Do It Like Disney

(Source)

Over time, The Walt Disney Company has managed to maintain a consistent, positive image. Compared to small(er) companies, The Walt Disney Company overlaps several industries and markets with many initiatives such as multiple television networks, film distributors, partnerships, amusement parks & resorts, radio, and retail stores. Through all of these entertainment aspects, The Walt Disney Company continues to represent themselves as: 

“Happiest Place on Earth” – Walt Disney World and Disneyland are recognized as two of the “happiest places on Earth.” If I’m speaking personally, I could not agree more! By taking costumes, rides & attractions, dining, and shopping to the most realistic extent, Disney exceeds your expectations. All work revolving around the company’s expectations relies on the Communications/PR team (this could be you!) Events in Fantasyland or street teams roaming around Animal Kingdom with promotional fliers and coupons are all little reminders of PR work to keep it the “happiest place on Earth.

(Source)

Positive influence for children – The Walt Disney Company releases films, television programs, and music for the positive influence and growth of children. A few Communication tactics for this reputation would be the use of Disney Channel actors and actresses in campaigns for healthy living, eating, and learning, the marketing of specific products in retail stores that teach children colors, shapes, etc., and the face-to-face greetings with some of their Disney role models in Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

The Communication tactics are endless for a company so large, open-ended, and popular. Initiatives involving events, social media campaigns/contests, meet & greets, marketing, sales, and other possibilities can be planned on a large-scale for maximum results. All and all, these tactics aid The Walt Disney Company (and your company) in continuing to maintain the brand they intended to be.

(Source)

Ways to Improve Your Internal Communication

Public relations is the art and the science of communications. Everyday PR pros communicate in many ways to many people; yet, a forgotten aspect of this thing we call “our life’s work” is internal communications.

As a current corporate communications intern at Aramark Corporation, I have discovered just how closely internal communication is tied to everyday PR work within a corporate environment. However, focusing on internal communication should not be limited to just corporate PR. How can an agency or help its clients if they aren't teaching that account team to speak to one another, share the brand, discuss improvements or simply brainstorm together? How can a non-profit get their message out externally if they aren't on the same page internally? The key to these questions is to shift the attention to how your organization is communicating internally before the focus is put on external communication.

Here are 5 tips to enhance better internal communications within your organization:

1. Silence is not Always Golden.
Have you ever noticed the places people don’t enjoy working are the ones where the minions don’t have a voice? Open and transparent communication is appreciated because everyone has been blessed with a brain full of ideas. Encourage senior management and executive leadership teams to listen to those ideas.

2. Get Straight to the Point. 
Employees who enjoy their work crave one thing, almost above all, direction. With clear direction, they understand what to do to earn brownie points. Stress direction and watch movement happen.

3. Aspire to Inspire. 
 Many employers don’t like to think outside the box, draw outside the lines or dare try something different. Employees want inspiration. They want to see their managers, directors and executive leaders doing something that can bring about change. Want a team to follow you? Inspire them to do something differently and with purpose.

4. Create a Company Voice. 
Anyone in HR or internal communications will tell you the chief reason for gossip in the workplace is ignorance. Most employees don’t really know what’s going on, so they tend to gossip and complain. A monthly or bi-weekly newsletter would suffice. Let them be heard by listening and then acting.

5. Lead by Example.
Bosses “boss.” Leaders “lead.”  Words only mean so much. Without action behind those words, employees will follow.

Tierney vs. Tierney

Most of you who read this blog are aware that Temple University is located right in the city of Philadelphia. Among many PR agencies that are also situated in the City of Brotherly Love is Tierney Communications. Originally, Tierney was started by its namesake, Brian Tierney. In 2003, Tierney (the person) left Tierney Communications, which was then taken over by current owner Interpublic Group of Companies.

Since then, Brian Tierney has moved on to several ventures, most recently, in 2010, he created Brian Communications Group. BCG is a PR and digital marketing firm located in the Philly suburb of Bryn Mawr. The "problem" with this is that under the BCG logo, the sub-head A Brian Tierney Company is featured. Tierney Communications has a big problem with this. According to an article by Philly.com, the company "claims that Tierney and his new firm 'consistently misuse the 'Brian Tierney' name in order to unfairly compete against the Plaintiffs.'"

Tierney Communications claims that they own the domain name briantierney.com, but when users (myself included) type the web address into the web address bar, they are immediately connected to BCG's website. Interesting.

Tierney Communications is suing Brian Tierney for intentionally trying to confuse prospective clients in his favor. The company did send Tierney a cease-and-desist letter this past May, but received no response.

What do you think about this? Do you think Tierney Communications is right to file a suit against its namesake? Let us know!

Stand Out from the Crowd

During my time at my internship with the National Constitution Center, I've had the opportunity to sit in on several meetings about the launching of our newest exhibit American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. While sitting at these meetings, I can't help but be entertained by all of the goings-on. I feel like I'm at a tennis matching, my head bobbing back and forth to follow the fast-paced comments of everyone in the room. It's easy to see who gets the most floor time, but why is that? In "How to Be a Superstar in Meetings," Bruna Martinuzzi makes the following observations:

Be a front-seater: Be involved; speak up when you have an opinion on a particular topic. Avoid behing a wall flower. The more present you are, the more of a chance you will have to be heard. 

Build on the ideas of others: Pay close attention to what your colleagues are saying. Feel free to take something your colleague just said and add your own perspective. What can you add? What would you change? Do so in a constructive manner and your coworkers will appreciate your willingness to offer your own insight.

