Lyrical Lava PR

Hot Air Balloons and Passenger Planes

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:59:00 +0000

Some 120 years separate the first hot air balloon flight from the historic 1903 Wright brothers’ aeroplane success. The fact that commercial passenger flights today are performed using planes rather than air balloons holds many an important analogy for the aspiring strategic communicator.

Consider a weak communication strategy similar to a hot air balloon, taking off in a vertical manner with all employees from bottom to top, with the exception of the leaders in the privileged pilot crew, together with no clear idea of where they are headed. Yet, they are all on board with the common denominator being their employment agreement and thus their implicit agreement with the direction of the firm.

As the captains hoist the firm to their premeditated heights, they take little time to share their navigational plans with their passengers, their employees. As such the staff have no idea where they are going or how to help steer this aeronautical structure toward the intended goal.

Business conditions alternate as would cold temperature spikes with sun drenched hours, creating a general sense among the rank and file of being adrift. The limited supplies on board seem accessible only to those high up in the hierarchy, creating an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ atmosphere. The staff resort to huddling together in groups of convenience; with those closest to each other and among who shared feelings of dissent are expressed forming the tightest bonds.

Others are naively happy, hanging over the edge of the gondola like dogs with floppy ears looking out of a speeding car. They are the down-for-whatever types content to know they will be paid at the end of the trip, no matter what they do or don’t do.

Then there are the scouts and soldiers who extend their services to the leaders, some with authorization and others with sneaky ulterior motives. They align themselves with their leader of choice and hope they will be duly rewarded once all goes well.

However, despite this support, the leaders are smart to be well aware that their lack of articulation of their strategy or even where they are headed could result in the death of all on board. Some will be successful and relish in the achievements solely to the relegation of the passengers; crushing the spirit of those who thought they were actually part of a team.

Those who lose will feel the weight of loneliness at the top and depending on their personal strength, will hold up or crumble under the weight of it all. Meanwhile, regardless of whether they arrive safely or not, staff will get off feeling jaded and will likely ask questions along the lines of ‘where are we now?’, “does this matter” and “what do I do now”. Most will leave for good at the first chance they get, forever chanting in unison that they ‘never felt led anyway’.

Consider the strong communication strategy akin to the passenger plane. As each new passenger boards, the smile of the welcoming crew conveys the promise of a wonderful journey ahead. Tickets and assigned seats, even if delineated by class, promote a sense of belonging and purpose. The taxiing process is coupled with a briefing session that both heralds a wonderful trip ahead and promotes safety in the event of turbulence or loss of altitude. All of this serves to reassure each traveller of the goal they are all working toward.

Early options to shift seating arrangements away from the responsibility of exit doors make for a healthy corporate social contract and in-flight magazines provide important information on corporate and social activities that promote a high sense of community. Entertainment facilities and recliners subtly say work-life balance matters to all employees at all levels.

Trust is placed in the leader, who pilots the team toward their destination. Though unseen, the leader’s efforts are experienced equally by every team member. The confident tone of voice by the pilot during periodic progress updates eliminate panic while simultaneously conjuring images of imminent success.

Even if there are a few bumps during the flight and on the landing, there is a general spirit of unity among all on board. The cordiality as they board, in their in flight interactions and in orderly approach to disembarking, make them a true unit, regardless of religious postures, attire, race, language or nationality. So much so that they look forward to doing it again!

Now ask yourself, if your company’s communication strategy a hot air balloon floating as Icarus to the sun or is it an elegant airbus travelling with an enlightened crew and supportive passengers to a designated destination?

The Billion-Dollar Business of Social Media Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:20:00 +0000

At the end of Q3 2014 Facebook earned US $3.203 billion in revenue. They beat the Wall Street estimates of US $3.12 billion. In case you were wondering, according to TechCrunch, US $343 million of Facebook total revenue was earned from ‘the rest of the world’, which includes the Caribbean.

Facebook offers several types of ads, with the most popular being post promotion (boosting) and page promotion. The other options are pictured here.

Following Facebook's massive success, it’s no surprise that all of the other major social networks are moving to monetize.

Instagram, according to Reddoor.biz, is not quite yet ready to offer ads to the public. However, the beta monthly pricing ranges from an estimated US $350,000 at lower end to US $1 million at the upper end.

Even though prices are high, the test campaigns yielded thousands of likes and an influx of new followers for the brand using the advertising.

Advertisers have already begun to reap the sweets of advertising on Twitter. Quora.com explains that users can opt for promoted tweets, promoted trends or promoted accounts. Promoted tweets and promoted accounts cost between US $0.50- $4.00 per engagement, while promoted trends cost US $200,000 per day.

LinkedIn is also earning substantial revenue from advertising. Revenue for the third quarter was $568 million. This was an increase of 45% compared to $393 million in the third quarter of 2013.

From vacancies to blog posts by senior management, companies are taking advantage of the two ad options on offer: sponsored ads and sponsored posts (Webmarketingtoday.com). Their rates range from US $10 to US $1,000 or more. In line with the other networks’ monetization models, users using a set budget can choose to be billed on a pay-per-click basis or incur a set free for every 1,000 impressions received regardless of the clicks received (LinkedIn.com).

Feed the Need

So who is advertising on social media? Aren't you?

Any business that wants to remain competitive is helping to line the pockets of these major social media networks... ahem is taking advantage of these far-reaching digital marketing channels to promote their products and services!

The reality is that technology, particularly mobile devices, has made it easy and affordable for persons of all walks of life (think consumers and prospects) to gravitate to social media. Mobile networks are even offering free access with packages, ensuring that this trend will continue to grow for several years to come.

The question is this: will you make sure it is a win-win scenario for your firm, your shareholders and your clients? Also, how do you balance this aim with a growing apathy among social media users who feel inundated and see these ads as an intrusion on their? That is, the ones who have not already migrated to Ello.

Tune in for part two of this blog post when we discuss the best way to benefit from these social media marketing opportunities. The bottom line though is if your social media strategy does not already include a monthly budget for social advertising, you’re missing the party.

Enter Facebook at Work

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:57:00 +0000

Human resources managers in Barbados have often taken a stand that Facebook is an anti-productivity tool. Business leaders have partnered with HR and the Information Technology function to ban workers from accessing it on company equipment. Some have even gone as far as to ban workers from using their mobile phones on company property!

