Comments for IABC Communication Commons http://commons.iabc.com A Blog Community for Business Communicators Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:17:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Getting on-topic by Mark Weiner http://commons.iabc.com/2006/07/21/getting-on-topic/#comment-1015 Mark Weiner Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:28:35 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/07/21/getting-on-topic/#comment-1015 Shel, Carol Kinsey Goman's post is provactive and it directly affects the communication world, counter to what some of her critics say. The essential element is the big company's willingness to properly compensate for the new ideas they're gathering. Unfortunately, some unethical companies -- but it tends to be big companies who represent a potential windfall for small companies, including PR and communication agencies -- get their creative and tactical ideas through either a formal RFP process or an open exploration only to replicate many or all of the best ideas with the low-price bidder. I've heard this complaint from agencies for years. PS: the trouble with posting to professional communicators is that everyone is an editor. Shel,

Carol Kinsey Goman’s post is provactive and it directly affects the communication world, counter to what some of her critics say.

The essential element is the big company’s willingness to properly compensate for the new ideas they’re gathering. Unfortunately, some unethical companies — but it tends to be big companies who represent a potential windfall for small companies, including PR and communication agencies — get their creative and tactical ideas through either a formal RFP process or an open exploration only to replicate many or all of the best ideas with the low-price bidder.

I’ve heard this complaint from agencies for years.

PS: the trouble with posting to professional communicators is that everyone is an editor.

]]> Comment on Communication Measurement 101 by Mary http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-700 Mary Mon, 03 Jul 2006 18:40:32 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-700 Check out Mark Weiner's new book published with IABC--chock full of case studies. Check out Mark Weiner’s new book published with IABC–chock full of case studies.

]]> Comment on The CEOs role in Blogging by J. David Pincus http://commons.iabc.com/2006/04/27/the-question-of-ceos-role-in-blogging/#comment-506 J. David Pincus Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:59:54 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/04/27/the-question-of-ceos-role-in-blogging/#comment-506 A provocative question, the CEO-blogger, given top executives' historically slow adapatation to new technologies -- though I strongly suspect that up-and-coming CEOs today are far less intimidated by, and reluctant to engage, new communications technologies (particularly given the changing "instantaneous" marketplace environment). Anders Gronstedt's comment in HBR shows an enlightened top dog, to be sure. But he's, of course, right: CEOs remain on the sideline of ongoing cyber-discourse at their own, and their organization's, risk. Probably best to view the blog as a new and emerging opportunity to communicate -- directly, and unfiltered -- with key constituencies (especially some, like critics, who aren't apt to want to listen via traditional media). However, the CEO's voice is unlike any other, carries the enormous weight of policy and ultimate decisiveness (not to mention "insider" status), and thus, a top executive must take care with not only what he/she says, but also how, how much and when. To who is irrelevant, since it's a public forum and available to any and all. And I would expect that a CEO's comments will attract strong reactions from many quarters, both supportive, opposing and otherwise. In other words, when "the" top individual talks in such a conversational manner as happens on a blog, Pandora's box is likely to open -- definitely good, possibly not, but certainly a "bigger deal" for the CEO and the organization compared to almost any other voice. Should the CEO consult, and involve, his/her top communication professional BEFORE posting a blog comment? Hmmmmm, an intriguing question, don't you think? Nothing in this world of communication is as simple as it seems . . . JDP A provocative question, the CEO-blogger, given top executives’ historically slow adapatation to new technologies — though I strongly suspect that up-and-coming CEOs today are far less intimidated by, and reluctant to engage, new communications technologies (particularly given the changing “instantaneous” marketplace environment).

Anders Gronstedt’s comment in HBR shows an enlightened top dog, to be sure. But he’s, of course, right: CEOs remain on the sideline of ongoing cyber-discourse at their own, and their organization’s, risk. Probably best to view the blog as a new and emerging opportunity to communicate — directly, and unfiltered — with key constituencies (especially some, like critics, who aren’t apt to want to listen via traditional media). However, the CEO’s voice is unlike any other, carries the enormous weight of policy and ultimate decisiveness (not to mention “insider” status), and thus, a top executive must take care with not only what he/she says, but also how, how much and when. To who is irrelevant, since it’s a public forum and available to any and all. And I would expect that a CEO’s comments will attract strong reactions from many quarters, both supportive, opposing and otherwise. In other words, when “the” top individual talks in such a conversational manner as happens on a blog, Pandora’s box is likely to open — definitely good, possibly not, but certainly a “bigger deal” for the CEO and the organization compared to almost any other voice.

Should the CEO consult, and involve, his/her top communication professional BEFORE posting a blog comment? Hmmmmm, an intriguing question, don’t you think? Nothing in this world of communication is as simple as it seems . . . JDP

]]> Comment on Communication Measurement 101 by Don Stacks http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-453 Don Stacks Mon, 29 May 2006 18:57:27 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-453 Go to the Institute for Public Relations website. I'd download the Dictionary of Public Relations Measurement and Research first and then go to Amazon.com and read Primer of Public Relations Research. Go to the Institute for Public Relations website. I’d download the Dictionary of Public Relations Measurement and Research first and then go to Amazon.com and read Primer of Public Relations Research.

