One of the enduring memories of my undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin is a comment made by an otherwise forgotten Statistics professor: “There are two kinds of people in this world – those who think there are two kinds of people, and those who don’t.” When it comes to organizations and their social… Continue reading Four dimensions of internal influence: ambassadors, influencers, advocates and followers
Writing for leaders and managers – some things that work
As a communications professional working with senior leaders and managers in large organizations, I make no apologies for the fact that I like to write. For me, writing assignments are not simply opportunities for me to put my best foot forward with clients, they are also moments where I can help amplify and accelerate my… Continue reading Writing for leaders and managers – some things that work
What I would do with a research budget right now
As an internal communicator with a strong bias towards written communication and the use of survey research tools, I often have faced challenges from employers and potential clients over strategic and tactical preferences and precedents. In many organizations, tactical priorities and the budgets attached to them are non-negotiable, with employee engagement surveys and management conferences… Continue reading What I would do with a research budget right now
Putting the “I” back into Internal Communication
As I completed the last days of my six-month stint as an in-house internal communications (IC) pro, I recognized that I’ve picked up some substantial insights about the current state of IC. There’s an old saying: “there ain’t no ‘I’ in ‘team,’” but there is very much an “I” in Internal Communication. In fact, many… Continue reading Putting the “I” back into Internal Communication
Engagement? Awareness? How about Participation?
One of the challenges of business communication is that the objectives can get a bit murky from time to time. The longstanding pursuit of “engagement,” for instance, is the result of a term being exalted beyond its operational or actionable meaning – engagement is often being sought for its own sake without a direct connection… Continue reading Engagement? Awareness? How about Participation?
The annual Changing The Terms holiday poem
Another year, another poem. That's how we do it in Delft. My take on 2017 in the world of Internal Communication. Soon we say goodbye To 2017 Another year passes On the #internalcomms scene This year was one Where we became more effective Thanks in large part To IC Kollectif We’re even… Continue reading The annual Changing The Terms holiday poem
Communication, Technology, Participation: The case for #EuroComm18
The world in general, and Europe in particular, has no shortage of communication conferences. With its registration now open, #EuroComm18, IABC EMENA’s annual regional conference, intends to be fundamentally different in powerful, engaging and connective ways. It will take place in Copenhagen on 9-10 April. The new thrust will combine EuroComm’s traditionally unique position as… Continue reading Communication, Technology, Participation: The case for #EuroComm18
