Wild Inklings

Inspiration

Been reading lately about organizations, big and small, that have appointed chief inspiration officers.

Not a bad idea.

Inspiration officers can perform varied functions. They might publish motivating bulletins or post enthusiastic blogs. Or design team-building programs. Or they might not have formal duties; they might just walk around and praise folks every once in a while. 

Inspiration officers can't hurt. And they might boost employee and business success.

Swine Flu. Media Flu. And Lessons Learned.

As of this writing, about 40 people have died from swine flu complications in the U.S. and about 310 worldwide.

Nobody has been able to count the number of swine flu stories covered by the major media - but the number now probably exceeds 30,000. Some commentators, like Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post are saying that the media coverage is contributing to the explosion of awareness and fear. Maybe the media epidemic is more momentous than the swine flu itself.

There's a lesson here.

When you catch the public's attention - through shock, curiosity, self-interest, or whatever - you catch a big share of mind.

I'm not making light of the seriousness of swine flu. I'm just offering a reminder of something you probably know already:  When you want to drive a message home, understand the emotion behind it and push your story hard.

Your public will pay attention. And remember.