New Experiences

What are your challenges?  Do you challenge yourself daily?

With over 33 years of broadcast experience, I have seen the industry evolve and change in significant ways. When I heard about the opportunity to join a large media client’s Digital Video Engineering team, I knew this was a chance to once again put my skills to the test.

As I started the contract just over a month ago, I was eager to learn and contribute to the team. The small team I joined communicates regularly to ensure we were all on the same page and working towards the same goals. I quickly learned that I had a lot to learn, but my previous experience would be an asset to the team.

I am responsible for maintaining core technologies, workflows, and systems vital to live-video and file-based digital workflows. I support the engineering solutions for video editing, transcoding, video streaming, and publishing across multiple properties. I have experience with video routers and Vantage Telestream from my previous roles, which has helped me handle these tasks.  Learning all the new systems and their acronyms has been equally challenging at times, but going with the flow and adapting are essential.

Working within an AWS cloud environment, I am tasked with setting up virtual machines and ensuring that the digital workflow deliveries are met. My experience with S3 and FSX has been crucial in managing Windows file systems that run in the cloud.

Although I have not worked extensively with Python or JSON, I am eager to learn and expand my knowledge in these areas. I have a background in edit post-production, specifically Adobe Premier, and have experience with Linux OS and file acceleration.  So, as a support person, I get to help users that are not only having editing issues, but cloud creation, and connectivity issues.

Throughout my career in broadcasting and digital streaming, I have learned the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. I am committed to continuing to learn and grow in this field, and I am excited that this opportunity to brought some of my experience and skills into play and new skill sets to the table.

33 years of experience have provided me with the expertise to tackle any challenge that comes my way. I am confident that my skills and background make me a valuable asset to the team, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success even more. I’m on-call this holiday weekend, which had already tested my knowledge base, and with the stellar help of my teammates I have been able / we have been able to support the news divisions, while maintaining the level of support and service they not only want, but is essential to produce the news.

I am grateful for every challenge that comes my way. I am grateful to learn and grow everyday. It keeps life and my career fresh and I’m perspective everyday.

Level Up Your Resume: Become An Achiever!

Everyone writes about networking, researching, targeting companies, identifying the position or positions you want, and you should, it’s all important and solid advice, but there is more to the job hunt than that…

It’s not a difficult twist it’s just a shift in how your approach is.

Are you Endlessly sending an updated draft of your resume out for the 50 some-teenth time to the internet void, and that isn’t working?  I have had the same experience.  

Years ago it was easy, make a phone call, or send out a resume, interview, and hired.  Today – ummm not so much.

I had been very “busy” changing up my skills, key words, etc to “match” what the resume machine algorithms have been asked to search for (and will discard if your resume isn’t at least a 70% match).  It’s true, a human will NOT EVER see your resume because there’s a program that automatically eliminates you if you haven’t included the sought after key words.  Even worse, you could be algorithm’d out for 6-12 months for a “bad” resume submission. 

I had received NO answers back aside from the automated “thank you for applying”, with decades of experience in the industry.  Incredibly frustrating!  But, I needed to change the way I worded my resume.  I was being seen as a doer.  Isn’t that good though?  Again….Not so much.  Hiring Managers need to see not only what you’ve done, but what you’ve accomplished.  

I was qualified, I could do the jobs I applied for, even better, I actually WANTED the jobs I applied for, I wasn’t just “looking for work”,  I was looking for what I wanted in my life too.  I’ve been lucky to get to an ebb and flow now.

But, I needed to change the language in my resume to show that I still take / took action and that I’m results-oriented person (an over-utilized phrase x1000 btw).  But, follow a few simple steps to level-up your resume:

1. Focus on your achievements: Instead of just listing your responsibilities, highlight your accomplishments and the results you achieved. Use action verbs to describe your achievements and quantify your accomplishments with numbers and percentages.

2. Use strong, action-oriented language in your resume. Avoid passive voice and use verbs that convey a sense of action and accomplishment.

3. Tailor your language to the job posting: Look at the job posting and use language that aligns with the job requirements. Use similar keywords and phrases that the employer is looking for to convey that you have the skills and experience they are seeking.

