Posts by Karen Moore
20 Years of Success - A Look Back
by Karen Moore on June 19, 2012When I started this firm 20 years ago, I had no phone, no office, no computer, and no clients. I had a 4-month-old son, a very supportive husband, and determination. Not exactly the ingredients for a strong bottom line! Yet here we are, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Moore Consulting Group with a new website, a new brand, and a name – Moore Communications Group – that is more representative of the full spectrum of services we offer. I feel like a proud mother, two times over. As our son Jarrod, 20, attends FSU and looks forward to his next……
Culture of Innovation
by Karen Moore on May 01, 2012“Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time,” quote from Bill Gates. Having a corporate culture of innovation is vital to successful 21st century entrepreneurship. Here at Moore we are expanding our commitment to innovation. If you are thinking about moving your company in that direction, here are my top three thoughts from our current innovation journey: Make sure commitment begins from the top and is spread throughout the organization. Everyone in the organization needs to feel responsible, and accountable for, its success. Understand that the transition from a……
Timeless Treasures for Lasting Words
by Karen Moore on April 16, 2012This year marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible and the 350th birthday of another magnificent monument—the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP). The 1662 edition is rich in language that speaks to the heart and soul—it is meant to be read out loud. The familiar cadences are beautiful, soothing, direct and impactful. Although there have been numerous editions of the BCP, you may recognize text from the 1662 edition. At the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, they chose Cranmer’s “Solemnization of Matrimony” liturgy for their marriage vows in Westminster Abbey. The familiar: “To have……
Positive Community Impact
by Karen Moore on February 10, 2012Today I am proud to announce the launch of MCG Impact. By empowering our staff to follow their passions, we, at Moore Consulting Group, build on our long-standing tradition of giving back to the community through this new program. Every year four staff members will each select a non-profit organization to closely work with and work toward providing a combined $100,000 worth of communications strategy and services among the four organizations. These hand-picked participants will be empowered to make an even bigger impact in their communities, thanks to the tools and training provided by the MCG team. MCG Impact is……
One Big Goal
by Karen Moore on January 03, 2012At the start of each year, I try and make several New Years resolutions. This year, I decided on one big goal—taking a little more time for myself, friends and family. So New Year’s Day, I decided to reflect on the past 365 days as a way of helping me set my direction for 2012. Of course I needed to develop a strategic framework to do this, so here are the things I thought about: What was the thing I found most joyful last year? What was the biggest challenge? What would/should I have said to someone that I……
Great Books Make Great Gifts
by Karen Moore on December 11, 2011As many folks know, I love to read. Although I have been reading books on my iPad lately, I much prefer to buy a book. In fact, I could spend hours in a bookstore finding just the right one to buy. One of my favorite items to give as a Christmas gift is a beautiful hardback book that I think the person will really enjoy. I believe it is that special gift that continues to give throughout the years. You can read it, keep it on the shelf to read again, or pass it on to others to enjoy. I……
Smart Rules for Sane Travel
by Karen Moore on November 24, 2011I thought I would share with you Karen’s rules for a more sane holiday airline travel experience. 1. Never check luggage. Hoping that it arrives or waiting for it at a crowed carrousel will age you five years. 2. Always do the electronic check in before going to the airport. If you wait until you get there, you will probably stand in line behind a family with three kids and a stroller that does not know how to work the kiosk. 3. Make sure you have your liquids in the appropriate small clear baggy. It is ok not to bring……
The Season of Thanksgiving
by Karen Moore on November 21, 2011In this season of thanksgiving, I thought I would share with you just a few of of things I am most thankful for: The good health of my husband, son, sister and parents. The 30+ years of marriage to Richard Walter Moore. He makes me laugh and roll my eyes! Jarrod, my son, that each day makes me so proud of the wonderful man he has become. Having Cheryl, my sister and best friend, living here near me. Parents, Doug and Jean, that love me and that have always been my biggest supporters. Having Kris come into our life and……
Tallahassee on the Move
