With 2010 nearly in the rear-view mirror, and thoughts moving ahead to a (hopefully) bright and prosperous 2011, we thought it appropriate to start a new tradition for the PRSay blog of predicting trends within the profession for the year ahead. We turned to our smart and witty Section members and asked them to submit their top-11 predictions. (Thanks to all who submitted their ideas!)
We hope you enjoy their thoughts, and please chime in with your own predictions in the comments below.
Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from Roger Dooley, a writer, speaker and researcher in marketing, and in particular the use of neuroscience and behavioral research.
I tend to be more of a consumer of public relations than a creator. I’ve done my share of press releases and media interviews, but I’m bombarded with many times that quantity of public relations messages — news releases, book review requests, story suggestions and so on. Sadly, most of what I see is ineffective.
Aristotle is quoted as saying, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” In the world of communications, this philosophy hits the nail on the head. Communications today is a process, not an event. Messages need to be on target and disseminated via multiple channels to be heard and, more importantly, retained. Creating an internal communications program aligns business strategy, generates employee commitment, leverages technology and cultivates actions that engender trust.
In hospitals across the country, a new methodology modeled after the Baptist Health Care System is taking hold. In the book, “The Baptist Health Care Journey to Excellence,” CEO Al Stubblefield outlines four key ingredients to the recipe for excellence.
I’ve always thought of myself as an optimist who could accomplish anything in life. Optimistic euphoria is a personal addiction that’s hard for me to kick. Of course, throw in a few overly optimistic failures and self-doubt begins to erode confidence and dull the drug. So, one of my secrets to remaining positive has always been to draw inspiration from others who are on the same journey. What’s really cool is I that I didn’t have to look too far this year to find a big source of it.
At the recent PRSA Counselors Academy Conference in Asheville, N.C., I was browsing the conference program to select my next workshop of the day. I ran across an interesting session being presented by my College of Fellows colleague, Elise Mitchell, APR, Fellow PRSA, who is CEO of Mitchell Communications Group in Fayetteville Ark. Something about the title, “Postcards from Dartmouth,” intrigued me. Not knowing what I was in for, I entered her “class” and took a seat right up front.
UPDATE: 5/24/10: Today, the PRSA family mourns the loss of Betsy Plank, APR, Fellow PRSA, who passed away on May 23, following a brief illness. She was 86.
According to her wishes, Betsy will be cremated and the internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, University of Alabama, Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172 or on-line (designate Plank Fund).
At its July board meeting, The Plank Center will join with the Chicago public relations community to celebrate Betsy’s contributions to the profession. PRSA also will recognize Betsy at this year’s PRSA International Conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17-19.
Continue reading " In Memoriam: Betsy Plank, the “First Lady” of Public Relations "
