I've watched the media coverage of our flamboyant new national police commissioner Bheki Cele with mild amusement only because to my mind, he dresses with the very same panache as only the smoothest bosses of organised crime have become familiar for. 28 Aug 2009 Read more >>

When advising stakeholders on impending change and its associated ramifications, it becomes critical to make use of the right channels to communicate, communicate, communicate. 27 Aug 2009 Read more >>

OK. So you've learnt the Media Training basics. You may not welcome the thought of an interview, but you pretty much understand the rules of engagement. You are also uncomfortably aware that once you say something, it's out there and can't be taken back. 24 Aug 2009 Read more >>

If you ever get a slight whiff of the fact that trouble may be looming, proper preparation means being able to lead the information flow right from the start. 5 Aug 2009 Read more >>

Chillingly similar to the early stages of last year's xenophobic violence, about 100 foreigners living in Mpumalanga were attacked about a week ago under the guise of protests against service delivery. 29 Jul 2009 Read more >>

A crisis is exactly the time organisations need to be seen to be communicating clear and succinct messages - not ducking and diving from the reality of the situation as so many of them often do. 28 Jul 2009 Read more >>

Art of War author Sun Tzu said: “He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” 13 Jul 2009 Read more >>

Janine Lazarus will be discussing Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers' outrageous outburst and the ripple effect a message like this has in the media this Sunday, 05 July 2009 on Media@SAfm with Ashraf Garda. 2 Jul 2009 Read more >>

You've mastered the basics of corporate written communication, but the challenge still remains: how do you make corporate publications relevant for their particular niche markets, while making sure that they're vibrant - not dreary - organisational communication tools? 30 Apr 2009 Read more >>

In today's fast-paced corporate environment, a professional who can't communicate effectively, actually starts out at a crippling disadvantage. In fact, no matter how good your idea is, if you can't communicate it effectively, you simply can't sell it. 31 Mar 2009 Read more >>

"A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was." - Joseph Hall 27 Mar 2009 Read more >>

A customised on-camera media skills training programme will go a long way in preparing appointed delegates for the 'hot seat,' while at the same time, equip them with the key techniques, skills and strategies necessary for giving effective media interviews. 18 Mar 2009 Read more >>

In today's fast-paced corporate environment, a professional who falls short on the ability to present effectively, actually starts out at a crippling disadvantage. In fact, no matter how good your idea is - if you can't present it effectively - you simply can't sell it. 4 Mar 2009 Read more >>

The role of spokespeople was thrown into the spotlight on SAfm recently when a panel of communications professionals engaged in a robust debate around the manipulation of messages. 2 Mar 2009 Read more >>

People actually want to read or hear exactly what you have to say, right? Wrong! The real truth, as harsh as it may seem, is that your information is usually not their first choice of activity for the day. 16 Feb 2009 Read more >>

Judging for the prestigious Gold Quill Awards - the highest level of professional acknowledgement within business communication today - takes place this Saturday, 7 February 2009. Sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Awards have internationally rewarded the work of business communicators for more than 35 years. 5 Feb 2009 Read more >>

The phone rings, and out of the blue a journalist is on the line asking you some tricky questions about your organisation's activities. How on earth do you handle it? How do you make your point to adversarial and aggressive questions? Your company's reputation may depend on the answers you give. 2 Feb 2009 Read more >>

The current financial crisis has put many companies under a glaring public spotlight, with corporate communicators expected to engage in open and effective dialogue on thorny issues such as financial distress, tumbling sales, job losses and even business closures. 20 Jan 2009 Read more >>

Janine Lazarus, founder of Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy, has been invited to deliver a presentation at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) ‘What Works For Africa' annual Conference. 13 Oct 2008 Read more >>

Damaging news reports dominating the nation's headlines of late simply emphasize the critical importance of targeted media and communications training, aimed not only at damage control, but also at communicating intended messages. In a democracy where a government is ‘for the people and by the people', it is imperative to attain the techniques necessary to communicate intended messages. 3 Oct 2008 Read more >>