by Karen Moore on October 25, 2011I am encouraged by the economic growth I see in our region. Major companies are relocating to the Tallahassee area and key services like healthcare are expanding. In my first meeting as chair of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, I was reminded of all of the reasons our area is undergoing such exciting growth – we have some of the best and brightest in our midst and we are committed to ensuring our community flourishes. The EDC is dedicated to advancing local business, growing target industry sectors and attracting innovative companies to our area. Together with my fellow……
Decades of Success
by Karen Moore on August 24, 2011I am beyond happy to share the exciting news that Inc. Magazine has named Moore Consulting Group to its annual ranking of the 2011 fastest-growing private companies in America. Our firm joins companies such as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Jamba Juice—in this prestigious roster of companies that are growing, creating jobs and helping to build a stronger community. This honor comes on the heels of Florida Trend naming us, for the second year in a row, as one of the “Best Places to Work in Florida.” I am so proud of these two honors—a fast-growing company that is also……
Drain and Cover for Florida
by Karen Moore on July 28, 2011In light of the fact that two cases of West Nile Virus have been diagnosed in Jacksonville and the Duval County Health Department (DCHD) has just issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County, I thought it important to remind everyone about the need to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses. First, according to the CDC, symptoms of West Nile virus may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. If you feel you may have these symptoms and have been exposed to mosquitoes, go immediately to your physician. To protect myself, I follow the protocol of “drain and cover” that……
The Last Launch
by Karen Moore on July 08, 2011I read with sadness today’s editorial from the Daytona Beach News Journal (July 8, 2011) , “ Farewell to the Shuttle, Hello to—What?” The space program has been part of the psyche of our state for so long. Have we really have gotten to the point that the space program is no longer a priority investment for our state and country? Where is the spirit of President Kennedy? There are still frontiers to explore. Please Captain Kirk, tell the folks! I can remember as a child in Orlando, climbing up a ladder with my father and sister to the roof……
Upholding Professional Ethics
by Karen Moore on May 12, 2011I have been a public relations professional for more than 20 years, proudly holding Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) accreditations. Because of these designations, I have always embraced the principles and core values developed and maintained by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS) and the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). I believe all professionals in our industry should reflect the values of advocacy, honesty, loyalty, and ethical practices with employees, clients and the public. So why am I writing about this topic? It is because I……
Mobilizing your Advocates
by Karen Moore on April 11, 2011Moore Consulting Group just completed a significant national research project assessing the engagement of healthcare advocates and third party organizations in influencing public policy. With more than 150 individual interviews, a significant amount of data was collected and analyzed. One of the interesting findings among many was the increased use of social media as an advocacy engagement strategy. Having conducted research for many of our healthcare clients for more than 10 years, I can say that the respondents in the 2011 research project have a much heightened awareness of the social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter and see……
Active Seniors - The Connected Community
by Karen Moore on April 07, 2011I am giving a speech next week to a group of very active seniors on the changing role and influence of new media on the business of public relations. Wow, what a great and intricate topic. I was also asked to weave into the presentation how using social media to engage seniors may have changed within the past several years. In doing some research for this topic, I came across the Senior Communities Blog that listed the “Top 50 Best Networking Sites for Seniors.” www.seniorhome.net/blog/2008/50-best-social-networks-for-seniors You might want to check it out, especially if you have parents that are young……
Springtime Tallahassee
by Karen Moore on April 01, 2011You know it is spring in Tallahassee because all of the flowers are in bloom. The front of our building is bursting with color—fuchsia azaleas, white magnolia blossoms and yellow daylilies. You also know that it is spring because the annual Springtime Tallahassee festival and parade is happening this weekend. Check it out at www.springtimetallahassee.com. The event is ranked one of the largest and most popular festivals in the southeast and the nation. This festival will bring more than 200,000 visitors to the Tallahassee area. There will be a parade, children’s events, entertainment stages and lots of food. It also……
