how to respond appropriately to your critics, examples of successful corporate sustainability communication frameworks (from programs/products like Starbucks’ Shared Planet, Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan, and Adidas’ Ocean Shoe), and how to depoliticize your sustainability language.
Continue Reading ➔ Tell A Different Story: Words To Use And Lose For Sustainability Comms
The Language of a Leader in Employee Communications
Which audience is most important for your business? Many say it’s clients or customers. But often the most overlooked and valuable audience is your employees. Whether it’s communicating about the post-COVID return, your mission and values, or your new offerings, how you engage your employees is critical to your business success. This week on HearSay, Michael and Lee welcome Larry Moscow and Katie Cronen to talk about all of that and more, including why some words like “agile,” efficient,” “innovative” and “transformational” might not be effective and what language you should use instead.
Continue Reading ➔ The Language of a Leader in Employee Communications