However, there is another school of thought quietly eroding these presumed gains. This movement has given birth to a form of technology referred to as ‘Facebook behind the Firewall’.

Brands such as Jive, Atlassian, Confluence and SharePoint have made multiple millions selling private software to businesses that have embraced the power of social networking. It’s true these are in-house platforms but the ethos is certainly the same. Furthermore, the success of these programmes is likely driven by the popularity of Facebook, making for a smooth onboarding process.

Enter Facebook at Work

We predicted a while ago that this concept of social business would be the next wave in the social media world and it is therefore no surprise to us that Facebook has announced a new portal dubbed ‘Facebook at work’ will launch as soon as January 2015.

Huffington Post put it succinctly:

____________________________________________________

"Facebook at Work will also address one of Facebook's major problems in terms of user engagement: with many companies frowning on - or officially restricting - usage during work hours, the social networking giant loses touch with a large segment of its user base for up to 8 hours each day."

____________________________________________________

So… How does ‘Facebook at Work’ Work?
According to Wired.com, the service would allow users to message their colleagues, connect with other people in their professional network and collaborate on work. They too saw it as a threat to established corporate collaboration software, naming Google, Microsoft, Box, Salesforce.com and LinkedIn among those most likely to be affected.

Marketwatch.com said users would be able to share documents and data. They added it could also include a cloud sharing system but stressed that it will be separate from a user’s personal profile.

You can also read our previous blog post on some of the other benefits of social business technology.

Lyrical Lava PR: Social Business Tenets - November 13, 2012

Lyrical Lava PR: Socialize Your Business - Part 1 - January 3, 2013

Lyrical Lava PR: Socialize Your Business - Part 2 - Janaury 7, 2013

Is your company ready for this next social media wave.

Facebook's Zero Sum Game

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 15:57:00 +0000

Nothing in life is free.

Soon, neither will your page's organic reach on Facebook.

From January 2015 page managers will begin to see a deterioration in the total number of fans reached with each post.

What is organic reach?

Organic reach is the impressions generated for each post by page followers combined with the viral effect caused when friends of your followers are exposed to your posts. Think six degrees of separation.

Paid reach, on the other hand, literally refers to the impressions gained by running ads on Facebook.

Currently the Facebook pages we manage for our clients enjoy an organic reach of 1 - 4 percent of the total followers. Any additional reach has had to be bought.

Why the reduction and why now?
In an announcement on their corporate website, Facebook explained that the move was prompted by feedback from users who want to see more stories from friends and pages they care about, and less promotional content.

Yet, according to Facebook, the posts that people find to be ‘too promotional’ are actually from pages that they like.

When Peter Pays for Paul...

They gave an example of the type of content users had issues with. It was akin to "Look! A cat! Oh and buy a cat video here at half price'. It is these persons who seemingly have made bad for the rest of us who are committed to creating meaningful content.

Other posts found to be too promotional are:

Posts that their sole purpose is to push people to buy a product or to install an app.
Posts that push people to enter promotions and sweepstakes with no real content.
Posts that reuse the same content from advertisements.

Granted, users deserve a better experience. However, one can't help but notice the steepening slide in organic reach coincided almost with the 2012 Facebook initial public offer (IPO). With thousands of shareholders to appease, Facebook has now become a profit-making network.

I Choose...to Ignore

The other not so good news is that in addition to reducing organic reach, Facebook has empowered users to block the promotional content they see. They can click on an 'x' in the top right of the unwanted ad.

When they do they are presented with the following options:

I don't want to see this (see fewer posts like this)
Hide all ads from
Other options (Take a survey to make News Feed better)

This will reduce the size of your target audience in your ad set over time, no doubt.

The Good News

You actually can see how many persons hide your posts. To do so you must go into your page insights, select posts and then choose 'Post Hides' from the drop-down menu. Teams should converge and determine what changes can be made to such content to make it more amenable to users.

There are still other ways to gain organic reach. Tagging persons and other pages, liking your own posts and using smart hashtags can generate views for your content. Of course, nothing beats meaningful content, which persons who proactively visit your page will be hard pressed not to like or comment on or share.

Those companies that have allocated a monthly Facebook advertising budget should continue to monitor that spend and determine whether they are getting a good cost per impression (CM) rate during the next few weeks. Depending on your objectives, you should split that budget between efforts to gain page likes versus post engagements.

Looking to other social networks to achieve your social media objectives is also a great idea.

Never put all of your eggs in one basket.

IABC Barbados Mixing and Mingling

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 01:36:00 +0000

It's the end of summer and IABC Barbados is inviting PR practitioners to Island Inn for an entertaining evening of networking with great door prizes to be won!

Make it a cool after-work lime and catch up on all things communications happening in Barbados.

It's all happening in September 18 at 5 p.m.

Facebook to End Like-Gating on November 5

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:17:00 +0000

Are you running campaigns on Facebook that require persons to like your page in order to become eligible?

This practice is known as 'like-gating' and you have until November 5, 2014 to stop.

Watch this official video they created to help you to understand the new rules.

With all the changes to their algorithms it appears you'll need to boost your posts to get those contests to reach the number of persons you need for the promotion to be successful.

The end result: more money for them. We all knew the freeness was going to come to an end soon after their IPO.

So, chin up! You can still implement your campaign successfully. The hardest thing is to know.

LI 2014 Part Two: Marketing for Non-Profits

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Tue, 06 May 2014 23:36:00 +0000

Forgive the delay in posting part deux of my NOLA experience!

I was busy completing a certificate in Gamification via Coursera! More on this later.

Here are the highlights from the marketing sessions from the International Association of Business Communicators Leadership Institute - IABC LI - in New Orleans, Lousiana as promised!

Marketing Made Simple

Marketing communications is so dynamic and multi-faceted! It is likely that any non-profit that thrives on membership can benefit from considering any permutation of these marketing tips. Save this check list for creative ideas on promoting your events!

