President’s Note
If last month's chapter meeting attendance was anything to go by, there's a healthy appetite for the building blocks of good communication - not the least of which is strategy - out there. It was great to see many of you out in full force (92 registered!), even if the meeting room was slightly reminiscent of the dining car of a bygone era. (That was completely unexpected, but I do hope you'll accept our apologies - we're working with our new venues to ensure they meet up to our high standards.
Before moving on, congratulations to Jessica Read for organizing a stellar Student Shadow Day, an event we've brought back after many years. If any of you have programming ideas for our New Communicators group, please do let Jessie know.
In keeping with our theme of shaking up our programming mix this year, I'm thrilled to tell you (though you may have caught a sneak peak on our blog) that our regular June chapter meeting will be replaced with a very special event. The legendary and inimitable Ann Wylie will be conducting a very special half-day workshop for IABC/DC Metro, focusing on writing. If you're like me, you'll agree that no matter how great 140 characters are for instant communication, good writing is a highly-desirable skill... perhaps even more so in a 140-character era.
If you've heard from Ann before, you know that she's a fixture on the speaking circuit, at the stratospheric level, that is. She's won more than 60 communication awards, including two Gold Quills, has been designated an "IABC Recommended Speaker" for her top ratings at IABC International conferences, and serves as the Public Relations Society of America 's national writing coach.
Ann will be conducting her workshop on June 30. We'll be opening registration very soon, so please do keep an eye out for the meeting announcement and register quickly when you receive it; this is one event you don't want to miss!
I hope to see you at our upcoming chapter meeting. But if I don't, please do keep in touch.
Happy Spring!
Shonali Burke, ABC, Principal, Shonali Burke Consulting
President, IABC/DC Metro
APRIL Meeting Update
Times are tough for folks everywhere, including communication professionals in the Capital Region. But while signs of a recovery are increasingly more visible, finding that new job isn't easy. So what's next? How can we find a job in this new economic environment? What can we do to look better in the eyes of potential employers?
Join IABC/DC Metro for a discussion on HR, hiring practices in the communication profession and how job seekers can put their best foot forward.
This month, we present Ned Lundquist, ABC, chair of the IABC Accreditation Council and creator of Ned's Job of the Week, a weekly portal featuring a listing of various communication positions from around the country; Heather R. Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended; and Kate Perrin, president of PRofessional Solutions, LLC and a longtime member of IABC/DC Metro.
Our panelists will discuss the current communication environment, the impact of the generational divide on our organizations, tips on using social media for a job search, and how senior professionals can remain competitive in the job market. Jakub M. Konysz, PR manger at ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership and co-VP of professional development for IABC/DC Metro, will moderate the discussion.
And special thanks to Tungle for sponsoring this meeting!
Early registration closes on Tuesday, so don't wit to sign up. Full details and the registration link can be found here.
Sponsored by
MARCH MEETING RECAP: STRATEGIC PLANNING TIPS FROM THE PROS
Nearly 100 business communicators packed the March IABC DC Metro meeting to hear about developments in strategic planning from IABC veterans Jeffrey Brooke, ABC, and Christine Nyirjesy Bragale, ABC.
Bragale made the case for aligning today's strategic communication planning with the Silver Inkwell and Gold Quill entry processes. "In just 10 steps these programs guide you through strategic planning and implementation," she shared.
By dividing her strategic plans into three segments - a master strategic plan, an operating plan, and a project plan - Bragale creates strategic plans that live up to three years. "With a multi-year plan, what makes the CEO and Board happy," according to Bragale, "are seeing the wins along the way."
Asked how to keep leaders pleased about social media placements, Bragale acknowledged that our job as communicators is not only to develop the plan, but also to help cut through the clutter of social media tools and more. "Getting to the bottom of why the CEO wants presence on Facebook or Oprah is key," she shared. Failing to do so that takes communicators back to being tacticians.
Building on the strategic planning process, Brooke took to the platform with a case study of his work as director of employee communication at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Faced with the daunting task of improving employee communication to 2,300 employees in nearly 20 facilities, Brooke tapped into a GPO employee engagement survey and conducted a communication audit to reveal issues and opportunities.
"A major objective was to better inform, recognize and involve GPO employees to improve employee engagement and communication," shared Brooke. To promote achievements, he partnered with human resources. "We were challenged with how to create compelling communications that could reach targeted audiences and keep them interested."
Over three years, Brooke identified communication issues, created a strategy for improvements and began a cycle of implementing, testing and adjusting to make communications more meaningful. One of his biggest challenges was getting messages out quickly and refreshing them easily.
To expedite communications and engage employees, Brooke implemented an electronic billboard network throughout his organization using Netpresenter for content creation and management.
Two years after undertaking his turnaround communication programs, the GPO employee engagement survey showed a statistically significant increase of 19% among employees who agreed that, "Overall, I believe communication at GPO is effective."
When asked how he personally views his work in strategic communications, Brooke credited, "It's all about our roles, tools and accountability."
Shelley Griewahn, ABC, Communications and Change Management Leader, Quadrant Strategy LLC
TIME AGAIN TO DIP INTO THE SILVER INKWELL
The Call for Entries for the 2010 IABC/DC Metro Silver Inkwell Awards , the premier awards program for business communicators in metropolitan Washington and Baltimore, is now open!
