Strategy Matters brings you news, tips and strategies for effective communications from Strategic Communications, LLC. We're committed to bringing you success through strategy. www.stratcommunications.com |
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What Do You Think of Webinars?
I've always been a big proponent of saving time, multi-tasking and learning new things. Those traits have driven me to become a big proponent and user of web-based information of various sorts, from blogs, to podcasts to webinars. But, a couple of recent experiences are leading me to believe that my habits may not be representative of the majority:
1) In a business presentations class I teach at the local university I recently had students present a live training session, and then convert that training session to a webinar format. I discovered that only about 2 of my 28 students had ever heard of a webinar. Only slightly more than two thought the format was one that they would embrace from an attendee standpoint in the future. While they agreed it was a good learning experience, the majority opinion was that face-to-face still rules. (And this from a supposedly tech-savvy generation!)
2) In consulting with a potential new client that currently delivers only live training programs I learned that, feedback from their attendees-some 180,000+ in number-continues to support face-to-face events. Now, granted, they're getting this feedback from those attending the live programs; those that don't attend may have another opinion entirely. Still...
Of course, as with communication tools, in general, there's room for a wide range of options. In this case, those options may range from live, face-to-face presentations and events, to on-demand webinars that audiences can view at their leisure based on their schedules and preferences (and while they engage in other activities...).
What do you think? Take this quick poll to provide feedback on your experiences with webinars. | |
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Twitter Insurance
The big difference between making a mis-step in the social media environment and in the old-world communication environment is reach. Tweet the "wrong thing" online and literally millions of people may see it. Worse yet, by the time you "take it back" it could already be too late.
Lloyds of London has revealed that brokers in Canada have been monitoring the social media landscape and are starting to develop policies that will provide coverage in the event of a mis-post.
While policies are still about five years out for individuals, according to Eric Dolden, a lawyer with Vancouver-based Dolden Wallace Folick LLP, large companies may pay up $100,000 for a $10-million policy that protects them against data loss and liability.
So much for the brave new world of open communication and transparency. No, you can't just let anybody share anything and everything online. Protecting our brands-whether corporate or personal-is obviously still a concern, as it should be. | |
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Measuring Marketing Effectiveness
My contribution on "Measuring Marketing Communication" is included as a chapter in IABC's (International Association of Business Communicators) recently released book The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication. It's a great book (even if I do say so myself!), with contributions from a wide range of communication experts on topics including how to manage communications, internal communication, public relations and marketing communications.
I particularly enjoyed my chapter assignment-which wraps up the book-because I believe that measurement is critical to any marketing (or communication) effort. Particularly in a tight economy, business leaders are going to be understandably concerned about the impacts of their marketing efforts. Fortunately, there are some simple ways that communicators-or business leaders themselves-can measure these efforts. A few key tips:
- Build measurement into the process from the very beginning of your marketing effort. As you develop plans, consider how you will know if your efforts "worked."
- Determine what you most want to measure: awareness? interest? response? purchase? impact? Quantify your desired outcomes.
- Recognize the factors that can impact your results (including competitive actions, the economy, salesforce activities, etc.).
Everythingcan be measured; sometimes it just takes creativity, time and- yes-money, to measure it effectively. Consequently, it's important to measure only what matters and to invest the appropriate level of time and resources into getting the information you need to make good communication decisions.
Learn more here. | |
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Top 10 Tips for the 7 Steps of Effective Strategic Planning (70 Tips in All)
Most organizations-and individuals-struggle with strategic planning. Even more importantly, they struggle with implementation! These tips cover the 7 Steps of Effective Planning and provide practical advice that can help ensure that you not only develop a sound plan-but that your plan is implemented to achieve results! | | Offer Expires: 6/1/11 |
Watch for this new book from Strategic Communications:
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