]]> Comment on Communication Measurement 101 by Robert J Holland, ABC http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-159 Robert J Holland, ABC Mon, 03 Apr 2006 13:20:18 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-159 Cheryl, I wrote a manual about the practical aspects of communication measurement and would be glad to share the details offline (don't want to be perceived as "hawking my wares" in this forum -- but you did ask!). It includes a chapter about knowing how to ask the right questions in the right way. Robert J Holland, ABC Cheryl,

I wrote a manual about the practical aspects of communication measurement and would be glad to share the details offline (don’t want to be perceived as “hawking my wares” in this forum — but you did ask!). It includes a chapter about knowing how to ask the right questions in the right way.

Robert J Holland, ABC

]]> Comment on Communication Measurement 101 by Cheryl http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-158 Cheryl Fri, 31 Mar 2006 14:35:54 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/16/communication-measurement-101/#comment-158 I am trying to become "the measurement maven" (Angela's term) in our Corp. Comms. dept. I have a pretty good grasp of when to measure, what tools to use for various situations, etc. However, what I'm looking for are samples of surveys, how to word questions, and practical tips on measurement best practices. Does anyone have any suggestions of books, websites, etc.? Thanks, Cheryl I am trying to become “the measurement maven” (Angela’s term) in our Corp. Comms. dept. I have a pretty good grasp of when to measure, what tools to use for various situations, etc. However, what I’m looking for are samples of surveys, how to word questions, and practical tips on measurement best practices. Does anyone have any suggestions of books, websites, etc.?

Thanks, Cheryl

]]> Comment on Who are the Brand Leaders? by Merrill Freund http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-131 Merrill Freund Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:11:14 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-131 The NFL is among the greatest, sustained branding campaigns of all time. Under the leadership of comissioners Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, the league has managed to convince 30 millionaire, hyper competitive owners that the league is only as strong as the weakest team. From equal distribution of television revenue, regardless of the team's market size, to the creation of NFL Films to market teams individually and the league as a whole, to centrally driven merchandising programs, the NFL is a model of how to create a broad brand from which individual sub brands can flourish. Of course the Washington Redskins will always be its top shelf standard. Definitely. The NFL is among the greatest, sustained branding campaigns of all time. Under the leadership of comissioners Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, the league has managed to convince 30 millionaire, hyper competitive owners that the league is only as strong as the weakest team. From equal distribution of television revenue, regardless of the team’s market size, to the creation of NFL Films to market teams individually and the league as a whole, to centrally driven merchandising programs, the NFL is a model of how to create a broad brand from which individual sub brands can flourish. Of course the Washington Redskins will always be its top shelf standard. Definitely.

]]> Comment on Who are the Brand Leaders? by Natasha Spring http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-93 Natasha Spring Fri, 10 Mar 2006 21:03:34 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-93 I've heard of Tim Hortan's -- even here in California. They are looking at expanding to have about 500 Tim Hortons locations in the US sometime in 2007 and have already made some in-roads. The fact that have those yummy donuts will not be a shoe-in though --consider the current state of Krispy Creme. People loved them until they come to their senses. Anyway, if anyone wants to read more about branding and Tim Horton's, take a look at this the article Tim Horton's: Power Play on Branding.com: http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=253 I’ve heard of Tim Hortan’s — even here in California. They are looking at expanding to have about 500 Tim Hortons locations in the US sometime in 2007 and have already made some in-roads. The fact that have those yummy donuts will not be a shoe-in though –consider the current state of Krispy Creme. People loved them until they come to their senses.

Anyway, if anyone wants to read more about branding and Tim Horton’s, take a look at this the article Tim Horton’s: Power Play on Branding.com:

http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=253

]]> Comment on Who are the Brand Leaders? by Tim Hicks, lapsed ABC http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-88 Tim Hicks, lapsed ABC Thu, 09 Mar 2006 20:16:45 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/03/08/who-are-the-brand-leaders/#comment-88 In Canada, Tim Hortons (sic) is doing a terrific job of branding. They have established themselves as Canada's coffee shop for the common man (leaving Starbucks to what Homer Simpson once called the latte-sucking popinjays). The stores (known as Tims or T-Ho) have a consistent look; they advertise heavily and consistently with a family-values theme. They often get free media coverage by supplying coffee to our troops overseas and doing a long-running R-r-r-roll Up The Rim To Win contest. Many claim the coffee is the best. I think it's nasty. The donuts are quite good, if you like deep-fried cake. Their "Timbits" - called donut holes in other places - are ubiquitous, and a box of them is often is plain view for hours in the average workplace office. They're dominant. In Canada, Tim Hortons (sic) is doing a terrific job of branding. They have established themselves as Canada’s coffee shop for the common man (leaving Starbucks to what Homer Simpson once called the latte-sucking popinjays).

The stores (known as Tims or T-Ho) have a consistent look; they advertise heavily and consistently with a family-values theme. They often get free media coverage by supplying coffee to our troops overseas and doing a long-running R-r-r-roll Up The Rim To Win contest.

Many claim the coffee is the best. I think it’s nasty.
The donuts are quite good, if you like deep-fried cake.
Their “Timbits” - called donut holes in other places - are ubiquitous, and a box of them is often is plain view for hours in the average workplace office.

They’re dominant.

]]> Comment on Some additional background on the Commons by Warren Bickford, ABC http://commons.iabc.com/2006/02/18/12/#comment-74 Warren Bickford, ABC Mon, 27 Feb 2006 23:02:54 +0000 http://commons.iabc.com/2006/02/18/12/#comment-74 Couldn't agree with you more, Ian. Just happy that IABC is helping to facilitate the conversation. Couldn’t agree with you more, Ian. Just happy that IABC is helping to facilitate the conversation.

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