President’s Column – June 2014

President’s Column
By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

I just returned from IABC world conference in Toronto, Ontario where communications professionals gathered to learn from the best and brightest in our industry. There were over 2,000 registered attendees with representation from as far away as Africa, South America and Europe. Before the opening session, I joined a walking tour of beautiful downtown Toronto, and explored China Town, Kensington and Dundas districts. Toronto is a beautiful, clean and friendly city that reminded me of NYC in many ways. It was energizing to be around so many communications professionals. Those that I met are articulate, confident, and great thought leaders within their organizations. They are the voice of their companies and often the voice of their leadership. While we were in Toronto we went to sessions that taught us how to enhance our skills, create an authentic culture, generate employee engagement, and apply science to use our brain in new ways.

The keynote speakers included Lesley Jane Seymour from MORE Magazine, Gregg Lederman from Brand Integrity Group, Hayley Wickenheiser from the Canadian Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, and many more.

Shannon Frederick and Ginger Homan were officially slated into the regional and international board. Joe Williams and John Clemons were a raving success in their circle of fellows presentations. Ginger Homan accepted an Award of Excellence.

One of my favorite keynote speakers Mike Walsh. He is a leading authority on the digital future, the bestselling author of Futuretainment and the CEO of Tomorrow, a global innovation lab in Berkeley, Calif. His opening general session provided the excitement of scanning the near future for the next communication trends. He introduced a fresh, symbiotic way of looking at the relationships we have with our clients and customers. His opening keynote session on Sunday showed us that shifts in human behavior in relation to emerging technologies must inform our business transformations if we’re to truly serve our stakeholders.


 
Be sure and register for next year’s conference, which will be in San Francisco. You won’t want to miss it.

Proud to represent our great chapter,
Angela

President’s Column – May 2014

By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

Hello and happy spring!

You’ll be happy to know some of our IABC Tulsa Chapter members are representing us regionally and globally. We truly have some of the best communications leaders in our chapter, and a few of them have been chosen for VIP roles within IABC.

Ginger Homan, ABC, has accepted the role of Director on the 2014-2015 International Executive Board of IABC. Ginger is the founder and owner of Zia Communications and a founding partner in MODA, a branding and architecture firm. Both firms focus on building communities and creating a thriving culture. Homan specializes in getting a client’s message heard, understood and acted upon. She is a recipient of the 2011 Tulsa Chapter IABC John Hartman Professional Communicator of the Year, former president of the Tulsa chapter and the former Director of North America for the IABC Accreditation Committee. Her work has been recognized with IABC Gold, Silver and Bronze Quills, as well as local and regional ADDY’s, SMPS Marketing Achievement Awards and by PRSA. We are lucky to have Ginger represent IABC Internationally. She will play a vital role in shaping the future of IABC.

Shannon Frederick, ABC, will be on the slate to possibly be voted in as the new Secretary for the IABC Southern Region this summer. Shannon is also the past-president of the IABC-Tulsa Chapter. She has been honored with multiple awards from IABC and PRSA for her strategic communications management, writing, media and internal communications work experience. She joined Walmart in 2006 as a senior manager for Media Relations. Shannon is currently the Senior Director for Global Associate Communications, and her group is responsible for communicating to the company’s over 2 million associates worldwide. I know she will do an incredible job in this new role at the Southern Region. IABC-Tulsa applauds her!

Next month is IABC’s World Conference in Toronto. Joe Williams and John Clemons, ABC, APR, from IABC Tulsa will be two of the 20 IABC Fellows that will be at the Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom at World Conference. The Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom will be the largest group of present IABC Fellows in the history of World Conference. The Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom will be a unique and very personal learning experience for not only the 500 that attend, but also the 20 Fellows involved as well. Each will share knowledge on “What they’ve found to be true” from their careers in communication. Joe Williams will be giving relationship advice to help us make impactful presentations. John Clemons’ main topic will be that great work alone will not get you “there”.

