GALLEY THE

Be Heard
THE
•
January 2010
Free Teleseminars
at Your Fingertips.
See page 3.
GALLEY
“How to Communicate the New Employment Deal to a Skeptical Audience –
Lessons from Tower Watson’s 2009 Communication ROI Study”
The recent economic downturn has motivated companies
– either out of necessity or by choice -- to make significant
changes to their business operations and employee rewards
programs. Cutting back on training and travel, freezing pensions,
suspending the company match and shifting more health care
costs to employees are just a few of the changes companies have
made in the past year. And they are doing all this while reducing
salaries and staff. No wonder employees are confused with what
this all means to them, to their family and for their future.
Join IABC Detroit as Senior Communication Consultant John
Finney shares stories and statistics from Towers Watson’s 2009
Communication ROI Study on best practices for communicating
in challenging times. The program will be held on Wednesday,
January 27, 2010 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Madonna University,
36600 Schoolcraft Road, Room 2100, Livonia, Michigan.
In this session, you will learn:
• The value of keeping employees engaged during tough
economic times
• Deal or no deal – how employees and employers differ
• How to use communication to get employees to buy-into the
new employment deal
Attention All Award Winners
Remember that great project that
you won an award for in 2009?
Now is the time to submit it for
the 2010 Gold Quill Awards.
Need more information? Check out http://www.iabc.com/
awards/gq. If you are concerned about navigating the entry
process, you can apply for the mentorship program at
http://www.iabc.com/awards/gq/enter/mentorship.htm.
http://detroit.iabc.com
• How companies are making greater use of face-to-face and
social media to reach key audiences quickly
• What highly effective companies are doing to minimize angst
and maximize productivity in uncertain times
Event information
Date:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Time:
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Place:
Madonna University
36600 Schoolcraft Road
Room 2100
Livonia, Michigan
Cost:
$10 for members
$20 for non-members
Speaker: John Finney, Senior Communications Consultant
Reservations can be made online www.iabcdetroit.com
or by contacting Nancy Skidmore at
nskidmore@earthlink.net or 248-546-5490.
To register via PayPal please go to www.iabcdetroit.com
- you do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal.
Renaissance Awards
are Around the Corner
It’s all about the results....
IABC Detroit’s 29th Annual
Renaissance Awards early bird
deadline is March 11; final
deadline March 18. Watch for
more details... In the meantime,
please contact Claudia Saliba at marketrepclaudia@
wowway.com or (248) 797-2611 with any questions.
IABC Detroit: “So How Are We Doing?”
The question I get
asked most about
IABC Detroit these
days is: How are we
doing?
It’s no secret that
2009 was rough on
our membership—
and our membership numbers. But
don’t count us out yet. Those who
were able to stick with us had some
new opportunities to strengthen skills
and build networks. Perhaps the best
way to share a snapshot of the year
is through a review of our progress
toward our Five Year Strategic plan
(which we introduced at this time
last year):
Goal: Add Value to
Membership
Thanks to member-only discounts,
our programs are more affordable
for those who belong. We held our
first Member Appreciation Event in
December at Go Comedy! – which
was free to members. We’ve also
lowered regular program prices (now
ranging from $5-$25) to be easier on
your wallet. Non-members are always
welcome at our events, but you have
to join to get the discounts.
Our professional development
programming in 2009 brought you
the latest information, in a variety
of formats. For example, nearly 100
individuals attended the full-day Ann
Wylie writing workshop last spring.
We also hosted a brown bag lunch
teleseminar, a chapter blogchat, and
more traditional programs on social
media and opportunities in Michigan’s
2 • http://detroit.iabc.com
Film Industry to keep you in-theknow.
Goal: Increase membership
Unfortunately, it was not a sterling
year for membership growth.
Membership was down about 14%
from January to December, due
mostly to downsizing at organizations
throughout our state…and we weren’t
alone. The International organization
reports that membership dipped by
about 1,000 members worldwide.
Now, the better news: IABC Detroit
membership has risen steadily since
hitting a low in July 2009. Special
promotions helped new members
save and rewarded referrals from
current members.
Goal: Ensure the chapter’s
long-term financial stability
In addition to looking for ways to
keep program costs low, the chapter
focused on diversifying its revenue
sources. Membership ($65 of your
dues go directly to IABC Detroit) is our
largest source of revenue, followed
by Renaissance Award entry fees.
Sponsors continue to help us contain
costs and offer solid, affordable
programming. Modest income from the
Ann Wylie writing workshop also helped
the chapter’s bottom line in 2009.
Goal: Improve operating
efficiencies
Finishing the strategic plan was a
big step and it has helped us stay
focused on the things that are most
critical to members and the chapter.
We’re also in the process of reviewing
our bylaws and expect to have those
ready in 2010 for a membership
vote. We’ve adopted branding
on our website and in our other
communications that is consistent
with IABC International.
