Yesterday I presented to a provincial government finance committee that was seeking input on the 2019 budget. I spoke as a mother and patient advocate about the urgent need for more speech language therapy funding for preschool and elementary school students. I used storytelling to make a personal connection on a complex issue. I had five minutes to state my…

Having THREE key messages, and scripting all your communications around these messages, will help you stay focused and make sure you get to the point! Having clarity of message, is key to increasing sales, cutting through the noise, and being seen as a knowledgeable professional. Yet way to few people take the time to figure out who they are speaking…

In our personal lives, many of us are passionate about a cause or activity, and don’t think twice about throwing our energy into its pursuit. It could be coaching a sport, running marathons, painting, photography or advocating for your child. By following our passion we are inspired, motivated and have impact. But how often do we follow our passion in…

Social media has changed the way we communicate. And complicated it. While it has allowed many professionals to do away with corporate speak, it has also created a gray area for those working in corporate communications to figure out how personal can I be? And when can should I be corporate? Many struggle with how to speak to your ideal…

Last week I was on national television promoting my new book. It was exciting, nerve wracking and extremely rewarding. Despite having done countless media interviews, I still take the time to go through the steps on how to prepare for a television interview. And trust me, this preparation is key to nailing a television interview you are proud of and…

I’m living in a bit of a whirlwind right now. As I write this post, my head is swirling with packing checklists, getting kids ready for school, and, oh yes, preparing for a book tour to promote my second patient advocacy book. While professionally I’ve worked in public relations for over 20 years, since the birth of my second child…