Have a generic sponsorship proposal on your website. Use it to outline the types of benefits your association's basic activities can provide. These include conference branding, display booths, product presentations to your members, etc.
Use your database as a fundraising tool or research group. Companies are sure to be willing to pay to reach your target audience. Never give that list away!
Brand all of your tweets, posts and updates by combining links, text and graphics to create a pictorial display of your content. This also ensures your content ranks high on Facebook based on their new algorithms compared to text-only posts. These high-resolution fliers also come in handy for email marketing, newspaper ads and other marketing efforts.
Sell ad space on your website to partners, members and other interested but complementary entities. This is a great way to raise revenue and build relationships with future sponsors. Reciprocal links are also a great way to generate web traffic and to promote your events.
Ask your members to re-post your information on their various channels, personal and business if possible. This is sometimes the closest thing to going viral and easily multiplies your reach.
Offer companies the chance to sponsor display areas at your event. This could also include display boards around your catering area, branding of your lectern or head table.
Start a green committee or hold a marketing communications support for green services event and invite partnership from green and sustainable-minded companies. This is a burgeoning sector with access to much grant funding that could include marketing and sponsorship of your events.
Sell advertising spots in your newsletter. Pricing need not be exorbitant Advertisers need only to be satisfied that they are getting value for money.
Offer sponsors the opportunity to offer door prizes in exchange for investing in your event.
Create event themes tying into sponsors products or services.
Include advertising spots in PowerPoints made available during and after your event. Agree with speakers that a blank slide will be included before their presentation to facilitate placement of sponsor marketing messages.
Price event elements separately such as with or without dinner to increase residual revenue.
Keep photos of your most successful events including images of full rooms; lists of companies represented at your events; percentage of senior vs. junior level participants; etc. Potential sponsors will be able to use this information to justify short and longer-term partnerships.
Sponsor a student to attend an event as a means of acquiring additional public relations exposure. Invite sponsors to donate tickets to students as a way to obtain further benefits from their alliance with your organization and its event.
Create a matrix to monitor sponsor benefits and be sure to assign someone to meet and greet sponsors and answer their questions and concerns.
Offer sponsors the opportunity to welcome your guests. Their representatives could wear sashes so their affiliation is easily identified.

That's it for LI.

I'd be happy to hear your comments below!

Read part one of this IABC LI New Orleans Review.

LI 2014 Part One: Of Shepherds, Snacks and Spies

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:28:00 +0000

It was almost zero and the air conditioning was warm and welcoming as I entered the plush halls of Loews Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana for the IABC Leadership Institute 2014.

It was my birthday and soon I was covered in dollar pins by traditional New Orleans well-wishers.

I took advantage of the pre-conference leadership workshop entitled “Exploring your Leadership Style” by C³ropely Communications and enjoyed every moment of being stretched mentally and sometimes emotionally by Facilitator, Adrian Cropely (right).

My favourite quote cited was from Nelson Mandela on how leaders are like shepherds: “A leader…is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

We explored the colour and durability of our shepherd’s cloaks with a number of exercises including tests of our leadership style, team player style and emotional intelligence.

Adrian challenged us to review Raymond Catwell’s list of leadership traits created in 1954 and determine what traits were missing from the list but critical in this new millennium. My group came up with:

· Life-learner – leaders must always be researching trends in their chosen field

· Visionary – leaders must create visions that their followers will want to buy into

· Innovative/ Creative – leaders must use unique strategies to drive competitiveness

· Strong communication skills – leaders must be able to use communication tools well

We also determined it was advantageous to hire persons with strengths where you have identified weaknesses in yourself as a leader.

Each participant did a number of tests during the workshop to identify their leadership style and were challenged to consider augmenting their approach to cater to the varying scenarios. In each hypothetical case presented we had the option to direct, coach, support or delegate our direct reports based on whether they were enthusiastic beginners, disillusioned learners, capable but cautious performers or self-reliant achievers.

Attendees were exposed to emotional intelligence theory and advised to heighten their self-awareness in the three tricky areas of:

- Accepting and managing change

- Teamwork capabilities

- Interpersonal relationships with team members

For communicators on the agency side, there was the communicator client relationship model. It made consultants ask themselves whether they were spending the majority of their time working on tactics, strategy building or being a trusted advisor.

Perhaps the participants had the most fun when groups were shown briefly a model made from toothpicks and yummy raspberry gummy snacks before being challenged to replicate it.

Each participant was given a card that either said participant or spy. In the end we learned a powerful lesson – no one on the job is a spy; and we all want to get the job done until our emotions descend into unhealthy suspicion.

At the end of this session, we each documented the activities we would stop doing, start doing, continue doing or do differently.

The best news about this exercise was that all participants earned credits toward the upcoming IABC Certification programme.

Hopefully, we will be able to appoint someone in the Caribbean to deliver a similar workshop while we wait for the certification programme to commence.

Read part two of this IABC LI New Orleans Review.

Tweet-up 101

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:07:00 +0000

Last month I managed my first tweet-up. With no precedent internally or little exposure to them locally, I naturally turned to Google for some suggestions.

Having found tips on tweet-up planning and execution on the web to be quite limited, I thought I would add my voice to the online archives.

Definition
Simply put, a tweet-up is a meeting via a social media platform around a specific topic or purpose. It is also referred to as a tweet chat and is a great way to allow global contribution to a cause or event.

PLANNING

Set your date
Timing is critical. Ensure you give yourself several weeks to plan and promote your event. Choose a date that doesn't coincide with a major industry happening unless your tweet-up will be around the same topic and co-promoted with that event.

Choose your topic
Although a tweet-up among far-flung friends for the sake of it is cool, businesses or entities embarking on tweet-ups are encouraged to have a clear topic for discussion.

Tweet-ups can be powerful tools for advocacy when well executed and it is key that research is done to ensure the right topic is chosen.

What are your key challenges or opportunities and how can tweet-up help to shed light on these situations?

Once your topic is selected, promotion and coordination should start simultaneously.

Target Audience
Target stakeholders wisely, casting your net wide enough to have a sizable audience but narrow enough to generate meaningful discussion.

In addition, your audience needs to be savvy with the platform you choose. If they are unlikely to be, you will spend much of your time educating them on how to create an account and how to join in the discussion. This is critical if they are going to participate.

Media or no media?
If you anticipate a large crowd of on-site attendees and robust discussion then the media may not be a bad idea. Smaller crowds may give the impression that the event was unsuccessful, despite large numbers of online participants. When in doubt, especially if this is your first tweet-up, err on the side of caution and just issue a news release afterward.