Goal: Strengthen Board
Succession Planning
This year’s IABC Detroit board
reflects the variety of communication
disciplines of our members—and
that results in better decision-making
for all of us. We added a Volunteer
Services portfolio this year to help us
harness the talent inside IABC Detroit.
We’re delighted to have made some
new friends, who are helping with
everything from Renaissance Awards
to writing Galley articles. We also
added a Chief Communications
Officer this year to ensure more
consistent communications with
members.
I’m proud that our chapter made
good progress toward our goals in
a very tough year. I also recognize
that our board still has a lot of work
to do and is committed to continuing
to work on these important goals. If
you’re interested, a full copy of the
strategic plan is on our website at:
http://detroit.iabc.com/about/strategicplan/.
I appreciate your support this past
year, and look forward to helping you
build your network and skills in 2010
through IABC Detroit.
Regards,
Nancy Sarpolis
IABC Detroit Chapter President,
2009-2010
Be Heard • January 2010
IABC Teleseminars at Your Fingertips
Did you know that IABC International offers members a
chance to listen to recordings of recent teleseminars free? Just
visit http://www.iabc.com/members/teleseminars/ to see the
selection. Here are a few of the options:
Build Your Company Reputation From the Inside
Presented by Mark Schumann, ABC, Managing Principal,
Towers Perrin
Every organization looks for ways to recruit and engage
the people it needs to become a magnet for talent in its
marketplace. In this seminar, Mark Schumann, ABC, will
share ideas from his new book, Brand for Talent, the follow
up to Brand from the Inside. Schumann will provide insight
for consideration and steps to follow for any organization
marketing its employer brand to reach key segments of talent
it seeks to recruit and engage—an essential step for building
a company’s reputation as a place to work.
http://www.iabc.com/members/mp3/Schumann-2.mp3
Producing powerful corporate social responsibility reports
Presented by Michelle Bernhart, President, True Blue
Communications
In 2007 alone, nearly 2,800 organizations worldwide produced
corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, disclosing their
objectives and performance on environmental, social and
economic issues, and giving their stakeholders an insider’s
view of successes and failures. Generally complex and full
of detail, CSR reports often cover scores of performance
indicators, requiring coordination with every major department
in an organization. In addition, they address sensitive subject
matter, entail ongoing stakeholder engagement and can take
months to produce. Despite all of this, CSR reporting does not
need to be intimidating. By adopting a systematic approach,
it’s possible to produce a credible, engaging report that
satisfies and engages stakeholders.
http://www.iabc.com/members/mp3/Bernhart.mp3
Creating a common global currency for media analysis
Presented by K.C. Brown, Senior Vice President of Client
Development, Cision
internationally. Consequently, corporate communication
professionals often need to develop programs that track media
exposure across a multitude of countries. In this session,
Cision’s senior vice president, K.C. Brown, will address the
challenges inherent in the development of a global media
analysis system, showing how to employ sound methodologies
and principles.
http://www.iabc.com/members/mp3/Brown.mp3
Building trust from the inside out: The role of internal
communication
Presented by Susan Quinn-Mullins, Ph.D., Principal, Quinn
Mullins & Associates
Employees deliver products and services to customers.
In fact, employees make decisions every day that affect a
company’s reputation for quality products and services,
reliability, and ethical behavior—and ultimately determine
a company’s financial success. Employee trust is a
fundamental step to winning the trust of customers. Are
you proactively ensuring that your internal communication
constantly builds trust among employees, between
employees and their managers, and with senior leadership?
Do you put as much effort into communicating with
employees as with your customers?
http://www.iabc.com/members/mp3/QuinnMullins.mp3
Creating a Great Place to Work®: Lessons from Fortune’s
100 Best
Presented by Michael Burchell, Director of Client Services and
Senior Consultant, The Great Place to Work® Institute Inc.
Each year the Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. selects
the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” and
publishes the list in Fortune magazine. The Institute has
amassed a sizable body of research on how the 100 Best
create workplace environments that leverage the talent
and skill of their workforces and enjoy tangible business
value for their efforts. This seminar will concentrate on the
business case for focusing on workplace development and
next generation practices for improving and sustaining a
great workplace.
http://www.iabc.com/members/mp3/Burchell.mp3
In the current business environment, it is critical for
organizations to monitor their corporate reputation
3 • http://detroit.iabc.com
Be Heard • January 2010
User G’s Web Picks
Wikis, blogs, (You)tubes, Facebook, Twitter and other social
media are enabling communication at the speed of light. Can
you keep up with the discussion? Below are some of User
G’s recent picks for interesting articles, sites, blogs and other
social media applications.