4. Highlight your skills and how they have contributed to your accomplishments. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have used your skills to achieve results.

5. Use bullet points to break up dense paragraphs and make your resume easier to read. Use short, punchy statements that highlight your accomplishments and results.

6. Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread again – did I mention Proofread your resume?  Oh yes I did!  Do this carefully to ensure that your language is clear, concise, and error-free. Make sure that your accomplishments and results are easy to understand and are presented in a way that is easy to read.

Overall, by focusing on your networking, your achievements, using strong language, tailoring your language to the job posting, highlighting your skills, using bullet points, and proofreading your resume, you can change the way you as a person appear to a Hiring Manager.  So make yourself human, because you are human.  Make them know you, even better make them WANT to know YOU!   You are your own business, you don’t have to sell yourself, just show the best version of You that you’ve got!  You’re worth it.

This can help you stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of getting hired.

Broadcasting from: Baltusrol Golf Course, Springfield, NJ

The US Open golf tournament has been held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, on seven occasions. Here is the list of years, winners, and their scores:

1. 1903 – Willie Anderson (307)
2. 1915 – Jerome Travers (297)
3. 1936 – Tony Manero (282)
4. 1954 – Ed Furgol (284)
5. 1967 – Jack Nicklaus (275)
6. 1980 – Jack Nicklaus (272)
7. 1993 – Lee Janzen (272)

ABC Network has covered several golf events at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, including the US Open and PGA Championship tournaments. Here is a list of the events, winners, and some additional details:

1. 1980 US Open: Jack Nicklaus won his fourth US Open Championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament.

2. 1985 US Women’s Open: Kathy Baker won her only major championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 4-under-par for the tournament.

3. 1993 PGA Championship: Paul Azinger won his first and only major championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament.

4. 2005 PGA Championship: Phil Mickelson won his second major championship, shooting a final round of 72 to finish at 4-under-par for the tournament.

5. 2016 PGA Championship: Jimmy Walker won his first major championship, shooting a final round of 67 to finish at 14-under-par for the tournament.

ABC Network provided comprehensive coverage of these events, with experienced broadcasters and producers bringing the action to viewers around the world. Some of the notable names on the broadcast team included Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Jack Whitaker, and Mike Tirico. The production was led by ABC Sports Executive Producer Roone Arledge, and the Director of the broadcast was Craig Janoff.

Overall, these events produced some thrilling golf and unforgettable moments, making Baltusrol Golf Club a true showcase for the sport.

I was the Production & Technical Assistant for the 1993 event held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, from August 12-15, 1993. It was an exciting event, with some of the best golfers in the world competing for the championship title.

As a Production Assistant, my role was to assist the Production & Technical Manager in various aspects of the production. This included coordinating logistics, setting up equipment, and ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the event.

The 1993 PGA Championship was covered by ABC Network, with a team of talented broadcasters and producers bringing the action to viewers around the world.

Paul Azinger emerged as the winner of the tournament, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament. It was his first and only major championship victory, and it was a moment that I will never forget. The excitement and energy of the event were palpable, and it was a privilege to be a part of such an incredible production.

Overall, the 1993 PGA Championship was a tremendous success, and I was proud to have played a small role in making it happen.

What are you’re experiences? Please share!

Short Tutorial: SMB

SMB stands for Server Message Block, which is a protocol for sharing files, printers, and other resources on a network. In Mac Finder, SMB is used to connect to Windows file servers or other network-attached storage devices that use the SMB protocol for sharing files.

When you connect to an SMB server using Mac Finder, you can access files and folders on the server just like you would on your local computer. You can browse the server’s file system, open files, copy files to or from the server, and perform other file management tasks. 

To connect to an SMB server using Mac Finder, you will need to know the server’s name or IP address, as well as a valid username and password with permissions to access the shared files or folders.

Practice this at least 3 times – get your clicks & Muscle Memory In!

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Turn Yourself Into a Resource (not a Commodity) that Companies Need!

Turn yourself into a resource that companies need!

1. Identify Your Unique Skill Set: First, you need to recognize and understand your unique skill set. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and consider how they might be valuable to a company.

