If President Obama had wanted to keep McChrystal in charge in Afghanistan, as a PR advisor I would write his speech as follows:

“Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Much has been said about recent comments and the ripple effects stemming from comments to the press by General McChrystal, who stands now by my side. The General and I have had frank and direct conversation regarding the issues at hand, which include the support of our Constitutional chain of command. The General has offered his resignation and sincere apology over the matter. I have rejected that resignation.

While the General comments were unacceptable and inappropriate by his own admission, I do not want ‘yes-men’ working for me and the American people. I expect, given our passion for freedom of speech, that there will frequently be disagreements over policy and strategy. I encourage the vetting of these differences in the right venue. We have all been reminded by this situation that the ‘right venue’ is key here.

Therefore, General McChrystal enjoys my continued support and we remind all those serving in the cause of Freedom that though emotions may run high at times, we will respect the rule of law and the chain of command vital to our success.”

Many think Obama looks like Ceasar feeding the gladiator to the lions – an unspoken message of don’t tell me what you think, just make me look good in public.

What do you think?

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Image from E-Commerce News

You heard it as a child: “Actions speak louder than words.” The same is true in public relations. Crafted statements and press releases can be effective communication tools only as far as they match reality.

Facebook is a recent example. Despite their continual claims that user privacy was important, they gradually loosened the privacy restrictions, making status updates publicly visible and sharing likes/dislikes with third-party sites by default. Only when users revolted would they temporarily step back, as they are doing now. The unspoken message: user privacy is secondary to company growth.

BP officially says it will pay “all legitimate claims” resulting from the gulf coast oil spill. Those were good words for the coastal states to hear. Since then, BP has fought Congress against raising its $75 million legal liability cap, and will not clarify what is or is not “legitimate.” The unspoken message: BP will not be pressured to do more than it feels necessary.

BP has been forced to battle an aggressive US government as the administration sends the unspoken message that it is seeking to avoid blame being placed on the President. To sound presidential, President Obama has placed a moratorium on offshore drilling for six months so we can properly study the situation and avoid a repeat. However, because the President gave a positive message for new offshore drilling just weeks before the gulf oil disaster, the unstated message is “I am a waffler, willing to follow the polls. And, I don’t really know what I was doing endorsing oil exploration just a few weeks ago.”

John Pilmer, president of PilmerPR, commented on this issue when asked by E-Commerce News about a recent change in Microsoft’s leadership. Robbie Bach, president of the company’s entertainment and devices division (responsible for the Xbox, Zune and other gadgets) is stepping down along with J Allard, a senior vice president in the division. Microsft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, is stepping in and taking charge.

According to Ballmer (officially quoted in PC Magazine) Bach’s resignation is only possible due to his success:

“Robbie’s an amazing business person and close personal friend, which makes his departure a point of sadness for me,” Ballmer said. “However, given the strong leadership team he has built, the business performance of E&D this year and the launches of Windows Phone 7 and ‘Project Natal’ this fall, we are set up well for success as we continue to drive our mobile and entertainment businesses forward.”

John points out what the shake-up really says about Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division:

The shakeup is as much about sending a message as it is about internal operations, according to John Pilmer, president of Pilmer PR, who has worked with Microsoft and its partners for more than a decade.

Redmond wants to assure the market that it is on top of its problems and will compete in — and dominate — the space, Pilmer told the E-Commerce Times.

The market is also hearing an unspoken message, he said — that Microsoft is not getting the job done, and the competition is “kicking our trash.”

Read the full article at E-Commerce News.

PilmerPR works closely with clients to develop positive messaging that highlights successes and opportunities, and matches the good work the company is doing. You can also learn more about how PilmerPR can help with crisis management.

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On the same May day that the stock market took a steep one-day dive, investors heard from Utah-based REIC that the company had upgraded their five-year forecast, doubling estimates for growth and income. With expansion into 15 other states and new real estate education products, they heard that the company hired 35 people in 2009 and plans similar new jobs in 2010.

Listen: Steve Earl – CEO talks company growth – Apr2010 wealth summit

As energy continues to affect every economic sector, Utah’s U.S. Synthetic recently topped the 500-employee mark. Their forecasts show strong growth with innovative synthetic diamond products coming to market.

