Ruth Atherley, Author at AHA Creative Strategies

Della’s Deck. Read It.

Each week, I get a little piece of wisdom in my inbox. It’s from Della’s Deck. This engaging, interesting, well-written, smart as all get out blog provides techniques and tips to help you be a better communicator. Della’s Deck offers weekly communications advice to make life easier and more enjoyable. And it delivers.

Full disclosure here, Della Smith is a close friend, my mentor and she used to be my boss. However, she is also an incredible communicator. Della brings a strategic approach (believe me, she thinks like a CEO) and she combines it with realism (she knows what we go through as communicators), perspective and an in-depth understanding and consideration of human nature. Blend this with her knowledge of communications – including social media. Her tips and advice are relevant, timely and interesting.

The blog posts are shared in a way that allows her readers to take them and implement them immediately. They aren’t filled with corporate speak or bafflegab. They are relatively short, to the point and – I have to say – I have yet to read one that I didn’t relate to.

Check out Della’s Deck.

Busy is a Good Thing, if You Manage it Right

There are times when I feel really, really, really busy – and it can feel overwhelming. The fact is, I like to be busy. I work better when AHA is busy and I have more fun when I have many things on my list to get done – in both my professional and personal life. Some days, however, it feels a little less exciting and a little more pressured and overwhelming. It’s not necessarily in response to anything except the conversation that runs through my brain.

I came across a fabulous blog post on Ragan.com today that spoke to my anxiety and concern. It was like the writer knew how I was feeling and was speaking directly to me. Believe me, it’s worth a read. Especially in these sunny, beautiful days of summer.

The Reality of the Situation

In today’s AHA Fast Take Friday Ruth is outside the office talking about understanding the reality of the situation with your communications campaigns.

More Than Words

As communicators, it is important to understand visual communication. We don’t work in isolation – and more and more, we’re expected to have at least the basic skill set in this area. It is important to be able to work with photographers, videographers, illustrators and print and web designers – to clearly understand what they do, why they do it, and how to communicate with them.

There is an excellent piece that showcases 25 guidelines for great visual communication on Ragan.com. It’s worth a read.

The Importance of Meeting Facilitators

AHA Fast Take Friday

In today’s AHA Fast Take Friday Ruth talks about the benefits of having a person outside your office facilitate meetings and workshops for your organization.

Ruth Atherley's Posts