Promotional Tactics
Facebook and Twitter cover photos are a great place to start. Customize a banner so that your followers can have early notice. Create a different banner for each social network as the profile photo will cover different areas of the cover image. Take the time to layout the graphics for the best mileage on each platform.

A well-crafted news release can go a long away, as well as email marketing to your databases and via public e-marketing services.

Frequency is entirely debatable but it is important that you evolve your copy and graphics to include more data as it becomes available, e.g. if you have special guests or panelists confirmed who will field questions from the web audience.

Do promote your event at in-persons meetings, events or by visiting special interest groups. This goes a long way in getting the word out.

Build your event theme around the topic chosen, decorating your event, selecting your catering and even determine the colours that will resonate with your chosen theme; while staying fully on brand of course.

Internal Communications
In your communication plan you should also make provisions for internal communications to ensure that your employees are not only aware but on board. Update your social media policy to make participation guidelines clear and encourage them to spread the word. You can even appoint persons to address posts based on their expertise. All in all, it is a great way to increase the visibility of your senior managers and subject-matter experts.

If you have blocked employee-access to social media inside the firewall, temper your notification to staff to suit. Don't invite them to join in if they will have to use personal devices. A word to the wise is sufficient.

Choose your Platform
Twitter is great; so is Google Hangouts and even Facebook. Experiment with all of them before you make your final decision. If you want to facilitate sharing files, live streaming and comments beyond 140 characters, Twitter might not be ideal.

Make it an Event!
Tweet-ups are often held in person with persons chatting and tweeting up a storm at the same time. This format is more casual and facilitates light music, hors d'oeuvres and lounge seating.

For a more formal meet-up, set up your room theatre-style and stream the tweets via a projector and have your tweeters on hand to capture to most salient points made by your panel. Cater based on the time of day and encourage discussion at particular times. Video tape the event to ensure key points are captured that exceeded 140 characters.

Have a rehearsal
Ok, maybe not so formal an exercise but do ensure to debrief all participants so they know their role once the action begins. Share your high-level project plan with all key participants and provide them with key data.

Prepare for a Crisis
Have contingency messages handy. Never assume that tweet-chat participants will stick to the topic, especially if your company or entity has major publicly-known issues or initiatives ongoing.

One language or more?
If you have the resources, try to respond to persons tweeting in their native language. If this is a challenge, acknowledge them in the least by liking their posts.

One handle or more?

With Twitter, it is easier to use one primary handle, especially considering that persons will likely follow you once the event is deemed a success. Choose your primary account. If using multiple account ensure you man them adequately during the exercise.

Man-power?

Yes! Catering, decorations, technical support etc. are critical. Take all of the help you can get but do stick to your budget. If your senior management is participating, have someone tweet on their behalf unless they have a large following at their personal handle and are comfortable tweeting.

Make Friends!

Do ensure to like and follow as many participants as deemed plausible. This kind of traction is what tweet-ups are made for. Set key targets for how many new followers you want from your event also.

Save for On-Demand

It is great if you are using a platform not limited to 140 characters. In any case try to record the event, whether streaming live or not, and share the video later.

Archives & Hashtags

How can one archive tweets from an event? In retrospect, I would say chose a very unique hashtag. When you search for all of the related tweets afterwards, it helps when no one else is using your hashtag. Acronyms combined with numbers are great but there is no limit. Also stick to one hashtag so that participants find it easier to follow the discussions.

Archive your tweets in a spreadsheet making note of the retweets and likes received and even comments made. Such a document can make great fodder for future discussion, especially if chockful of suggestions with great strategic value.

Measuring a Tweet-up

While we were told immediately after the tweet-up by a social media company that participated that we attained over one million impressions during our event, it was questionable since our hashtag was similar to another being used long before.

Notwithstanding, with a proper archive of your tweets you can enumerate how many persons participated, how many tweets were posted, how many people attended the live event, etc. against the targets set in your initial communication plan. Do include in your review your actual spend versus what was budgeted.

I am still searching for a great programme that can extract all the tweets from the event automatically after. Tweetdeck was my first try but I couldn't extract a report. I had no luck with Hootsuite either.

I would appreciate any suggestion you have on how to measure a tweet-up.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions below!

IABC Barbados Southern Region Mini Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 21:36:00 +0000

SAVE THE DATE!

Click here for the conference website and to register online.

Storytelling, an Art

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 08:29:00 +0000

Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.

Native American Proverb

Internal Communications 2.0: Five Things it can do for Productivity

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 04:13:00 +0000

Social media has changed the face of client communications forever.

Companies that are still waiting to get in the game have probably had their names mentioned dozens of times, both positively and negatively.

The next wave is the socialized business, where employees communicate inside the firewall using socially-engineered communication and collaboration platforms. The companies depicted here are considered leaders in this field. The benefits are endless but here are my top five:

Spring a Leak!

Forgive my bad play on Wikileaks but here's the gist - socialized platforms bring all that is hidden into the open but solely to improve decision-making. No more waiting on a colleague to return from lunch or vacation to access files on their hard drive. All information, aside from sensitive documents, is available in the open.

Get Feedback in the Space

Social intranets allow employees to comment on work activities as they happen - status updates, newsletters, files, projects, etc - just as they do on social platforms. This is great for remote workers who need to weigh in on projects in real-time and improves version control. It also allows senior leaders to give praise publicly, which can boost morale significantly.

Broaden your Sales Force Company-wide

Build a lean, mean selling machine by starting community discussions around business strategy, particularly sales goals and solicit ideas from all departments. This way you empower the total workforce as a sales machine, especially if you incorporate sales pitches and rewards.

Reduce the IT Factor

With modern intranets, resetting forgotten passwords, on boarding new employees and troubleshooting issues are taken out of the IT domain and given to community/ engagement managers. This frees up the IT team to focus on security and governance matters and reduces users frustration with low priority issues.

Put the Fun Back into Work!

Social employee platforms, managed by spirited community coordinators, can be a source inspiration for staff who enjoy social technologies and their inherit efficiencies in their private lives. Why should work be behind their personal technology experiences?

I say it's time for companies in Barbados and the Caribbean to make this investment, move away from the old way and experience the productivity that comes from a 2.0-engaged workforce.

Do you agree?

Media Relations Made Simple

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 08:33:00 +0000

The old adage build it and they will come definitely does not apply to the discipline of media relations.

