Navigating Power Without Losing Yourself: ACCESS with Integrity
In today’s volatile and personality-driven political environment, executive leadership demands both strategic access and unwavering personal integrity. Navigating relationships with powerful figures—especially during Trump’s administration—requires a clear, principled approach that prevents proximity from compromising purpose. 1. Code of Conduct for ACCESS-Aligned Leadership For executives navigating Trump 2.0 (or any personality-driven system) with integrity. Core Principles […]
Creating a Government Affairs Function
In today’s evolving regulatory landscape, organizations must engage strategically with government entities to align corporate priorities with public policy. A well-structured Government Affairs function is no longer optional—it is essential for long-term success. This report provides a framework for companies seeking to establish, scale, or refine their government affairs capabilities. At its core is the DNA Activation Model, […]
Kellogg’s, Crumbl, and Angry Customers
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the controversy surrounding Kellogg’s and its failure to eliminate artificial ingredients from its cereals, despite a decade-old promise. They analyze the implications of consumer activism led by influencers like Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, and explore the various strategies companies […]
You Deserve a (Price) Break Today
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the reputational challenges faced by consumer companies in the wake of price increases and supply chain issues. They explore McDonald’s lawsuit against some suppliers for alleged price fixing, the new scrutiny on “shrinkflation,” and the value of transparency in crisis communications. The […]
You Deserve a (Price) Break Today
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the reputational challenges faced by consumer companies in the wake of price increases and supply chain issues. They explore McDonald’s lawsuit against some suppliers for alleged price fixing, the new scrutiny on “shrinkflation,” and the value of transparency in crisis communications. The […]
The Headless Boar
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent crisis faced by Boar’s Head due to food safety issues, including listeria contamination that resulted in multiple deaths. They analyze the company’s lack of transparency and accountability, the importance of visible leadership during a crisis, and compare Boar’s Head’s response […]
The Headless Boar
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent crisis faced by Boar’s Head due to food safety issues, including listeria contamination that resulted in multiple deaths. They analyze the company’s lack of transparency and accountability, the importance of visible leadership during a crisis, and compare Boar’s Head’s response […]
Ford Quits the HRC Index
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll explore the evolving landscape of corporate communications, particularly in relation to the Corporate Equality Index and the impact of activism on corporate reputation. They discuss how companies are navigating the pressures of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives while facing backlash from various […]
Ford Quits the HRC Index
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll explore the evolving landscape of corporate communications, particularly in relation to the Corporate Equality Index and the impact of activism on corporate reputation. They discuss how companies are navigating the pressures of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives while facing backlash from various […]
How OCR Helps Close the Executive-level Trust Gap
One of the most overlooked challenges is the lack of trust among executives. While organizations often focus on improving communication across teams and departments, less attention is paid to peer-to-peer trust at the leadership level—an essential ingredient for effective decision-making and innovation. Research from the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer shows that only 37% of executives trust […]
