Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, we’re celebrating a big milestone! Five years in business and a brand new chapter with a brand new brand name (say that fast 10 times). We are now: Cuttlefish!

To celebrate, this episode is all about five of the biggest communication lessons we have learned along the way. These lessons apply whether you run your own consultancy or work in-house.

We chat about why it's important to find clarity in your value in order to stay visible and building meaningful two-way conversations. We touch on a whole lot more in this episode, and each of these are the practices that have helped us grow, evolve, and adapt (just like our new namesake, the cuttlefish).

So tune in to learn how to strengthen your communication impact, stay top of mind, and grow with purpose.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 62: What is thought leadership and how do you use it?
• Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

What does it really mean to be aligned, and why is it so hard to achieve?

In this episode, Zora Artis joins us to unpack the concept of alignment: what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many organisations struggle to get it right. Zora explains that alignment isn’t actually about everyone agreeing, but rather, about creating shared meaning and direction so people can move together with purpose. 

Yet despite leaders knowing how critical alignment is, research shows only around 14% of organisations are truly aligned. So, with this knowledge on board, we explore what causes “quiet misalignment” (the subtle drift between intention and execution) and, how leaders and communicators can close that gap through clarity, trust and honest dialogue.

Zora also shares how alignment connects with cohesion and commitment to create true organisational flow, and why communicators play a pivotal role in helping leaders bring strategy to life.

If you’ve ever felt like your team is “busy but not together,” this episode will give you the insight, and language, to fix it. So, get listening!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Zora’s LinkedIn
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

Have you ever been halfway through a project only to discover priorities have shifted? Or chasing information from another team that never comes? Maybe you feel like no one really knows what your team does.

These are all symptoms of a siloed culture and while silos often start at the top, communicators can play a vital role in breaking them down.

In this episode, we share four practical strategies to help bridge the gaps that silos create; we chat about building a single source of truth to amplify more leadership voices, empowering employees to share updates, and holding the C-suite accountable.

So... if you're ready to get collaborating across your organisation, instead of yelling into the abyss - tune in to learn how communication can cut through silos, build trust, and keep people aligned.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

If you're involved in communications, you're most likely involved in change work in some way, shape or form. Which is why this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast is going to give you the 101 on how to write a change communication plan.

This may seem like a basic skill for those who dive into comms plans every day, but your typical, day-to-day communications plan is significantly different to a change communication plan. 

The biggest difference is the granular level that change impact needs to be assessed and addressed for different audience groups. 

Plus to add to that complexity, that granularity means you'll have very specific outcomes for each audience group, all of which will need specific messaging and strategies. 

Sounds complex, right? Don't stress because we run you through the ins and outs of it all in this episode. So let's jump in!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Find out how YOU respond to change!
• Episode 42: 5 behavioural science hacks you can use in your change comms
• Mel's new book - 'Change isn't hard'
• Public workshops for 2024

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

When the words 'behavioural science' get brought up, you wouldn't be alone in immediately thinking about any CSI or Bones show you could fathom. However, behavioural science is not simply used in characterising serial skillers, but rather, characterising people and the way they act, and interact, across a plethora of topics.

For example, behavioural science can become a key player in how you manage your comms overall, but specifically in a change heavy role. And change communication in itself is about really, deeply understanding human behavior and then using your comms to drive a desired response.

So then, how do we use this behavioural science to back up our change comms? Well, you're about to find out in this week's episode!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• My book! Get on the mailing list to be the first to know when pre-sales open 
• Quiz: Change friend or foe: how do you respond to change?
• Episode 24: Change vs internal communication: What's the difference?

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

Another week, another episode full of knowledge on the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast. However, this week is a special one as we bring to you the perfect case study itself in crisis communications: the Optus outage of 2023.

Last week, the hot crisis comms news came in the form of the colossal bin fire that was the national Optus outage (a.k.a the second largest telecommunications company in Australia) which left over 10 million customers without mobile, their phone, or internet services for over 12 hours. 

