The hottest Communication Strategies Substack posts right now

A billboard for ovarian cancer featuring a young man has caused confusion about who can get this disease. People assumed it was promoting the idea that men can also have ovarian cancer, which led to a public debate.
The health organization's wording may seem ambiguous, as it suggests that 'ovarian cancer can affect anyone'. This phrasing made many question why a man was the focus, when ovarian cancer primarily affects women.
There is a concern that using unclear language regarding women's health issues risks overshadowing women's experiences and identities. The billboard didn’t directly mention women, leading to confusion about the message it was trying to convey.

Bad press can accelerate the downfall of a company or CEO if the foundation is already unstable.
A negative media narrative can be more damaging than simply sharing new information.
Internal criticism, vivid details, media obsession, big names, and puns can amplify the impact of bad press.

Republican states are leading in wind power generation.
Democratic-leaning states are ahead in solar power generation.
Support for clean energy in the US is strong but driven by reasons other than climate change.

Mis/disinformation is a major problem affecting trust in science and public health.
AI will exacerbate misinformation issues with faster spread of false news.
Inaction hinders progress in addressing misinformation, collaboration is key among governments, academic institutions, and private industry.

Observing users regularly and involving your team is crucial for building successful products.
Maintaining continuity in the discovery process by having weekly touchpoints with customers helps generate insights.
Creating a stakeholders repository and using tools like empathy maps and user scenarios can enhance team collaboration and communication.

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The economy has seen massive gains in productivity, but the transformation into more free time is still viewed as radical or lazy.
Modernization and factors like smartphone use, ultra-processed foods, and declining family bonds can have negative effects on mental health.
Calling people forward instead of out can be a more effective approach for change, focusing on positive visions of the future and inviting growth.

Focus on demonstrating the impact of your work to the business in terms of time and money saved/made compared to what you are being paid.
Communicate the importance of your work to your peers and stakeholders by adding value propositions to your tasks, measuring impact, and tracking significant wins with supporting metrics.
Consistently delivering impactful work, improving organizational perception, and effective communication can lead to growth opportunities such as team expansion, promotions, and better job offers.

Organizations are feeling pressure to share their views on social and political issues as corporate purpose becomes important. It's a balancing act between business needs and leadership values.
Different companies have varying opinions on whether to take a stand. Some believe in being vocal, while others prefer to stay neutral on political matters.
A decision-making framework can help guide organizations on when and how to speak out on these issues, as understanding public sentiment becomes increasingly crucial.