I’ve often been dumbfounded by the power of media coverage, and in this context I’m referring to media as good old fashioned, pre-historic news papers and reports. It’s inherent ability to elevate or decimate the character of individuals and reputation of companies almost overnight. Unfortunately it seems that it is what you read and it’s not the true facts that count, it’s what the public believe are the true facts that matter. Working for a controversial firm like Monsanto has crystallized for me the importance of public perception and strong media relations.
And so to my point, that’s right I do have one. My glamorous and dogged Monsanto fellow Lesley and I (I call her ‘moonpig’ for short!) met with our CEO, Hugh Grant, for lunch yesterday. We had a great time putting the world to rights, particularly our little rock in the North Atlantic, and Hugh made some insightful comments regarding the future for Scottish business and the part we (the fellows) can play in shaping it, (Hugh was the instigator of the International Advisory Board). He said, and I agree, that we all have a tremendous opportunity on our return to use this experience to push entrepreneurialism and business growth to the top of Scotland’s agenda. His fundamental point was that we do this as a collaborative effort, undergrads, fellows, the full compliment, in numbers we shall conquer!
I know that some of us partook in interviews for ‘The Herald’ this week. The SF is to be commended on their efforts to get us into limelight to date but our return is imminent and I think it’s time for us to get creative....and so to get the ball rolling a friend of mine has offered us the opportunity to meet with Tom Peters in Glasgow when he is over from Vermont in September. He's speaking at the Glasgow Crown Theatre (my friend has kindly offered to waiver the $350/each entrance fee!) . If you haven’t heard of Tom Peters he’s renowned as an international business guru who has written many books, perhaps the most significant being “In Search of Excellence” (short paper on the principles here: http://www.logisticsnetwork.net/articles/Excellence.pdf .) His current tour surrounds his latest book…….”Still in Search of Excellence”…so perhaps we don’t wish his advice on the creative front! Is anyone interested or think there is a story here? Or indeed have any other ideas to boost our profile on return? While we’re at it let’s see how Alex Salmonds diary is looking in August, we need to think big and as a network if we are truly going to make a difference.
Great blogs everybody, they’re all very entertaining and informative. Paul, if you’ve read this far, there’s 2 spare rooms in St Louis if you visit….still not getting your shirt back though!
Scotland......."Still (very much) in Search of Excellence"!........
Hey Shifu (as I call Ruairidh, ask in another format!), I like your blog, very eloquently put.
Our time with Hugh, which was the best part of 2 hours, was inspirational. Hugh definitely has a calm, engaging demeanour. The same point stood out for me that we should keep the momentum going when back in Scotland as a group. Individually we can talk a good game, as a group, we could be impressive and a force to be remembered. The effect we want to have in the business community, political community and media arena.
We have our moments of thinking about our own futures because of course we have to! but we do not want to, nor can afford to, lose our camaraderie and 'fellowship'.
So I'm in Ru, lets get our creative heads together for August........ and count me in for the talk by Tom, sounds fabby!
The names shi.......shifu!
My innuendous mind has kicked into overdrive at your choice of words to start that last sentence!!!
cheers Lesley!
The names shi.......shi..fu!
My innuendous mind is in overdrive with you're choice of words to start to that last sentence!!
cheers Lesley
Rhu
Great blog and I am amazed at your contacts. I would love to see Tom Peters so please count me in. I have my first planning meeting tomorrow with regards to my traveling throughout the USA, will hopefully take you up on your offer.
Paul
Ruairidh,
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Yes for Tom Peters – not my favourite management guru but I’ve got an open mind and it’ll be a superb networking and PR opportunity. Thanks for arranging this.
Yes for the importance of media relations – take a look at the amount of greenwash in the energy sector for another example.
Yes for the need to build and maintain a strong network when we graduate.
And the biggest yes for picking up the PR baton from SE and getting creative. Traditional media is only one tool. We need to be innovative and engage with our target audience – the Scottish business community and those who can help develop the Scottish business scene.
I hope you’ve dug out your anti novo-virus outfit to stave off the swine flu in St Loius.
Have a good weekend.
Mr T
Great blog Ruairidh - sign me up for Tom Peters.
The blogs are a great place to start creating our own media coverage and like you say there's a ton of good content here already - lets be sure to spread the word and get folks to check in with what we're up to.
We should take some time when we're together in August to talk about actions we can take right away as a group to make a difference - always easier when we're together rather than another email trail..
love the out-of-focus pic - "Ru as seen by a noro-sufferer..."
Hi Ru,
Tom Peters sounds like a great event - I'm in.
It also brings up an interesting thought...it should be a goal of us Fellow's that one day people will want to pay good money to listen to our business insights. (Or maybe not in this web 2.0 world)
Si
Great blog. Please count me in for the Tom Peter seminar.
Ruairidh, I like the cut of your jib!
By that, I mean how you can so eloquently put down in words the importance of media relations then publish that hilarious photo of you wearing three gloves. I like it!
Wise words my man. Wise words indeed.
Definately count me in for Tom Peters - I think it is a great idea!