– For instance, if you are interested in the broadcast industry, you may have skills such as live event production, video editing, scriptwriting, or on-air presenting. Identify which of these skills you excel at and enjoy doing the most.

2. Research the Market: Research the target market and identify the skills or resources that companies are looking for. This will help you tailor your skills and promote them in a way that meets company needs.

– Research the broadcast industry and identify the skills or resources that companies are looking for. For example, many broadcast companies seek individuals who are skilled in live production, video editing, and social media management.

3. Focus on Value Proposition: Craft a strong value proposition that highlights the benefits of your skills, knowledge, or experience. Explain how you can add value and solve problems for the company by using your skills.

– Craft a compelling value proposition that highlights the benefits of your skills. For instance, you could say something like: “I’m an experienced live event producer with a passion for creating engaging, high-quality content that connects with audiences. With my skills and experience, I can help your broadcasting company create engaging programming and reach a wider audience.”

4. Develop a Professional Brand: Build a professional brand that conveys your skills, professional approach, and your unique value proposition. Use social media, online portfolios, cover letters, and resumes to showcase your brand.

– Build a professional brand that conveys your skills and value proposition. Create an online portfolio that showcases your work, and use social media to share your expertise and connect with others in the broadcast industry.

5. Network: Build relationships and connect with people in your target market. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage with companies and their employees through social media. Establishing relationships with people can help you learn about new opportunities and make you a valuable resource in the eyes of companies.

– Build relationships and connect with people in the broadcast industry. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage with others in the industry through social media. This can help you learn about new opportunities and make valuable connections.

6. Demonstrate Credibility: Establish credibility by sharing your expertise through articles, presentations, or blogs. Share your knowledge, insights, and experiences related to your area of expertise, both online and offline. This will show companies that you are a credible expert and a valuable resource.

– Establish your credibility by sharing your expertise through articles, presentations, or blogs. For example, create a YouTube channel where you share live event production tips or write articles on the latest trends in video editing. This will show companies that you are knowledgeable and passionate about your craft.

7.  Be Consistent.  

You can set yourself apart in the broadcast industry, or any Industry really, and become a valuable resource that companies are eager to work with.

Job Hunting Tips: Say What??

You Need a Major career move, promotion, complete overhaul, change to something new altogether. Now what? Here are some steps to follow:

1. Target companies you’d like to work for. Research them, not only the bottom line, but their products (use cases), company culture, and the people who work there, especially people on the hiring team and HR. LinkedIn is a great resource for this.

2. Follow the companies AND the people at the companies, start commenting on their posts. These comments should add value to what was already said, and also tag the person who posted the information, state or reword what they’ve stated and add to it. Keep going, it’ll take time to establish a connection with people. Don’t ask for any recommendations or help, add validation to what was posted.

3. Find a unique issue that you can solve for the company. Then, begin to formulate a pitch deck for your solution. Find out what you can improve. Make your pitch about helping them, not about yourself. Find the opportunity to present your solution.

Make sure you find out what the Company’s goals and current/future initiatives are. Be the Solution /Bridge.

With your pitch deck show the value you’re adding, without making it about yourself. Add in industry data to validate your information.

5. Outline your ideas, THEN your background.

6. Send your contacts (after establishing them- see #2 above) an email asking for a chat about your idea. Have your pitch deck ready. Make sure it’s in a logical order, and succinct. Also make sure you have prepared some small talk based on what you’ve gleaned from your contacts posts and information pages. What groups do they and you belong to? Have that ready to go!

After the chat, and your contact is onboard with you – THEN the ask can come. Ask for the referral, now you have an in-house cheerleader.

What if you’ve worked with someone and lost contact over the years?

Ok, you’ve lost touch with someone. You met / were friends with someone while working and now Need to contact them regarding a job opportunity. What do you start with? “Hello” ?

Don’t over complicate it.

I’m trying to reach certain people I started out my career with, and worked alongside with for years, but that was 33 years ago too.

I did start with “Hello, it’s been a long time.” We picked up conversation like we hadn’t missed a beat, which I find a lot of in broadcasting. I loved working with and for just about every employer in my career.

