Hey Mel Communications & Training

Hey Mel Communications & Training Experts in communication - training, strategy & planning. Are you a team leader or a business owner? Does your team need to improve their communications?

Do your leaders need some help improving team engagement? Maybe you have a strategy or a significant project you need to roll out and you're not sure how to communicate it most effectively? I might be your new best friend! I run workshops and training sessions on all things communications - storytelling, authentic communication, effective writing, change communication ... all tailored specifically

to your needs. If you've got a problem I might be able to help you solve, let's chat! In the meantime, check out the range of free comms resources on my website.

13/07/2025

Today marks Bastille Day, commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution.🇫🇷

What’s that got to do with anything?

I got curious about how communication played a role in inspiring the events that led to this date. After all, there was no social media campaign! So down the rabbit hole I went, and here’s what I found.

Primarily, there were three communication strategies that inspired the revolution.

1. Printed materials - by this time, the printing presses were working overtime, sharing propaganda via pamphlets, newspapers and books. Even if you couldn’t read, others could share the content with you. It helped to share revolutionary ideas and create a shared goal.📝

2. The rule of three - ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’. A catchphrase that was easy to remember because our brains love threes, and they love things that rhyme. You didn’t have to be literate to get the idea quickly and easily with those three words! 3️⃣

3. Visual symbols - remember, anything that sends a message is a form of communication, and our brains process visuals really quickly. Visuals are also very memorable. So the tricolour cockade and flag were powerful ways of sending the message of revolution.🏞️

A few extra thoughts…

- Priming people’s thinking … courtesy of the American Revolution, plus the general social and economic inequality, people’s thinking was primed toward supporting revolution in France.
- Artists and philosophers alike helped to shape and share ideas among different social circles.

So while you munch on your baguette or croissant today, perhaps take a moment to think about how powerful communication really can be… although try to avoid starting a revolution at work unless you really need to. 🥐

[Image description: Painted titled Storming of the Bastille, by Jean-Pierre Houel (1788). Image courtesy of the Bibliotheque nationale de France. It pictures the great stone walls of the Bastille prison, and smoke billowing from the top. On the ground in front of the prison, French revolutionaries battle with soldiers.]

Reviews like these make me so happy! Not just because it feels really good to know something I've produced is valuable f...
10/07/2025

Reviews like these make me so happy! Not just because it feels really good to know something I've produced is valuable for others, but also ...
.. because every review = 1 hour of my consulting / training time donated to a non-profit working in the domestic and family violence prevention sector.

So far, 8 hours are on the clock ... can you help me get to 10?

If you've bought my latest book, Less Chatter, More Matter, via Amazon and you like it (you don't even have to love it), please take 90 seconds to jump online and leave a quick review!

Your words really will make a difference.

[Image description: a screenshot of a review of Mel's book on Amazon. The writer comments on how practical the book is, and how they were able to put the ideas into practice immediately with positive results.]

10/07/2025

In the latest episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we spoke to seasoned storyteller and TedX coach, Soundari Mukherjea, about how stories help us connect.

We shared how stories build trust and drive better outcomes, even when you’re explaining data, rolling out a strategy or simply trying to inspire your team.

We talk about making complex topics simple, using the everyday stories you already have, and how AI can help you get started with ideas while still keeping things human.

If you want to bring more heart (and impact) to your communication, this episode is for you: https://www.heymelcomms.training/126 🎧
[Video imagery description: Mel and Soundari in front of their microphones talking to the camera.]

Why do some messages stick while others disappear?It’s all about storytelling; the one tool that makes your communicatio...
09/07/2025

Why do some messages stick while others disappear?

It’s all about storytelling; the one tool that makes your communication truly memorable.
Whether it’s an everyday anecdote, a funny customer moment, or a lesson learned, stories help you connect and inspire action.

