5 Steps to Happiness

Last week I attended a seminar organised by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership. The topic was to encourage debate about what the next economy may look like to build sustainable development rather than the reliance on unsustainable growth.

One of the speakers was Nic Marks, the founder of the nef Centre for Well-Being. He was the lead author of the Happy Planet Index and is an advisor to the government of Bhutan on how to construct indicators for Gross National Happiness.

In his talk, he outlined his analysis that the lack of a positive vision for a sustainable future resulted in the psychological condition of ‘freezing’ when confronted by the fear of the negative environmental impacts. He recommends a more positive vision to have a new economic system based around improving ‘well-being’ which he defines as “people’s lived experience”. He pointed out that the current economic system which until recently had delivered booming growth, had not led to increased happiness.

I thought that there was some resonance to his arguments to focus on positive messages to the Obama campaign which promised change, hope and positive values. This emotionally compelling approach was also outlined as a blueprint for campaigns by Drew Westen.

Nic’s research had identified 5 factors or themes which contribute towards increased well-being which I will attempt to summarise below:

1. Connect

Develop ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ relationships. ‘Thick’ relationships are the close ones to your family and closest friends. ‘Thin’ relationships are your wider social network of colleagues, associates and aquaintances.

2. Get Active

This is not only being physically active, but can be as simple as getting outside for a walk. Nic pointed out that depression can be alleviated by taking a walk. Physical activity boosts the sense of well-being through ‘happy’ hormones such as endorphins.

3. Take Notice

This was described by Nic as developing “mindfulness and reflection”. It could also be spirituality – whatever works for an individual.

4. Keep Learning

Keeping learning is important to provide new stimulus and keep the mind alert. Nic claimed that the capacity to learn continues right through into 80 year olds so that it is possible to “teach old dogs new tricks“!

5. Give

Compassion and generosity for others was also identified as a major contributing factor to well-being.

Lots of interesting ideas! I was particularly interested in the concept of producing and communicating a positive vision to encourage change. It will be interesting to attempt to apply the 5 steps or themes!

Put ‘Public’ Back into PR

In today’s Daily Telegraph Business supplement, data from Hitwise  is reported to show that Twitter has overtaken MySpace for the first time in its league of top social networking websites. At 2.21%, both are still waaaay behind Facebook (47.50%) and YouTube (16.63%) in the UK.

So why should we (Corporate Communications professionals) care? At the core of public relations is the concept of a two-way relationship between an organisation and its stakeholders. With the advent of social media and the concept of Web2.0, the two-way relationship has been expanded to multi-way. The CIPR definition   is “PR is about reputation – what you do, what you say and what others say about you”. This idea of multiple conversations was floated in August 2008 by Brian Solis with his ‘Conversation Prism’ which artistically attempted to demonstrate the evolving network of relationships available through social media.

Conversation Prism

He has now written a new book with Deirdre Breakenridge called “Putting the Public Back into PR” . The book is a very straightforward guide to how PR professionals can use social media and what Web2.0 and PR2.0 can offer. I liked the way it was written in straightforward language, rather than the inaccessable ‘Geek-speak’ which can put people off!

Put Public Back

The reason I argue that all corporate communications professionals need to know how to make use of new media is pretty simple: our audiences use new media. We can bypass traditional media channels and reach out and engage directly with individuals and groups interested in our organisation and in its products or services,or interested in our values and the way we do business.

Current Interim Market

My view of the interim market for senior corporate communications roles is that it continues to be very thin. Fortunately for me, I am on assignment with NHS London courtesy of Veredus. The NHS across London are on a real recruitment drive for non-medical staff in a number of roles.

In addition to Veredus, Morgan Law also seem very active at the moment, although Veredus tends to cover more senior roles.

Good luck to interims looking for assignments at the moment!

Downing Street Spokesperson

I was surprised to read that Simon Lewis is becoming Gordon Brown’s spokesperson. He has taken on and thrived in some really tough roles (Centrica and Buckingham Palace) and achieved success in having communications accepted as a Board appointment.

He was very courteous to me, giving me career advice when I left Royal Mail.

His new role must be the toughest challenge that he has undertaken.