Many event organisers believe that they only need to send an email and their job is through, that the media coverage will be 100% positive.

They put 99% of their efforts into having a great event or press conference, crafting moving speeches, having delectable hors d'oeurves, not realizing that media relations require so much more.

At Lyrical Lava PR we advocate a three-pronged approach to media relations to guarantee maximum media coverage across print, radio, TV and online media. We are social media junkies but we respect the continued importance that traditional media plays in strategic PR.

Lead-up Communications
It is important to communicate with the media before your event.

1) Pre-event press release - this gives a synopsis of the offer or event and can focus on the vision for the project. Insert meaningful quotes from the leaders or organisers and cut the sales pitch to a minimum, else you be accused of trying to mask an advertorial as a news release.

Send releases to each editor rather than using the blind close caption else to show you have thought about the individual needs of each publisher. Add contact numbers for the electronic media so they can obtain voice or video clips,for their news programmes.

2) Media alert - formally invite the editors of the media you have pre-selected to your event. This can be sent via bcc and should include a map or directions, a list of the dignitaries or leaders confirmed, the date and time and any other information.

3) Follow up with each media house to confirm receipt of the news release and the media alert and to ascertain whether they will send representatives. Always express thanks for coverage received.

Event Communications
On the day of the event you should have a plan for taking care of the media who attend your event.

1) Media Kit - include a Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions, an updated news release, photos and copies of remarks made. Brochure and business cards are also useful fodder for the media in crafting their stories.

2) Own-media - always strive to take photos and video of your event yourself, along with quotes from noted speakers so that you can update your website, blog or social media in addition to what media coverage you may obtain. This is also helpful for media representatives who may, for whatever reason be unable to attend.

3) Media tour - ensure you give the media a 360-degree tour or review of your venue or product so they can effectively represent it in their writing. Offer to be available to answer questions after the event, particularly for those media seeking an exclusive angle.

Post-event Communications
1) Pitch Plan - in the event that the media coverage focuses on the dignitaries' remarks and less on your product or service, be prepared to pitch your story angles to the appropriate media based on their focus. This way you can have another shot at coverage that drills down to your desired key messages.

2) Clippings - collect copies of all media converge obtained and share on your social media channels, ensuring to tag the respective journalists and/ or media houses. This is a real demonstration of your appreciation for the coverage received.

3) Respond to all media calls, messages, emails and queries, even those you might have missed. Keeping the channels of communication open is a sure way to gain their attention again for future projects.

Did I miss anything? Share your feedback in the comments section below.

Save the Date! IABC Employee Engagement Event in Barbados

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:05:00 +0000

Click to enlarge

Hope to see you in Barbados for this event! It's a dream I had since I founded IABC Barbados, that the local chapter would host an international conference right on Bajan soil!

The topic chosen, employee engagement, is one near and dear to IABC since the original members convened in 1938!

Mark your calendar and stay tuned to this space for more details!

12 Tips on Mastering Facebook's #NewNewsFeed

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:46:00 +0000

Despite the announcement that they will change their news feed layout on March 7, 2013, several users are yet to be converted to Facebook's exciting new news feed.

As a matter of fact, account holders are being invited to join the waiting list, while Facebook assesses the impact of the new layout and attempts to incorporate feedback as they go along.

Reminiscent of social business interfaces such as Jive, it offers a customized user experience that will take the world's favourite social media site to a great new level. The long and short of it is, it is worth the wait.

In the meantime, popular marketing site, Hubspot, has already produced a white paper on how marketers can take advantage of Facebook's new news feed.

Below are twelve tips from our Tuesday Tweet-rant via our twitter handle, @lyricallavapr, inspired by Hubspot.

Tip No. 1 Image is everything. Your profile/ page's cover image will appear larger than life in the new news feed, especially when people like your page. Choose wisely!

Tip No.2 Post a photo and put the link in the description rather than posting a link. The image will appear larger and thus, more prominently. Get creative!

Tip No. 3 What gets shared gets seen. Research what content your followers/ friends will respond to most and keep giving them! Likes and shares drive up visibility.

Tip No. 4 The new news feed is all about visual content. Images and video take centre stage and drive up engagement way more than messages comprised of just text. Work with your photographer(s), advertising agencies and PR consultants to create an image bank.

Tip No. 5 Lack images? Post copy into a text box filled with bright colours and post as an image instead! Or use an app e.g. Imagechef.

Tip No. 6 Videos will show up as large as images do along with mini pics of those who like them. Get influencers to like your posts and go viral faster.

Tip No. 7 KISS - keep it short, sweetie! Captions will overlay images, in the top left corner, so make them smaller than a tweet but use keywords!

Tip No. 8 Filters mean users can block out everything but their favourite friends and companies' activities. Get to know your greatest brand advocates; treat them with content, previews and even gifts!

Tip No. 9 Create content that stands out from the crowd - be cutting-edge, be creative, be thought-provoking!

Tip No. 10 Pinterest! It's the third largest social site on the World Wide Web. Integrate your Pinterest account with your Facebook profile and boost your new news feed's image appeal.

Tip. No. 11 Use Calls-to-Action (CTAs) in all aspects - links to special offers, statuses with invitations to post or comment, event reminders and pointed questions.

Tip. No. 12 Location. Location. Location! Check in with Foursquare or offer deals to people who check in frequently! Each check-in can increase your visibility.

What tips will you incorporate going forward? Be sure to share your stories on how this will change your social media marketing strategy in our comments section below.

Top 10 Sponsorship Proposal Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:45:00 +0000

Members and friends of IABC Barbados accessed decades of experience on the world of sponsorship last evening as Barbadian PR stalwart, Al Gilkes, shared on the topic "Event Sponsorship: a Win-Win".

The event was held at the association's home - the BL and P Christie Room on Bay St. - and there were many ideas floating in the atmosphere for both seekers of sponsorship and the corporate communications managers with coveted sponsorship dollars to allocate.

Gilkes defined a sponsorship proposal as "a set of ideals, facts or projections that a sponsor can benefit from" and proceeded to share anecdotal information on his many rich experiences.

Here are the top 10 tips I took away from the event for both proposers requesting sponsorship and communicators hoping to find good corporate social responsibility and partnership opportunities in the communities they serve:

1) The currency of sponsorship is credibility

Proposers: Demonstrate your experience and/ or competence in hosting events and giving sponsors a good return on their investment. The key to sponsorship is having a good track record. Gilkes advised that "your reputation goes before you". Keep your integrity at all times.