Now, over a week later and the mop up continues with what could be deemed the golden case study in what NOT to do for your communications in a crisis. So, we thought we’d dive right in and deliver some hot tips on crisis comms with some real-time examples.

Plus, we'll talk you through some of the things they did right, a lot of the things they did wrong, and why we all need to be prepared for a crisis and what that can look like.

So, let's get into it!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 3rd Birthday training discount 
• HMC workshops and training

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

We live in a digital world, and video inundates every channel we use - from intranets and websites, to social media, messaging apps, and more. But why is it such a powerful communication tool, and what are some of the best-practice tips for getting it right?

Which is what we asked the exceptional video expert, Joseph Bobadilla from Brown Fox Media House, on this week’s episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast. 

We picked Joseph's brains on everything from the big mistakes people make when they use video as a communication tool, all the way to the top tips you can use to get started, even if you’re on a budget. We even dabbled in a bit of chat about artificial intelligence and the opportunities and risks when it comes to video.

So, get your notebook out and let's get into it!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Social handles - Joseph

• Instagram
• TikTok
• LinkedIn

Social handles - Brown Fox Media House

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Facebook

Links

• Business website 
• Brown Fox Podcast (video marketing) 
• From The Inside Out Podcast (personal) plus on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

Our worlds revolve around content these days! But, with so many different channels to reach our audiences, and so many different ways of doing it - it can be difficult to figure out the nuances of each and what is going to work best. 

That's why this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast is all about creating and maintaining a content plan for your business or client. This episode touches on how to create content that is purposeful, and how to make sure your channels are kept alive and performing! 

We've even got a FREE content plan template available for you to download! But you'll have to listen in to find out how to grab it.

So, let's get into it! 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Communication Career Fundamentals online course
• Less Chatter, More Matter mailing list
• My new book! Sign up to find out when pre-sales open

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

Welcome back to the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast. This week's episode starts with the impact of mental health in the workplace to celebrate Mental Health Month here in Australia this October. We asked Cherie Canning, founder of Luminate Leadership, to join us on this episode to explore how communication plays an instrumental role in advocating for mental health issues in the workplace. 

When done with mental health in mind, our communication practices can create safe spaces to have conversations, particularly in the workplace. And it's even more fortuitous in a way that the theme for Mental Health Month in 2023 is 'we all have a role to play'. So this episode is really about encouraging people to think about ways we can connect with the people around us in more meaningful, supportive ways.

So, without further adieu, let's get into it! 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Mental Health First Aid Training: www.luminateleadership.com.au/mhfa
• Luminate Leadership website: www.luminateleadership.com.au
• Follow Luminate on Instagram
• Follow Luminate on LinkedIn
• Connect with Cherie on Instagram
• Connect with Cherie on LinkedIn

About Cherie:
Cherie Canning is a passionate optimist, an avid traveller and the Founder and Director of Luminate Leadership.

After almost two decades of leading teams and running development training at Flight Centre Travel Group, Cherie and her husband Andy were thrown a Covid redundancy curve ball. It was then Cherie knew she had to follow her passion of Leadership development and Luminate Leadership was born. 

Cherie is passionate about creating training and development experiences that challenge people, inspire them and give practical tools to create real life impact in their workplaces and lives.

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question

It's our third birthday! 
That’s right, Hey Mel! has been offering our communication and training expertise for three big years, full of big business learnings - learnings that we’d love to share with you.

Whether you’re looking to start your very own consultancy, or you’re a lover of all things learning, we’ve got some pretty cool lessons to share from around the world of freelancing and what it could mean for your career. 

That's why this special birthday episode covers some of the key takeaways that the business has compiled over the three years we've been doing it! We've also packed all of said shiny insights in this one, fantastic podcast episode - full of insights you can use across the board in any career.

So... why wait for the fourth birthday? Let's get into it!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Blog: Three tips for choosing the right channels for your business
• Course: Fresh 2 Freelancing
• Offer: Third birthday 30% discount
• Email update: Sign up here! 

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
Find out what I'm up to Instagram
Check out my website
Ask a question