Tag Archives: radio

5 Things I Learned in the Hiring Process

8 Jul

Here are five things I learned while interviewing people for a position with my radio station

  • In an era of transparency and authenticity, it’s hard to sell yourself.  There’s a fine line between bragging and sharing.
  • Most people don’t really believe they are good enough, when in fact…they are. This is unfortunate.
  • People apply for jobs without reading the job description.
  • The perception we have of ourselves is often fueled by the circle of friends, family, and co-workers that are in orbit around us.  When you step outside the circle, you experience what others think of you for the very first time. It can be humbling.
  • The more qualified your candidates are, the harder it is to determine who is the best person for the job.  To resolve this, you have to make unscientific, intuitive based decisions.

One final thought for anybody applying for a job – it’s not personal. Just because one person doesn’t see greatness in your resume or see the spark inside you doesn’t mean you don’t have it.  It just means this person didn’t see it or was looking for something else.

In particular for on air personalities, it’s important to recognize that every PD in every market is going to respond to your air-check in a different way.  Take the criticism, good and bad, and apply it. Be thankful you didn’t get a job with a manager that didn’t get you.

That wouldn’t have been much fun.

STOP YELLING! The Kid Can’t Hear You.

30 Jun

Last week, I attended another one of my daughter’s swim meets.  I referenced the swim meet experience in a story last year. This time around, something struck me, or rather interrupted me. It was Moms and Dads screaming words of “encouragement” from the side of the pool

Hey parents….guess what. THEY CAN”T HEAR YOU!

They’re listening to their coaches, the kid next to them who farted, and oh by the way…

THEY’RE DIVING INTO A POOL AND GOING UNDERWATER!

They are swimming, focused, and determined. Thinking about the impending flip turn, or if their arms are in the right position.  I know you mean well, but rather than encouraging your kid, you’re making the rest of us crazy.  I won’t even get into how ridiculous you look cheering for a kid UNDERWATER!

Why do I mention this? It’s not because I think these parents are crazy, it’s because they are exactly like old school marketers.  Yelling about how great their products are through billboards, TV, radio, and worst of all print.

Nobody is listening…they’re busy.

Perhaps parents should be letting the coach’s coach, the swimmers swim, and try encouraging kids in those moments when they give you their attention…or as I like to call it: Permission.

Are you doing the same with your brand?  Are you yelling or engaging? There’s a difference.

The Dog

8 Jun

I am not a cat person, or a dog person.  I suppose I’m a “kid person”. I have two.  That is until now. This weekend, we adopted a dog. She’s two, calm, sweet, and for the most part, compliant; but make no mistake, our hands are full.  It’s been less than a week and, I’ve learned a couple of things already.

  • We can’t make her do things she doesn’t want to do herself.  We’ll need to make an effort to explain what we expect, and she’ll do the same I suppose.  It’s going to take hours and a lot of consistent effort.
  • She’s still not convinced we mean well.  She wants to believe that things are going to work out, but she’s pensive, always watching to see if we are as genuine as we claim to be.
  • There are basic needs that have to be met. If we fail on these, it’s over.
  • She’s clearly a financial investment. Taking care of her will cost money. Most expensive thus far are the things that make her feel like our home is her home.

Perhaps the “she” in this story could easily be the “she” that listens to your radio station, shops your store, or buys your product.  We think its good enough to unlock the door, turn on the music, or make the widget. It’s usually not.

Got a dog? Pet? How about a kid? Look at them, how did you build that relationship, how long did it take?  Was it worth it to get to where you are now?

That’s what I thought.

Your Culture is Defined by What You Tolerate

4 May

You don’t like it? I blame you. That’s right, it’s your fault.

“Your culture is defined by what you tolerate.”

Matt Sunshine, Executive Vice President at The Center for Sales Strategy shared that with me a while back. It’s brilliant.

  • Bad Employees
  • Mediocre Performance
  • Lack of Innovation

These issues exist because you allow them to. It applies in the home as well.

  • Kids Back Talking
  • Messy Room
  • General Disrespect
  • Tension with Spouse

Instead of blaming everybody else, or external influences, you have to consider the role that you play.

The culture in your home or office, the atmosphere that exists…doesn’t just exist.  It’s fostered and managed by you.  You allow for things to happen or not.

Define your culture and drive it, if not, the negative culture will drive you.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 308 other followers