Communicators: In the game of corporate communication, do your due diligence to ensure the company requesting assistance has a good reputation.

2) Having a compelling value proposition is critical.

Proposers: Be able to sell sand to the Arabs. It means designing a product that can sell itself. Only take your product, service or production to potential sponsors when it has been through the acid test of your industry.

Communicators: Gilkes suggested that the value-for-money you calculate from the sponsorship deal should be greater than that which any other marketing channel can provide. In other words, convince the promoter there is no better, more cost-effective way to achieve the same result.

3) WIIFM?

Proposers: Potential sponsors want to know "What's in it for me?" Creatively show how they can win as sponsors through the association or the investment made. Clearly demonstrate the opportunities for building awareness for their products: areas they can brand and move product; a seat at the head table of the media launch or on the planning committee; logo placement on promo materials; multiple mentions by the MC, branding of the backdrop at the main event; booth space to promote their offer, etc. In some cases they may just want to give for the sake of supporting a cause that aligns with their values.

Communicators: Outline what you want to gain from the partnership. Don't restrict your company to the platinum, gold and silver tiers of the plan submitted. Generic contracts outlining conditions on which sponsorship is granted are common.

4) Measurement is everything.

Proposers: Outline the details in your plan with respect to the expected outcomes for both your event and your sponsor. As Gilkes said, "Companies like to see numbers e.g. attendees vs spend".

Communicators: Be prepared to apply your own metrics to the event beyond those put forward.

5) Sponsorship gives you a head start

Proposers: If you are successful, and according to Mr. Gilkes, you can gain favour above your requested amount - if you are lucky, the sponsorship will cover your overheads. This means whatever else you raise is "gravy", he said. So, the lesson here is to use the funds wisely so you come out in the black, not the red.

Communicators: The fate of the initiative you may be approached about could rest on your timely disbursement of funds. Do ensure to respond promptly, even if the answer is no.

6) In the end we all want media coverage.

Proposers: Consider having an exclusive media sponsor as they can give you extensive discounts on your advertising, regular airtime at prime times and keep your effort at the forefront of your target audiences' minds. Recordings of your event can give you and your sponsors repeated exposure via traditional and social media channels , e.g. videos.

Communicators: Admit it - you want that press release clipping to show to your leaders on the exposure their CSR dollars generated. Even if you don't directly pursue the media or that coveted seat at the press conference head table, you enjoy it when your partners get the media's attention and you are acknowledged for your support. In the very least, ensure you announce the arrangement to your employees first.

7) My people are your people

Proposers: Does your target audience match your sponsors' target market? That is a vital factor if you want to at least make the sponsor's short list. As Gilkes put it, the "intangible or associated value" allows you to show that the sponsor's brand is associated with the causes that are important to your mutual audiences.

Communicators: Screen applications based on whether they will support your wider marketing objectives not on: who submitted the application or who will benefit from the initiative. Better yet, develop a company policy to set the parameters.

8) Sponsorship is a Face-to-Face Affair

Proposers: Getting a foot in the door with a good idea and a great proposal is a result of good networking and this is a reality. if you are unknown, get a mentor or what Gilkes termed "a godfather" and deliver your proposal by hand.

Communicators: Meet your potential partners face-to-face and give them the chance to explain key determining factors. Sometimes the proposal may be too vague; however, don't ignore, explore!

9)Think marriage not one-night stand

Both: What brings you together should be a lasting proposition; something that can have an indelible impact on your mutual audiences and that can grow over time.

Following each staging conduct a post mortem to cull lessons learned that can strengthen your future efforts. Even if you have to redesign the initiative or change your product altogether keep your bridges in tact. That means managing your people and your leaders' interactions with the other party.

10) Get expert help

Proposers: If you can afford it get professional assistance with creating your proposal. It can increase your chances of success significantly. Whether you approach a sponsorship expert or a PR consultant, negotiate a rate that makes sense for your project and your cash flow. As Gilkes put it, it is worth the investment. "A good proposal elevate you from a sponsorship seeker to "marketing partner".

Communicators: Engage your legal and finance teams when signing any sponsorship agreement. They can also be reliable in negotiating reciprocal benefits. Do the necessary checks to ensure your rights are upheld.

Let's hope Al Gilkes will take the advice of all in attendance and publish a book on his sponsorship expertise.

Please post your comments below!

IABC Barbados to Feature Al Gilkes on Event Sponsorship

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:18:00 +0000

IABC Barbados General Meeting

Come and hear veteran, Al Gilkes, on why event sponsorship should be a win-win at BL&P's Christie Room next Wed. 6pm.!

Anthony Al Gilkes

Al is a former Nation newspaper journalist and editor, who attended Harrison College and subsequently pursued studies in Business at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mass Communications and Computing at State University of New York (SUNY), and Management Studies at the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP).

He is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Creative Comms or Cheap Shots?

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:44:00 +0000

Now that my Google+ photo upload functionality has finally synced with my iPad, here are some newspaper ads I clipped of companies riding on the recent election mania to market their products.

Are these creative plays on the election fever that just engulfed Barbados or do they warrant blogger brick backs?

Election Day in Barbados 2013 - Continuity vs. Change

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:37:00 +0000

Barbadians of all walks of life will go to the polls today to exercise their right to determine who should preside over our national affairs.

The two parties and several independent candidates have run the course of their campaigns. The time for the people to speak is now.

A few parting shots:

On the so-called right to not vote: we have not even been free to vote for 100 years! The memory in our genes alone should prompt us to cast our ballots! If persons feel it is a choice between the lesser of two evil make it known in your letters to the editor, at the town halls but not by staying home! I

f you want change in our systems bring your ideas to the fore and stop with this cowardly murmuring out of the earshot of those who need to hear it! It is the best system we have at present! Can't fix it or make recommendations? Then accept it but don't complain about the direction the country is going in!

Mixing politics with friendship/ business: political allegiances are almost as thick as those to blood relations to some people. Learn to separate these if you want to retain your friendships and business partnerships in Election season.

I find it annoying when people say things such as support my party or I won't invest in your product. Admit that you only care about my political preference because of the national climate and come back to reason.

