Through The Noise

Getting heard "through the noise" is why we're all here and today's guest, Corey Petree has spent his career helping organizations and businesses amplify their stories and get them heard by the right person. Corey Petree is a returning guest on Through the Noise and he is the Founder of Story Store Media, a video production firm that also produces work for live audiences. What message will connect you to your next high-level donor? What tactic will resonate with your community? Are you wasting time, money, or effort with ineffective planning? Join us for this episode for ideas on taking your organization's promotions and communications to the next level.

Jim Kremidas, Executive Director of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals represents 13,000 researchers around the world who perform the clinical trials that keep us healthy and safe. Their members live in more than 70 countries and work in academia, hospitals, for corporations and in other settings. As Jim Kremidas says "Variance is the enemy of quality" and the ACRP is working to make the profession operate more smoothly with predictable and measurable standards.

Regular listeners of this podcast will know that we are huge advocates of podcasts for nonprofits. They're a fantastic way to reach your audience and 25% of Americans regularly listen to podcasts. So we've invited Dr. Lisa Greenhill to Through the Noise to talk about the podcast she got off the ground for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Dr. Greenhill is an educator and skilled podcaster who brings the issue of diversity to the table on AAVMC's podcast "Diversity and Inclusion on Air." She is also the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity for AAVMC. The organization is growing in their approach and are broadening their base by embracing new technologies. Don't miss this episode to learn more about incorporating podcasts into your communications program.

Joel Newman and Victoria Broehm of the American Feed Industry Association join us on Through the Noise to talk advocacy, membership and communicating with a diverse industry. Joel Newman is the President & CEO and Victoria Broehm runs their communications wing as the Director of Communications and ensures that they have messaging that resonates across their broad base and keeps their 670 members engaged in their mission. The feed industry keeps the animals safe that eventually end up on dinner tables across the world -- affecting the lives of nearly everyone. There are over 900 potential ingredients to be found in the feed that sustains the livestock -- and pets -- around the United States. Curious what your pup is really eating? The AFIA is helping keep them safe.

Many individuals use the new year as an opportunity to get fit -- and similarly, it's a great opportunity for your organization to get its advocacy program in shape. We've invited two experts to the show today to help you with that -- David Lusk, Founder of Key Advocacy and Brad Fitch, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. David Lusk is a returning guest who Ernesto called an "Advocacy Personal Trainer" and they are both committed to creating better advocates -- whether as individual citizens or as an organization. Over 50,000 people have taken the citizen advocate training offered by the Congressional Management Foundation and on this episode, you'll hear some myths busted about lobbying Congress. Think your voice doesn't count or your organization is too small or lacking the budget to hire a high-powered lobbyist? You need to tune in today to learn how you can direct the resources you have in the proper direction to getting what you and the members of your organization want.

In order to reach and move potential supporters, nonprofits need to be able to tell their story and describe why their mission matters. We've invited journalist and storyteller Simon Owens back to Through the Noise to chat about the transitions and growth within new media. Do organizations have the capacity to be heard? Is it worth it to pay for advertising on social media? How much does it take to be heard? Simon Owens primarily writes about media, marketing, and tech. Join us for a conversation about transitions in tech, getting and retaining subscribers, and the value of connecting with people through the intimate medium of podcasts. If you're a listener of Through the Noise, we'd definitely appreciate if you took a few minutes to let us know with a review on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening service. Have ideas to help us improve? We're into constructive criticism too.

Still using an excel spreadsheet to store your organization's donors? On the fence about your AMS? Join us on Through the Noise for a conversation with Patrick Dorsey of Impexium, an association management software. Patrick Dorsey is the Executive Vice President for Marketing at Impexium and he recognizes the challenges of operating a nonprofit in a world when people have become accustomed to the instant gratification of Netflix and Amazon. People aren't just working 9-5 anymore and the AMS community has to step up and address the disparity. If you like this topic, don't miss last week's episode with Teri Carden of ReviewMyAMS.

Association Management Software is critical for every nonprofit that intends to grow and be successful, yet there are many organizations that still juggle their information on Excel spreadsheets. If you use or manage an AMS, this episode with Teri Carden, the Founder of ReviewMyAMS, a business which provides real reviews of the software by users, is essential. Teri Carden has a background as an association executive and saw the problems on the ground facing the associations she worked with and decided to do something about it and ReviewMyAMS is the result. Want tips on how to find an AMS that will work for your specific situation? Want to know the right questions to ask so you don't pay thousands of dollars for something that won't work for you -- and hasn't worked for others? Don't miss this episode and if you find it helpful -- give us a review on iTunes! 

Over 13 million people are served by the work of today's guest, Martha Parham. 13 million students attend the nearly 1,200 community colleges around the United States (and world) that are part of the American Association of Community Colleges -- and their positive impact is felt by the families and communities that are improved by the education these students receive. As Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Martha Parham helps communicate the tremendous benefits available to those considering an associate's degree. An increase in apprenticeship and workforce training programs is making community colleges more popular and successful than ever and the skills from a two-year degree can help set these students up for life.

Want to know about SARS? How about Zika? Maybe you're not thinking about those particular infectious diseases at the moment but the people of the public health laboratories around the United States are constantly working to keep you and you and you safe from them. And the people working diligently on these and other emerging infections are represented by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. We've invited Scott Becker, their Executive Director to the show to chat about their work and how they communicate what they do. Their members are on the front lines dealing with infections that we know and those that we don't. They've recently launched a podcast cleverly called "Lab Culture" and are experimenting with ways to communicate with the public and their members -- join us for this conversation. Know someone who should be on the show? Get in touch to recommend them and if you like the show, leave us a review on iTunes!

