He had a front row seat to cool
My Dad, Tom, was a television cameraman for more than three decades. He covered 8 different Olympic Games. He was gone every spring, covering the play by play action of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was a part of the broadcast team for countless CFL Grey Cups. He traveled the country and the world doing Indy races, Commonwealth Games, Brier matches, pro golf and more. He was behind the camera when the Pope & Queen came for visits, at G7 Summits & other major news events. He was the play by play camera for pretty much every Oilers game you saw […]
Ten lessons after ten years in business
Ten years in business comes with a lot of hard work and a little good luck. For those that don’t know me, in 2005 I started a communications and marketing consulting company called Freestone Communications. We are small but forceful, providing communications counsel, support and service to a variety of organizations of all sizes and shapes. After ten years of this awesome ride, I figured it was the perfect time to share what I have discovered thus far. 1. Money is not the motivator. Many people start their own business, buy a business or dream of owning their own business […]
Significance
On October 2, 2012, Edmonton will step up once again with the opening of Valour Place. Valour Place is like Ronald McDonald House, but for injured soldiers as it provides “hope away from home” for Canadian Forces and RCMP members, veterans and their families when they are in Edmonton for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Valour Place is significant on so many levels. It’s the first home of its kind in Canada and it’s right here in Edmonton. It’s an initiative led by the community, for Canada’s military community. A team of hard working and connected Edmontonians took an idea conceived […]
I bet you think this post is about you
Once upon a time, long long ago, when you acted like an ass or crazy lady, or just did something plain stupid, mean or funny, the story spread as quickly as one could tell two friends. And then they’d tell two friends, and so on and so on. But we no longer live in Faberge Shampoo kinda times. You don’t need two friends anymore. You just need a blog, Twitter or Facebook account. Share your tale blindly in cyberspace and before you know it, everyone knows the kind of shampoo you use. The internet and social media move rants, rumours, and […]
Happy Birthday: Lessons from a 1-year old blog
Today is the first birthday of my blog, This is Actually Happening. In the past year, I have learned a lot about the benefits and challenges of having a blog – actually, several blogs. In addition to Actually Happening, I also have my Freestone company blog, and I am the editor and author of blogs for two of my clients. Needless to say, I jumped head first into blogging this past year. Trial by fire; learning at mach speed. I get asked by clients and colleagues about what it is like to have and upkeep a blog. So in honour […]
The Old Boys Club: A Memo to Members
Dearest Club Members: Recently there has been discussion in the media about the Old Boys Club. I write this memorandum to reaffirm the rules surrounding your membership so the Club can continue to be a thriving, secretive force dedicated to upholding tradition. For all communications with non-members, you are asked to dispute the Club’s existence. When asked about, or when you hear reference to, the Old Boys Club, casually state, “The Old Boys Club no longer exists. The times have changed”. The presence of women of various ages and younger men in business, government and community circles provides us with […]
12 questions you should be prepared to answer in a crisis
You and your company are thrust into the spotlight because something bad has happened. News of scandal, fraud, untimely death(s), environmental damage, equipment failure and so on. While the types of issues or crises that can hit your company are many and are often unknown, what is certain is that when something does happen, the media will call. And when they do, you need to be ready. Media can be your ally in a crisis. They are one of the best ways for you to get your side of the story out to customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders, especially […]