Joe Williams, IABC Fellow and founder of Joe Williams Communications, has been an IABC Fellow since 2009 and has been given 12 Gold Quill awards. To be named as a Fellow is the highest honor in IABC. The association takes into account the applicants’ career achievements, leadership, authorship and overall contribution to the field of communications. Unlike other IABC annual awards, being named an IABC Fellow is a lifetime title. Joe’s achievements are endless, and he’s all-around a great guy.

John Clemons, ABC, APR, and IABC Fellow has served as the Chair of the International Executive Board. At Walmart, John is responsible for development, implementation and measurement/evaluation of internal communication programs, and strategic communication initiatives for the Walmart Leverage organization. Prior to joining Walmart in 2012, John served as the IABC Interim Executive Director. In 2001, he was the Chairman and Chief Volunteer Officer for IABC’s International Executive Board and in 2012, he was named an IABC Fellow. Besides the Fellows’ Circle of Wisdom, John Clemons will also be on another panel at World Conference with two other Fellows. The topic will be Internal Communications Unplugged; there they will be revisiting some internal communication firm rules. We are lucky to have such an incredible communicator in our chapter.

These members have put their hearts and souls into IABC. Be sure to tell Shannon and Ginger congratulations on their new roles, and be sure to sign up to hear Joe and John at the upcoming World Conference.

President’s Column – April 2014

 

April 2014

President’s Column
By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

How satisfied are your customers? Are they loyal fans who brag about you to their friends, or are they secretly upset over problems you don’t even know about?

You probably won’t know unless you ask.

If you haven’t reached out to your customers in awhile – or if you’ve never done a survey before – it’s time. The right customer survey can provide powerful data to help guide your business decisions.

Customer surveys can be tremendously helpful – and they don’t have to be overly expensive or time-consuming. There are many free online survey tools available today, such as SurveyMonkey, QuestionPro and Zoomerang. These cloud-based programs can help you create an effective customer survey that’s a snap to email out to your list.

Of course, you can print and mail a survey, but this option is definitely more expensive and requires more time and effort for both you and your customers. As a result, your response rate is likely to be lower. If you do decide to use a print version, consider sending it along with another mailing (like an invoice or statement) to reduce your overall cost.

Tips for setting up your survey

If you use a major online survey tool, you can take advantage of their research and suggested questions to help guide you.  Here are a few initial tips for setting up your survey:

  • Determine your goals before writing your questions. What do you most want to learn from your customers? What information would best guide you in making decisions or business improvements?
  • Keep your survey short. Customers are generally willing to spend 5-10 minutes on a survey, but being confronted with a huge list of questions will turn many people off and reduce your response rate.
  • Ask questions that are specific and direct. If possible, ask questions that give you information about how to improve. Also, include at least one “open-ended” question so customers can share specific thoughts, ideas or experiences.
  • Consider providing an incentive for completing the survey, such as a discount code for a future purchase or a prize drawing. Customers are more likely to respond when there’s something in it for them, so you’ll get more input.

What will you get?

The feedback you receive can create a wide variety of opportunities for business growth and planning. Survey results can help you:

  1. Develop pricing strategies: Are your prices too low, too high or just right? The price of a product or service is one of the key elements a customer considers before making a purchase. In order to set the right price, you need to determine what your customers consider to be fair.
  2. Enhance marketing campaigns: By understanding customer preferences, you can better focus your advertisements. If a current strategy or campaign isn’t getting the results you were expecting, the data from your surveys can help you modify your efforts and make them more effective.
  3. Design research and development activities: To remain competitive in the market and boost future prospects, you have to look for ways to develop new products and address feedback for existing ones. Based on survey responses, you’ll be able to integrate your findings into a long-term growth plan for your business.
  4. Strengthen customer satisfaction: Are customers pleased with what you’re doing for them or are there areas for improvement?

By asking for feedback and addressing problems whenever you can, you’ll go a long way toward building customer loyalty.

-Angela Byers, President


April Meeting – Human Connection in a 140-Character (or Less) World

Those who’ve worked in the communications field for more than 30 years have undoubtedly experienced tremendous amounts of change. Typewriters gave way to desktop computing. The press release is still around, but it’s no longer the primary arrow in the quiver. Even the way we use the Web is constantly changing with the emergence of social media, smartphones and tablets.

