Ironically, good communication is not always the strongest suit of those working in the communications industry. Communication is where all trust and relationships begin both in your personal as well as in your professional life. So how is it that “experts” in communication can sometimes be poor communicators? I believe the biggest reason is the inability to listen, which is paramount in our customer relations and service-oriented business. It sounds simple and logical enough, but how often do people truly listen to each other?
At Brandkarma we have instituted the 80/20 rule, and no, it’s not the Pareto Principle, but rather our client communications principle of 80 percent listening and 20 percent asking the right questions. We often record client calls (with their consent) to see what percentage of time we are listening vs talking. I recommend going through that exercise. It can be enlightening!
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Ken is a great deal more than just the president of a medical communications company. He is something of a hybrid. He’s part marketing manager, part creative director, and part copywriter. To the chagrin of his peers—but to the delight of his clients—Ken is a consummate perfectionist. As a former creative director for a high-end consumer agency, he challenged his creative teams to go beyond the mundane to produce work with real creative impact, something he’s just as fervent about today. From producing and directing TV commercials, to launching DTC and Rx-to-OTC switches, Ken brings his clients a world of experience in OTC pharmaceuticals as well as business, lifestyle, and high-end consumer products and services. Whether huddled with clients behind a mirror in a market research center in Houston, facilitating a strategic workshop in Madrid, or developing a global campaign either in the New Jersey or California office, Ken is always fully engaged, bringing “bestness” to all areas of his hectic but full life.
