Glass Half Empty

You’ve probably seen the news about how a promotional photo taken of Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty in the background (and a fighter jet at the wing) has caused fury and backlash with politicians and New Yorkers, and has people all over the world scratching their heads wondering why someone didn’t think this little photo opportunity through a bit more thoroughly. If you’ve not seen the story, read about it here.

The gist: the promotional photo was a jumbo jet, with a fighter jet alongside, flying low – really low – near the NYC skyline – causing panic, with folks evacuating skyscrapers with Sept. 11 on their minds.

This snafu is now being described as “Felony Stupidity.” (Not to make light of the situation, but I totally plan to use that term in the future.)

Just last post I wrote about crisis communications, and how important it is to have a plan in place for “just in case.” Call it ESP (okay, sheer coincidence) but when you are developing any sort of publicity plan – and in that I’ll include photo shoots– you must look at it from all sides. Even when you’re pitching a positive story, put on your devil’s advocate hat and look at all the parts of the plan from all potential angles – good and bad.

It’s easy to get caught up in an exciting story, but not thinking of potential negative angles to any story is risky at best – and a negative international news story at worst.

Working Lunch

Most days around lunchtime you can find me hammering away on the keypad of my computer, lunch off to the right where I can nibble on my sandwich and (if I’m feeling particularly virtuous) salad and sip my diet Dr. Pepper between thoughts.

Today was a nice break from the daily grind – a working lunch with a client and friend. We met at a favorite lunch spot, moved a few important projects forward, and caught up with each over pasta and iced tea.

I love a good meal, great conversation, and crossing tasks off my to-do list all at once!

Sunday Evening Storms

Sunday evening, just as I was drifting off to sleep after an active, productive weekend, the tornado sirens began to blare – a funnel cloud was spotted on the ground one county over, and it was headed our way. Let me tell you, nothing gets the local weather forecasters in a lather quite like a funnel cloud, especially one late at night.

I’ve lived the path of the tornado-laden south long enough to have a solid evacuation plan not only for my family, but also for our neighbors across the street who don’t have basements in which to seek shelter. Seriously, I can have my entire family, dog included, safely in the basement in 90 seconds or less. My kids may have to seek counseling for post-traumatic stress syndrome after being snatched from their beds while still asleep and dumped into the basement bed with quick reassurances from mom and dad while listening to the blaring sirens, but hey, at least they’re safe.

It brings to mind the need for every business, large and small, to have a crisis plan in place. When I worked for a huge Fortune 500 conglomerate, we had written crisis communications plans in place for everything from who was the best media spokesperson for certain catastrophic events to what to do if there was an earthquake.

If you have a small business, you don’t need anything quite so large in scope. For example, my crisis plan is to back up my computer regularly and to keep important numbers on my cell (like those for a computer technician and a couple of writers if I need help hacking away at my workload.)

Take a minute today and think through what you’ll do if the worst happens. Then relax, because it probably won’t, but you’ll be relieved you’ve thought through things just in case. Jot down your plan and communicate it to your team. Even if your team is just your babysitter and your dog.

Follow Me

I set up a Twitter account a few months ago because I heard I really, really had to have a Twitter account. Then I forgot it was there. Alas, two friends started "following" me this week, so I've decided if people are following me I'd better start paying attention. I'd hate to lead someone down the wrong path.

If you have a Twitter account, follow me at @amymacpr. You can sign up for a Twitter account at www.twitter.com.

Get Me A Ticket for an Airplane, Ain't Got Time to Take the Fast Train

I think I am one of the few people on earth who actually enjoy the driving part of a road trip. My kids are all about the destination, and my husband would probably prefer to fly (he is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, after all), but for me there’s something fun, simplistic and adventurous about hitting the open road.

There are a few pre-requisites for the perfect road trip. Here’s my list, in no particular order:
· Great music, with the perfect playlist uploaded to my Ipod
· Snacks and cool beverages
· A mindless, entertaining book on CD
· My Blackberry
· A camera (you just never know when you might want to snap a photo)
· A general idea of where I’m going

Those items, along with a full tank of gas (which is what I was doing when I snapped this photo), will make the trip fly (pun intended) – Happy Trails!

Spring Break, Brain Break

When I blog, I almost always start with a plan (who I am kidding - no matter what I am doing, I start with a plan - I am nothing if not Type A.) Something to say, something that will hopefully assist you faithful readers in whatever you are planning: starting a new business, developing a publicity plan, or just balancing your day between your first cup of coffee and tucking the last kiddo into bed.

Not today. I've got nothing - except these beautiful pictures taken in the Collierville, Tenn. Historic Town Square. The girls and I are here for their Spring Break, and instead of working a few hours a day while I have free and willing babysitters, I've taken the week off. We've been enjoying time with dear friends, visiting new babies, visiting local tourist destinations like Beale Street and the Peabody hotel in downtown Memphis, eating lots of yummy Southern food with our extended family.

So here's to taking a break, and coming back to the office refreshed and relaxed. By the way, if you've never been to Memphis, it's a great place to visit this time of year (and I'm not just saying that because my first post-college job was with the Memphis CVB.) Happy Spring!