What hasn’t changed, though, is the importance of research, goal setting and evaluation of our efforts. Another thing that has not changed, but is often lost, is the importance of the human touch. Sure, we can blast out 140-character messages to our audiences over Twitter, but interpersonal contact is still the best way to build mutually beneficial relationships.
Join us April 16 as Mary Flowers shares insights from her 35-year career in communications. She’ll discuss how communications has changed in many ways, but also how time has reinforced and elevated the importance of several communications fundamentals.


All About Mary
Mary Flowers joined Walmart in 2009 as vice president, Global Associate Communications. In this role, she is responsible for associate-facing communications and developing ways to connect the company’s two million plus associates worldwide to what the company stands for in the global marketplace.

Prior to joining Walmart, Mary held a variety of communications- and marketing-related positions at Prudential Financial Inc., based in Newark, N.J. She led the team responsible for shaping the company’s approach to the women’s market. She has served on the boards of McCarter Regional Theater (Princeton, N.J.) and Hunterdon Helpline (info and referral agency).

 

Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Science in broadcast journalism from Boston University.
 
When:         Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
Where:        The Summit Club
                   15 W. Sixth Street, 31st floor, Renaissance Room
                   Bank of America Building (parking garage entrance located on Boulder Avenue)
 
Fee:            Event Registration
                   IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25
                   IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35
 
RSVP »  Tuesday, April 15, 2014


Communication World: Digital PR

The April issue of Communication World magazine is out! This month, learn how to build visibility and influence by integrating content marketing, social media and search into traditional PR. You’ll also find articles on crafting a reputation management plan and tips for clear, compelling content, as well as a Gold Quill Award-winning case study on how a health-care agency used Twitter to build awareness of its services.

We’d also love to get your feedback on CW. Please help shape the future of the magazine by taking a quick survey to let us know how we are doing and what you’d like us to do differently.

Cognitive Science + Common Sense = Effective Presentations

As human beings, we have two methods of communication: the written word and the spoken word. It doesn’t matter how we communicate, across what medium, or with whom. When we exchange information and ideas with each other—whether our intent is to inform or persuade or reminisce or share a tender moment—we either write it or we speak it.

Read the rest of the article on the IABC Website »


Job Line – Local and International

Looking for local, regional or international career opportunities? Have an open position and looking for a talented professional to fill it?

IABC Tulsa and IABC International both have career listings available.

IABC Tulsa has new listings for interns available this month!

The IABC Job Center is the definitive career resource for the communication profession, serving job seekers and employers in all industries and communication functions.

 

President’s Column – March 2014

By Angela Byers, IABC Tulsa President

Warning: Greg’s energy and enthusiasm is highly contagious.

We are honored to have Greg speak at our upcoming event on March 26th at the Summit Club – Governors Suite. Greg knows culture in an organization is essential for success. Every business has a culture, but unfortunately it is often not created intentionally. Greg will show us how to create a culture that will lead to growth. He makes his presentations fun so that his message will stick.

I first met Greg Hawks last year when he approached me about making a new website for his business. Greg is creative and hardworking, so it is no surprise that he instantly clicked with our team. It is an honor to do work for someone who has traveled all over the world to help businesses and professionals. Just a few of his clients are Walmart, Cherokee Nation and Baker Hughes.

hawks agency2

If you want to learn more about Greg Hawks and how he helps individuals and organizations go to hawksagency.com or connect with him at http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghawks

IABC Tulsa – June 2014 Meeting

IABC Tulsa  –  June Meeting

How Generational Diversity Is Transforming the Workplace

Today’s workforce ranges from Baby Boomers to Millennials, and the distinctions between generations – their cultures, expectations, communications styles and their “toys” – have never been so sharp and diverse. Join us as Bill Fournet presents the latest information and practical techniques to help your organization harness the strengths of its generationally diverse employees and understand their various drivers and preferences.

All About Bill

Bill-Fournet

Bill Fournet is the founder, president and CEO of The Persimmon Group. He provides business strategy, project management, educational development and information technology consulting to clients in various industry verticals, including energy, financial services, aerospace, telecommunications, government and human resources, among others.

