Dining with Della: Ariela Friedmann at Uprising Breads
May 16, 2016
Ariela is a CouchSurfer. Yes, that is an official thing. This is a member based organization where you host or are hosted by people in their homes for free! They feed you, tour you around just like a good friend or family and you get to experience life like the locals. Ariela has seen the world as a traveler versus a tourist. Tourists pop and drop (pop in, drop off luggage) whereas travellers like her don't make a lot of planning and do slow travel where they get to know the local scene. She talks with great passion about the differences. Not that she is adverse to all-inclusives or touristy trips but she glows when talking about the couch-surfing memories that have shaped her life. She also hosts people once a month for 3 to 5 days at a time. And, couch surfers have ways to ensure the visiting people are a good fit. You have to read the host profile to ensure compatibility. And, you better read right to the end to get their code word to ensure you took the time to review it all. Fascinating.
The other lovely aspect to Ariela is her passion for volunteering. She believes the more you volunteer, the more you can do and give. She volunteers for five organizations including the Foodbank, where she works. One of her other big causes is for Alzheimer's - she holds a huge garage sale every year. She has one coming up and while I don't normally give plugs in this blog she is so earnest, I succumbed. For my local friends: Garage Sale, May 28th and 29th - 1738 Frances Street, Vancouver - 100% of proceeds to Alzheimer's.
Some other advice from this woman who has backpacked her way though every Western European country, seen a huge chunk of Africa, 99% of Southeast Asia and many parts of North and South America, she advises people go to Burma before it changes. She says they are the loveliest people.
Takes one to know one. Ariela is a sincere, caring person.
Her blog - To Wonder and Wander - is worth a read for any traveller.
What one bit of communication impacted your life?
Ariela had three things - She always thinks in three's.
1. She read something in one of those "terrible glamgirl" type magazines. It was one line in an article that stuck - paraphrasing, "It takes as much energy to tread water and stay afloat as it does to swim forward and find new shores".
(Note from Della: Words to live by for this woman who is always up for change and new adventures!)
2. The second tip is for those in crisis communications world to remember that a good communicator is responsible for raising the flag not for resolving the flag problem. Their role is as advisors but they don't have to feel the responsibility to resolve all the issues. At the end of the day those in leadership roles make the final decisions.
3. She also had four steps for those in crisis:
(Note from Della: This can apply to everyday life, not only crisis communications specialists)
1. Speak the truth
2. Tell people what you are going to do
3. Do it
4. Let people know what you are doing
This is versus the duck and hide model... as Ariela says, "don't duck and hide!"
1. She read something in one of those "terrible glamgirl" type magazines. It was one line in an article that stuck - paraphrasing, "It takes as much energy to tread water and stay afloat as it does to swim forward and find new shores".
(Note from Della: Words to live by for this woman who is always up for change and new adventures!)
2. The second tip is for those in crisis communications world to remember that a good communicator is responsible for raising the flag not for resolving the flag problem. Their role is as advisors but they don't have to feel the responsibility to resolve all the issues. At the end of the day those in leadership roles make the final decisions.
3. She also had four steps for those in crisis:
(Note from Della: This can apply to everyday life, not only crisis communications specialists)
1. Speak the truth
2. Tell people what you are going to do
3. Do it
4. Let people know what you are doing
This is versus the duck and hide model... as Ariela says, "don't duck and hide!"
What did not work...
Ariela highlighted two big challenges for communications professionals like her.
One, is explaining the difference between communications with a capital C, the formal corporate communications function and the other, communications with a small c. The small c is the communications of which everyone is responsible, messaging, phone calls, writing, etc.. Reinforcing that everyone in an organization has communication responsibilities is something to continually work on.
The other challenge relates to non profits. You can have the best services and ideas but if no one knows about you they are not going to support you. There is only so much you can do for free. Communications is often seen as a soft service but is so vital. Especially, in the difficult times.
Ariela feels it is always a struggle to create an understanding of the value of communications, it is understood to a certain level but often not factored into benchmarking in strategic planning. One of the best workshops she attended at an IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) conference was about the story of Maple Leaf Foods and its listeria issues. They did not follow the lawyers advice and communicated openly and honestly. They could actually show the positive results on the company bottom line.
One, is explaining the difference between communications with a capital C, the formal corporate communications function and the other, communications with a small c. The small c is the communications of which everyone is responsible, messaging, phone calls, writing, etc.. Reinforcing that everyone in an organization has communication responsibilities is something to continually work on.
The other challenge relates to non profits. You can have the best services and ideas but if no one knows about you they are not going to support you. There is only so much you can do for free. Communications is often seen as a soft service but is so vital. Especially, in the difficult times.
Ariela feels it is always a struggle to create an understanding of the value of communications, it is understood to a certain level but often not factored into benchmarking in strategic planning. One of the best workshops she attended at an IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) conference was about the story of Maple Leaf Foods and its listeria issues. They did not follow the lawyers advice and communicated openly and honestly. They could actually show the positive results on the company bottom line.
What if...
What advice would you give to your younger self to enhance your ability to communicate with others – and why?
Silence means consent. Take a leadership role and speak up.
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