2006

January 23, 2012

Mark Grimm Communications celebrated its 10th anniversary the last week of January 2012.

“It’s been wonderful to be a part of so many other people’s dreams. I’m grateful to my clients for their faith in me and their dedication to improvement. It’s hard to lose your passion for better communication when you see the positive difference it can make in people’s lives and causes every day.” --- Mark Grimm

Grimm’s growing base of largely regional clients has also included ones from London to California. They include CEO’s, sole proprietors, nonprofits, political candidates, and large corporations.

December 8, 2011

Mark Grimm’s analysis of the crisis communication involving Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim was featured in more than 150 media outlets in the U.S. and Canada. They included NBC and CBS sports, ESPN.com, the Washington Times, and TSN in Canada. Read the analysis in the AP story or read Mark's blogs on the subjects.

November 6, 2011

About 180 people attended the Schenectady Business and Professional Women's Club annual Awards Ceremony and Fashion Show today.

Mark Grimm was the master of ceremonies for the event. Ann Parillo was awarded Women of the Year. Cyndie Powell was the event chair. Heather Peterson hosted the fashion show.

April 11, 2011

Guilderland professional speaker and trainer Mark Grimm will address the annual convention of the Credit Union Association of New York (CUANY).

Grimm will conduct two sessions on June 4th in Lake Placid. The sessions are “Wow Them: Take Your Public Speaking to the Next Level” and “Effective Media Relations: Insider Tips from a TV Anchor.”

Grimm owns Mark Grimm Communications and is the producer/host of the Siena Alumni Connection radio show.

Olympic hockey hero Jim Craig and CUANY CEO Bill Mellin will also speak at the three-day event. More information on the convention can be found at www.cuany.org.

March 12, 2011

Mark Grimm celebrated his 7th anniversary as host and producer of the Siena Alumni ConnectionThe popular weekly interview show highlights the lives and times of Siena graduates. It appears airs Saturday, 10 am & repeated again on Sunday, 6 pm. On FM 88.3 The Saint and on the Internet at www.wvcr.com

January 15, 2011

What Made King's Speech So Unique

Ask someone to name the best speech they have ever heard and the 1963 presentation made in our nation’s capital by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is often mentioned. The speech changed the course of American history. It did not happen by chance.

The answer to why the “I Have a Dream” speech changed history fills scores of columns and books (and now blogs). But the effectiveness was certainly due in part to key public speaking principles that were followed, which make the speech a wonderful learning tool for all orators. Here are some key public speaking attributes it contained:

Passion

Dr. King, no doubt, had stomach butterflies as he prepared to address more than two hundred thousand people at the March on Washington. Obviously, he was able to channel that nervousness into positive energy. He was passionate. Why should anyone care about your topic if you are not passionate about it yourself? Though civil rights was, and still is, an extremely complicated issue, he effectively used passion and clarity to convey a simple, straightforward message about his “dream.”

Clarity

The clarity presented in King’s speech can be outlined in a single paragraph. Making effective use of symbolism and visuals, he began with a Lincoln reference with the Lincoln Memorial as a backdrop. He made a powerful case in order to define the injustice that existed, citing specific examples of racial wrongs. While he expressed a defiant tone attacking racism, he also saluted his “white brothers” and called once again for nonviolence. His speech was not simply a collection of powerful rhetoric; it included a call for action to “remind America of the fierce urgency of now.” That call for action was reinforced by a simple phrase, “I have a dream.”

Relevance

If the speech was relevant to African Americans alone, it would not have had the same impact. It was, in part, a patriotic speech, appealing to all Americans to make their country better. It was relevant to all Americans that one day all children would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Takeaway

King’s message (or takeaway) for the speech was clear and compelling ---- “the situation can and will be changed.” The following year, Congress passed and President Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Passion, clarity, relevance, takeaways --- all great speeches have them. By the way, the speech was just 16 minutes long. One of the most common mistakes in speaking will come as no surprise --- they often last too long!

December 3, 2010

The bright and practical visionary pokes fun at the “old white men” who have shaped our thinking. He has made nonconformity an art form. After all, he did stand on a Manhattan street corner with his poster board resume draped around him. It got him over 400 phone inquiries and dozens of job interviews. He also made over $100,000 selling T-shirts during the Titantic movie craze that read, “It Sank. Get Over It.”