Whether you're an internal or external communicator, agency, corporate, or government practitioner, winning a Silver Inkwell is an acknowledgement of your mastery of the principles and practice of business communication.
Last year, we welcomed dozens of entries in 38 categories. And as is our practice, we'll handle entries that contain classified information appropriately.
Don't wait - let this be your year to shine! Aligned with communication best practices as defined by IABC International's Gold Quill Awards, the Silver Inkwell Awards offers a great opportunity to shine among-and be acknowledged by-your peers in the country's largest IABC chapter.
To get started, download the Entry Form, and browse the other pages in this section for rules, evaluation criteria, and entry information.
Early Bird Deadline - Saturday, May 15, 2010
- IABC/DCMetro Members - $70/entry
- Non-Members - $100/entry
- Full-Time Students - $40/entry
Final Deadline - Thursday, June 30, 2010
- IABC/DCMetro Members - $95/entry
- Non-Members - $120/entry
- Full-Time Students - $50/entry
SAVE THE DATE! - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
The 2010 Silver Inkwell Awards Banquet will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 26, at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda in Bethesda, Md.
If you're interested in volunteering for the Silver Inkwell committee or need further information about the nomination process, please contact Silver Inkwell co-chairs, Lauren Lawson or Michael Clendenin, at silverinkwell@iabcdcmetro.org.
Be sure to join the IABC/DCMetro Silver Inkwell Awards Facebook page!
TOWSON UNIVERSITY NETWORKING FAIR ON APRIL 15
The Towson University Public Relations Group invites IABC/DC Metro members and their organizations attend its annual Mass Communication and Communication Studies Networking Fair to be held Thursday, April 15, Noon to 4:00 pm, in the University Union at Towson University .
Towson University public relations, advertising, journalism and marketing students attending the fair will be networking and seeking information regarding open positions and/or internships in the communications industry.
Participation by you or your organization in the Networking Fair is a great opportunity share your skills, experiences, and career advice with Towson's Communication, Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism and Marketing students. And, it's a great way for you to connect with our graduating job-seekers as well as undergraduates seeking internships.
There is no charge to attend or participate in the Networking Fair. Fellowship, parking, food and beverages will be provided.
If you would like to reserve a table at this event, please e-mail Ashley Ripka, Vice President of Programs, at tuprgroup@gmail.com, by Friday, April 2. RSVP confirmations will then be sent with more details regarding the event.
Welcome—and Welcome Back—New and Renewing Members!
We are thrilled that the following IABC/DC Metro members have chosen to join or renew their association membership:
Kay Miner (Northrop Grumman Corp), Kira Plummer (Northrop Grumman Corp), Pat McCall (Freddie Mac), Rolanda Rascoe (The Pew Charitable Trusts), Christine Hagan (Kogan Communications & Design), Shelly D'Amico (Human Genome Sciences, Inc), Lynn Borkon (Sapient, Inc), Roxane Papagiannopoulos (RMP Media Analysis), Karen James, Ayesha Pathak (Academy Health), Claire Ahn (Calibre), Ellen Bjork (Avalon Bay Communities Inc) , Karen James Cody (BNA) , Lisa Young (ASRC Federal Holding Company) , Edie Clark (Independent Consultant), Alexis Fooshe (US Marshals Service), Patrice Pope, John Papa (Booz Allen Hamilton) , Stephanie Langton (CGI) , Susan Mirvis, Lisa Kramer (Thales USA) , Elizabeth Stuckle (USEC Inc), Nancy Harrity (Vox Optima LLC), Melanie Hatter (Chemonics International), Alison Berdine (Northrop Grumman), Christopher Hemrick (Booz Allen Hamilton), Margaret Mitchell-Jones (Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding), Erin Batty (Northrop Grumman Corporation), Laura O'Collaghan (Northrop Grumman), Sue Hall (Northrop Grumman), Pam Wade (Northrop Grumman), Lisa Pittman (Northrop Grumman), Michael White (Northrop Grumman), Kristie Cunningham (Northrop Grumman), Katie Brien (Freddie Mac), Stephanie Costa (Freddie Mac), Virginia Daley (Freddie Mac), Elizabeth Corley (Development Gateway), Holly Sitzmann (Freddie Mac), Julie Rothhouse (Freddie Mac), Charles Cowan (Freddie Mac), Leigh Guthrie (Freddie Mac), Kathryn Courbe (Freddie Mac), Kristinia Baumler (Freddie Mac), Cynthia Olland (Freddie Mac), Judd Warner (Freddie Mac), Alex Horwitz (Freddie Mac), Donald Campbell (Freddie Mac), Fredrick Jaffke (Freddie Mac), Lauren Perry (Berkshire Associates Inc.), Janeen Latini (Booz Allen Hamilton), Elizabeth Tober Lyon (Administrative Office of the US Courts), Diane Clark (ManTech International Corporation), Tracy Savel Reavis (Symposium), Susan Meisner (Federal Government), Kathleen Heffley (Booz Allen Hamilton), and Marilyn Keyes.
Thank you all for placing your trust in IABC/DC Metro as the premier professional development association for business communicators. We look forward to seeing you at a chapter event soon. As always, please contact Dan Sporer, VP/Membership, with questions about how you can get more involved with the chapter—and let us know how we can help you!