Out of many parties, one people: can you wrap yourself in the flag no matter who wins? Seriously. After today we will all have to live, work and invest in this fair nation. Only one winner can emerge but they will lead only one country. Let us recognize the economic and social, environmental and governmental challenges that are before us and work together as a people to make a better Bim!

I leave you with the lyrics of Red Plastic Bag, reigning calypso monarch:

I ain goin nowhere
It's here I intend to stay
And if it rise or fall
I ain leavin dis land at all!

Bim, I love you!

Barbados Elections 2013 - PR Pulse by Lyrical Lava PR - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:08:00 +0000

The masses are best reached with the face-to-face and tangible tactics such as the mass rallies, media advertisements, banners and billboards, and catchy slogans. However, there are tremendous benefits to having a strong web presence, primarily ongoing engagement of key demographics among the vital youth voters and the Diaspora.

On Websites

The DLP has built a modern website in party colours with large images outweighing the use of text. The header is a large rotating banner of images hyperlinked to key pages including their performance record in housing, education and the document summarising their achievements from 2008-12. At the bottom of the home page are links to other aspects of the site including sections on their philosophy and candidates, and their Facebook, Twitter and Youtube) Readers can also comment on blog posts, watch live streaming of events from anywhere in the world or volunteer for the campaign. Their Ustream broadcast on January 30 from Bay Street is said to have netted approximately 10,000 viewers.

This uncluttered, functional design is good for navigation and would lend to repeat visitors. However stronger blog writing skills demonstrating critical analysis of major issues is needed and some candidates' profiles are dated. In addition, it is hard to find a central message theme as tag lines change with each banner or advert.

Social Media
Twitter is more popular among Barbadians today than say three years ago. The DLP has its @DLP246 (82 followers) and @YoungDems246 (109 followers) and this is a reflection of how often they tweet. Some of their candidates have handles and tweet off and on. However those with handles with the word 'vote' in it clearly don't plan to tweet after the election and should quit while they're ahead. Above all, tweeting once every two days with so much happening and free tools such as Hootsuite is totally unacceptable.

They have 2,149 Facebook followers and 409 follow the Young Democrats on Facebook ad post fairy often but get little response. Then there are at least five secondary pages by supporters, e.g. Dems Now. Dems Again and PARO, as well as candidate pages. The latter, if official, ought to be integrated with their website.

BLP: In keeping with their brand colours, this site has a bright red and yellow gradient and their upcoming events ads own the top of the landing page. Their social media buttons are at the top left and include flicker, twitter, facebook and youtube but not on the mobile version, a major oversight. They also have a blog and its posts can be commented on.

The bottom of the home page features links to all nominees allowing easy perusal of their credentials and persons can view live events via their Ustream account. Their voter registration directory is also very accurate making for an excellent asset. The layout is functional to navigate.

Social Media
@BLP_youth has 172 followers and 93 follow @BLP_official, again a reflection of the frequency of their tweets, increasing since the bell was rung. There are a couple constituency handles and candidate handles. The fact is social media is unkind and worse so if you tweet opportunistically.

Social share buttons on each blog post facilitate viral dissemination via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, email, as well a print option. They have 5,079 Facebook fans and dozens more via candidate and fan pages including 'Fire Freundel' (2,752 likes). This massive Facebook following is indicative perhaps of loss of support for the leadership style of the PM, the DLP's perceived management of the economy or both. They too use Ustream to share their live events vis the World Wide Web.

Summary
The DLP needs to speak to its social media audiences more often and with greater conviction as their low participation may give undecided voters doing research the wrong impression where their sport is concerned. The BLP needs to eliminate those extra Twitter accounts so it is clear which is the primary account but generally has effortlessly gathered its troops online at Facebook, the most popular channel in Barbados. I've said it before, years ago when Obama first ran for President: he who wins the online leg wins the election.

With just about two weeks to go and with several issues and revelations yet to be discussed on platforms across the island and the web, it's way too early to make a prediction. The important factor will be which party can generate meaningful content the fastest and with the greatest frequency to satisfy the voters' appetite.

In the next blog post we will look how the parties score on the key issues identified by the electorate. Take the poll on our home page by Tuesday February 19, 2013 to share your views.

Until then, share your thoughts on this blog post below and tell us what you think about the use of the web by your party below, @lyricallavapr or anonymously at bloggeradmin@lyricallavapr.com.

Barbados Elections 2013 - PR Pulse by Lyrical Lava PR - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:28:00 +0000

Stay current with public relations views and news of PR happenings in Barbados by using any of the following links:

1) Follow us on Twitter

2) Subscribe to our blog by email

3) Join our Facebook group

If you are interested in guest blogging send a summary of your post to bloggeradmin(at)lyricallavapr.com.

A look at the use of Publicity/ Promotion in the Political Campaigns of the Barbados General Election 2013

Election fever is rising like a wild fire in Barbados and across the Diaspora as we head to the polls on February 21, 2013. Be sure to know where you can vote by checking the register soonest!

Now, at the heart of a political campaign, aside from matters of finance and human resources management, is the public relations strategy. How are the BLP and the DLP doing so far?

Publicity and Promotion at Launch

Perhaps the most popular aspect of PR, these two areas are used to gain maximum mind share among key publics on their best achievements through the media. Tactics include: slogans, collateral (fliers and posters, billboards), events (mass rallies, spot meetings) and media advertisements (ads, jingles).

Slogans
Both parties have used this tactic. The BLP has a clear singular tag line: "A Better Tomorrow" and this has been consistently used in all collateral. Their leader has also been reiterating their "unity" as a team, demonstrating this with acts such as their collective registration as nominees, arriving by motorcade.

The DLP has used a number of messages including "Dems Now... Dems Again!" and the PM's personal slogan "Reliable, Honest, Focused : The Right Man". The latter is not consistent in the use of its slogans, however, e.g. A variation of the wording for the PM was seen in the press versus their website.

A singular, consistent message will not only achieve greater audience recall but will become more convincing over time so the BLP is ahead of the curve in this respect.

Collateral
Brand colours are being used consistently by both parties and logos are static. While the BLP went with the traditional island wide posters and billboards strategy to launch their presence, the DLP opted to release the "DLP Performance 2008-2012" in digital and print formats. The latter will erect its posters on the weekend of February 2. The BLP has announced to the media its manifesto is completed but remains to be seen. Feel free to share the link in your comments if it's out there already for public consumption.