Do not confuse irreverence for flakiness. Shankman provides a window on social media’s future every American should be looking through. He insists the winner in the social media game will be the site best able to automatically prioritize our friends when we log on so we get value rather than a mass of what I call “info junk.”

Shankman has four keys to capitalize on social media:

1-Transparency
Secrecy is out. If you want to participate in social media, you have to be transparent or you will be exposed. Don’t be afraid to blend personal and professional messages. It’s all about getting people to trust you.

2-Relevance
Use social media to listen and engage your audience. Learn how they want to get their information and respond accordingly.

3-Brevity
Shankman says our attention span is no longer measured in seconds, it is measured in characters --- 140 (a tweet’s limit). That’s 2.6 seconds. The key is to write well --- clear, compelling, succinct language with good grammar. “Bad writing is killing America,” Shankman insists. If you need help, take a writing course.

4-Top of Mind Awareness
Do things that will keep you on the minds of people in your network. Shankman takes 15 minutes daily to send personalized birthday notes to people in his circle. Make the time to make personal connections within your network. They will think of you more often when they need your product or service.

Shankman says the “Old PR” is telling everyone how great you or your clients are. The “New PR” is having other people do it for you on the web. As for your own posts, ask before posting anything, “Would anyone else care about this but me?” Deliver value, not promotion.

Bet on the advice from a man who has a poker chip for a business card. Shankman is a powerful advocate for “out of the box” thinking. “If everyone is saying you’re crazy, you’re probably on the right track,” says Shankman.
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The writer is a professional speaker who owns a message strategy, media relations, and public speaking training firm in Albany, NY (www.markgrimm.com). Peter Shankman is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and worldwide social media expert (www.shankman.com).

October 30, 2010

Mark Grimm is MC of Charity Gala

Guilderland business owner Mark Grimm served as master of ceremonies at the local “Oscars” for philanthropy and community service.

The first annual “GOBY” (Get on Board Volunteer) awards recognized companies, organizations and individuals who have provided exemplary volunteer services in the Capital Region.

The GOBYs, sponsored by the Stakeholders, were presented at a gala ceremony and networking event on Friday, October 29 at The Egg at the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany.

The Stakeholders is a non-profit organization founded on the belief that people are key to the sustainability of New York’s Capital Region. They seek to retain and attract residents, workers and visitors and foster regional pride by connecting individuals with area resources and providing enrichment through its programs.

The list of winners and details on the event can be found at www.stakeyourclaim.org

March 31, 2010

Mark Grimm is the "Trainer-of-the Year" of the Hudson-Mohawk chapter of the American Society of Training and Development. The chapter stretches from the Adirondacks to Newburgh and from the eastern NY state line to near Utica.

Grimm accepted the award “on behalf of all my fellow colleagues in workforce learning and performance who have meant so much to the thousands of people they have trained. I have learned so much from you and will continue to count on your wise counsel and innovative thinking."

Awards Committee Chair Peter Perrone said, “Mark was chosen because of his wonderfully positive impact on the training profession and for his significant contributions to our local ASTD chapter.” Hudson-Mohawk ASTD chapter president Kim Gander said, “Mark has proven to be a leader in public speaking and media relations training. He is a real credit to our organization.”

Grimm is founder of Mark Grimm Communications, a Guilderland firm that provides public speaking training, media relations, and message strategy. He is a former Entrepreneur of the Year for the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce. He wrote the book, Everyone Can Be A Dynamic Speaker: Yes, I Mean You! He is also executive producer/host of the Siena Alumni Connection radio show, an adjunct Siena media professor, an on-camera/voiceover talent, and a Guilderland Town Board member.

January 25, 2010

Grimm to Chair Guilderland Chamber Breakfast Series

Guilderland – Small business owner Mark Grimm has been chosen to chair the “First Friday Business Breakfast” series for the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

The meetings, held the first Friday of every month, will feature speakers designed to deliver value to attendees with information they can use to grow their business or organization. The forums will also provide important networking opportunities. The new series re-invents the current small business group meetings to broaden the appeal to a larger audience of members and non members.

The chamber’s Executive Director, Kathy Burbank, said, “Mark’s experience with a large variety of organizations, his enthusiasm, and his marketing expertise will be a great asset to First Friday’s. We’re grateful he has accepted this significant volunteer role.”

“Business people are always looking for an extra edge, especially in this economy,” said Grimm. “I hope we can make this newly revised series really work for them.”
The breakfast meetings will be held at the Guilderland Chamber’s headquarters in the Star Plaza, at the intersection of Western Avenue and Route 155.