Dave McCurdy has a fascinating background. He represented his home state of Oklahoma in the House of Representatives from 1981-1995 -- a time when Congress operated very differently than it does today -- and held several critical leadership positions. After his tenure in Congress, he was the chief executive for a couple of other associations before accepting the role he has today -- President and CEO of the American Gas Association. The AGA has been around for nearly a century and will be celebrating the 100-year mark in 2018. They represent over 200 energy companies that deliver natural gas throughout the United States. They host a number of smaller meetings and conferences each year and are governed by a board of 46 CEOs from companies around the country. Half of their staff of 85 has been at the AGA for more than 20 years. Check out this episode for insights on the natural gas industry and working in a field that is often the center of controversy.

Do you know which fonts you should never use when making a professional presentation? Find out during our conversation with writer and educator Jonathan Rick. He joins us on the show after an enthusiastic recommendation from a previous guest -- journalist Simon Owen. He's the president of The Jonathan Rick Group, a digital marketing agency offering ghostwriting services that create thought leadership. With a background in journalism, Jonathan Rick also teaches business writing workshops and university classes. When you or your organization are ready to clarify your message, check out his website! If, like Simon Owen, you have a friend, colleague, mentor, or inspiration who is making waves in the world of communication and you'd like to hear them on the show, get in touch.

For 30 years Community Lodgings in Alexandria, VA has been helping local families out of homelessness by providing a variety of critical and stabilizing services. The Washington, DC area is extremely expensive and they help their clients into affordable temporary and permanent housing. Beyond housing, they also help with financial and other educational opportunities for the adults and children of their client families. We speak with their Executive Director, Lynn Thomas and their communications consultant, Jane Collins. Collins was previously a member of the Community Lodgings staff. They are hosting their 30-year anniversary gala on February 17, 2018, and if you're in the DC area, you should consider attending and contributing to their work.

The numbers are going up all the time and right now one in four Americans listen to podcasts. Even if you're one of the other three, it's time you start thinking about how podcasts can help you communicate with your current and potential members. Today's guest is Steven Valley, the CIO of the United Motorcoach Association, and they've recently launched a podcast to reach their diverse membership. Join us as we talk about the lessons they've learned along the way so you'll have an idea what mistakes to avoid and which strategies might be worth adopting. Like our show? Rate us on iTunes and get in touch if you have an organization you'd like to hear from or represent, we're always booking!

Healthcare and healthcare access are a constant debate in the United States and we've invited Mary Ellen Kleiman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to chat with us about the role pharmacies play in healthcare. Representing the legal affairs department of NACDS, Mary Ellen Kleiman manages a different role than many of our guests who are often executive directors or communication directors of a trade association. Today's guest emphasizes the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system because they are one of the easiest members of the health community to access -- over 90% of Americans live within five minutes of a pharmacist.

We're excited to welcome Dennis Goris back to the show today. He's the President and Creative Director of Goris Communications and helps nonprofits tell their story and refine their branding and messaging. Trying to raise money for your cause? Make sure your elevator is on-point. Trying to redefine your mission? An outside perspective can ensure it's succinct and coherent. It's important to tell your story, tell it well, and tell it in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd. In our conversation with Dennis Goris, he helps analyze Through the Noise and our parent company, Human Factor Media and asks questions that you can apply to your own situation. Are you looking for new ways to communicate with your audience? Human Factor Media produces podcasts for all types of nonprofits -- get in touch today.

No one ever thinks about air conditioning until it's not working -- that's what our guest Paul Stalknecht of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America says. They represent 4000 member companies that work in residential and commercial air conditioning and even if people aren't thinking about them too much at this time of year, there's still a lot of important things that the ACCA has to offer. The air conditioning contractors have jobs. Lots and lots of jobs. The average age of the people working the technical jobs in HVAC are 50+ and so most will be retiring soon -- leaving the industry wide open for those who are interested in learning a trade that doesn't require a four-year degree and a boatload of debt. Join us today as we chat AC efficiency, governmental standards, and the possibilities for technical work for a younger generation.

Shawn Boynes is the Executive Director of the American Association of Anatomists, one of the oldest scientific societies in the United States. Since 1888 the AAA has been a resource for researchers and educators around the world who work in the field of anatomy. The organization is at a crossroads and working to come to terms with a name that does not fully reflect the potential membership that they could serve. They are currently considering other names to appeal to their broader audience to better represent all those working in the field of anatomy.

The human resources field has changed dramatically over the past several decades. Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of the Human Resource Certification Institute joins us to discuss the changes and why certified human resources personnel are so critical to a well-functioning organization. The HRCI produces a new certification test every single year to verify the skills and knowledge of those working in the field. With the advent of applicant screening technologies, the process of recruiting has become less time-consuming so there are more opportunities for those in human resources to work directly with the people in their company. If you have questions about human resources management and policies, don't miss this episode.

"The rapid loss of so many senior officers has a serious, immediate, and tangible effect on the capacity of the United States to shape world events," according to today's guest, Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, President of the American Foreign Service Association. We're thrilled to welcome her to Through the Noise and we had the opportunity to sit down with her to talk about the work of AFSA which is the "voice of the foreign service" and the professional association for diplomats. They represent 32,000 active and retired Foreign Service employees working in multiple agencies and capacities around the world. Ambassador Stephenson is herself a career diplomat whose initial post was in Panama while Noriega was in power. You definitely won't want to miss this episode for the critical tie-in to current events as well as an invaluable perspective on the role diplomats play in the world.