Which is why we’ve just published a blog, with help from TedX coach and expert storyteller, Soundari Mukherjea, on why you should use storytelling in your comms and how to start: 🔗👉 https://heymelcomms.training/blog/storytelling-comms
[Image description: A white background with a red shape in the top right. In the bottom left is a cartoon person in blue sitting on a red chair, reading out a book. They are on a blue platform and the title next to it on the left is "Why you should use storytelling in your comms". The red HMC logo is in the bottom left.]

In the 1930s, the first patent for packet cake mixes was granted. Cake mixes revolutionised the home cooking market. It ...
08/07/2025

In the 1930s, the first patent for packet cake mixes was granted.

Cake mixes revolutionised the home cooking market. It was as simple as pouring the powdered contents into a bowl, and adding a bit of milk.

While making it so easy to bake should have resulted in more people buying cake mixes, it didn’t quite go as planned. So, to boost sales, the manufacturers changed the recipe, removing powdered eggs so cooks would need to add fresh eggs as well as milk.

People hadn’t complained about the taste, and adding eggs made the mix more expensive, so why make that change?

Because very early on, manufacturers realised that people value things more when they put effort in and have more of a role in creating something.

Fast forward a few decades, and this idea of valuing what we create and put effort into is a well-established psychological principle.

Why are we talking about eggs? Because if you want people to put into practice the advice you’ve given them or enact the change you want to see, they need to feel a sense of ownership. And to do that, they have to be involved in developing the plan. Simply giving them actions to take won’t work.

TL;DR? Co-create your change with the people impacted. Or maybe get a cake mix.

[Image description: A pink tile with white text that reads: Co-creating your change comms is an 'eggsellent' strategy! Below is a photo of a Betty Crocker's advertisement from the 1950s that has the words: Betty Crocker cake mixes bring you that special homemade goodness ... because you add the eggs yourself.]

I once had a leader who tried to pay me a compliment ... that wasn't quite complimentary.Here's what happened:We were in...
07/07/2025

I once had a leader who tried to pay me a compliment ... that wasn't quite complimentary.

Here's what happened:

We were in an off-site workshop with a bunch of other leaders, and my leader turned to another and said: 'I've learned from Mel that things don't have to be perfect; 80% is good enough, we just need to move.'

Me looking at the other leader: *wry smile and raised eyebrow

Me internally: Um, I didn't realise I was doing 'only 80%'.

Luckily I have a sense of humour and found the whole thing hilarious!

But in the grand scheme of things, if I've managed to convince someone that progress is better than perfection, that's a good thing. And sometimes we just need to move and get stuff out.

And realistically, if you're really good at what you do, then your 80% will be everyone else's 120%. So don't sweat it.

Also if I'd waited to reach 'perfect', I'd never have published two books.

[Image description: Photo of Mel wearing long black pants and a white t-shirt with the word 'love' in gold sequins. She has one hand on her hip and one hand in the air and smiling. Behind her are gold-coloured walls and wooden floors.]

Ready to tackle the age old dilemma of hiring, and trying-to-be-hired, in the communications field?This fortnight’s Less...
07/07/2025

Ready to tackle the age old dilemma of hiring, and trying-to-be-hired, in the communications field?

This fortnight’s Less Chatter, More Matter newsletter captures all you need to know about recruiting and job seeking in the comms space.

Plus, we’ve even gone as far as showcasing the ways body language is critical in your comms… even online!

So if you’re ready to get the big tips on getting into comms, or leveling up, or even just making your comms resonate more - check it out here👉: https://mailchi.mp/heymelcomms/7-7-25

Sign up now to get valuable insights straight to your inbox: https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292.
[Image description: A photo of Mel on stage presenting with her arms in the air, crossed. Next to it with a blue fading background is the title in white: "Body language & job seeking". Underneath it is the HMC logo in white.]

Client: “We need an internal advertising campaign so everyone understands how critical our project is.”Me: “No, you need...
06/07/2025

Client: “We need an internal advertising campaign so everyone understands how critical our project is.”

Me: “No, you need to engage your stakeholders in meaningful conversation and talk about how this project impacts them, specifically.”

