Starting out, I was grateful to receive guidance from wise broadcasters willing to share their experience and advice. I also learned some things that sounded correct but turned out to be totally wrong: “Follow your passion and the money will follow.” Instead, follow what you are good at. You find what you are good at … Read more
Here are two real-life stories that underscore the importance of understanding the impacts of persistence. In the first story, the manager is constantly pushing their seller to phone their network weekly in order to get more appointments on the books. The catch is that their product serves a niche market, is quite expensive and is … Read more
In every negotiation there are risks and rewards. To make sure that the potential for reward outweighs the risks involved sellers should understand both of these perspectives: the risks clients are assessing when considering purchasing from you (hint: they may have nothing to do with what you’re selling); and, the risks you need to assess … Read more
I’ve been fired. So I have a strong dislike for firing people. In business school, we were taught that the failure of an employee is usually a failure of management. Any time we cut ties with a media personality, I lose sleep on where it all went wrong. What I’ve realized is that more often … Read more
Does your podcast begin with a commercial? How you handle ads in the opening moments of your show may determine if your listeners stay to the end. Podcasting is new, but it is amazingly similar to old-time radio. This 1939 episode of The Jello Program with Jack Benny starts with an advertisement. A minute and … Read more
Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud once said, “all behavior has meaning.” I wish I had kept that little nugget in mind as I once flew to an interview with the CEO of a large media company. After coordinating dates and times for our meeting, the CEO sent me this email; “There is a non stop Southwest flight … Read more
There is a joke is about two hikers in the woods who are surprised by a bear. The first hiker yanks running shoes out of her backpack, prompting the other hiker to say, “You cannot run faster than that bear.” The first hiker laces up saying, “I don’t have to be faster than the bear. … Read more
Imagine that you are the head of Comedy Central and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart is going well, with great ratings, consistently great content and a solid place in the daily pop culture zeitgeist. Then Jon decides to leave. Or, imagine that you are the head of NBC News, and your Nightly News property … Read more
‘Tis the season for football playoffs, championships and Bowl Games. While basketball offers prime time showdowns at both the college and professional levels, for members of the media it means gearing up for a never ending string of press conferences. Media gets herded into a converted media area for a postgame press conference, or into … Read more
At The Randy Lane Company, we have learned a thing or two from coaching some very busy people. Imagine the crazy schedules of performers like Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Kimmel, or Carson Daly. Would you like to know the secrets of how to do it all and do it so well? You are clearly destined for that … Read more