Tag Archives: communications

Trying to be Unconnected in a Connected World

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Boy, all this technology sure makes it more difficult to get away when those vacation opportunities arise.

As you read this, I’m sitting on a beach in Avon (no, there are not beaches in the fast-growing Hendricks County community, but in a lovely stretch along the Outer Banks in North Carolina). And double no, I did not write this from the beach, although I easily could have and that is the point with this post.

One almost feels guilty today by being away and not taking the laptop, checking the e-mails, reading the Tweets, calling in for an "important" meeting, and on and on. I’m successfully overcoming those worries thus far. Why? Wonderfully talented colleagues in communications at the Chamber and a staff that knows how to get things done. And if they need me, I’ll answer the cell call or at least return the message.

How about you? Are you able to "disconnect" from the office when away? Are there any unwritten expectations that make that difficult? Or is it turn the lights off when leaving the office and not think about work until you return? 

Interested in your perspective.

Helping Members Get the Word Out: Chamber Launches Communications Help

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Who knew media lists, press release templates and the like would be so popular?

The Indiana Chamber unveiled a members-only Communications/PR Resource Center on Monday. The reason: provide some basic assistance to those looking to successfully communicate their message.

We’re certainly not replacing your public relations, communications or marketing firm. But in addition to media contact information and advice on forming press announcements, the service offers:

  • tips for effective e-newsletters and starting a blog
  • style guidelines for written communications
  • a communications helpline

A handful of members responded in quick fashion — one indicating it was the best news received on this Monday — with strong interest. And that’s the goal of many Chamber benefits — do what we can to help you do business better.

Getting the Upper Hand on Getting the Word Out

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Today’s media world is changing as never before, but you still need to get your good news heard. And, in today’s economic conditions, you may be forced into the position of delicately delivering job reduction or other difficult news.

Where do you turn for help? Try Rick Kamel, a 30-year public relations, marketing and broadcast news veteran. Kamel will be presenting a half-day Indiana Chamber seminar titled "Communicating the Good, the Bad and the Ugly During Tough Times: Communication/PR Strategies for Indiana Employers."

Kamel has worked with major clients throughout the country. In short, he knows his stuff and he can share plenty of tips and secrets with you. Among the key benefits for anyone in need of communications assistance (that includes most of us):

  • Strategies for identifying and prioritizing your internal and external audiences
  • Communication timing strategies that maximize the good news and minimize the bad news
  • Tried-and-true formulas for how to construct statements
  • Clear and concise words and phrases
  • Specific words to use and to avoid
  • How to stay in control during a Q & A session with employees or the news media
  • Being prepared to disseminate bad news in case of an emergency

The Indiana Chamber Conference Center is the site for the April 24 program (9-11:30 a.m.) Investing a few hours now could pay off in many valuable benefits for years to come.

How NOT to Use Twitter in the Professional World

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I must confess: I’m a Twitterbug. When I first heard of Twitter, however, I was rather skeptical and thought, "Why, oh why, would I want to know if some guy in Hoboken likes his hoagie from Georgio’s, or how much he misses ‘Perfect Strangers?’ How does that impact me?"

Yet lo and behold, I eventually discovered the myriad professional uses for Twitter, and we’ve even applied it to our Chamber communications protocol with measured success, enabling us to spread our message to more businesses, policy wonks, and legislators than ever before. However, employers — and employees — should beware of the many ways such social media can backfire if one becomes a little too candid; it’s a valuable lesson for communications staff, CEOs, and potential hires alike. Case in point:

I saw this exchange on Twitter, which is a painful lesson in how NOT to use Twitter in this tough economy.

A lucky job applicant tweeted the following:

"Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work."

This tweet caught the attention of Tim Levad, a channel partner advocate for Cisco. To which he responded:

"Who is the hiring manager. I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web."

Ouch! The person who dissed the Cisco offer quickly took their Twitter account private. But Twitter search retained the record.

Remember a couple months ago when the PR guy’s tweet about Memphis came back to bite him? This is another example of the need to be careful with what you post on Twitter, and social media in general.

Change Comes to Whitehouse.gov

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You might be interested to check out the changes made to www.whitehouse.gov this week when President Obama formally took office. The site looks pretty sharp and please note the blog on the home page. Likely useful for those hoping to keep tabs on the new administration.

Also notice the site features a contact form if you have a respectful critique of an Obama policy, or maybe even of his fist bump technique. I’ve already offered an inquiry regarding an issue dear to me, but have yet to hear back. And no, sorry, it wasn’t pertaining to an official national pie.