Why did I push back on an ‘advertising campaign’?

Because it’s like throwing a whole lot of spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks (don’t try this at home).

If you want people to understand how important your change project is, they need to understand what it means for them.

And a one-size-fits-all approach, like a campaign, is not going to cut it. That’s just broadcasting a message to an already-inundated audience, with no specific relevance.

Instead, book in meetings, plan ahead, and think about what is most important to those stakeholders. Give them time to ask questions and raise potential roadblocks.

Then not only will they feel heard, you will have built their understanding and their buy-in.

[Image description: A blue tile with white and pink text that says: Tailor your comms to the change impact. Below is a screenshot from the animated film Alice In Wonderland featuring Alice facepalming, with a heading that reads: When someone says we need an 'advertising campaign' for a change project.]

Did I hyperfixate and draw these designs and set up a RedBubble shop in a matter of hours?Yes, yes I did.Why? A bit of f...
03/07/2025

Did I hyperfixate and draw these designs and set up a RedBubble shop in a matter of hours?

Yes, yes I did.

Why? A bit of fun really!

What do you think of these statements? What's missing that maybe I should add to the shop?

Get your merch here: https://tinyurl.com/4kmk7kvy

03/07/2025

A new podcast episode has landed, and this week is about how to land the right comms job — and hire the right people.

Right now, there are so many skilled comms pros looking for meaningful roles and so many organisations wanting to find the right fit.

Yet too often, both sides miss the mark.

In this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we share practical advice for both job seekers and hiring managers. If you’re on the hunt for a new opportunity, we help you craft a resume that shows your real value, not just your tasks, and explain why your opening statement really matters.

If you’re hiring, you’ll hear why you need to know exactly what you want, a strategist, an implementer, or both, and how to write a realistic, appealing role that great people will actually say yes to.

So, if you’re keen to get ahead of the market, listen in here: https://www.heymelcomms.training/125 🎧
[Video imagery description: Mel in front of her microphone talking to the camera.]

AWKWARD. How do you fill the awkward void of silence and zero cameras on before a Teams call starts?Here's a few ideas:-...
03/07/2025

AWKWARD.

How do you fill the awkward void of silence and zero cameras on before a Teams call starts?

Here's a few ideas:
- Play a game: Eg, what would your fiction author pseudonym be? It's the name of your first pet and the first street you lived in.
- Ask for shout outs: who do people want to give a little praise to that day?
- Ask people to share their favourite emoji: then guess why it's their favourite!

What other ideas do you have?

[Image description: Meme with the heading: When you're on a Teams call an d you're waiting for the person leading the meeting to arrive ... below are two screenshots from the show Kath and Kim, showing Kath dressed as a cowgirl and addressing a group of people in her living room. The text is a quote from the show: I just want to make a little speech here, just to fill in some time. I look around the room today, and I see people I barely known, and I think, wow, that's beautiful.]

Are you looking for your next big opportunity in communications, or trying to find the right person to join your team? I...
02/07/2025

Are you looking for your next big opportunity in communications, or trying to find the right person to join your team?

It’s no secret that many talented comms people don’t do themselves justice when it comes to their resumes. Not to mention plenty of hiring managers still struggle to write realistic, attractive job ads that bring in the talent they really need.

Which is why our latest blog, taps into some practical advice for both sides.

If you’re a job seeker, you’ll learn how to write a resume that shows the value you deliver, not just the tasks you perform. If you’re hiring, you’ll get tips on how to design a role that people actually want and why getting clear about whether your expectations of the role is so important.

The right people and the right roles are out there — we just need to match them better, using these tips: 🔗👉 https://heymelcomms.training/blog/comms-jobs
[Image description: A blue background with light squares over the top. There are pink squiggle circle graphics on either side, and a picture of Mel waving at her laptop screen with her headphones on and a microphone. The title in white reads: "Your comms career guide - how to land the right role and hire the right people" and the HMC logo is white in the bottom left.]

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