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Gail Downey

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation
Conference speaker

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation

If the person you knew the least in your organisation could do the most damage to its reputation, would you treat them differently? If the answer is yes, then maybe this year is the time to think about how you communicate with them – particularly around the issue of cyber security. We’re all only one…

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1707 2560 Gail Downey
Why CEOs need a critical friend
Writing on whiteboard

Why CEOs need a critical friend

No matter how confident you are at doing your job and no matter how high level that role is, it is natural to feel apprehensive about doing media interviews. Even if you, as a CEO, have done dozens of interviews, there will still be an adrenaline rush once the camera/radio microphone is switched on. If…

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2560 1709 Gail Downey
How to deal with rude emails
Speaking on phone

How to deal with rude emails

If you have ever found yourself with a crabby email you might like to read about a new device I found recently. You can add it to your inbox and just like an out of office reply, it will deal automatically with all those terse responses for you. Do let me know if it works…

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1707 2560 Gail Downey
How to Start…and Finish that Article
laptop and phone

How to Start…and Finish that Article

Know your audience is the best advice I was given when I started as a trainee journalist a thousand years ago. My first job was on a local newspaper in Warwickshire. The audience were the people who lived in the town the newspaper served. Woe betide you if you spelt any names wrong or misquoted…

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2560 1707 Gail Downey
You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig
Broken piggy bank

You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig

I don’t know where the phrase “You Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig” originated, but for animal lovers out there, including myself, I want to reassure you I have never tried. Unfortunately that can’t be said for some businesses, organisations and even PR and Marketing agencies. Their unsuccessful attempts to make something ugly look more…

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2560 1707 Gail Downey
Can I get away without blogging?
Typing on laptop

Can I get away without blogging?

If like me you've had occasional twinges of guilt about blogging, or rather your lack of it, you are not alone. I've started them with huge enthusiasm. Written two or three then got busy, bored or just downright bolshie as it became another thing to do on my to do list. Of course as a…

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2560 1707 Gail Downey
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