Startup Illumra, an Orem incubator (CEDO) company, is ramping sales and staff as they launch disruptive new energy efficient self-powered, wireless electronics that are turning industry heads. In my work with UVEF, Utah Student 25, and other entrepreneurial groups, I see brilliant technologies and bold new products and services stimulating the economy.

While there are still turbulent times ahead, there are positive signs of growth and much to look forward to on the state’s business horizon.

Do you think the economy is on the rebound?

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The crowd of entrepreneurs attending today’s UVEF presentation responded enthusiastically to Todd Pedersen, CEO and founder of  APX Alarm. With 5500 employees, the company expects to knock on 10 million doors this summer as it gobbles market share in the home security market. 850,000 installations to-date puts APX in the top 4 companies in their industry.

If you think Todd is ready for a vacation, you would be mistaken, and don’t let his casual dress fool you.  I work out with the guy at Gold’s Gym. This guy is on fire with passion about life, family, and business. His down to earth approach to relationships communicates empowerment to others left elevated by his presence.  Todd is moving the company aggressively into the “energy management” space and plans on having 100,000 such customers by year end. [Now, that's energy efficiency that gets this cleantech PR guy excited.]

Todd’s secrets for success? Here are a few:

“I love stress… If I’m not stressed, it stresses me out.”

“I love problems.”

“Adapt non-stop- change on the fly.”

“Treat employees like gold…employees are the product.”

“If profit is your only motive, you are done already.”

Today’s crowd of around a thousand business, government, and education leaders heard the good, the bad, and the ugly about Utah economic recovery in 2010 and beyond.  While morning keynote and former Wells Fargo Bank VP, Kelly Matthews stated that “headwind issues will trump tailwind ones” this year in Utah, he also quoted comparatively positive unemployment (6.5%) inventory, sales,  and investment numbers that are among the strongest in the nation.

While Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Randal Quarles, talked about continued downside pressure in financial markets due to credit market meltdown and the spiraling  U.S. national debt (80% expected growth in 2 years), others expressed optimism.

David Chen, Chair for the Oregon Innovation Council, shared an outsider view as one seeing Utah as “an enviable place to be” especially compared to other struggling western states.  Governor Gary Herbert echoed this positive view pointing to growth sectors like hi-tech, cleantech, energy, biotech, financial, and healthcare. Having just met with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said California’s governor may know what it is like to be the “captain of the Titanic.” Utah in contrast, Herbert said, has third parties gushing about our state’s relative strength:

#1 Most Dynamic Economy – Kauffman-State New Economy Index

#2 America’s Healthiest State – Forbes

#3 Best State for Business – Forbes

#1 Expected Economic Recovery – American Legislative Exchange

Governor Gary Herbert says Utah economy "turning the corner"

Multiple speakers including the Governor and GOED director, Spence Eccles, agreed that the support and growth of entrepreneurship is critical to the state’s ongoing economic health. In my more private meeting recently with the governor and Eccles as the the Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), that point was driven home with the promise to promote an regulatory environment of limited government to allow entrepreneurs and the free market economy to thrive.

As a entrepreneur and business owner (PilmerPR & Junto Communications), my takeaway was appreciation for the state from which we serve a national clientele.

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We’re frequently asked, “What should my business do, from a PR perspective?”

Most of the  time, they’re not asking for a full consultation, but are asking, “What do the successful companies know?”

For months, the PilmerPR team has been working behind-the-scenes to compile the most useful information together, and in terms for the layman. The result is “PR 101: The Basics.”

Beginning this month, PilmerPR will host the webinars to introduce basic public relations strategies to entrepreneurs, CXOs and emerging company owners, within an hour.

This is not just a sales presentation. You will come away seeing your business from a PR perspective, which may inspire you to rethink current practices.

Topics include the following:

• Social Media – Money Maker or Energy Leak
• Press Releases – Not Just for Reporters Anymore
• Online Media Revolution – A Conceptual and Monetary Shift
• Measurement – Turning PR into Money
• Watering Holes – Finding Prospects in 2010
• Avoiding Potholes – Common Errors of Entrepreneurs
• What’s News? – Making News Newsworthy
• And More!

“PR 101: The Basics” is only $149. For this first webinar, if you sign up for the PilmerPR newsletter, we will give you a code to attend for just $49.

