Leading Matters #14: Scott Monty of Scott Monty Strategies

Episode 14 features Scott Monty.  Scott was the Global Digital Communications lead at Ford Motor Company for six years, and now runs his own consulting practice.  He produces the very valuable newsletter, This Week in Digital, and was named in the top ten of Forbes’ most influential in social media. 

A fantastic episode with some very compelling wisdom from Scott Monty.  Scott is one of the most well respected thought leaders and practitioners of what works across all of the varying communication channels that we have available today.  He did some phenomenal work at Ford, and since going out on his own his game has gotten that much better.  His work is a model for how anyone who seeks to improve their business though effective marketing and communications.  Be prepared to have your thinking challenged in a way that will motivate you to fearlessly invest in a new approach to strategy, hiring, and mission. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Classically Considering the Human Condition is Critical

On Scott’s website you’ll find a quote from Roman Philosopher Cicero, it reads “If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings and speak my words”, a nod to his degree in classic civilizations from Boston University.  Scott shares why he believes liberal art education matters, how the human spirit has not changed despite the ongoing and rapid evolution of technology, and why respecting the human condition absolutley matters. 

Quantifying Purpose

Scott discusses the reality that no matter what business we are in we have to have a purpose that is more than just increasing shareholder value, or revenue, sales, operational efficiencyy and so on.  By intimately understanding our purpose and reason we communicate better to our marketplace, our employees, and our would be employees.

Don’t Hire for Tool or Discipline Expertise

Scott challenges the status quo by suggesting that perhaps we ought not to hire someone for the foundational skills that are easily taught.  Instead we might consider hiring for the ability of someone to critical think and analyze in a way that helps our company uncover the meaning behind the data that we depend upon to drive our business.  He acknowledges that this requires patience and commitment, but the reward is someone who brings an invaluable asset.

Keep Strategy and Tactics Aligned Through Simplicity

There is one question to ask when considering tactics?  How does it directly help our strategic goals?  If the answer is no we need to evaluate whether or not the tactic is necessary.  Measure and repeat.  Keep it simple and constantly ask how. 

Bonus – Trends and Influencers to Pay Attention to

Scott shares why you need to stop ignoring audio, what live video streaming will do for your communications efforts, and who he listens to in order to gain new insight.