Saturday, June 30, 2007

21st Century Trends

Applied to the microchip, the Moore's Law (Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel Corporation) describes a near magical effect for interconnecting transistors: as increasing numbers of silicon transistors are packed in a smaller space, they run better, faster, and cheaper. The performance of chips literally doubles every 18 months. And so does the bandwidth for networks.

Some of the results visible in the first decade of the 21st. Century, (assuming that we go well through the Y2K crisis), are:
- Prices of voice/data/video communications will drop dramatically, worldwide. Long-distance phone communication will be carried mostly through the Internet, for under 3 cents per minute.
- Most "mass media" will become interactive, although some passive forms will still exist.
- Digital TV broadcasting will be the norm, with most of the world adapting to it.
- 24-hours/day customer services will become a widespread business reality. We will see extreme product and service customization, according to increasingly narrow niches.
- Wireless computer-phone devices will be available for less-expensive communication from anywhere to everywhere.
- Paper will be more expensive, and will slowly become replaceable by cheap, ultrathin, flexible digital displays (as cheap as fine stationery, and therefore disposable). These displays, as thin as a latex glove, have been already invented at Xerox PARC, and will be competing with other forms from MIT and E-Ink . Same technologies will be used for inexpensive portable computers, and large commercial signs.
- The price of chips and digital storage will fall as dramatic as that of communications.
- Entire books will be available for download to such a portable and inexpensive display (flexible or not), changing the world of publishing.
- Long distance learning and telecommuting may finally change the way we live. Employees will have a serious need to expand their computer skills and entrepreneurial qualities.
- The migration of middle class from suburbs to the countryside, and that of corporations from cities to areas of less taxation, may very well accelerate.
(http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/future_technology/10487)

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Internal Communications


Internal communications, also known as employee relations, includes all communication within an organization.Internal communications may be oral or written, face to face or virtual, one-on-one or in a small group.
Effective internal communication - which can be said to be "downward, upward, and horizontal" - is a vital means of addressing organizational concerns. Good internal communication helps to establish formal roles and responsibilities for employees.
Internal communications, also known as employee relations, includes all communication within an organization.
Excellent internal communications cannot simply be implemented and left alone; the process must be ever-changing and adaptable for success. While more and more organizations begin to spend more time identifying special interest groups within their own walls, internal communications methods are becoming increasingly diverse to match the varying needs of each organizations' internal staff and stakeholders.

Internal communication should be:
-transparent and timely (when details have been confirmed and approved, messages should be presented to employees before any external public); clear;concise;informative; and independent.

Internal communications practitioners should adhere to certain values such as:
openness; honesty; and two-way communication.
An internal communications department can become a moderator of interaction between official organizational representatives and employees.
The internal communications department should be responsible for developing and maintaining a number of channels that allow effective communication to take place.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_communications)

Effective internal communications by Smith, Lyn.
After the financial crises experienced by many corporations in the past few years, and the internal communications crises that resulted as a consequence, serious study is now available about how management and labor inform each other. Consultant Smith begins with the basics about internal communications, including where it fits in the organization, how it assesses audiences, how theories become practice, and how the law and accommodation fit in. She also gives practical advice on verbal and written internal communication, the logistics of getting the word out and back, managing change, using technology effectively, measuring success, and getting ready for the future. Appendices include information on internal communication in the public sector and useful addresses. Distributed in the US by Ingram Publisher Services.
(http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0QLQ/is_2006_Feb/ai_n16068447)

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Media Relations

One of the most critical areas within any corporate communicatioin function is the media relations department. The media are both a constituency and a conduit through which investors, suppliers, retailers, and consumers receive informationabout and develop images of a company.

Making B2B Media Work (published September 2003 http://www.prinfluences.com.au/index.php?theParent=3&pagMan=1)

Whether you operate in IT, or are a business solution provider, there are more ways in which you can increase your coverage and the effectiveness of your messages in vertical media than are available in general business media.

The sad thing is, most companies never realise the full potential of their marketing communications, partly because they simply do not have to time to take advantage of all opportunities.

Relations:
The way in which you build a bridge between you and your key media editors and journalists, as well as key influencers such as analysts and commentators


Six Tips for Better Media Relations

By Bill Arnovich, Media Relations Specialist.

Everyone in public relations knows that good publicity is the best advertising. A well placed article, a positive radio show or the right interview on TV are all what good publicists and media relations people dream about. It’s what clients hire public relations firms for.

When pitching the media, it’s important that you know something about who you are calling. If it’s a magazine read, not simply page through, a couple different issues and if it’s a radio show, listen to it.
6 tips to building better relationships with the media:

-Identify who you are and why you are calling.
-Ask if this is a good time to talk. If it isn’t, ask the reporter to suggest the best time you should call back.
-Never ask a reporter to return your call. If it is a good time to talk, proceed to the next step.
-Let the reporter know you are familiar with the publication or with stories she writes about.
-Explain the idea in a sentence or two.
-Explain quickly why readers will care.
-Ask if the reporter is interested.
(http://www.mediarelationsblog.com/111/six-tips-for-better-media-relations/)

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Communcating Strategically

Communication though sounds so simple, but plays a major role in developing a personality. This holds true for organizations also, and hence we can see more and more companies stressing their employees to improve upon their communications skills. Almost every organization who wishes to be in the top notch position will have to place communication on top priority while educating their employees and all the people who are responsible in the growth of the organization. So the move by many organization of having soft-skills training departments and professionals being hired for such training sessions is truly justified.

Bill Jenson in his article (http://www.simplerwork.com/library/c26.htm) tries to redefine strategic communication by saying that its an ongoing process and according to him an organization can follow strategic communication if it masters and merges Understanding business, Navigation Business, and the Commitment Business under a single umbrella. As per Bill Acme Corporation is the first company to execute strategic communication, and I believe that more organization would be adding up to his list if as strategic communication is the most required thing in today’s competitive world.

HSBC also in some extent believe in communicating strategically. As a part of the Wealth Management team we were supposed to interact with the customers on a regular basis. Every wealth management team had a Relationship Manager, who was responsible in client relation development, and guarding all the confidential details of his group of trusted customers (10 clients per Relationship Manager). These managers are specially trained and this move was well- accepted by the clients as they found it more secure and safe in communicating the confidential details with person than many of them. So HSBC’s decision is well justified and we would like to see more and more organization implementing strategic communication in their service.

Changing Environment for Business

Globalization is term which has been in and around for the last few decades. It is nowadays used more frequently by the big corporate players and organizations that have been on the topped the list of successful organizations. Globalization has undoubtedly changed the way organizations formulate and develop their strategy, as they have realized that no organization can take its place in the global market for granted and they have to continuously innovate themselves to stay ahead in the race. The changing environment have seen the fall of many big players like for instance Arthur Anderson, so adapting to the changes and continuously innovation is the order for the day.

Dr Malek Shah Bin Mohd. Yussoff in his article (http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/EROPA/UNPAN014373.pdf) has given an Malaysian example of how globalization has forced the Malaysian government to define its current and future roles of administration. Globalization has affected most of the countries and every country has to come up with a strategy to counter the increasing competition due to globalization. He has also given some examples like “The Malaysian Remuneration System, HRMIS” which are the initiatives taken by the government to meet the rapid changes taking place in the global market. This holds true for all developing country so as to remain in this hunt for competitive edge.

During my internship with HSBC, which is one of the banks who has its services worldwide, I could clearly make out the stress the bank had on expansion in all possible markets, to enjoy the possible market share. They have clearly understood that in today’s competition its not easy to stay ahead in the race, as due to globalization any small player can also be a potential rival.