Build bridges, not silos: Communicating the value of communications to stakeholders
Effective communications with stakeholders – both internal and external – has risen in importance within organisations. No longer relegated to the sidelines, or serving merely operational objective, communications can be the engine that serves up progress. However, communicators still find themselves grappling with distinct challenges when it comes to impressing upon stakeholders the pivotal nature […]
Achieving goals and creating impact with your agency
The agency relationship is often paved with good intentions and frustrations from both parties. Whether the starting seed is a bad brief, unrealistic expectations, or a transactional mindset on the brand’s part; or an inexperienced manager, the inability to manage scope, or an overloaded team on the agency’s end, relationships can be hard to start […]
Unlock impact and drive remarkable results by crafting with credibility and influence
Perhaps a recent product launch plan was not positively received by management. Or there was some skepticism about whether the measurements presented aligned with business goals. Maybe there were some doubts expressed about the proposed use of budgets. Or worse, a successful implementation was ridiculed for being fluff, and not contributing to outcomes. Unfortunately, as […]
Optics matter: Using perception to stay ahead of issues and challenges
Communicators are typically focused on the task at hand, the campaign to kick off, the product to launch. We can tunnel so deeply that sometimes challenges and issues take us by surprise. Our immediate response tends to be both combative and defensive, in our desire to protect the brand. Regardless of the nature of the […]
Unlocking success: Selecting the best agency or consultant
Whether you are an owner-led business, an up-and coming brand, or a multinational organisation, you are in a constant struggle to capture the attention of your various customers and stakeholders. Communications plays a critical role, that goes beyond simple publicity, in supporting and sharing key information and content to your audiences. Unfortunately, no person is […]
From Pitch to Press: Rediscovering Media Relations Fundamentals
One of the biggest challenges communicators struggle with – in media relations – is the consistent and recurring ability to capture a journalist/writer’s attention. Journalists face an overwhelming amount of communication daily. Breaking through the noise and making a lasting impression on journalists has become increasingly difficult. Between physically rushing for press conferences and interviews, […]
Solving for information silos in your organisation
If an organisation was mapped out, information silos represent various perils that the adventurers (in this case the communicator) must take to get to their destination. In an organisation, information is an asset that can impact decision-making. It can affect guidance on direction and alter an organisations trajectory when it comes to goals and outcomes. […]
5 steps to preparing a good brief
A bad brief can lead to misalignments. This can show up as a misalignment of objectives, creating a disconnect between you and your team, or your agency/consultancy. The lack of clarity hinders strategic planning and undermines the ability to achieve desired outcomes. A poor brief can waste resources. It sends your team down the wrong […]
Setting up your own communications agency
A never-ending workday, even when you have physically left the office. That is actually made worse by the relentless march of technology and the assumption that yet another direct chat/team management/notification-ping app will solve what is fundamentally a resource issue. Unrealistic demands on your time and bandwidth driven by high workload and stress. Amplified by […]
Dealing with information gaps
We have shared before about how to share and receive briefs. A brief ensures alignment between stakeholders at various levels such as leadership, management, and external parties. This alignment is important because of the nature of ownership created through participating in a joint or team decision. The bigger goal here is alignment. Alignment helps with […]