Meet Janet Falk

We were lucky to catch up with Janet Falk recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janet, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I was writing my doctoral dissertation, teaching part time at a local college and raising my daughter, who was almost two years old. I lived in New York City and my advisor was in San Diego. This was in 1982, pre-internet, so there was little communication with him, and, what there was, took place by snail mail.

I simply gathered my meager resources, namely a part-time babysitter to watch my daughter while I taught, and I relied on my husband to take care of her after dinner. That way, I could complete my research and write my dissertation at a nearby college’s library. Any of these circumstances would have been daunting to someone else, I had set a goal to receive my Ph.D. in Spanish Literature before I turned 30; there were only a few months left. I simply made up my mind to get it done. And I did it. I received my Ph.D. degree a few weeks before my birthday.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a Public Relations and Marketing Communications consultant, I tap into more than 30 years experience working with attorneys, business owners, consultants, executives and nonprofit organizations, among others. I often introduce my clients to reporters, so they may be seen talking about vital issues in business and industry publications read by their clients and referral sources.

However, before I can present anyone to a journalist, I help them polish their website content and LinkedIn profile. Then, they will be seen by the reporter as an authoritative source for comment and someone who has their finger on the pulse of the financial markets, the specific industry, the profession or the locality.

It’s a thrill to book an interview with a reporter and advise my clients how to answer (or somewhat answer) the reporter’s questions. Then, seeing their quote in print is an even bigger thrill.

I’ve placed clients in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Today show, CNBC, Women’s Wear Daily and Chain Store Age, among other media outlets.

Doesn’t everyone want to be in the news, for the right reason?

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three invaluable skills are analysis, writing and speaking.

Analysis is being able to look at a situation objectively, identify the forces and parties involved and determine their agendas. Then, figure out how to get in front of the parties in a way that will respond to their agendas, without sacrificng your integrity. You have to deliver this plan persuasively in writing and/or in speaking to your client and your team to get their buy-in and collaboration.

For example, the museum where I once worked traditionally held an outdoor event for chldren a few days before Halloween. It was very popular and at maximum capacity. The younger children were nearly being trampled by the very excited older kids, who were running around to participate in the activities.

I recommended the event be held in two shifts: from 1-2:30 pm for children under age five and from 3:30-5:00 pm for school-age children. This would achieve two goals: participant safety and greater revenue. The expenses of additional supplies and staff time would be more than covered by a projected increase in paid attendance.

I presented this double-shift idea to the organizing committe, using the example of a merry-go-round. The visual image of this ride, where everyone gets on and off at the same time, and where there is limited seating, was expanded to include a second merry-go-round. This created more capacity. Everyone in the meeting saw the logic — and profit — of my idea.

Seek out opportunities where you have a seat at the decision-making table. Ask questions to gather facts and develop your analytical approach.

Take on assignments where you will be asked to write or speak to the group. Even preparing a report for a supervisor is an opportunity for analysis and writing. which then is delivered orally.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents believed in me and let me make my own decisions about college and career. I was accepted to colleges in New York State, where I would have received an in-state scholarship for 20% of the tuition fees. They supported my choice of a school in Boston, where I would have an urban experience at an all-women’s college.

After I finished my college credits a semester early, I decided to go to Madrid, Spain, where I had spent a semester as a college junior. Before I left, my parents told me, “Don’t be afraid to come home if it doesn’t work out.” But I had no fear that it wouldn’t work out. I knew I could get a job; maybe it would be in an office, with letters of introduction from their friends to local contacts. Or else, I could be an English/Spanish sales clerk in the major department store. Or teach English in a private night school. In the end, I worked at IBM Spain’s headquarters in Madrid, thanks to the connection of my parents’ friend.

When I returned from my adventure in Spain, I visited my family in New York before going to graduate school in San Diego, California. It would appear that I was running away from my family, going to Boston, Madrid and San Diego; in fact, we were emotionally close, even if geographically distant.

I have followed this supportive approach regarding education and career choice with my own two daughters, who left our home in New York City. One went to college and lived up and down the northeast corridor; now, she lives 30 minutes away in Brooklyn. The other daughter also studied on the east coast, but now lives in Los Angeles.

I already see how my daughter shows her own children that she believes in them, when she gives them opportunities to make choices on a daily basis.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WWW.JANETLFALK.COM
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/falkcomms/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/JANETLFALK
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Image Credits

Janet Falk in the Legal Marketing Studio: credit Michael Meyer