Luckily, within the first conversation I was able to bring up the job opportunity, and “my person” said they’d be happy to help. You’ll find most people will, as they have or will need a similar recommendation themselves in the future.

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The C-Suite: What is it, and tips to get there

The term “C-Suite” refers to the highest-ranking executive officers within a company or organization, such as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

To seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives in broadcasting, you can take the following steps:

1. Take on challenging projects: Seek out challenging projects that require you to lead a team and produce measurable results. Set clear goals and develop a plan to achieve them. Take ownership of the project and demonstrate your leadership skills by guiding your team towards success.

2. Collaborate with other departments: Work collaboratively with other departments within your organization to support shared goals. Build relationships with stakeholders and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources to achieve common objectives.

3. Mentor and coach junior staff: Establish yourself as a leader by mentoring and coaching junior staff. Share your knowledge and expertise with others, and encourage them to develop their skills and abilities. Show that you have a deep understanding of the industry and can support the growth and development of others.

4. Seek out training and development opportunities: Attend training and development opportunities that can enhance your leadership skills. This could be formal training courses or informal peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

5. Be innovative and agile: Be open to new ideas and technologies, and demonstrate agility in adapting to changing circumstances. Take a creative approach to problem-solving and continuously seek out ways to improve processes and outcomes.

6. Communicate accomplishments: Keep senior executives informed of your successes and results. Communicate effectively and clearly to show how your leadership has contributed to the success of specific projects or overall organizational goals.

By taking these steps, you can seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives in broadcasting.


1. Develop a specialized skill or area of expertise: To stand out as a potential candidate for a C-level position, it is essential to develop a specialized skill or area of expertise that is in high demand within your industry.

To become a C-suite executive in broadcasting, you might need a combination of the following specialized skills or areas of expertise:

• Leadership: The ability to inspire and lead teams is critical for anyone aspiring to a C-suite position in broadcasting. You should be capable of creating a vision for your organization, setting strategic goals, and motivating your team to achieve them.

• Communication: Broadcasting is all about communication, and you should be adept at both written and verbal communication. Strong communication skills are essential for sharing information, building relationships and negotiating with stakeholders, including advertisers, production teams, and key talent.

• Technical expertise: To gain credibility with your team and have an understanding of the broadcast industry’s technical aspects, you should have some technical expertise in broadcasting. This knowledge can include familiarity with broadcasting hardware and software, audiovisual equipment, and communication platforms.

• Creativity and innovation: Broadcasting is an exciting and ever-changing industry, and to thrive in it, you need to be creative and innovative. The ability to generate new programming concepts, adapt to emerging technologies, and engage with your audience is increasingly important in today’s hyper-competitive media landscape.

• Business savvy: As a C-suite executive, you will need to have business acumen beyond just the broadcasting industry. You should have an understanding of finance, marketing, and operations, as well as the ability to create efficient and effective business strategies to grow your organization.

Overall, developing a combination of leadership, communication, technical expertise, creativity, innovation, and business savvy can help you become a C-suite executive in broadcasting. It is important to build a diverse set of skills and continuously improve yourself to stand out from the competition.

2. Build a track record of success: By consistently delivering positive results and demonstrating leadership capabilities, you can establish a strong track record of success that will help you stand out as a potential candidate for C-Level positions.

To deliver positive results and demonstrate leadership capabilities effectively, you can follow these tips:

• Set clear goals: Clearly defining your goals for your team and your organization can help you stay focused and create a clear path towards success. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Communicate effectively: Effective communication is critical in broadcasting, whether you are interacting with colleagues, stakeholders or the audience. To communicate effectively, you should tailor your communication styles to suit different audiences and use simple language, storytelling, and empathy to convey your message.

• Lead by example: Leaders who lead by example create a positive and high-performance culture. Be a role model for your team, set the standard for excellence, and demonstrate the behaviour you expect from others.

• Delegate responsibility: Delegation can free up time and help you focus on key activities that require your expertise. It also helps develop your team’s skills, builds trust, and reinforces accountability.

• Embrace innovation: Broadcasting is an industry that is rapidly evolving, and to stay ahead of the curve, you need to embrace innovation. Encourage your team to experiment, take risks, and be creative with new ideas and technologies.