Clients, Teamwork and Talent
by Karen Moore on March 15, 2011Moore Consulting Group had an outstanding year last year. Our revenue grew by more than 30 percent. Unbelievable! I give all the credit to this tremendous growth to our talented team. I wish I could say that we have a simple, single formula for success. Well, we don’t. It is really is a combination of factors—great clients, quality work focused on results, the right team, and our commitment to the mission and vision of this company. Sometimes you just need to stop and celebrate the successes. Congratulations team—you are awesome.…
Springing for your Flu Shot
by Karen Moore on January 31, 2011Having just come back from Washington D.C. where the snow storm practically shut down the city, I know that winter is still with us. However, the weather is beautiful today in Tallahassee, where the camellia flowers in my yard are blooming. But the spring-like weather does not mean that folks in the South should relax their vigilance about the flu season. Traditionally, flu season begins in September and can last through March. For those who fly, spend time in close quarters with others, have school-age children or work in the healthcare industry, doctors recommend an annual flu shot. If you……
Healthy Resolve
by Karen Moore on January 05, 2011This year in addition to setting a few New Year’s resolutions for myself, I also decided to set some healthcare resolutions for our elected officials. Resolutions tend to address those challenges that offer the best opportunity to bring improvement to our lives. Every January our resolutions set forth important goals for the New Year. So, here are my recommended top five healthcare resolutions for our elected officials: Reduce our nation’s obesity crisis by promoting wellness and prevention programs Eliminate healthcare disparities across our diverse population Fund more research Guarantee healthcare insurance regardless of previous conditions or health status Support……
Giving for a Lifetime
by Karen Moore on December 09, 2010In this wonderful season of giving, I want to share an opportunity to give a special gift that will be appreciated throughout the year. It is a gift that can change a life! Several years ago, my husband Richard and I created the Richard and Karen Moore Scholarship at Tallahassee Community College. The scholarship helps women return to school and ultimately back into the workforce. This year, the scholarship was given to a wonderful student Lorna, who is going back to school to become a teacher. She was raised in an impoverished region of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and……
Wiki Words
by Karen Moore on November 08, 2010Have you ever been confused about the new language used in social media? Well I have read Tweets that I had to seek an interpreter to understand. I am convinced that within a decade, we will be corresponding in a language that only uses phrases that will fit the parameters of Twitter! This is sad, because I love the King’s English. In fact, as many of you know, I read the King James version of the bible, because of the expressive and poetry of the text. Well, time moves on, so I have found a site that explains the new……
Making your Vote Count
by Karen Moore on October 21, 2010Well, it is that time again. We need to vote either yes or no on the various Florida constitutional amendments. It is so important for each of us to educate ourselves on these amendments, because they will certainly have long-term ramifications on our state. For additional specific information on each one, you might want to check out the Florida Chamber of Commerce website. But for a quick snap shot, the following summarizes them. No matter what you decide—yes or no—please vote. Your vote does count! AMENDMENT 1: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement: Repeals provision in the State Constitution that……
Big Issues for Small Business
by Karen Moore on October 14, 2010What are the top issues or concerns for small business right now? Well based on my conversations with more than two dozen small business CEOs last week here in Florida, it is (1) access to capital, and (2) the impact of the cost of healthcare reform. Both have also been identified by the Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee as top issues. To address the healthcare concern for those businesses located in the North Florida/South Georgia area, I recommend that you consider attending the Health Care Roundtable/ Regional Health Forum that is being sponsored by Our Region Tomorrow (ORT).……
The Bucket List - Places to Visit
by Karen Moore on September 27, 2010I was flying back from Washington D.C. last week and sat next to a man that was born in Vietnam and currently lives in the US. I told him that I had always wanted to go visit Vietnam and Cambodia hoped that I would be able to in 2011. That got me thinking about my bucket list. Do you have one? I have a long list that has multiple categories spaning people to meet, books to read, to places to visit. Well, here is my top 10 places to visit bucket list: Antarctica: to view the Penguin Rookeries Great Barrier……
Got Leadership?
