The Burness Effect - Training

Lessons in Crisis Communications

In a New York Times article by Peter S. Goodman, three corporate giants (BP, Toyota and Goldman Sachs) are scrutinized on the art—or not so much—of crisis communications. Each company facing unique challenges, their experiences are lessons worth learning, as any organization—despite good intentions—is ultimately responsible for appeasing public opinion. The article highlighted things to remember during a crisis.

What Do M*A*S*H and Science Have in Common?

An article by The Scientist highlights why we should push to get scientists to engage with the public in a language they'll understand.

Using Strong Visuals to Bring Your Presentations to Life

A lot of us here at Burness are big fans of Hans Rosling, the professor of global health at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, whose TED talks are always remarkably engaging. He shows his passion for his work that most researchers and doctors … Continue reading Using Strong Visuals to Bring Your Presentations to Life →

Pogue’s Primer on Social Media

David Pogue, the technology writer at The New York Times, used last month's announcement from the Times' standards editor that reporters shouldn't use the word "tweet," to provide a basic primer on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, and Yelp.David Pogue, the technology writer at The New York Times, used last month's announcement from the Times' standards editor that reporters shouldn't use the word "tweet," to provide a basic primer on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, and Yelp.

Why Tweet? Because Blattman Says So

The concept of going somewhere online that you otherwise would not is exactly what I like about social media. We don’t have time to scour the internet, so why not rely on other people who have similar interests to direct us to interesting news we would otherwise miss. Plus, tweeting is a great exercise in communicating in soundbites—you can’t tell the whole story, you just need to make me want to know more.

Opportunity: “NY Times’ Scientists at Work”

One thing about the transformed world of news and information that is quite different from the past: you now have more opportunity than ever to get your story out. This is good news, and all it takes is a brief blog post—ideally with some photos or video. Check this out: The New York Times has started a blog, Scientists at Work allowing you to report about your own research in the field.

Collins v. Colbert: May the Most Prepared Win

Next time you’re at a cocktail party and someone asks you “where do you work?” make sure you have a great answer—a memorable message about what your work means to me.

War and PowerPoint

In a cleverly named piece ("We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint"), Elisabeth Bumiller looks at the now infamous PowerPoint diagram of the United States' strategy in Afghanistan and the strong feelings about PowerPoint among the officers leading efforts abroad.

Make Facebook, Not War…

The new “social media revolution” seems to have hit parents in the same way that the “sexual revolution” hit parents in the 60s and 70s—we don’t always understand it.

Seizing Opportunities: H1N1 and Needle Phobia

Researchers, scientists, doctors—really anyone with an issue for which they advocate—need to recognize that their cause is most likely not a top priority for most. Fitting into the news of the day, rather than trying to demand a separate story in a world with breaking news on Afghanistan, H1N1 and the economy, ensures messages will be heard even in a world of competing priorities.