Sign up for the PilmerPR Newsletter:

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There are so many new green technologies under development that it’s hard to keep track. Here’s one more. What if I told you there was a cleantech auto transmission under development that will yield 30% greater MPG, even in big-rig trucks? Gas, diesel, electric, CNG–doesn’t matter. What if I further told you that Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, and Subaru were all looking at it. More to come…

Did you know that in the U.S. we consume 176 billion gallons of motor fuel per year? (source: USDOT) If 1% of our vehicles increased their MPG by 30%, that would save 528 million gallons of fuel the first year.

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More more info: jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

Today was my first luncheon as UVEF 2010 chairman. Today’s excellent UVEF speaker was Gary Rhoads, PhD in Marketing , Stephen Mack Covey Professor of Marketing, and Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at Brigham Young University.  He discussed powerful concepts from his new book BoomStart:  Super Laws of Successful Entrepreneurs.  BoomStart identifies why many start-up companies fail in their first 2 years of business because they spend millions of dollars on traditional marketing tactics that simply don’t work.

Here are just a couple.

Sharpen the Angle. Dimensions of increasing the angle of attack for a new project or service include:

Customers must have a Need to Believe your message. Big perceived problem equals big opportunity.

You must give the customer a Reason to Believe. Make it easy for them to see why they need your stuff.

Blow Away Expectations.  You must demonstrate superior value . Focus on dominating in one area first.

You must make a Unique Claim about your product or service.  This can neutralize the competition.

UVEF will soon make audio of today’s terrific presentation available at www.uvef.net

As the new 2010 Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (www.uvef.net ), I’m enthusiastic about the potential for new business startups to turn the economy around. The grit and power of the small business startup executive is infectious and is likely the most valuable stimulus program available to the USA.

Entrepreneurs aspiring for greatness would do well to pay attention to the lessons of the past as they forge the future.  That’s why I wanted to share a recent Forbes story that hits the mark in my view.  Here’s their list of 10 Arrogance Traps of Entrepreneurs:

“Business plans are for dummies”
Think business plans are just for investors? Wrong. Those plans are primarily for you.

“This is so cool!”
Just because you think your new mousetrap is extraordinary doesn’t mean the whole world will agree

“If we build it, they will come.”
…our product is so great that everyone will know about us anyway by word of mouth and through online social networks…

“We have no competitors.”
If you haven’t identified a competitor…you either 1) haven’t looked or 2) there isn’t any market for what you are selling.

“Me, myself and I.”
I recently watched a promising start-up wither and die for lack of funds because the founder refused to step aside as chief executive in favor of a more experienced candidate…

“We’re too nimble for the big guys to keep up.”
Serving a relatively small customer base well can yield a tidy little business,

“We have more features than anyone”
Truth is, marketing a flurry of features often puts off customers who would rather not have to deal with complexity, or the costs to switch to a new product or service. Simple sells.

“We have the first-mover advantage”
Right. Or, what you really mean, but can’t admit, is that you don’t have a patent or any differentiating competitive advantage.

“There’s no need to risk my own money.”
Investing your own capital is, in the eyes of investors, the difference between “involved” and “committed”–and investors like commitment even more than they like sweat equity.

“We’re funded, now we can relax”
The real work starts when the money comes in

(See entire Forbes story)

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One important aspect of marketing and public relations is combating negative news in a client’s area of business. One of our clients, ModifyUtah, recently saw a negative news program about their industry – loan modification.

Sometimes bad stuff happens and a homeowner finds themselves on the brink of losing their home. When in such a pinch, noted consumer advocate, Clark Howard, recently reported the following options in order of damage to one’s credit score.

Least Damaging – Loan Modification
More Damaging – Short Sale
Even More Damaging – Foreclosure
Most Damaging – Bankruptcy

An unscrupulous loan modification business was recently highlighted on Get Gephardt, an investigative TV segment in Utah. This particular business took money up front to do a loan modification, then kept the money and never achieved the modification.

ModifyUtah felt that they needed to respond right away, since the story gave all loan modification companies a bad name, simply because of one bad seed.  They have previously taken many steps to ensure their business is honest and fair with customers, including offering a money-back guarantee, registering with the Utah Department of Real Estate, and more.

ModifyUtah VP of Finance Randy Chipman has some ideas about how to gain credibility in an industry with a bad reputation that will publish shortly over on the Utah Business Blog.

So, have you ever felt scammed by a business?  Take the poll below and let us know.

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