Employee Communications: Internal Branding = External Success
August 31, 2009
It’s a simple equation. Internal Branding = External Success. Employee communications programs should embody the brand and foster a culture of communication that rallies employees around the mission and business goals of the company. Yet many organizations neglect internal communication. With an economy in the tank, some companies feel that employees should be happy to have a job. But when things are bad, employees need to be hearing frequently about the true state of the company, what management is doing about it, what it means for the individual employee. Read more
What the heck is a brand anyway?
August 28, 2009
I’ve read a flotilla of articles and blogs about the importance of having a personal brand, and how key it is for companies to have a positioning that excites their target markets. Yet, I haven’t read anything to my satisfaction that clarifies in simple language all the terms that are bandied about.
The word “brand” has come to have many definitions. The key is that when you are working on your brand it is important to use a common vocabulary so that you and your colleagues are communicating in the same language. Read more
Twitpitch — the New Way to Pitch Reporters
August 25, 2009
As a former business reporter, I was on the receiving end of many press releases and pitches. So I have an understanding of what a reporter is looking for under the constant pressure of deadlines.
Despite what editors say as panelists at media conferences, they DO look to PR people for story ideas. The way that a company distributes news about its products, services and executives boils down to these three techniques:
• Twitpich (yes, on Twitter)
• Pitch letter
• Press release
My Blog is Now in in the Business Intelligence Library
August 24, 2009
To show you the power of the viral community, my membership in LinkedIn’s Blog Zone led to my being included in the Business Intelligence Library which is part of the Business Intelligence Professionals Network. According to the site, “it is intended to be a collaborative enironment for business intelligence professionals to review ideas, technologies, concepts, best practices, and general experiences. We pride ourselves on delivering the news to BI professionals.” And, of course, they showcase blogs. Thanks, Matt Spight, for including Write Speak Sell!
7 Steps to Making Your Employees Brand Ambassadors
August 19, 2009
Your employees can be your best brand ambassadors. What does that mean? It means you can mobilize an army of employees dedicated to communicating your company’s key messages and building your brand reputation online. First, it is essential to establish a positive two-way dialogue with employees so they feel involved in the process of promoting the company. They need to know management is listening to them and that they are important to the company’s success. The key is trust – companies can’t control what employees say but if you have good relations with employees you can trust they will represent the company well. Zappos, Intel, Comcast, IBM, Diamond Technologies and a host of other companies have done it. So can you. Read more
How Obama’s Story Telling May Shift the Conversation on Health Care
August 17, 2009
The debate on health care has reached a fever pitch with both sides — those for and against it – dug in for the fight. Until now, President Obama, the most cerebral of presidents, has used the logic of his argument to try to communicate to the American people the details of his health plan. But it hasn’t been working. Read more
Employees Can Become Brand Ambassadors; Learn How in a Free Webinar
August 13, 2009
As I’ve written before, internal social networking is growing like wildfire. But not nearly enough companies are leveraging their employees’ love affair with external social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to communicate with customers. I will be describing how they can in a webinar on August 19 at 1 pm. EDT with my colleague Amy Dean . For a more detailed description and to register for this free one-hour program click on this link FreeWebinarWednesdays . Read more
JCPenney Knows How to Communicate With its Customers in New York: Good Service
August 10, 2009
JCPenney opened its first store in Manhattan about a week ago, cheek by jowl with Macy’s in Herald Square, ready to take on the world’s largest store. I stopped in on my way someplace else today and was struck by how well they figured out us finicky New Yorkers – always in a rush, no time to wait on line (not in line as people say in other parts of the country). Read more
Does Your Company Have a Social Media Director?
August 8, 2009
Does your company have a Social Media Director to manage the company’s social media strategy? That’s a question I posed in a LinkedIn Poll last month. With 22 responses, it is hardly scientific, but it was telling, nonetheless. Read more
Why I’ve Come to Love Blogging
August 6, 2009
I’ve really come to love blogging and bloggers. I started to blog this past spring — almost six months ago. A friend encouraged me to try it — I’d like it! So, I created a simple WordPress blog and started out on an unforeseen, but incredible journey. Read more