by Karen Moore on August 30, 2010In my presentations and workshops, I often get asked, “Is a person born to be a leader or is it a skill that can be learned?” Well, I think it is both. I see people like Prince Charles who were be born into leadership roles, and those who learned to become leaders, such as General Colin Powell. Whether leadership is written in our genes or learned along the way, there are certain skills and attributes leaders seek to embody—vision, commitment, determination, assertiveness, perseverance, wit, grace, compassion. . . The list goes on, but the truth is a good leader knows that……
Workplace Winners
by Karen Moore on July 19, 2010As I have mentioned before, I have been conducting crisis/media training for more than 20 years—from CEOs of small boutique companies to C-level folks in Fortune 100 companies. The number one rule is, “Know your message and have your employees hear it first.” The reason is that your employees are your best ambassadors. Well, I am proud to say that the best ambassadors that I have ever met work here at Moore Consulting Group; we have just been recognized by Florida Trend as one of Florida’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work For. In fact, we are listed as number……
Planning Your Ad Placement
by Karen Moore on June 02, 2010When small businesses are developing their communications and marketing plans, it is useful to know where people are getting their information about your product and/or service. While formal research is always a wise investment, the Internet offers some additional valuable resources for gathering good data. I thought I would pass on information from this month’s survey by Google of the list of the largest 1,000 sites worldwide, based on unique visitors to the site, as measured by Ad Planner. This list is updated monthly as new Ad Planner datasets are released. The list defines sites as top-level domains. I listed below……
Being Proactive in a Crisis: The Impact of the BP Oil Spill
by Karen Moore on May 07, 2010As oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster continues to spew into the Gulf of Mexico, environmentalists and government officials are struggling to determine the extent of the damage to the ocean, its marine life, and to the health of beaches and shores that run from Florida to Texas. But just as important – and difficult to gauge – is how the oil spill will affect BP as a corporation and how it will impact important industries such as tourism, seafood and aquaculture that depend on healthy waters. From restaurants and surf shops to condo rentals and hotels, everyone is keeping……
The Story behind the Books
by Karen Moore on April 01, 2010Many of you know that I have a passion for collecting old books—especially old copies of the Book of Common Prayer. In this stressful time and environment, I find it very comforting to collect something that has a past. These books speak to me not only in the text, which is beautiful and uplifting, but also through the people who owned them. Perhaps they sat in front of the fire and read the book by candlelight. Three hundred years later, I am reading the same words from the same text that owner held in their hands generations ago. One of my……
Making the Extraordinary Happen
by Karen Moore on March 29, 2010I recently conducted a strategic planning workshop for a large statewide non-profit organization. At the end of the process, I counseled the group to remember that the end product—a road map—is not meant to just decorate a bookcase. The plan needs to be regularly reviewed and decisions on strategies and tactics should come from and reinforce the goals set in it. I also told the group it is their responsibility to see to that this plan is communicated to and ultimately embraced by their membership. One member of the group pulled me aside after the meeting and said she thought……
Solutions that Stick
by Karen Moore on February 24, 2010I am not sure how it was when you grew up, but my father believed that duct tape was a solution to most problems. Of course, he was right most of the time. However, these days, I see many folks wanting do what I call “duct tape public relations.” That is when they say to me, “Karen, just do a little of your ‘PR stuff’”—as if that will just wrap up the problem and it will go away! Public relations efforts need to be strategic, integrated and cohesive. PR is not just fluff and stuff. Duct tape may have worked……
Going to Market