• Recognize and reward success: Celebrate milestone achievements, recognize successes, and reward top performers. Positive feedback can help boost morale and reinforce positive behavior.

• Continuously learn and grow: The broadcasting industry is evolving rapidly, and to stay current, you need to continuously learn and grow. Attend industry events, read relevant materials, network with peers, and seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

By following these tips, you can deliver positive results and demonstrate leadership capabilities effectively in broadcasting as well as many other industries.

3. Seek out leadership opportunities: Seeking out opportunities within your organization to lead projects or teams can help you demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives.

To seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives, you can take the following steps:

• Take on challenging projects: Seek out challenging projects that require you to lead a team and produce measurable results. Set clear goals and develop a plan to achieve them. Take ownership of the project and demonstrate your leadership skills by guiding your team towards success.

• Collaborate with other departments: Work collaboratively with other departments within your organization to support shared goals. Build relationships with stakeholders and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources to achieve common objectives.

• Mentor and coach junior staff: Establish yourself as a leader by mentoring and coaching junior staff. Share your knowledge and expertise with others, and encourage them to develop their skills and abilities. Show that you have a deep understanding of the industry and can support the growth and development of others.

•Always be learning.  Seek out training and development opportunities: Attend training and development opportunities that can enhance your leadership skills. This could be formal training courses or informal peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

• Be innovative and agile: Be open to new ideas and technologies, and demonstrate agility in adapting to changing circumstances. Take a creative approach to problem-solving and continuously seek out ways to improve processes and outcomes.

• Communicate accomplishments:  It’s not bragging!  Keep senior executives informed of your successes and results. Communicate effectively and clearly to show how your leadership has contributed to the success of specific projects or overall organizational goals.

By taking these steps, you can seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives.


4. Continuously learn and develop: Staying current with the latest industry trends and investing in ongoing education and professional development can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in senior leadership roles.

Some current and latest industry trends in broadcasting include:

• Streaming services: The online streaming services continue to expand, and consumers are shifting towards watching their favorite shows on demand. OTT (over-the-top) services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ are the key players offering original content and interacting with their viewers with interactive features.

• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) are becoming popular and are being used by broadcasters to enhance audience experience. It is already being used for production and broadcast of live sports.

• Interactive content: Interactive content is increasing rapidly; it encourages engagement and can offer additional value to the audience like polling, chatbots, games, and more.

• Personalized content: Personalization is becoming a significant factor as consumers demand customized and tailored content. Broadcasting services are focusing on providing tailored recommendations based on consumer interests, viewing history and behavior.

• Artificial Intelligence: AI technologies are augmenting broadcasting by enabling machine-learning algorithms, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and automated content creation.

• Social media for engagement: Social media like Twitter and Instagram is being used to drive engagement by broadcasters. These platforms are becoming a powerful marketing tool by providing connections with fans and access to real-time analytics of the audience.

• Remote production: The pandemic accelerated trends toward distributed production models, leading to remote production techniques for both pre-production and live event coverage.

These trends are shaping the broadcasting industry and aligning the market with the modern viewer’s requirements.

5. Network and build relationships: Building a network of professional connections within your industry and engaging in activities such as attending industry conferences and events can help you build relationships with key decision-makers and open up opportunities for C-level positions. 

25 current broadcast industry conferences:

IBC (International Broadcasting Convention), NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show, Broadcast Asia, CES (Consumer Electronics Show), NAB Radio Show, Media Finance Focus, TVOT (The TV of Tomorrow Show), Streaming Media West, Broadcast Minds, ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium, IABM Conference, Next TV Summit & Expo, European Radio and Digital Audio Show, NABA Broadcast Technology Futures, Fates Summit, Connection Series by Digital Production Partnership, CIS Global Forum, SMPTE Motion Imaging Technology Summit, RadioDays Europe, Communications Policy Research Forum, Future Leaders Program of the Association of Public Television Stations, Sportel Monaco, Audio Engineering Society Convention, Convergence India, and Media Summit New York. Note: Some of these events may be virtual at the moment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, growing a career in the C-Suite requires a combination of strong technical skills, leadership capabilities, industry knowledge, and a strategic outlook.