Over the past two decades, Bill has provided leadership for clients in delivery methodology, business process improvement, resource development, project management, business analysis and training for a variety of national, international and multinational organizations.

When:  Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: The Summit Club
15 W. Sixth Street, 30th floor, Governor’s Suite
Bank of America Center
Parking garage entrance is located on Boulder Avenue; additional parking is available at             the ONEOK Plaza parking garage

Fee:     Event Registration
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35

RSVP:  Monday, June 16, 2014

IABC Tulsa May, 2014 Meeting

IABC Tulsa May Meeting

Is Your CEO Really Prepared to Face the Media?Whether it’s an ambush interview in the parking lot, or a well-planned press conference, your organization’s top leader needs to feel confident and prepared when talking with reporters. How do you help bring that about?

Join us May 21 when Terri Ammerman of The Ammerman Experience will offer her perspective on media training for executives and give us ideas we can use to help the corner office communicate effectively.

All About Terri

Terri Ammerman is president and chief executive officer of The Ammerman Experience based in Stafford, Texas, near Houston. She joined the company in 1981 and became CEO in 2007. Over the years, The Ammerman Experience has thrived under Terri’s leadership. She provides strategic counsel, communications advice and training for clients around the world, including several of the world’s largest energy companies.

When:  Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: The Summit Club 15 W. Sixth Street, 30th floor, Governor’s Suite Bank of America Center Parking garage entrance is located on Boulder Avenue

Fee:     Event Registration IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25 IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35

RSVP:  Monday, May 19, 2014

IABC Tulsa March 2014 Meeting

Crafting a Culture of Ownership

Business culture can be described simply as “The way things get done.” Every business has a culture; it’s essential for organizational success. It’s perhaps more tangible, prevalent and impacting on the bottom line than any person or documented policy. Unfortunately, though, few businesses set out to create their cultures intentionally. So how do you transform your work environment in a way that catapults productivity and efficiency?

Join us March 26 as Greg Hawks will help you discover how to deliberately design a culture that produces growth. In this session, he will help you understand the five elements that communicate caring to every employee; discover the four foundational pillars that foster engagement and productivity; and, realize the three benefits from having an intentionally crafted business culture.

REGISTER TODAY!

All about Greg

Greg Hawks is the lead agent for Hawks Agency in Oklahoma City. With a leadership portfolio spanning both nonprofit and for-profit worlds, he has spent his life investing in people. Through Hawks Agency, he challenges and empowers leaders, teams and organizations to reach for greatness. His history is broadly dynamic. Speaking on platforms around the nation, creating mentoring networks, leading small and large teams, real estate investing, running summer camps, hosting leadership events and producing city-wide projects have equipped Greg to be uniquely qualified to serve you, your people and your business.

When
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:30 AM  – 1:00 PM

Where
The Summit Club – Bank of America Building
Governor’s Suite – 30th Floor, 15 W 6th Street, Parking ticket validated, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Fees
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25.00
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35.00

RSVP
Monday, March 24, 2014

IABC TULSA FEBRUARY 2014 MEETING

REGISTER TODAY

Wed., Feb. 19, 2014 11:30 AM  – 1 PM
The Summit Club – Bank of America Building
Governor’s Suite – 30th Floor, 15 W 6th Street, Parking ticket validated
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25.00
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35.00

RSVP    Monday, February 17, 2014

Do you work for a publicly traded company? Are you responsible for communicating financial information to investors or employees? Do you have investments in stocks and bonds or just want to learn more about the financial markets?

If so, then this meeting is for you!

Andrew Ziola, vice president of investor relations and public affairs at ONE Gas, Inc., (NYSE: OGS) will provide a unique perspective on the roles of investor relations and business communications and how the two functions can work together to add value to your business.

Andrew is a “numbers guy” by degree, but has transitioned into a senior-level communications role at ONE Gas, which recently spun-off from ONEOK, Inc. Andrew has mastered the art of effectively communicating complicated financial subjects.

