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A Day in the Life of Sharon Reis

Written by Staff on . Posted in Firm Culture.

Sharon Reis, our fearless leader, was recently featured on The Native Society. Take a glimpse into a day in her life, fueled in part by copious amounts of coffee!

6:00 AM

I begin almost every day with sweating. I am either finishing up a 5 a.m. workout class, running through my neighborhood, or lifting weights at the gym. One secret to my routine is that I’ve pursued fitness with one of my closest friends for more than a decade–and I know she’ll be waiting for me at the end of my driveway, so I have to get out of bed or face her wrath!

10:00 AM

By now, my day is at full speed and usually jam-packed. I could be on client calls, mentoring my colleagues, meeting with our director of operations on running the business, or heading to the airport to fly to a client meeting in another state.

12:00 PM – Favorite Power Lunch spot/meal?

I have two favorite spots and they are across the street from each other: The Tabard Inn and Iron Gate. They are Dupont Circle institutions, and I often feel like I am magically transported to a European café when I am eating at either one.

7:00 PM

I am home with my family, getting dinner together with my husband, driving my daughters to sports or school activities, or discussing their homework.

11:00 PM

I am asleep! I love mornings, so I go to bed around 10 p.m. and get up before the sun rises.

What drink do you need to get through the day and at the end (and how many)?

Coffee is my drink of choice. I love it and don’t ever want to live without it. In February, I decided to start drinking it black and adjusted to it pretty quickly, and thought I actually liked it. However, when I took vacation in August, I absentmindedly put cream in my coffee on the first day away and realized just how much I loved it, missed it, and needed it back in my life! Cream really does make coffee taste better. My favorite cup is from my local coffee shop called Greenberry’s.

Most used App/Favorite Instagram Account?

I am a very loyal person, so when something works, I tend to stick with it, and that explains my app of choice – Words with Friends. I play it only with my sisters and their husbands, and I view it as a way to keep us connected. (I don’t win all the time, but I usually do, which, I confess, makes it extra fun.)

What should everyone try at least once?

Saying ‘yes’ to something you are resisting or fearing. Getting out of your comfort zone is always hard, but I find the more I resist an activity or a person, the worse it gets. So, say yes to something or someone you have been avoiding. You just might be surprised by what happens.

Where do you enjoy getting lost?

I enjoy getting lost in meditation. I discovered the practice more than five years ago and it changed my life. It provides clarity on life’s challenges and calms the mind. When I am practicing regularly, I find meditation wholeheartedly facilitates better decision-making and stirs creativity. However, the more stressed or busy I am, the harder it is to meditate. And, since no one has ever referred to me as relaxed and easy-going, it is a constant struggle, but well worth the effort.

Invest in Women. Reap the Rewards.

Written by Sarah Beth Cloar on . Posted in Firm Culture.

Investing in women is not only smart, it’s vital to success. Professional organizations are critical for supporting and mentoring women, which is why I am thrilled to join the talented, skilled, and motivated group of women on the Washington Women in Public Relations 2017 Board of Directors.

But I want to let you in on a secret: It’s going to be tough. Daily responsibilities can be draining, social calendars can be overwhelming, and life can serve up some really sour lemonade at times.

I’m up for the challenge.

Women need the support of other women now more than ever. And on every step of the career ladder, we must remain engaged in mentoring and must work to generate opportunities for others who might otherwise be overlooked or not know where to turn. Too often, we don’t seek out resources or support, and not only is that hurting our careers, it’s impacting our lives on a much deeper, personal level. Research shows that investing in women yields tremendous results – businesses perform better, are more successful, and have increased profitability. Let’s keep driving those results.

This year, I’ve set a challenge for myself – and managed to recruit a few colleagues along the way – to step away from our desks, outside of our comfort zones, and into a new routine. Whether it is through leadership development, professional skills building, mentorship, or industry networking, we have countless opportunities to tap into our potential for serious, boundless growth.

Join us, won’t you? It is WWPR’s mission to cultivate and inspire female communicators to reach their full potential in the D.C. market and beyond. The beauty of this approach is that we’re all in it together. If you don’t have much time, start small. Give support and get support. Be a mentor. Seek advice. Keep learning.

A rising tide lifts all boats. Women, grab your paddles!Tweet: A rising tide lifts all boats. Women, grab your paddles! https://ctt.ec/9bftd+

Introducing…You

Written by Sharon Reis on . Posted in Elevating Reputations.

Introducing yourself in a meeting seems easy enough. Then why do so many people fail to make the most of it, and sometimes even leave a bad impression? Some people talk incessantly about all their experience and accomplishments in what ends up putting off rather than impressing their listeners. Others give only the bare minimum, stating their name and organization so quickly or meekly that if you don’t pay close attention, you just might miss it.

The way you go about introducing yourself is essential for establishing not only your expertise and credibility, but also your all-important likeability.

I am a stickler for short introductions that convey just the needed information, but I wasn’t always that way. Early in my career, I took part in an important presentation that had the potential to be really, really successful, but ended up being very, very bad. Terribly disappointed, I was determined to learn from it.

It was one of my first new-business presentations at a new agency. Our team had drafted a very strong proposal, made it to the finals, and were competing against one other firm. We were given 45 minutes to present our recommendations, and we brought a five-person team. Three of my senior colleagues spent a solid 20 minutes introducing themselves. This was not part of the plan, but their nervous energy got the best of them. And, since the first person gave their entire work history, the second person felt compelled to follow suit. These inflated introductions left very little time to present the meat of the proposal, and it gave exactly the wrong impression. The team came off as arrogant and boastful, talking all about themselves, rather than conveying competence and capability, focusing on client needs. Long story short, we lost the business. In fact, the potential client told us that while we had the best proposal, by far, the presentation just did not support it. That defeat left a huge impression on me.