Posters are a lasting image of candidates that community dwellers will encounter every day and the BLP beat the ruling party to the ticket in this critical aspect. However, it was politically mature of the Dems to prioritise their performance record, particularly in the face of public accusations of non-performance. Once they complete the posting of their campaign signs, with consistent messages, slogans and design, they will be well on top of their PR.

Events
In PR face-to-face meetings provide greater impact than any other medium so that DLP was wise to launch with a rally. They made good use of popular local band, Krosfyah but made the messages by the speakers the priority.

Waiting until the weekend to hold their mass rally was great strategic timing on the part of the Opposition. Moreover, they have come up with a veritable who’s who of Barbados entertainment that vastly overshadows the DLP’s use of just one band. Many of these entertainers are affiliated with the management company of one of the BLP candidate so no surprises there. Also, these entertainers are surely not performing for free so it may cause some to question their credibility as influencers.

However, it is reminiscent of the David Thompson campaign of 2008 and is a proven way to engage the youth. The wide range of genres are no doubt their way of reaching out to all classes of youth on the island. Will people vote based on whether an artiste is believed to be voting a particular way? It is not unlikely.

Advertisements
Again the BLP has created very clever messages for their jingles, which are on original music beds. Hypa Dawg's "Done wid Dem" is used in print ads also and is very catchy. Meanwhile, Crimeson, Dutty Android and Crab Soldier chant "things dread we voting fuh de red" regularly on simulcast across radio stations making it hard to escape the catchy phrase.

Again, this seems more of a David Thompson-type move so one may argue that the Dems missed the chance to be first out with these popular endorsements. Their newspaper ads have begun and highlight verbatim quotes by the Opposition Leader on his intentions to privatise state entities as far as possible and show jobs taking a porcelain dive, as well as jabs at the alleged unity between Mr. Arthur and ousted Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley. Let’s wait and see what they have in store for radio, particularly in light of Mr. Sinckler's assertion that they will not run a lavish campaign.

I could go on but I want to hear from you. How do you think the political campaigns are shaping up on the road to elections?

Post your comments below, @lyricallavapr or anonymously via bloggeradmin@lyricallavapr.com.

Taking the PR Pulse of the Barbados Election 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:51:00 +0000

Isn’t it ironic that the profession we love to hate is having their most defining moment in the month of love?

As Barbados prepares for its next general election on February 21, 2013, public relations practitioners wear a hat similar to that of the international election observers. However, we are not looking at the level of integrity displayed or the extent to which politicians conform to some perceived or explicit code of conduct.

We observe and evaluate their public relations efforts against what we know as the core principles of communications. We look at the strategic approach and tactics designed in the campaign starting January 29, 2013 when the formal announcement of the election was made.

In the next few posts I will attempt to do a Public Relations Diagnostic Report (PRDR) on the campaign efforts of both parties. This is a tool that we have been experimenting with in the background as we seek to assist businesses and associations with evaluating the effectiveness of their PR toolbox.

The first post will be placed tonight at 8:00 p.m. on how they score in our book on publicity and promotion so keep your finger on the pulse here at Lyrical Lava PR.

Edelman - a Legend

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:48:00 +0000

In the world of public relations, Edelman is a name synonymous with global excellence. From their humble beginnings to their multi-dimensional expansion into everything from CSR and digital communications to entertainment marketing and research, they set the bar high for PR agencies everywhere.

Today communicators the world over pause and reflect on the life of Dan J. Edelman (1920 - 2013) and the indelible impression he has left on our profession. His constant mantra of story-telling as a major public relations skill is one this writer is still striving to master. His hard-line ethics and perspective of PR as the keeper of the corporate conscience resonate in the voice of every PR mentor worth his or her salt - especially mine! His ability to turn his passion into a global service is truly an inspiration and his long list of milestones are truly worth aspiring to.

In a world where the lines of values are constantly being blurred, this is a man who by his living proved that trust and credibility need not be compromised in order to reach the summit of success.

About Edelman

Edelman is the world's largest public relations firm, with 66 offices and more than 4,500 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research), Blue (advertising), A&R Edelman (technology), BioScience Communications (medical communications), and agencies Edelman Significa (Brazil) and Pegasus (China).

Socialize Your Business - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Stay current with public relations views and news of PR happenings in Barbados by using any of the following links:

1) Follow us on Twitter

2) Subscribe to our blog by email

3) Join our Facebook group

If you are interested in guest blogging send a summary of your post to bloggeradmin(at)lyricallavapr.com.

Cheers to the New Year!

Previously I spoke of social business as the latest trend in public relations. It is only a matter of time before it takes Barbados by storm. One of the reasons why this is bound to happen is the fact that social media has been growing in prevalence. Social business is therefore a palatable concept because it translates that the same benefits we get from the viral sharing and interactions with clients can augur well for business, among our employee teams.

How does social business achieve this?

Social business is more than 'Facebook behind the firewall'. Here is my definition of social business: It is enterprise-specific social media programmes that can help companies to do business faster and simpler.

Smart companies keen on bringing organizational communication into the 21st century are ditching the old ways of communicating in favour of social business networks that are organic, interactive and mobile-compliant.

In effect they are saying goodbye to:

- Intranets that don't allow employees to comment on information shared for those that allow them to share, like, tag and comment on content.

- Individuals hoarding information in private folders and mailboxes for open information sharing enterprise-wide.

- Knowledge attrition through job changes for integrated knowledge management systems that capture tacit knowledge from routine tasks and projects.

Most importantly, social business is bringing fun and teamwork back into the office and achieving true business results! Companies that make the decision to socialize their corporate communications processes open a door to a world of growth prospects never before attainable.

Watch this video of Norlandia for an example of how social business technology can fast forward your corporate communications strategy to boost business performance.

It however, calls for a serious cultural shift from rewarding and recognizing individual effort alone and making room for celebrating teamwork and collaborative successes. In order to make this shift smoothly, it makes sense to partner with a company that gets the big picture of social business.

I would be glad to answer your questions and hear your comments. Feel free to post them below or by emailing me at bloggeradmin(at)lyricallavapr.com.

Public Relations Tips from Barbados

noreply@blogger.com (Christal P. Austin) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:51:00 +0000