What you’ll learn:

  • An insider’s perspective on how communications and investor relations teams can work together to market a business and reach key audiences.
  • Messaging strategies for financially-focused information and how to make it accessible and understandable to the average reader or investor.
  • “Must-know” financial terms – for communicators AND every-day investors.
  • Basics about the stock market what contributes to a stock’s price.

Andrew will also share insight into the process of spinning off a new, publicly traded company and how his team juggled all aspects of communications prior to, during and after the spin.

About Andrew:

Andrew is vice president of investor relations and public affairs of ONE Gas. He is responsible for the company’s investor relations, communications and community investments functions. Prior to ONE Gas becoming a standalone publicly traded company separated from ONEOK, Inc., he served in a similar role as vice president of investor relations and communications of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners.

He joined ONEOK in 2004 as the manager of financial planning and analysis and also served as the manager of investor relations. He began his career in the energy industry in 2003 as a financial planning specialist of Northern Border Partners, L.P. headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute and on the board of directors of the institute’s virtual chapter. He also is a member of IABC/Tulsa and the Tulsa Press Club. A native of California, Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1991 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and a Masters of Business Administration degree in 2007 from Creighton University in Omaha.

THE MYTHS OF CREATIVITY – REGISTER TODAY!

REGISTER TODAY!

When our jobs challenge us to be creative on demand, we must develop novel, useful ideas that will keep our organizations competitive. For anyone who struggles with creativity, or who makes excuses for delaying the work of innovation, David Burkus will help you overcome your obstacles to finding new ideas with his presentation, The Myths of Creativity.

Based on the latest research into how creative individuals and firms succeed, David will highlight the mistaken ideas that hold us back and show how anyone can embrace a practical, grounded approach to finding the best new ideas. He’ll answer questions such as, “What causes us to be creative in one moment and void in the next?” and he’ll debunk several common myths about creativity.

All about David

David Burkus is assistant professor of management at the College of Business at Oral Roberts University, where he teaches courses on creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and organizational behavior. He is the founder and host of LDRLB(pronounced “leader lab”), a podcast that shares insights from research on leadership, innovation and strategy.

His work on leadership, creativity and innovation has been published in numerous scholarly journals and practitioner publications. He also is a contributing writer for 99U, Creativity Post and the Harvard Business Review blog. As a presenter, he has spoken on leadership and innovation to a diverse set of audiences, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. Naval Academy.

David is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Oklahoma. He also holds a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University.

When:       Wed., Jan. 15, 2014, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:     The Summit Club
15 W. Sixth Street, 31st floor, Renaissance Room
Bank of America Building (parking garage entrance located on Boulder Avenue)

Fee:           Event Registration
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Member Fee) $25
IABC/Tulsa Meeting (Non-Member/Guest Fee) $35

RSVP:        Monday, Jan. 13, 2014

CATCH YOUR READER WITH ANN WYLIE

The 2013 IABC International Chapter of the Year is thrilled to offer a full-day workshop with Ann Wylie of Wylie Communications Inc.

If writing is an important part of your job and you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in an Ann Wylie workshop or seminar; you’re in for a treat! And if you’re already familiar with Ann, you’re probably checking your calendar and looking for the registration link.

Ann has worked with clients around the globe and is consistently recognized as a top-rated speaker at IABC and PRSA conferences and meetings from coast to coast. Join us as she brings her “Catch Your Reader” full-day workshop to Tulsa.

Expect to leave this event inspired and motivated – ready to return to the office with fresh ideas and new tools that help you:

  • Think like a reader and move your audience to act
  • Go beyond the inverted pyramid and master the feature-style story structure
  • Cut through the clutter and make every piece you write easier to read and understand
  • Rev up your readership and lift your ideas off the page or screen with display copy

This may be the most valuable professional development opportunity you’ve had this year – or may even have next year. And IABC Tulsa is offering this workshop to members and non-members alike.

Members: $59 | Non-Members: $99 | Student Discount: $55

The registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and parking in the Bank of America building’s parking garage (enter from Boulder Ave.).

RSVP by: Monday, November 18, 2013