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. […]
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 […]
3 stages of alignment between teams and consultants
In an earlier article this year, we shared some key strategies for effectively collaborating with consultants to achieve successful outcomes. It is critical to provide clear communication and establish expectations from the outset of the relationship. Effective communication involves clearly defining project goals, roles, and responsibilities, as well as establishing regular channels for feedback and […]
How to hold an after-action review post-campaign?
If you are new to the organisation or have just taken over a new scope. There’s lots of excitement at the start. You are aware of some gaps and look to create plans to plug them. There are loads of publicly available information from the internet, and anecdotal sharing from the team. However, as you […]
Presenting the results of your campaign
You have just completed a campaign. You are feeling proud, somewhat accomplished, satisfied with how it went. You look around and see your stakeholder. Full of energy, you walk over to share the results. The stakeholder goes “mmm…” in a somewhat evasive manner. Starts to look around the room/venue/space. You bring up how the team […]
Creating your strategic communications plan
Every organisation relies on leadership to set goals, and outcomes for the company. Management takes these directives, organises functions and set-up teams to execute on ideas and concepts that seek to deliver these goals and outcomes. To achieve success, leadership will have to communicate and share these goals and outcomes with clarity, and in specific […]
Dealing with a crisis
A business crisis is always challenging and, despite preparations, can behave like it was not anticipated in the first place. The workforce is thrown into disarray. Despite the best of intentions, people start to speculate. Every decision, even those with no connection to the crisis, is scrutinised and dissected, adding on workload to an already […]
What is issues management?
Issues – more commonly known as problems – happen in business and daily work all the time. People have certain expectations about an organisation or brand, and when those expectations are not met, problems can arise. This can happen for many reasons, both inside and outside of the control of the organisation or brand. Issues […]