Good thing she's so beautiful. Top-five Miss USA contender Miss Utah badly flubbed a question about income inequality. NeNe Leakes (Desperate Housewives of Atlanta) asked the interview question:
"A recent report shows that in 40% of American families with children,
women are the primary earners, yet they continue to earn less than men.
What does this say about society?"
Discussion Starters:
What are the (many) logical flaws in Miss Utah's response?
What organizational strategies would have helped her answer the question?
What strategies for preparing for an oral presentation and handling questions might have helped the candidate?
McDonald's CEO Don Thompson addressed tough questions from stakeholders at the annual meeting, among them a nine-year-old girl.
Although the company has expanded its menu to offer more healthy items, members of an advocacy group at the meeting said it's not enough. At particular issue is the company's strategy of marketing directly to children through products such as Happy Meals. McDonald's has shrunk the size of fries in the meals and added apples, but the company has a long way to go, according to critics at the meeting. One request is for McDonald's to stop opening stores in hospitals.
As the girl said to Thompson, "It would be nice if you stopped trying to trick kids into wanting to eat your food all the time." In response, Thompson said, "We sell a lot of fruits and veggies and are trying to sell even more."
During another exchange, Thompson was asked whether McDonald's targets African Americans, and he responded, "This one's kind of close to home. We do not have not, will not try to target people of color." Thompson is an African American.
Thompson's other points include the following:
"We're not marketing to schools. We don't do that."
"We
are not the cause of obesity. We are not marketing
unjustly to kids. Ronald is not a bad guy. ... He's about fun, and I'd encourage you to let your kids have some fun, too."
Apple CEO Tim Cook is using his persuasive communication skills to address the company's avoidance of billions in taxes.
Cook appeared on Capital Hill and received a surprising number of compliments from the nation's lawmakers. Committee Chairman Senator Carl Levin, for example, said, "We love the iPhone and the iPad." Libertarian Ron Paul also defended the company: "I’m offended by the spectacle of dragging in Apple executives. What we need to do is apologize to Apple and compliment them for the job creation they’re doing."
Still, the panel accused Apple of creating offshore "ghost companies" to avoid paying taxes. Apple shifts as much as $100 billion to these entities, saving $7 billion in taxes in 2011, according to one estimate.
Rather then deny the accusations, Cook blamed the outdated tax system: "Unfortunately, the tax code has not kept up with the digital age." By deflecting attention away from Apple and towards loop holes that should be closed, Cook effectively "disarmed" (to use The New York Times' word) the Senate committee.
Of course, Apple isn't the only company avoiding taxes. According to one study cited by Senator Levin, 30 of the country's largest multinationals "paid nothing in federal income taxes over a recent three-year period. Zero."
Discussion Starters:
Watch Tim Cook's opening statement in the Senate hearing. What are his strongest and weakest arguments?
Watch the rest of the Senate hearing. Which questions are most and least effective?
How does Cook use delivery skills to persuade the committee?
Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, University of Michigan '85, rejoined to give a funny commencement speech.
Costolo used his share of self-deprecating humor, discussing his "crushing disappointment" after having ambitions of working for Second City TV and Saturday Night Live. Although he did improv for some time (and rubbed elbows with Steve Carell and others), he ended up working at Pier One Imports, as he joked, putting to work his Computer Science degree from the University of Michigan.
Costolo said Twitter was the best example of making "bold bets." The founder acknowledged that he never expected the site to become the success it is today: "You cannot draw any of your paths looking forward."
He also gave the predictable commencement advice: "You have to figure out what you love to do...and go do that." Yep, got it.
Discussion Starters:
Evaluate Costolo's speech. What works well in his content, organization, and delivery, and what could be improved?
Watch two or three other commencement speeches on YouTube. Which do you like best and why?
After making an entrance to rap music, President Obama started the 2013 White House Correspondents' Dinner with the usual banter: "I look in the mirror and say, 'I'm not the strapping young Muslim Socialist that I used to be.'"
Here are a few more highlights from the president's speech:
Joking about his diminishing basketball skills: "I took 22 shots, made two of them. Two hits, 20 misses. The executives at NBC asked, 'What’s your secret?'"
Considering ways to increase his popularity, the president showed a series of photos sporting Michelle-like bangs.
Poking fun at CNN: "I know CNN has taken some knocks lately, but the fact is, I admire their commitment to covering all sides of the story, just in case one of them happens to be accurate."
Commenting on ads by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation CEO: "Did you know that Sheldon Adelson spent $100 million of his own money last year on negative ads? You’ve got to really dislike me to spend that kind of money. I mean, that’s Oprah money. … Sheldon would have been better off offering me $100 million to drop out of the race. I probably wouldn’t have taken it, but I'd have thought about it. Michelle would have taken it."
Reacting to his relationship with the Republicans: "Some folks still don’t think I spend enough time with Congress. ‘Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?’ they ask. Really? Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?"
Discussion Starters:
How does the president's delivery support the tone of his speech? What, specifically, do you notice him doing during some of his jokes?
When the president switches to a serious tone, how does his delivery change? Again, what do you notice in his voice tone, gestures, facial expressions, and so on?