by Karen Moore on February 02, 2010I had a meeting recently with the national CEO of a healthcare advocacy organization. This organization has been in existence for many years and is greatly valued for its education and outreach to patients, providers, caregivers, etc. I was asked, “If you could give me one piece of marketing advice to take this organization to the next level, what would it be?” Well, I immediately thought of about 50 suggestions, but I asked to first see their marketing plan. The reaction was a blank stare. Then, the questions began: “What marketing plan? …Isn’t that for big businesses like Ford, Coke and Microsoft?” “We……
Doing the Right Thing
by Karen Moore on December 17, 2009One of the things that I am most of proud here at Moore Consulting Group is our steadfast commitment to high ethical standards. It has been our philosophy since I started the firm in 1992 that “doing the right thing” matters! In these times of economic uncertainty and turbulence, it is even more important to stand by this. I have often said you only have two things in life: your family and your reputation. I believe successful ethical businesses must have a few key commitments. First, they must communicate accurate and truthful information with employees and customers. False advertisement, misleading……
Streamlining Your Business Travel
by Karen Moore on November 30, 2009Business travel these days has become just plain challenging. Where is the glamour that trains, planes and automobiles are supposed to have? Since I travel 10-20 days per month, I often get asked how I do it. Whether I am traveling to our offices in Miami or Washington, D.C., going speak at a convention, or conducting advocacy or media training, the travel to and from is always filled with potential hazards. I have to admit that to make this process easier, I have streamlined my efforts. Or, you might say that I have developed some “Karen travelisms.” I know that……
Setting the Stage
by Karen Moore on August 26, 2009I was introduced recently as the keynote speaker at a luncheon. I really appreciated that the person introducing me was brief, provided accurate information and enticed the audience with a unique fact that pertained to my topic. Giving more than 100 speeches each year, I have been introduced in many ways—from “Here’s Karen!” to “She was born…” I have had introducers do everything from get my degrees incorrect to tell an embarrassing off color joke or speak for more than 15 minutes about me and my background. Is there really 15 minutes of info that the audience wants to know……
What a Ride!
by Karen Moore on June 19, 2009The legislative session is a time filled with heightened emotions. With hundreds of bills filed each year, each considered a worthy cause by its sponsor and supporters, it’s impressive that legislators are able to sort through them all and identify a lesser number to discuss and debate in those 60 days. The rollercoaster of emotions felt by the people buzzing in the ears of legislators in support and opposition of bills is incredible. It’s a time of climbing to the top and then taking a nose dive at the next turn. What is a victory for one is a loss……
Storms on the Horizon
by Karen Moore on June 01, 2009June 1 began the 2009 hurricane season. Each year at this time, I look to my colleagues at Moore Consulting Group to see if we—and our clients—are ready for a potential disaster. As one of the top crisis communication firms in the country, I have seen firsthand what a natural disaster or human error can do to a company—from disrupting the lives of its employees to completely destroying the business—if they are not prepared to respond to an emergency. You need an up-to-date plan for how to handle your business during a crisis. Besides evacuation, HR, and fiscal concerns, your……
Is your business ready for the H1N1 crisis?
by Karen Moore on May 01, 2009If your business is like most, the employee discussion around the water cooler today is probably about the H1N1 or “swine flu” epidemic. So are you ready to deal with the issue if it should appear in your community or business? I believe every company should have an internal crisis communication plan. A recent Ragan survey found that 38 percent of 314 communicators polled didn’t use a crisis communications plan to speak with employees and the public about swine flu. For many, they just did not know what to say. So, if you are not sure what to say……
Thank you very much.
by Karen Moore on April 08, 2009Yesterday I sent a simple thank you note and a bottle of wine to a wonderful business colleague. It is important to say thank you to folks who go out of their way for you by referring business, giving a public compliment, taking time out for a special meeting, etc. This is beyond the usual times a note should be sent for a gift, an interview opportunity, or an honor. I am always delighted when a thank you note is so warmly received, and when I got a phone call today in response to my note it reminded me how……
Just Say NO!
