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The inaugural post of 2008 seems like a good opportunity to speak about the importance of Passion. 

What is Passion?  Why is it important?  What does it do for us? … Passion is enthusiasm!  Passion is grit!  Passion is infectious!  Passion is the exclamation point!!  

Think back across your career.  It’s likely that the most seminal events in your history sprang from Passion… either because you organically became passionate about a subject or career choice, or, because you were inspired to action by the Passion of another. 

In the world of Public Relations, we unofficially use Passion as a barometer for the likely success of a client program.  Are the members of the C-suite energized, gleeful, determined, convincing?  If so, the PR team is eager to set-up appointments with media influencers; we know that these clients will pass the Spouse Test.

How many times have you come home – late – from a meeting, and grunted noncommitally to your spouse when they asked about your day? 

Now imagine how many times a Wall Street Journal business reporter meets with some nondescript executive spokesperson and subsequently shrugs impassively when their own spouse asks about their slate of meetings.

What if you were in one of those meetings?  Is that how you want to be remembered? – as just another empty suit?

I’ve been known to tell clients in advance of a “Big Meeting” to be prepared for a kick under the table if I sense that their energy levels are waning.  I urge them to clench a pencil between their teeth during conference calls with the media, to get those “happy-face endorphins” pumping.

A thoroughly researched presentation about your company’s magnificent market opportunity means nothing if you don’t have the passion to convince your audience that Y-O-U are just the person to exploit that opportunity.

It’s 2008!  Are you ready to conquer the world?