Joint Livery Dinner

Mansion House

Last night I attended the first Joint Livery Dinner at the Mansion House held by the Information Technologists’ Company and the Guild of PR Practitioners. The Lord Mayor, Ian Luder, thought that it may have been the first time that two female Masters had hosted a dinner at the Mansion House. Josephone Connell, the Master of Information Technologists and Una Riley, the Master of the PR Practitioners kept the Mayor’s ears very busy all evening – to the extent that he was glad of the opportunity to make his speech to get a word in edgeways!

The PR Guild had also sponsored the first Herald’s Award, presented at the dinner by the Windsor Herald (who designed the Guild’s badge). The winner of the first award, was Charles Lewington who had promoted the Gregor Mackay Fund set up in memory of Gregor who died at the age of 36 from a rare form of cancer.

I was fortunate to be sat between my guest, Colonel Alastair Bruce of Crionaich and Stuart Errington. Colonel Alastair is the senior communicator in the Territorial Army, a correspondent for Sky News on constitutional matters, a Herald, a Royal Archer, an Equerry and published author. A real portfolio career! Stuart had been chair of the Citizens Advice Bureaux and was a banker with Barclays.

The PR Guild is seeking new members as it transitions into a Worshipful Company. It has recently formed an association with the Territorial Army Media Operations Group whose Commanding Officer, Lt Col Tim Purbirck was also present.

A very enjoyable evening.

PR Guild badge

Time to smile!

When attempting to compose messages for Twitter, wouldnt it be wonderful if they could be of the quality of these old quotes?

The exchange between Churchill and Lady Astor:    She said, ”If you were my husband I’d give you poison,” and he said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

A member of Parliament to Disraeli:   “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.” “That depends, sir,” said Disraeli, “on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He had delusions of adequacy.” – Walter Kerr

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” – Winston Churchill

“A modest little person, with much to be modest about.” – Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”  - Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

“Poor Faulkner.  Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”  - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” - Moses Hadas

“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” -  Abraham Lincoln

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”  - Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” – Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…. if you have one.” - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.”  - Winston Churchill, in response.

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.” – Stephen Bishop

“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” – John Bright

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” – Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” – Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.” – Paul Keating

 

“There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” – Jack E. Leonard

 

“He has the attention span of a lightning bolt.”  - Robert Redford

“They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” – Thomas Brackett Reed

“In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.”  - Charles, Count Talleyrand

“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” -  Forrest Tucker

“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?”  - Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.”  - Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”  - Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts… for support rather than illumination.” – Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” – Billy Wilder

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.” – Groucho Marx

Perhaps there is scope for finding fabulous pithy Tweets and saving them for posterity?

Is new media bad for your health?

I attended a lecture given last night by Baroness Susan Greenfield at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. The talk had been organised by the Women of the Year as their Annual Lecture with the title: “The impact of current technology on the mind of the 21st century child”. It was a reprise of a speech she had given to the House of Lords.

Susan Greenfield

What she was trying to achieve, was to encourage government to fund research into the impact of current technology on the young brain. Her concern was whether the increase in autism and ADHD could be linked with the amount of time young children spend looking at computer screens. She didnt say that there was a link – but that it should be explored.

She talked to us for an hour to lay out her argument. (Some people were impressed that she talked for 60 minutes without notes – I was more impressed that she could stand for over an hour on ’skyscraper’ heels without toppling over!).

She explained how every single human brain is unique – which is truly remarkable. Every brain develops as a result of the interaction with the surrounding environment giving unique experiences. The more the brain is stimulated, the more connections that are made. Rats and mice living in a controlled ’sterile’ laboratory environment had less mobilitythroughout their lives than those who had a more stimulating environment. The more that the brain is used, the more it develops and grows. Research of London cabbies who have to memorise the streets of London to gain ‘The Knowledge’ have more highly developed hippocampi (the area of the brain which deals with memory).

Taxis

She also talked about the need to balance our human desire to have our senses stimulated with the need to develop meaning. The front cortex of the brain balances risk. Some research suggested that obese people are less risk averse than the rest of the population. The Baroness was concerned that children sat in front of computer screens may also be at risk from lack of development of this area of their brain. She showed research of how 21st children spend their time which illustrated that many spend more time interacting with technology than at school or with their families.

