MAN BITES DOG (IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENED!!!)

There are some things you wait a lifetime for. And one of these has just happened. For some years I've relied on the expression "Man Bites Dog". This is part of my ongoing quest to take people into the minds of journalists so they can increase their media coverage. The expression focuses on the point that if something is unusual, then it's far more likely to make it big in the news. It's based on the premise that when a dog bites a man it's not typically newsworthy because it happens so often. Just ask your postman. But if a man bites a dog then it is real news as it's so much more surprising. The phrase has been attributed to several journalists including the investigative reporter, anti-slavery campaigner and editor of the New York Sun, Charles Anderson Dana (1819 - 1897). Charles Anderson Dana Mr Dana would have been as shocked as I was when the story about a heroic man from Iowa flashed up on my computer screen - because he had bitten a dog. The man was Laine Henry. He heroically bit the dog in order to save the life of his wife. Caren Henry was out walking their pet beagle when she was attacked by a part Labrador mix (normally docile dogs in my limited experience). The dog bit her abdomen and thigh, scratched at her eyes and then clamped onto her nose - actually tearing it off. Caren's heroic husband rushed to her aid.   Heroic dog-biter Laine Henry and his recovering wife, Caren   Laine found the only way to get the dog to loosen its grip was to bite the canine nose. You can check out the full story at:   http://aolbroadband.welcomescreen.aol.co.uk/video/man-bites-dog-to-save-wife/517769625/ The man-biting-dog story played large in the media for the same reason that a plane that doesn't crash typically fails to make it in the news. It's a principle which applies around the world. So when you're trying to get your story into the mainstream, focus where possible on the unusual. Whether you're issuing a press release, calling the newsroom or chatting to a journalist in a pub, focusing on the unusual element will get their attention every time. Details on master classes on "Position Your Business For Free Media Publicity" are   http://www.michaeldoddcommunications.com/workshops_for_business_leaders_groups.php

INSPIRATIONAL COMMUNICATION - WHEREVER YOU ARE Like the fundamentals of what makes news, the broader principles of effective and inspiring communication also apply everywhere. Sure, there are some things which can be a little different in different cultures. For example, I've worked with women from Korea who've pointed out that giving a presentation with your hands apart and open and facing straight on to the audience (as I would normally recommend) can be seen as a bit too forward in their culture. Being aware of such sensitivities is important. But on the broader canvas of best communication practice, they are pretty tiny. When I've had the privilege of working through Pulford Global in embassies, consulates and high commissions around the world they have sometimes - much to my delight - brought in a local journalist to play a cameo role in our courses. This provides a splendid local reality check on the advice I give. The local journalists give insights into the local media which are always valuable - and sometimes surprising. One of them in a more far flung place spoke about a local custom of paying journalists a personal incentive to write up certain stories. This is something I personally don't recommend anywhere - and, to his credit, nor did he. AUSTRALIAN TRIES TO SPEAK FRENCH IN PARIS The underlying principles of communicating in a more inspirational way remain the same - even in "vive la difference" France. I was thinking about this when I was working in Paris on behalf of my colleagues in Now Training. The principles underpinning giving captivating presentations with the use of slides works across all language and cultural barriers. No audience anywhere likes slides with truckloads of statistics or wall-to-wall small font writing which some misguided presenters think they should put in their PowerPoints and then read to their victims But your audiences will typically like it when you use big graphics like movie posters with emotional punch to illustrate your points. I personally like the way the Jaws poster to grabs attention.     This is because the audience don't know whether the shark will eat the swimmer at the top of the poster. So the mixture of drama, colour and uncertainty grabs attention - just as your slides should. It's the same thing with another of my favourite posters - the one for King Kong. What will happen to the woman in red?    Because we can't be sure by looking at the poster it draws us in. The principles of grabbing and holding audience attention work everywhere. Which is why - after my sessions in France - I decided to pop down to the Eiffel Tower to illustrate my point. Click here only if you are tough enough to withstand the murder of the French language by a passing Australian.   Because he had such low expectations of me, I'm suspecting that my old French teacher might be impressed. However I'm reconciled to the view that no one else will be. Keep smiling, Au revoir. Michael