On the Road to Recovery, Let the Little Guys Drive
Surprise – automotive innovation is not limited to the Detroit
area. From WIRED magazine: “...the automotive startup world is
sputtering to life. Venture capitalists invested roughly $300 million
in young car-related companies last year, up from $8 million in
2003.” http://tinyurl.com/ol5d6v”http://tinyurl.com/ol5d6v.
PR 2.0 blog
This is a well-developed and frequently updated blog by
PR guru Brian Solis. Solis is Principal of FutureWorks, an
award-winning PR and New Media agency in Silicon Valley.
Solis blogs at PR2.0, bub.blicio.us, and regularly contributes
marketing & tech insight to industry publications.
He’s a published author and an avid speaker on the topic of
new marketing and engagement. Solis is among the original
thought leaders who paved the way for Social Media. He’s a
co-founder of the Social Media Club and a founding member
of the Media 2.0 Workgroup.
Always thinking outside the box. Influential in the industry.
http://www.briansolis.com
Indeed.com
Indeed.com is an all-in-one search engine for job seekers,
allowing them to find jobs posted on thousands of company
career sites and job boards. I’ve used this myself and it’s a big
timesaver. I can find out in record time that there are no jobs
available for communicators in Michigan, lol. In some cases,
you can apply for a job with a click of the button; in other
cases, you will be directed to an employer’s website to apply.
This is an important tool in my job-hunting arsenal, which also
includes Monster.com, Dice.com and the site that provides
free online Tarot card readings. http://www.indeed.com/
Jim “User G” Rink is a past president of IABC Detroit. If you
have a favorite communication-related web pick, submit it to
User G at: userg123@gmail.com.
Membership Has Its Privileges
February 2010 is a Worldwide Membership Month. This means
that for new or lapsed members who join or re-join IABC, the
application fee (US$40/CAD$44 for faxed/mailed/phoned
enrollments; US$30/CAD$33 for Internet enrollments) is waived. * Please remember: applications must be *received* at the San
Francisco Headquarters office during the month of February to
qualify. Thanks to You – Our Sponsors
4 • http://detroit.iabc.com
Be Heard • January 2010
2009-2010 IABC/DETROIT Board Members
Members interested in volunteering with
IABC/Detroit are encouraged to contact any
board member.
2009-2010 Officers
President
Nancy Sarpolis
General Motors
(313) 665-1750
nancy.a.sarpolis@gm.com
Vice President
Gary Spondike
Skidmore
248-591-2600
gspondike@skidmorestudio.com
Past President
Jim Rink
userg@jimrink.com
Chief Communications
Officer
Deborah Wilson
Aetna Product Group Marketing
248-936-9172
deborahwilson@cofinity.net
2009-2010
Board of Directors
Brand Champion
Jackie McClure
JCI Design
(313) 561-6280
mcclure@jcidesign.com
New Professionals/Student
Chapter Co-Directors
Beth Walker
beth.j.walker@gmail.com
Mona Wehbe
Rave Computer
313-702-1982
mwehbe@rave.com
Professionals Development/Programs
Co-Directors
Deborah Reinheimer
Reinheimer PR and Marketing
248-227-3667
debbie@reinheimerpr.com
Membership/Recruiting/Retention
Co-Directors
Jackie Halas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
313-983-1655
jhalas@bcbsm.com
Alexandra Hichel
Visiting Nurse Assoc.
of SE MI
248-967-8374
ahichel@vna.org
Janie Jones
313-671-9977
janiejones313@gmail.com
Laura Heidrich
ArvinMeritor
248-435-1726
laura.heidrich@arvinmeritor.com
Public Relations
Linda Lyles Daniels
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan
248-799-6614
ldaniels@bcbsm.com
E-Job Bank
Chuck Yeager
Health Alliance Plan
(313) 319-7042
charlesy@comcast.net
Volunteer Services
Eric Longs
Eclipse Creative
313-832-3456
eric@eclipsecreative.com
E-News Galley Editor
Karen Cashin
Health Alliance Plan
313-664-8464
kcashin@hap.org
Important Contacts
IABCDetroit.com
Nancy Skidmore
248-546-5490
nskidmore@earthlink.net
Executive Secretary
Nancy Skidmore
(248) 546-5490
nskidmore@earthlink.net
Renaissance Awards Coordinator
Claudia Saliba
(248) 797-2611
marketrepclaudia@wowway.com
Social Media
Mona Wehbe
Rave Computer
313-702-1982
mwehbe@rave.com
Judging
Jamie Racklyeft
U of M MICHR
734-998-7693
jracklye@umich.edu
Design and Art Direction
JCI Design
25070 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48124
If you are interested in placing an ad in
The Galley, please call:
Michelle Reska at
(313) 561-6280, mreska@jcidesign.com
If you have information to include in The Galley,
send it to Karen Cashin at (313) 664-8464, kcashin@hap.org
5 • http://detroit.iabc.com
Be Heard • January 2010