Broadcast Project / Production Management – Serving Your Company, Clients, and Yourself Effectively

I realize this post can be taken wildly in the “wrong” direction. I personally struggle with setting “off-hour” work boundaries. If personnel is needed immediately for a broadcast or live event- I’m on it, Right Away for as long as it takes. I’ve pulled over on a busy highway (in a safe spot) to make calls, send texts, fb, LinkedIn connect to get crew in-time for a show or air.

Project / Production time management techniques:

There are numerous time management techniques that can help a broadcast production manager effectively manage their time. Some specific techniques that may be useful include:

• Planning and prioritizing: This involves mapping out all tasks that need to be done, setting deadlines and then prioritizing them in order of importance.

• Creating a schedule: A production manager can create a schedule that clearly indicates who is responsible for which tasks, when they are due, and how long they will take, in addition to hiring crew, and creating a happy, safe work environment for all (whether fully remote cloud, on on-site).

• Utilizing project management software: Tools like Trello, Asana, or Basecamp can help a production manager organize tasks, keep track of deadlines, and assign tasks to different team members.

• Delegating tasks: It’s important for a production manager to delegate tasks to other team members (associate pm, production assistants, and runners), this can be achieved by identifying the skill set of each team member, assigning tasks accordingly and following up regularly.

• Setting clear expectations: Clear communication from the beginning on the goals of the project, the timeline and the budget can avoid a lot of issues.

• Staying focused: It is important for a production manager to stay focused by setting specific goals for each day or week and avoiding distractions.

• Regularly reviewing progress: Regularly checking on the milestones and timelines help in understanding the progress of the production and can help in making necessary adjustments to stay on track.

 Isn’t it important to take care of work / clients at any cost to my time management/ boundaries?

While it is important to provide good service to an employer / clients, it is also important to set realistic expectations and boundaries for your time management. In the demanding broadcast industry, working long hours are expected, that is not the exception, it’s the base rule (which many of us do), and being available at all times can quickly lead to burnout and impact your performance, which can ultimately affect the quality of service you provide.

By setting healthy boundaries, you can maintain a healthy work-life balance and better manage your time, which can help you perform better overall and ultimately provide better service to your clients. Additionally, setting boundaries can help prevent potential conflicts and unrealistic expectations from clients, which can ultimately lead to better working relationships.

It’s important to communicate your boundaries and expectations to your clients clearly and proactively to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

Clients will appreciate the transparency, and having a clear understanding of when and how they can contact you can help you better manage your time and prioritize urgent matters.

It is possible to take care of your clients while still setting realistic boundaries and managing your time effectively. Both are important for your overall well-being and success in the demanding broadcast industry.



As a Project / Production Manager it’s difficult to set boundaries at work, especially when working with many teams across many time zones.  I frequently am on calls, Zoom, TEAMS, etc at all hours of the day and night.  

It’s not easy to navigate 🧭 but, if you know that you’ll have a couple of hours (or even 15 minutes) at 10a after a 4am daily meeting, take the time to recharge, take a walk, fix a healthy snack or meal, meditate – take time for YOU!  That’s the ultimate point.

There are a few ways a project or production manager can set boundaries for their off time in the demanding broadcast industry:

• Clearly communicate expectations: It’s important to communicate with your team and colleagues about your off time and clearly define your work hours and availability. Let them know when you will and won’t be available and how they can get in touch with you for emergencies.

• Delegate responsibilities if possible: Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members so that they can take care of urgent matters in your absence.  Give them the tools to succeed too.  You can cover them in their off-time, creating a symbiotic working relationship, snd trust. This will help you feel more comfortable taking time off and allow you to fully disconnect.

• Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health is important, especially when working in a high-pressure industry. Make sure you schedule time for yourself to recharge and do things you enjoy.

• Stick to your boundaries as much as possible: It can be tempting to check your work email or answer calls outside of work hours, but it’s important to stick to your boundaries to avoid burnout. Set up an automatic email reply or voicemail message letting people know when you are available and when you will respond.

