IABC Wellington April newsletter

Upcoming news and events from IABC Wellington

In this issue:

• Have your say - IABC International member benefits survey
• IABC Wellington policy on membership transfers
• March Be Heard event a success
• IABC's Chris Hall presents IABC's free online resources
• Technology on a shoestring
• The right media mix - a web seminar with Heidi Sullivan
• Register for the 2010 World Conference
• March IABC CAFE2GO Podcasts takes a look at communication in Russia
• Tips for communicating change

Have your say - IABC International member benefits survey

You may have recently received an IABC International member benefits survey by email. The survey not only gives you the opportunity to express your ideas on how IABC can improve member benefits but you could also win prizes for doing so!

Prizes include:

• One complimentary year of IABC membership
• One complimentary Knowledge Product of the winner's choice (http://www.iabc.com/publications/library/)
• One complimentary web seminar enrollment (As many people as you like can listen in.)
• Five iPod shuffles (These will be awarded to five different respondents.)
• 10 IABC mugs from our Zazzle Store (These will be awarded to 10 different respondents.)*

If you have not received an invitation, or have deleted it and would like to participate, please email your request to lasnedeker@iabc.com. Thanks to those who have already completed it.
 

IABC Wellington policy on membership transfers

There have been some requests for clarification on the IABC Wellington policy on transferring individual members free entry to Be Heard and other events to colleagues and friends. Membership entry to events is reserved for members only. Entry to these events cannot be transferred to your colleagues and friends.

We encourage members to get the most out of IABC by coming to as many of these events as possible. We also work to keep fees for non-members as low as possible and hope that the free member entry to hear quality international speakers and exemplary local knowledge provides incentive for your colleagues and friends to join IABC Wellington.

March Be Heard event a success

A packed out boardroom at our sponsors, PowerHouse People, ensured an interesting discussion on managing reputation in New Zealand. Senate Communications managing partner, Neil Green, gave us an insightful look into their 2009 research on reputation in New Zealand (report free to download from the Senate website).

Discussions included how social media impacts reputation, what the conversion between online and offline communication was, and how companies with solid reputations included managing social media as part of their crisis communication plans. Additionally, Neil provided interesting facts on how the role of the CEO is increasingly important in relation to a companies reputation and that 92% of CEOs surveyed said corporate reputation is a prime asset.

Attendees said coming to the event allowed them to get details beyond the report and have in-depth discussion with one of the authors. Be Heard events are FREE to members and also include the opportunity to catch up with the communications community over wine and nibbles so make sure you don't miss out.

IABC's Chris Hall presents IABC's free online resources

FREE

Date Friday: 16 April 2010

Time: 12.15pm -2.00pm.

Cost: FREE for everyone

Please bring your lunch - we'll provide the coffee, tea and juice.

All IABC members, as part of our membership fees, have access to a wealth of online resources but do you know what they are? Or how to access them?

Join Chris Hall, Senior VP Operations and Chief Information Officer at IABC for a fast-paced and in-depth tour of the many resources online at IABC. Find out about tools like eXchange, Marketplace, MMA, MyComm, Memberspeak, member search, free Knowledge Centre tools, templates and reports, Leader Centre resources, chapter hosting options and IABC's upcoming online library initiative.

Yes! Register me now for IABC's free online resources.

Technology on a shoestring

International speaker

Date: Friday: 16 April 2010

Time: 2.15-3.30pm

Cost: FREE for IABC members.

$30 for non-members, who should pay at the door.

$15 SPECIAL for communicators working in the not-for-profit sector who regularly work magic on a shoestring budget.

Coffee, tea, juice and biscuits will be provided.

Communicators the world over are frequently asked to pull miracles out of thin air on a razor thin budget. In this session you will learn all about the free software movement, why open source is here to stay and how to leverage crowdsourcing for your next project. You'll find out everything from free alternatives to Microsoft Office and Photoshop products to free options for audio/video editing and conversion tools.

Join Chris Hall for his afternoon session - please note this session is different from 'IABC's free online resources' and we welcome people who want to attend both. Please register once for each event.

Yes! Register me now for Technology on a shoestring.

The right media mix - a web seminar with Heidi Sullivan

This 90-minute web seminar will teach you how to make your media campaigns seriously perform.

The Balancing Act: Finding the right mix of traditional and social media, with Heidi Sullivan, vice president of media research for Cision. Share this web seminar with your team in one office, conference room or auditorium for one low price.

Date: Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Cost: Member site license: US$219.00

Non-member site license: US$269.00

Learn how to make your media campaigns seriously perform with insights you can really use, including:

• Define the best media for your campaigns
• Create the balance you need in social and traditional media
• Write content that makes sense across platforms
• Find the social media that works best for your communication plan
• Save time using multiple media platforms
• Hear about the latest trends
• Learn from real-world case studies and example campaigns that target the right mix

Find out more and register.

Register for the 2010 World Conference

IABC’s 2010 World Conference happens in Toronto, 6-9 June.

Join more than 1,400 communication professionals from around the globe at this annual event that brings together fresh ideas, winning case studies and best practices in communication.

Visit the World Conference web site for program and registration details.

March IABC CAFE2GO Podcasts takes a look at communication in Russia

The latest episodes of IABC Cafe2Go takes a look at the state of PR and communications in Russia. Sergei Trofimenko and Igor Mintusov, both senior communications professionals based in Moscow, were in San Francisco recently to serve on the Gold Quill Award Blue Ribbon Panel judging. They spoke with Shel Holtz, ABC, about PR and communications in their country and how it is different from how PR is practiced in western regions.

Download the podcast on the Cafe2Go website or subscribe via iTunes.
 

Tips for communicating change

Initial material (open letter, speaking notes) should address the following points:

• Explain why the change is necessary and what will happen if there is no change.
• Include the external/competitive reasons for the change—how does it fit into the overall business strategy and the organisation’s priorities?
• Describe the future state from the perspective of the target audience—what is changing for each group, what role does technology play, any changes in decision-making process, etc.
• Identify what is not changing at this time.
• Explain the process, including what will be done to help each affected audience through the process.
• Outline timing and when they will get more details.

Updates during the change (regular meetings, written updates) should:

• Repeat the messages over and over again. (Research shows that most people have to hear something five times before they really understand it.)
• Create ways to ask questions, provide feedback and express resistance.
• Provide information and answers in a variety of ways, using a variety of media.
• Identify and acknowledge the obstacles to change.
• Note: Change management studies indicate that once a week is the minimum frequency for ongoing communication updates during a major change.

As you approach the end state:

• Acknowledge the distance people have come.
• Remind them why they had to change.
• Identify any future changes.
• Thank them for their efforts and the result.
• Hold periodic celebrations.

Excerpted from Complete Guide to Integrated Change Communication: Best Practices for Major Announcements, available from the IABC Knowledge Centre.