A Personal Assistant is the first line of contact for an organisation's management personnel and for both internal and external customers. This means that it is critical for them to have the key skills necessary to ensure that each message they portray - in essence, the messages representing management - are effective and clearly communicated to their target audience. 5 Sep 2008 Read more >>

In a world drowning in information overload, it has become imperative to master the tools and techniques of short, clear and simple communication. 27 Aug 2008 Read more >>

Janine Lazarus' “Face Off! Bridging Communication Frontiers” workshop recently took place in Sandton. On the panel was Jacob Ntshangase, Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, Rich Mkhondo, an independent Marketing Communications Strategist and Janine Lazarus, founder of Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy. 20 Aug 2008 Read more >>

Designed to provide a solid refresher in basic journalism skills and techniques, this workshop places special emphasis on applying these skills creatively within the corporate environment. 5 Aug 2008 Read more >>

Today's technology allows your business to handle more customer service than ever before, but if your team falls short on efficient communications skills, the only thing your organisation will derive from all this technology is a questionable ability to serve your customers. What this means is that you not only lose customers - you lose profits. 29 Jul 2008 Read more >>

In any efficient organisation, often the voice on the other end of the phone is the client's first and most important point of contact. The call centre agent thus becomes the all-important voice of the organisation. 28 Jul 2008 Read more >>

As you know, we work in a dynamic communications industry which is rapidly evolving and developing as various economic sectors and SME markets mature. With the result that the demand and output of excellent communication is higher than ever! 25 Jul 2008 Read more >>

In every country in the world, the media writes for a paying audience. If newspapers are to sell successfully, the issues of their particular audience need to resonate with what the media reflects. 25 Jul 2008 Read more >>

PR success is not just about understanding your client's business and industry, having extensive media lists or client databases. It's about your audience. It's about knowing how to engage them, with factual and reliable messages through timeous and targeted interventions. 11 Jul 2008 Read more >>

Janine Lazarus will be discussing her much anticipated and upcoming workshops on SAfm on Sunday, 06 July 2008 with Tshepo Mongoai. 4 Jul 2008 Read more >>

Any good marriage councillor will tell you the fundamental of any relationship is communication. If you want your union to work, you need to understand your partner and speak to them in a language they can grasp to get your point across. This simple rule applies to the dynamic relationship between the power trio consisting of the media, public relations practitioners and communications executives, also known as “the client”. 2 Jul 2008 Read more >>

One of South Africa's leading journalists and media and communications strategists, Janine Lazarus, has been nominated for the prestigious 2008 Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year Award in the Business Entrepreneurs category. 11 Apr 2008 Read more >>

Just as an army should always be on red alert and prepared to go into battle at a moment's notice, so too should companies be geared to manage their reputation, deal with often unwelcome media interest, and mitigate the consequences of bad publicity. 9 Apr 2008 Read more >>

Media trainer Janine Lazarus, owner of media training company Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy, recently facilitated a media-driven programme for 10 executive directors at Standard Chartered Bank in Banjul, The Gambia. The result was an outstanding response from all the participants and a 99.2% score valuation accredited by the bank against the international benchmark rating system of ASTD (American Society for Training and Development). 20 Feb 2008 Read more >>

The phone rings, and out of the blue a journalist is on the line asking you some tricky questions about your company's activities. How do you handle it? How do you make your point to adversarial and aggressive questions? Your company's reputation may depend on the answers you give. 11 Jul 2007 Read more >>

About a month ago, I got call from a good contact of mine in the corporate arena who had recently been appointed as communications executive of a well-known local organisation. Desperate for some advice, he told me about the threat to his company of a newspaper story which he was told by the reporter - in no uncertain terms - would do a great deal of damage to both his and his company's reputations. 25 Apr 2007 Read more >>