By implementing these strategies, project and production managers can set healthy boundaries for their off time in the demanding broadcast industry. In saying that……read on…

Now, as anyone in the industry knows.  There are many “off hour” times we must respond (and for as long as it takes to resolve the issue).  Below are some guidelines to help navigate responding to work emergencies, and requests.

If you have to respond during your off time in the demanding broadcast industry, it’s important to prioritize urgent matters and set limits on how much time you spend working. Here are a few strategies you can use:

• Prioritize urgent matters: If you receive an urgent email or call during your off time, assess whether it requires immediate attention or if it can wait until your next workday. If it needs to be addressed right away, respond appropriately, but try to limit your involvement to only what’s necessary.

• Try to set limits on your response time: If you do need to respond, be clear about when you will be available and how long you can spend working. Let your team know that you will address the issue as soon as possible, but that it may take longer than usual due to your off hours.

• Use technology to your advantage: Set up rules and filters in your email inbox to prioritize urgent matters and filter out non-essential messages. Consider using an app or tool to help you manage and organize your workload more efficiently.

• Establish clear boundaries (as much as possible): Despite responding during your off time, you should still take time for self-care and stick to your work-life boundaries. Avoid working for extended periods or responding to non-urgent mattersto prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Remember, it’s important to take care of yourself and set (flexible) boundaries, even in a demanding industry. By doing so, you can improve your overall well-being and performance at work.

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Tips on Promoting, Creating, & Encouraging A Safe, Mindful, Creative Work-Space

A widely spoken about topic. Let’s get Specific! Vagueness & Ambiguity lead to uneasiness, and doubt. DeBunk the mystery starting now. We are in this together.

Foster an open and inclusive culture where everyone’s ideas and perspectives are valued and respected.

• How is this implemented?

To foster an open and inclusive culture where everyone’s ideas and perspectives are valued and respected, one can try implementing the following:

1. Encourage open and transparent communication channels within the organization, such as regular meetings, online forums, or suggestion boxes, to allow employees to express their ideas and opinions freely.

2. Actively listen to and consider each person’s input, regardless of their experience or rank in the organization.

3. Establish a code of conduct that promotes respect, dignity, and autonomy for all employees and stakeholders.

4. Provide ongoing training and education about diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure that everyone understands the importance of respecting different perspectives and experiences.

5. Celebrate and acknowledge the diversity of employees’ backgrounds, experiences, and opinions to create a sense of belonging for everyone within the organization.

6. Encourage collaboration between employees at different levels of the organization, across departments, or even across organizations to promote knowledge-sharing and teamwork.

By fostering an open and inclusive culture, you can create an environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Organize regular brainstorming and ideation sessions where everyone in the team can freely express their ideas and opinions on a given topic.

• Guidelines on how this is implemented:

To successfully implement regular brainstorming and ideation sessions in where everyone in the team can freely express their ideas and opinions on a given topic, one can follow these steps:

1. Choose a facilitator who can guide the brainstorming session effectively and ensure everyone has the chance to participate equally.

2. Define the topic or problem you want to solve and provide background and context to the team.

3. Set clear goals and objectives for the brainstorming session and communicate them to the team.

4. Ensure that everyone is aware of the brainstorming session in advance and has time to prepare their ideas and thoughts.

5. Establish rules of engagement, such as no criticism or judgment during the session, and encourage all participants to listen actively and respect others’ opinions.

6. Provide tools such as whiteboards, sticky notes or online collaboration software to help organize and capture everyone’s ideas.

7. Continuously iterate the ideas on the whiteboard, grouping similar ideas and discussing potential solutions to the problem.

8. After the brainstorming session, follow up with the team to provide feedback and insights on the ideas generated during the session.

By implementing these steps, you can effectively organize regular brainstorming and ideation sessions that foster open communication, encourage creative thinking, and generate innovative solutions.

Encourage cross-functional collaboration between different teams and departments to promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

How is this implemented?

To successfully encourage cross-functional collaboration between different teams and departments, one can follow these steps:

1. Identify the key teams and departments that can benefit from collaboration, and define specific projects or initiatives where collaboration is needed.