Below are a few tips to consider next time you need to introduce yourself.

  • Short and sweet is best. An introduction doesn’t need to last more than one minute, and depending on the circumstances, getting it done in 30 seconds might be even better. Start, but don’t end, with the obvious: name, title and organization.
  • Focus on your role. This is where people often get lost. After introducing yourself, immediately pivot to your role in the meeting. Are you leading, taking notes, facilitating a section, or learning as much as you can about an organization or issue?
  • Highlight your specific area of expertise. You may be an expert in many things, but the people in the room want to know why you’ve been asked to attend this specific meeting, and how you are going to contribute to this specific discussion. In other words, what do you bring to the table that others around the room will value? This could include a case study or an example of your prior work, but it should be brief and focused.
  • Share your excitement. If you are happy to be at the meeting, then say so. Tell them what you hope to get out of taking part in the discussion, and say it in one sentence; no more.
  • Find the sweet spot. Take a few minutes to rehearse and get it right. This is something you will do over and over in your career. Spend some time to fine-tune, tailor, and get it right.

Your introduction is usually the first impression people will have of you. Make them want to talk to you and learn more about you and your expertise. Maybe they’ll even like you–and hire you.

Four Tips for Successful Leaders

Written by Lauren Musiol on . Posted in Elevating Reputations.

Focus. Confidence. Integrity. Passion. These are key qualities of effective leaders, as outlined in a highly useful presentation at a recent Public Relations Society of America luncheon in Charlotte, N.C.

Establishing yourself as a leader is vital to building your role on your team, and advancing your career to the next level. It’s something that I am personally working on as I continue on my career path and set goals for the future.

The speaker at the event spoke about using strategic communications to more effectively position yourself as a leader in the workplace, and four key points really resonated with me:

Be credible.

To be a strong leader, you must be credible. And the single most important factor that impacts your credibility is being “present.” (Put down that iPhone when you are supposed to be paying attention!) If you are constantly checking your phone or email, or seem distracted, you will diminish your credibility and lose respect from your colleagues both up and down the ladder.

Remember that you are always “on stage.”

When you are in a leadership position, everything you do gets noticed and sends a message. And if you are trying to build your position as a leader at your company, the way you present yourself, your preparation for meetings, and the quality of your work will all set the tone for how you are viewed by your colleagues. Always remember to be professional and think about how you want to be perceived. It will help you better establish your ability to lead – whether it be leading a project, leading an account, or leading a team of colleagues.

Style matters.

Leadership is 100% substance, meaning that you must know what you are doing and must have the experience to back it up—but it’s also 100% style, meaning that you must present yourself in a manner that makes people want to work with you. Most people either fall into “powerful” or “attractive” styles. “Powerful” people are assertive, direct and focused on getting the job done. “Attractive” people are personable, cooperative and supportive. Being too much of one style or the other can hurt your ability to be a good leader. It’s important for a leader to be “powerful” enough to be heard, yet “attractive” enough to be followed.

Don’t underestimate non-verbal communication.

Non-verbal cues can be just as important as how you express yourself verbally. For example, if you work in an environment where the dress code is important, you must play by the rules and dress the part, or you will lose credibility among your colleagues. Additionally, your mannerisms and speech patterns can make a big difference in how you are perceived, so if you tend to use your hands in a distracting manner or talk in a way that lowers your credibility, you could be hindering yourself from advancing to the next level.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to establishing yourself as a leader, but these four tips may be worth remembering as you approach your next meeting or client call, or as you evaluate your everyday interactions with colleagues.

Sharon Reis

Sharon Reis Named 2016 Finalist in the WWPR Annual Women of the Year Award

Written by Staff on . Posted in Firm Culture.

Sharon Reis, principal of The Reis Group, has been named a finalist in Washington Women in Public Relations’ (WWPR) 27th annual Women of the Year award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of women who are raising the bar in public relations.

“We’re thrilled to honor Sharon Reis as a Woman of the Year finalist in 2016. Her leadership and contributions to the field of public relations are highly respected in Washington,” said Mara Vandlik, president of WWPR.

Reis, known for her relentless drive and sure-handed expertise, represents top-tier progressive clients focused on health, health care, science, and social issues. Her award-winning campaigns are based on comprehensive research and driven by her expertise in generating tangible results through strategic messaging and media relations. She is actively involved in the work of each of the agency’s 20-plus clients, and mentors team members as they lead and manage accounts, campaigns and projects.

WWPR will host its annual luncheon on Friday, November 18, 2016, at the Fairmont Hotel where it will announce the Woman of the Year awardee. WWPR has celebrated the accomplishments of the industry’s female leaders since 1990. Fellow finalists, Martha Boudreau of AARP and Maria Rodriguez of Vanguard Communications, will also be recognized at the event.

“Sharon exemplifies fierce, unwavering leadership, poise, and above all, communications prowess that has shaped the public conversation on medical research, health, and wellness over the past 20 years. I am in awe of her steadfast commitment to her team and the clients whose issues and causes she strongly believes in,” said Tamara Moore, vice president, The Reis Group.

Learn more about Sharon here.