You are invited to attend a comprehensive full-day Media Skills Training programme customised for media spokespeople, which will take the basic elements of how to manage the media many steps further. Learn how to handle those 'curved ball'-types of questions, cope while in 'the hot seat', and feel a greater level of confidence when interacting with the media in crisis or non-crisis situations. 24 Apr 2007 Read more >>

A customised on-camera Media Skills Training programme will go a long way in preparing appointed delegates for the 'hot seat,' while at the same time equipping them with the key techniques, skills and strategies necessary for giving effective media interviews. 20 Apr 2007 Read more >>

In any efficient organization, often the voice on the other end of the phone is the client's first and most important point of contact. The call centre agent thus becomes the all-important voice of the organisation. 18 Apr 2007 Read more >>

In any efficient organisation, the person manning the front desk is often the client's first and most important point of contact. In essence, the front office becomes the all-important face of the organisation. 3 Apr 2007 Read more >>

In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, a professional who falls short on the ability to communicate effectively, actually starts out at a crippling disadvantage. In fact, no matter how good your idea is – if you can’t communicate it effectively - you simply can’t sell it. 28 Mar 2007 Read more >>

The phone rings and, out of the blue, a journalist is on the line, asking you some tricky questions about your company's activities. How on earth do you handle it? How do you make your point in response to adversarial and aggressive questions? Your company's reputation may depend upon the answers you give.  21 Nov 2006 Read more >>

Seven out of 10 of our captains of industry have very little idea of how to project themselves with any sort of confidence to the media. In fact, according to a recent survey, they break just about every rule in the book. They patronise the interviewer, they are evasive, often defensive and sometimes sound like they have a lot to hide.  14 Nov 2006 Read more >>

In days gone by, when companies didn't like what editors were going to print, they often demanded to preview editorial content, or - even worse - pulled their advertising. In fact, way back when the print media was the dominant force in how people got their information, editorial value heavily outweighed advertising value.  3 Oct 2006 Read more >>

In today's fast-paced corporate environment, a professional who falls short on the ability to present effectively, actually starts out at a crippling disadvantage. In fact, no matter how good your idea is - if you can't present it effectively - you simply can't sell it.  10 Aug 2006 Read more >>

In a world drowning in information overload, it has become imperative to master the tools and techniques of short, clear and simple communication.  3 May 2006 Read more >>

All writers have individual styles that set their work apart. But good writing style is not all about personal flair. It is also about the ability to convey a message clearly. 22 Mar 2006 Read more >>

It's difficult to find work places that exemplify teamwork. Institutions such as schools, our family structures and recreational pastimes all seem to emphasize winning, being the best and always coming out on top. Workers are rarely raised in environments that emphasize true collaboration. 27 Feb 2006 Read more >>

An international survey revealed that people fear speaking in public more than they fear anything else! 17 Nov 2005 Read more >>

People actually want to read or hear exactly what you have to say, right? Wrong! The real truth, as harsh as it may seem, is that your information is usually not their first choice of activity for the day. 16 Nov 2005 Read more >>

The pre-dawn stillness is pierced by the shrill sound of an alarm clock. Groping sleepily for the off button, it's the rather unwelcome prospect of an early morning conference call that gets you hurtling out of bed. 11 Aug 2005 Read more >>

The phone rings, and out of the blue a journalist is on the line asking you some really tricky questions about your company's activities... How on earth do you handle it? And just how do you go about making your point to what is often an adversarial and hostile line of questioning? You and your company's reputation may depend on the answers you provide. 29 Jun 2005 Read more >>

All writers have individual styles that set their work apart. But good writing style is not all about personal flair. It is also about the ability to convey a message clearly. 28 Jun 2005 Read more >>

You've just been asked by your boss to put pen to paper and write a letter to an important client. The possibility of potential business hangs in the balance. Your boss has marked this as urgent, but there's not much time to finish the job. Where on earth do you begin? 28 Mar 2005 Read more >>

Seven out of ten of our captains of industry have very little
idea of how to project themselves with any sort of confidence
to the media. In fact, according to a recent survey, they break just about every rule in the book. 12 Jul 2004 Read more >>