2. Develop clear objectives and requirements for the project and communicate them to all teams and departments involved.

3. Assign clear roles and responsibilities to each team and establish clear channels for communication and collaboration.

4. Encourage regular check-ins and progress reports between teams to ensure everyone is on the same page and to identify and address any potential issues that may arise.

5. Provide opportunities for team members to socialize and interact outside of work hours, such as team-building activities or events, to build relationships and trust.

6. Provide training and resources to help team members develop the skills necessary for successful collaboration, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.

7. Recognize and reward successful collaboration by acknowledging individual and team contributions, celebrating successes, and sharing best practices within the organization.

By implementing these steps, one can foster cross-functional collaboration between different teams and departments, promoting knowledge-sharing, and collaboration that can lead to increased creativity and innovation in the workplace.

Provide opportunities for professional development and training to help build skills and knowledge in collaborative thinking and problem-solving.

Set clear goals and objectives for collaboration and reward team members for their contributions to the collaborative process.

• How is this done?

To set clear goals and objectives for collaboration and reward team members for their contributions to the collaborative process, one can follow these steps:

1. Define the scope and purpose of the collaboration project and ensure that it aligns with the overall goals and objectives of the organization.

2. Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives for the collaboration project, and communicate them to all team members involved.

3. Break down the project into specific tasks and assign clear responsibilities to team members, providing them with the necessary resources, support, and training to achieve their goals.

4. Set up regular progress update meetings or check-ins to track progress against the established timeline, goals, and objectives.

5. Celebrate individual and team achievements, acknowledging and rewarding team members’ contributions to the collaborative process.

6. Allocate resources, such as funding, time, and technology, to ensure the collaboration project’s success and encourage team members to think creatively and innovatively.

7. Recognize and reward successful collaboration by acknowledging individual and team contributions, celebrating successes, and sharing best practices within the organization.

By implementing these steps, one can set clear goals and objectives for collaboration and motivate team members to collaborate effectively, leading to increased productivity and success for the collaborative project and broadcasting organization.

Establish protocols and guidelines for effective communication and decision-making to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.

• How are protocols and guidelines established ?

To establish protocols and guidelines for effective communication and decision-making, follow the steps below:

1. Establish a communication plan: Determine the communication channels, frequency, and methods to be used during the project. Ensure that everyone on the team is aware of the communication plan.

2. Define decision-making processes: Establish clear decision-making processes, including who has the decision-making authority, how decisions will be made, and what happens after the decision is made.

3. Develop a code of conduct: Establish a code of conduct that outlines expected behaviors for project team members, including respect for colleagues, professionalism, and promptness in responding to communications.

4. Set clear expectations: Clearly define the responsibilities of each team member, including when and how to report progress or raise concerns.

5. Provide training: Provide training on effective communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and decision-making.

6. Use collaborative tools: Use collaborative tools, such as virtual meeting software and project management software, to facilitate communication and decision-making.

7. Monitor and evaluate: Monitor and evaluate the communication and decision-making processes throughout the project to identify areas for improvement.

By adopting these strategies, one can create a collaborative and open-minded culture that fosters creative thinking, innovation, and collaboration, establish protocols and guidelines for effective communication and decision-making, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. This will promote a successful project outcome.

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Tips: Breaking into the Broadcasting Field

You will need to gain (over time) extensive knowledge and experience in the field. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Get a degree: A bachelor’s degree in broadcasting or a related field can provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills required in broadcasting.
  2. Gain hands-on experience: Get involved in student radio, TV stations, or other broadcasting organizations to gain hands-on experience.
  3. Specialize: Choose a niche or specialty field within broadcasting, such as sports, news, entertainment, or production, and become proficient in it.
  4. Stay current: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and developments in broadcasting by attending industry events, webinars, and workshops.
  5. Build a network: Build connections within the broadcasting industry by attending conferences, industry events or joining related groups on social media.
  6. Share your expertise: Share your knowledge by writing articles, giving talks, or teaching others in the broadcasting community.

Remember that becoming an SME takes time and dedication. Continuously developing your skills and expertise will boost your career and improve your chances of becoming an SME in broadcasting.