The Predictive Media Network Training Experience
When we talk about what makes our media training experience different from other providers, it’s almost automatic to begin by explaining the benefits a statistically based media interview model offers a client. The Predictive Interviewing Model (PIM) is truly a one-of-a-kind approach to understanding what questions the media will ask, what sequence they are most likely to ask them and how a person can craft effective responses to optimize any earned media opportunity or encounter. The model applies to any subject and circumstance as well, which makes it a wonderful tool for helping clients even in the most difficult situations.
While the PIM certainly forms the core of our media training, sometimes when people ask about the experience, they’re actually less interested in the curriculum approach we’ve designed. They’re happy to acknowledge the brilliance of the Predictive Interviewing Model, but what they’re really seeking to understand is whether or not the training process is going to be supportive and encouraging or whether it’s purposefully designed to expose weaknesses in their ability to manage themselves in an interview situation.
Very fair question.
I can answer from my own experience as a 15-year corporate spokesperson and as a representative for many clients since that time. The media training I have attended in my career just plain sucked. It was designed around ambush interviewing scenarios that put spokespeople-in-training under white-hot lights with questions raining in like machine gun fire. If that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, the skill-building aspects of the trainings were limited to one interview with no advanced practice – and conducted in front of my boss and staff peers. Feedback consisted of replaying disastrous cuts of the mock-interview and pointing out all the mistakes made and what should have been done differently. If you’re looking for a half-day session in how to destroy your self-esteem, then most media training courses on the market today fit that bill perfectly.
What made matters worse in the courses I attended was that the workbooks were usually three-ring binders full of between 50 and 75 ugly presentation slides — the same ones the trainer was droning through for two hours. The information was often redundant and chock-full of examples of mistakes and blunders and what-not-to-do’s. Hardly ever were helpful and memorable secrets of successful media interviews discussed. The cynical side of me has always wondered if these experiences were purposefully crafted to create some sort of weird dependency on the consultant. I’ve had to let that conspiracy thinking go, and instead I’ve resigned myself to the fact that those sessions were just highly priced, yet poorly conceived, poorly designed and poorly delivered classes.
Our Predictive Media Network workshops training philosophy is 180 degrees different. First, our trainers are skilled at building on strengths. No ambushes, no beat-downs, no crazy curveball questions designed to embarrass anyone. Our belief is that everyone has the ability to succeed in a media interview because everyone has some inherent strength they can use as their anchor competency. It might be a great smile or hair that looks like it was made for TV. It might be a soothing voice or naturally positive expression. Likewise, the way feedback is delivered is meant to be positive and encouraging. Predictive Media Network trainers are taught how to deliver feedback in sandwich form – kind right off the bat, a slight nudge in the middle, then encouraging to wrap up. Those intangibles make our approach to media training pleasant and positive, which opens participants up to learning the secrets of good interviewing.
Along with the intangibles, our training is made up of quick, cumulative explanations paired with practical application. Typically, an agenda for a session looks like this:
Phase 1:
Explanation: Introduction to the PIM and the 8.95 second soundbite
Demonstration: Mastering an interview’s opening question
Application: Delivering your first on-camera response
Phase 2:
Explanation: The Predictive Interviewing Model question sequence and the statistical science behind it
Demonstration: Video examples of each question-type and proof of the PIM’s predictive sequence
Application: A friendly, on-camera, PIM-based interview using a topic of the participant’s choosing with video feedback highlighting strengths
Phase 3:
Assessment: Individual TKI conflict communication inventory
Explanation: Bridging, flagging and triad messaging
Demonstration: Video examples of bridging, flagging and triad messaging done well
Application: A safe, on-camera, PIM-based interview with video feedback highlighting strengths
In summary, participants in our workshop succeed because in the course of just four hours, they receive three on-camera experiences, an inventory measuring their default communication styles, and three key skill lessons along with practice and feedback. In addition, our workshop is conducted using a single 11×17 placemat-sized piece of paper that magically folds into a pocket-size piece that’s easy to tuck into a desk drawer for future reference. No 75-slide three-ring binders full of bullets that take up shelf space and make no sense a week after the training.
Our training is encouraging, fun and perfectly designed for busy professionals who love quick, memorable skill-building experiences without the white-hot lights. You’ll never know that the approach, method and curriculum are built on the most sophisticated statistical analysis ever done of hundreds of media interviews. See for yourself; just click here or call 800-234-9556 to learn more and request a quote. Let us help you master today’s media landscape.