Welcome to Monday Night Live

This week, Derek sits down with his longtime friend, Alan Stevens, a renowned reputation management expert, journalist, and professional speaker.

The episode kicks off with Alan recounting his journey, starting as a teacher in the 1970s, moving into investigative journalism with the Consumers Association (known for publications like Which? Magazine), and eventually establishing his own reputation management firm.

Alan’s early days were filled with undercover investigations, including secret shopper experiences and inspecting garages. These moments offer a glimpse into his hands-on approach to uncovering the truth, with some hilariously intense stories of narrowly escaping confrontations!

Alan also shares anecdotes about his role as a professional speaker and coach, having served as President of both the UK Professional Speakers Association and the Global Speakers Federation. From music MC gigs at age 12 (where he shared the stage with The Rolling Stones!) to coaching high-profile clients in handling media crises, Alan’s storytelling is captivating.

The conversation transitions into Alan’s expertise in crisis management and reputation repair. He discusses high-profile case studies, including:

Alan critiques public figures like Greg Wallace and Prince Andrew, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility, controlling the narrative, and issuing genuine apologies to minimize damage.

The Beverly Hills Hotel Boycott:

Alan recounts navigating a complex crisis when the Sultan of Brunei’s controversial legislation led Hollywood celebrities to boycott the hotel. Alan’s strategic responses helped mitigate the fallout, showcasing his expertise in managing high-stakes situations.

From Gerald Ratner’s infamous speech to David Letterman’s tactful handling of blackmail, Alan highlights what to do—and what to avoid—when facing public scrutiny.

In this candid discussion, Alan explains how reputation repair isn’t just about damage control—it’s about authenticity, humility, and strategic communication. He stresses the importance of never lying, apologizing sincerely, and focusing on rebuilding trust.

The episode also offers lighthearted moments, like Derek and Alan reminiscing about their time at the National Speakers Association of Australia conference and their hilarious experience co-hosting a charity auction. Alan’s humor and authenticity shine through as he reflects on these personal anecdotes.

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• How to handle media crises and social media slip-ups with grace.
  
• The importance of staying calm, taking responsibility, and controlling the narrative during challenging times.
  
• The value of turning public missteps into opportunities for growth and redemption.
  

Whether you’re a speaker, business leader, or someone interested in personal branding, this episode is packed with practical advice, real-life stories, and plenty of laughs. Alan’s wealth of knowledge and Derek’s engaging questions make for a thought-provoking and entertaining conversation.

f you’d like to connect with Alan Stevens, you can reach him at alan@mediacoach.co.uk or find him on his website.

Derek Arden

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• https://derekarden.co.uk
  
• https://negotiationexpert.co NEW
  
• https://negotiatorspodcast.com
  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/negotiatingexpert/