A panel challenged some of her views, but did seem supportive of the need for research. In particular, Martha Lane Fox, (one of the co-founders of Lastminute.com) argued that new technology provided access to so much knowledge, and could be a real force for good. She explained how she was able to use Twitter to seek views before the debate that evening and had a wide range of responses – which only new technology could provide.

Martha Lane Fox

My own take was to share Susan Greenfield’s concern that research does not seem to be taking ploace about the impact on the health of children – or the impact on society of the new technology. I was particularly concerned about the impact on children from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have sufficient access to a range of experiences to balance the amount of time spent in front of a computer screen. However, I do think that research wll also find real positive features of the development of the brain through the stimulation given and through the access to knowledge. I also wonder whether government should fund the research, or whether the creators of new technology should also provide funding. I would also think it should be global research – although starting with the UK would be good!

I certainly felt that my own small brain had a serious workout last night – and now appreciate how important that is!

Nudge

Nudge

I’ve just skim read Thaler & Sustein’s book “Nudge” . It is very similar in style to Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” in that both race through a range of examples at an almost “breathless pace”. Writing about “Nudge”, Leavitt is quoted as “…it is fun to read, drawing on examples as far afield as urinals, organ donations and marriage”. In fact I found the examples in “Nudge” annoying – but perhaps it was beacuse I had already experienced the approach in “Tipping Point” and “Blink”. Gladwell’s books are easier to follow for me – more conversational. Rather like his talk on TED . Whereas Thaler and Sunstein write about “choice architecture” and “libertarian paternalism”. I get the ‘nudge’ examples, but the use of such unattractive terms puts me off their book and made it heavier reading than I wanted. I couldnt find any speeches by either of the on TED, but I guess its only a matter of time!

Blink

Having said that, I do think that their examples are useful to practitioners of social marketing. (Particularly as the NHS is investing heavily in social marketing these days)! The Texas Anti-litter campaign was interesting.

It was probably the hype which led me to have unrealsitic expectations about the book

Tipping Point

Interim Marketplace

So …how is the current market for interims? Especially for corporate communications specialists like me?

I am currently working part-time: 2 or 3 days a week. January was busier than February in terms of calls from agencies about possible roles. This month has been quiet in terms of agency contact so far.

One public sector agency said that a lot of government departments and NDPBs would wait now until the start of the new budget year in April before recruiting. May be some validity.

Any thoughts out there?

‘Party’ Politics – Obama-style

The ‘Obama for America’ campaign is continuing to support President Obama by exhorting individuals who registered to support Barack Obama’s presidential campaign to keep involved.

Obama

E-mails from President Obama were sent to all registered users of the website on Monday 2 February. Individuals were invited to organise Economic Recovery House Meetings this weekend and to use the website to download material, to ask questions, and to promote their event. USA Today reported the use of campaign-style techniques.

The e-mail also invited questions to be sent about economic issues with the aim of addressing the issues and concerns in a video to be prepared by Governor Tim Kaine. Over 30,000 questions were received.

The e-mail continued some of the key themes from his campaign: working across political parties, citizen participation, and transparent government. The email has the following quotes:

“The stakes are too high to allow partisan politics to get in the way.”  And: “…unprecedented transparency and accountability…you will be able to see how every penny in this plan is being spent”.

A follow-up e-mail was sent by Obama for America Campaign Manager David Plouffe on 4 February. This e-mail had the embedded video of interviews by Barack Obama about the need for the economic recovery plan. “The President is leading. Help is on the way”.

According to the Obama for America website today, 3,200 House Parties have been registered for this weekend. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences through photographs and their accounts on the blog. A further e-mail containing videos from President Obama and Governor Kaine alerted supporters that an Inspector Genral will be set up to oversee the spending of the Stimulus Funds and that a website www.recovery.gov would be set up to demonstrate where the money has been spent and what the outcomes will be.

Mainstream media have been covering the events.

It will be interesting to see how this experiment in active participation works – and how the mainstream and new media report it!