Musings from the Airport

By Becky Frost

As a frequent flyer, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep me going through the security checkpoints in airports. My lesson came the hard way. A few months ago, I thought I’d masterfully packed for a business trip – I had everything I needed, plus backup clothing options for weather, mood, etc. All this resulted in one very full bag and a laptop carrier doubling as additional luggage. Waiting in the security line, I had to remove my laptop, remove my shoes, remove the special plastic bag filled with anything remotely liquid, and do all of this with many people waiting and the conveyor belt pulling my endless procession of items forward.

I recently took a similar trip, with much better results. I managed to pack the necessities with room to spare, while having everything I needed to take out for the x-ray machine at the ready. As I looked at other travelers struggling to make heads or tails of all the safety requirements, I had a small epiphany. 

It’s not only luggage that gets overpacked.  Seems that these days another thing that has become overpacked is the press release. Some companies cram in so much detail that the message is lost among the words. My advice to any company that is tackling a lengthy announcement: step back and consider what the core of the message is. Use the release to support the message, not to keep adding layers until the message disappears. At the end of the day, he who packs light packs well.

Comments

[Rachel]

This is great advice to keep in mind! I love the way you compared it to packing too. I'll definitely keep 'packing light' in mind during my internship this summer.

[Becky Frost]

Thanks, Rachel. Good luck with your internship!

[Rick]

Very funny...overstuffed presentations, press releases, etc. are often the result of working by committee. Everyone wants to put a bit in, and over time the original key point gets diluted.

I hope you are well