"As an experienced and seasoned public information officer, Dr. Trahan made me really think and showed me there is something new even I can learn about communications with the media" --Police Public Information Officer "One of Dr. Trahan's training classes is as refreshing as a cold beer on a hot summer day" --Public Relations Major College Student "Dr. Trahan's common sense approach to working with the media is energizing! He cuts through the boring and outdated methods like a knife through butter." --Metropolitan Deputy City Manager "Dr. Trahan is simply smashing!" --United Kingdom Government Official "Joe was an excellent instructor - highly informative, motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic about his material. He is also a quick study on the subject matter - I was impressed. I think both sessions on Monday and again on Tuesday with Greg and Mary (at least my part of the Tuesday session) were extremely well done and valuable. Thanks for setting this training up for us all. " --Captain Craig Nelson "My only comment was that their were either too many people scheduled for the training or we spent too long discussing each participant. With 20 participants, and a minimum of 15 minutes per person, (it was usually 20 to 30 minutes), is a total of 5 hours to interview and then discuss interviews, without breaks. No wonder there was only a handfull of people left at the end. Class size should probably be limited to 10 to 12 people. " --Kathy Kelly "The training was terrific! Joe is an exceptional instructor and the common sense guidelines that he provided are very helpful. The preparation he proposed should become required procedures for NESDIS." --Ralph Conlin "I found the training to be very valuable. Definitely worth my time. If there is additional training that Joe provides, I would like to know the details and if it is worthwhile whether NESDIS would pay for it. " --Syd Levitus "It was very good training -- and fun, too! Joe Trahan was extremely good at providing real-time feedback on each person's performance. Thanks for setting this up. " --Linda Moodie "I'd like to thank you. It was well done. Watched the SECDEF on TV and saw him practice the points Joe made --stuff I never noticed before. " --John Cunningham "I enjoyed the class. It was also nice to put faces to the names of many people I'd met only via email. I have no suggestions for Joe. He made the class very interesting. " --Donna Mcnamara "The class was excellent and I told that to Mary this morning. When you have a chance call me and I will give you a question for Warren Hall. " --John Phillips "Thanks Pat. Good Class. A few comments while fresh in my mind. 1. Great opportunity... Joe does a good job of getting people beyond self-conscience fear. He is very affirming. Overall a very good instructor and speaker. 2. On the other hand, I had the feeling that Joe may have held back a little on recommending specific changes people could make to improve. Perhaps he wants to build confidence and doesn't want to be overly critical -- which is important. I think I would feel even more confident in front of the camera, however, if I had a friend speak to me frankly about my shortcomings: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy". Perhaps it was just that he was too involved in the interview to analyze the interview more. If so, you may wish to consider, for example, having you ask the questions as the reporter, and then he could then focus on observing the interview. On the other had he may have felt the larger group setting was not the best setting for this; which leads me to my next comment..... 3. Joe said several times ..."I'd put you on camera but would have you practice a few more times and I would work with you to refine your talking points and your bridging to these points." Perhaps it was just Joe's way of saying practice and tightening the message is important, but I had that feeling that he was suggesting a follow-up to the media training with more one-on-one coaching. Is this planned? Are you planning to do something more one on one for those interested or are expected to be on camera? Just curious. " --Rob Masers |