The topics for the breakfast meetings will be chosen based on the needs of the business people attending. Those with suggestions for the series should contact Burbank at 456-6611 or Grimm at 356-4865.

The “First Friday Business Breakfast” series starts April 2nd. Registration and networking starts at 7:30 am, the program starts at 8 am. The fee is just $5. Coffee and bagels are provided. The breakfasts are open to everyone. The April presenter will be announced soon.

Grimm is a former Guilderland Chamber “Entrepreneur of the Year.” He founded Mark Grimm Communications, a public speaking training, media relations, and communication clarity firm in Guilderland. The Hudson-Mohawk chapter of the American Society of Training and Development nominated him for Trainer of the Year. He has made hundreds of speeches and appears often as a media analyst.

Grimm is the producer/host of a radio interview program (Siena Alumni Connection) and does on-camera and voiceover acting for local and national clients. Mark is an adjunct media professor at Siena and is a member of the Guilderland Town Board.

January 26, 2009

Grimm Releases “How To” Book on Dynamic Speaking
Practical and Inspirational Book Could Change Your Life

Guilderland – Frequent public speaker and one-time Trainer of the Year nominee Mark Grimm today released his new book on public speaking, “Everyone Can Be A Dynamic Speaker: Yes, I Mean You!”

“What a great New Year’s resolution,” said Grimm, “to take concrete steps to improve your public speaking.”

Grimm, a Guilderland business owner, calls the 90-page book a “practical and inspirational guide that could truly change your life. The easy-to-read format features a step-by-step plan to confront speaker anxiety, make your presentations clearer, and allow you to become more relevant to your audiences.”

Specific exercises in the book attempt to help readers become more "dynamic." It also offers thought-provoking analysis of some great speeches. The author’s unusual background produces a perspective hard to find anywhere else.

The former “Entrepreneur of the Year” has made hundreds of speeches and appears often as a media analyst. Grimm is the producer/host of a popular radio interview program (WVCR) and does on-camera and voiceover acting for local and national clients. Mark is an adjunct media professor at Siena College and won a seat on his town board by upsetting two long-time incumbents.

Mark has a master’s degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School.
The book, just $13.89, can be purchased online by visiting www.markgrimm.com

Contact, (518) 356-4865

May 3, 2007

Grimm to Keynote at June 5th Training Institute

Guilderland, NY - The Guilderland Chamber's 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year, Mark Grimm, will be the keynote speaker at the 25th Annual Institute of the New York State Training Council. The NYS Training Council advocates for and actively supports the training and development of New York State’s diverse workforce to achieve organization effectiveness.

Grimm’s presentation – “Everyone Can Become More Dynamic At Speaking: A Blueprint for Unleashing Your Inner Power” – will kick off the daylong event that features a collection of some of the best presenters in the region. The conference theme – “Blueprint For Training: A Framework for Competencies, Collaboration and Innovation” – will focus on the role of training to construct solid workforce development programs during these challenging times.

Grimm is president of Mark Grimm Communications, a Guilderland firm that provides public speaking training, media relations, and marketing and political consulting (www.markgrimm.com).

Grimm also hosts the Siena Alumni Connection radio show and is an adjunct journalism professor at Siena.

The event is June 5, 2007, from 8 am to 4 pm, at Mallozzi’s Restaurant in Rotterdam. For more details on the Institute, and on how to register, go to www.nystc.org or contact Institute Co-Chairs Mike Graziade (518) 486-7402 or Darleen Walsh (845) 483-3558.

May 22, 2006

Grimm Named Entrepreneur of the Year

Guilderland, NY – Guilderland business owner Mark Grimm has been named 2006 "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

Grimm received the award during a ceremony at the Chamber's annual dinner on June 2nd. The honor recognizes Grimm for "business innovations and accomplishments, managerial skills, leadership, energy and enthusiasm."

Grimm is president of Mark Grimm Communications. It provides public speaking training, media relations, and marketing and political consulting (www.markgrimm.com). Grimm also hosts the Siena Alumni Connection radio show and is a top-rated adjunct media professor at St. Rose.

Grimm, a graduate of St. Mary’s of Hoosick Falls, is a magna cum laude graduate of Siena and has a master’s from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. He is the brother of Rensselaer County Legislator Peter Grimm.