by Karen Moore on February 24, 2009Let me confess, I have a problem with saying NO. I should be the poster child for learning to say NO. NO. NO. I currently serve as a member of the board of directors on 11 different boards. No kidding—11 of them. Some of them are local, some are national, and some are gubernatorial appointments. I enjoy the leadership and network opportunities—and the chance to use my talents and give back to the community. Because I have this significant commitment, I find it interesting to watch other people in their role as a board member. While I have had the……
Email Hell
by Karen Moore on January 16, 2009Are you as frustrated with the emails that you receive as I am? First of all, the volume is overwhelming. I receive more than 300 per day—and that is after all the spam filters have eliminated the inappropriate, vulgar and just plain stupid ones. I have a personal policy that all my emails must be responded to within one hour, or never longer than 24 hours after receipt. So, as many folks know, I am responding to emails at 3:00 AM. That would not be so bad if the quality of the email were worthy of a 3:00 AM review!……
Election Night Revisited
by Karen Moore on November 16, 2008Four years ago, Richard and I were sitting in a café in Paris watching the presidential election night results on CNN. Our French friends kept saying, “How could you do that again?” They mentioned the war and terrorism. But they kept asking, “How could America vote for President Bush again?” It was an interesting conversation assessing why the vote went for Bush. There were discussions about how the election was held, strategy conducted by both parties, and the overriding factors in determining the election. That night it was Americans and French engaged in a very lively conversation about democracy. ……
Karen’s Crisis Tips
by Karen Moore on August 26, 2007Greetings! I hope you’ve had a chance to read my recent column on crisis communications in the Tallahassee Democrat. Here are some of my tips for effective crisis communications management: Start work on a potential crisis before it becomes public. Plan out key messages, identify a spokesperson, and implement steps to resolve the situation. Refer to your pre-approved crisis plan. Speak in plain English. Make sure people understand your message; avoid industry-specific jargon that can confuse the general population. Convey your sympathy. While addressing key issues,……
When illness hits home
by Karen Moore on August 06, 2007Last night, I spoke with a friend whose son suffers from a mental illness. The son’s illness affects the entire family, and it is especially difficult right now for his mother. The situation has come close to the breaking point for everyone. All I could do was to sit and listen while she cried and vented. In spite of it all, this family is very fortunate. They have access to medications and therapy. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration found that 24.5 million adults 18 years or older had……
50 years of change
by Karen Moore on July 20, 2007This week I had the opportunity to sit and talk with an amazing woman at the American Lung Association of Florida’s annual conference. Gayle is an enthusiastic woman who has worked for the Lung Association for more than 50 years! Can you imagine? The same place for 50 years! And get this…her first office location was in a log cabin in Orlando, Florida. During the course of her career, she has seen numerous changes in the workplace, from using manual typewriters to using computers; from using carbon paper to using Xerox machines. She has seen the role of women in……
15 year anniversary
by Karen Moore on July 12, 2007It’s funny how fifteen years can seem so distant going in, but so quick looking back. I started this company in 1992 with one computer and no office—and a determination to be the best. Many of you know we’ve come a long way since the beginning, and it feels good to be part of this community. You have helped us grow into what we are today: a nationally-ranked firm that boasts hundreds of awards for the work that we have done together. In the past fifteen years, this firm has achieved a reputation for success in getting results, and so……
O’Dwyers/PRWeek rankings
by Karen Moore on July 07, 2007It’s confirmed: there’s nothing quite like the view from the top. Moore Consulting Group was recently ranked among the top 100 firms in the nation by O’Dwyers. Not long after, we also received word from PRWeek that we had ranked among the top 110 public relations firms in the U.S. Kudos to the members of our team, who work hard every day to make us the best, and to our clients, with whom we are passionate about working and with whom we are proud to share our success. Read about Moore Consulting Group’s national rankings and other news in the……