April 12, 2017

Getting Involved in Government Has Its Benefits

We learn from our clients every day, and one higher education leader showed us the benefits of good government relations.

West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) Chancellor Sarah Tucker, Ph.D. testified March 15 before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services-Education on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and our agency offered support services in all phases of her testimony, communications, and logistics.
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February 28, 2017

Asher to share expertise at national tobacco control conference

 

Asher is proud to be one of the nation’s most experienced public health communications firms. As such, our Charlestown, W.Va., office is honored to be chosen from a competitive field to participate in the National Conference on Tobacco or Health. The conference, known as “the premier gathering of the U.S. tobacco control movement,” will be held March 22-24 in Austin, Texas. It brings together 2,000 public health professionals to learn about best practices and policies to reduce tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States.
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January 26, 2016

Building Your Network Is a Two-Way Street

The first month of the New Year is an excellent time to meet new professionals or to reconnect with those individuals we have helped or who have assisted us. During January and February, I will find room in my calendar for at least two dozen meetings over coffee, lunches, or happy hours.

I might be one of the luckiest guys alive or the biggest sucker for meeting new people, hearing their personal and professional stories, and trying to see how I might lend a hand. I have been doing this for decades, and I think it is the “curiosity” of being a former news reporter and Congressional staffer.

These networking/mentoring sessions have made me a smarter, richer person. More times than not, I receive far more than I offer.

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October 3, 2015

The Importance of the IDEA FACTORY

Ideas are the lifeblood of our business.

I learned in my first year at a Washington, D.C., public and government relations shop that ideas generated from credible, insightful information and translated into creative, measurable strategy separated the pretenders from the ladder climbers. That is still the case!

I was fortunate 25 years ago when I moved from Capitol Hill public servant to communications and lobbying. My first boss was masterful at conceptualizing strategic tactics to advance clients’ priorities. One day he handed out T-shirts with the words “The Idea Factory” and a graphic featuring a large golden light bulb being pulled out of a factory by many smaller light bulbs, excited by their collaboration. Our company logo was featured on the large light bulb.

Since then I continue to strive to offer my clients the “big idea” that will help catapult them forward. Every consultant should focus on connecting the dots for clients and generating ideas that inspire, persuade and build lasting relationships.

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