Criticize ideas, not people: It's an important professional lesson to never step on the toes of your coworkers. You can offer criticism in a constructive way, without embarrassing anyone. Voice your concerns by asking for clarification and building from there. 

Make positivity your hallmark: Obviously you can't be positive all the time, but strive to be a team player by highlighting what has been working rather than focusing on all of the things that need to be kicked to the curb.

Be brief to be heard: Some of these meetings are only 45 minutes long with a 2 hour agenda. Be brief but concise in what you say so that everyone can get a handle of what you're saying and tackle it while still keeping the meeting moving.

Do you have any other ideas on building rapport during meetings? Let us know!

7 Habits to Keep

Part of being a go-getter is not taking no for an answer and, most importantly, creating your own opportunities. Use your particular skills and tailor them to the areas in which you will prove to be an important tool. In "7 Habits That Make Great Opportunities Happen", Liz Strauss highlights 7 habits that will put you ahead of the game:

1. Pay Attention
Pay attention to your environment. Part of being a generally good employee is doing your best to make the company you're working for run as smoothly and effectively as you can. Take notice of how to do this, whether it be updating the company website, to typing up some quick notes to hand out to ensure a more fluid and efficient meeting. Not only will you grow as a person, but people will notice your role in the workplace and come to you when something comes up.

2. Think of your work as important

No one likes a Negative Nancy. Be positive in what you do and realize that you have the chance to make a difference, and take that chance. Even if your job for the day is to copy fliers, know that there is a purpose driving it and you were assigned it for a reason. By getting the job done well and without complaint, your coworkers will be more willing to provide you with new opportunities, knowing that you will get it done, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

3. Be aware of the potential of your impact

Take into account that your actions don't just affect you, but everyone around you. Consider ways to make decisions that will make everyone's lives easier instead of cutting corners, and people will have confidence in you to make the best decision for the company as a whole.

4. Imagine opportunities everywhere you look

Try to look for ways you can incorporate your particular skill set. If you are good at writing, start small and offer to proofread the weekly newsletter. If you like graphic design, offer your skills and design a new letterhead. Who knows? Someone may see your skill as vital to a new project and before you know it, you've created yourself an opportunity!

5. Make yourself a magnet for jobs you do well

Having friends in all the right places is an asset. When people give you a hand, lend your hand back. Offering your expertise will give you the chance to set yourself apart from the crowd and will also showcase you as someone who is a team player, which will definitely be a factor when you are up for a higher position.

6. Count and record opportunities that suit you

Keep in mind what trends are rising and what role you may be able to play in them. Taking notice of these trends will put you ahead and will encourage others to come to you with new ideas, knowing that you have a knack for sensing future prospects.

7. Decide

So when an opportunity arises, take it and run with it. There is always a lesson to be learned and experience to be gained that will put you at an advantage in the future. Continue to grow through new opportunities and people will be more willing to be a part of whatever you are a part of, knowing that they will be in the right place at the right time.

Has an opportunity ever arisen for you that you declined because you felt that, for any reason, it didn't suit you? Looking back, do you wish you had taken it? Why? Let us know!

Successful Tips for Handling Conflict

As young adults and up-and-coming professionals, we have all been in situations, whether at work, during an internship or throughout a group project for class, that have created tension and conflict amongst your fellow colleagues and peers. Conflict is many times inevitable, however people can learn to be more effective when successfully handling it. In an article from Boston.com, Susan Lankton-Rivas offers 8 tips for overcoming conflict in the workplace. Here are a few:

• Approach conflict with an open mind. Do not attempt to prove that someone is "right" and someone is "wrong," but instead understand that people have different perceptions and point-of-views. Both parties should try to look at the situation from the other person's perspective and reach a mutual understanding of the situation.
• Listen carefully. Rather than jump to conclusions, be an attentive listener and before responding be sure that you clearly understand everything that has just been said.
• Be conscious of your language choices. Use "I" statements to express how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way. Avoid putting any of the blame on the other person through the use of your word choices.
• Always be respectful of differences. You will always work with diverse personalities and people who are not always going to share the same point-of-view. Be mindful that with different religions, cultures and lifestyles working in one place, certain behaviors and actions can be viewed differently from their original intention.
  

Be sure to read the rest of the great tips featured in the article here!

What pieces of advice have you found most helpful when handling conflict in the workplace? Let us know!

Diversity and PR

It is not difficult to identify the importance of diversity-driven planning in today's business world. Since 2001, DiversityInc has published an annual list of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. PRSA Tactics interviewed PR representatives from top-ranking companies Sodexo, Coca-Cola, Xerox, and American Express about their company's perspectives on diversity. The representatives also share how Public Relations plays a crucial role in developing diversity awareness to achieve their company's objectives. Below are some highlights from PRSA Tactics' interviews.

Jaya Bohlman, VP of PR for Sodexo, said that diversity is "primarily a business requirement- without it we couldn't cater to our client's needs." To me, this is important because the job of any good PR professional is to fully understand their client to achieve their client's overall objectives. Without recognizing diversity, the PR department could not do its job, because they would not fully understand their client's perspective. Sodexo attains diversity in their workplace by having a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board. Bohlman describes this as a group of seven members who make sure they are attracting and maintaining widespread diversity in their workforce. PR works closely with this board to report their success in maintaining diversity.

Gorki De Los Santos, Communications Manager for Coca-Cola, said diversity, both in the marketplace and workplace, is critical to the company's sustainability. According to De Los Santos, diversity is crucial for a business' survival in today's competitive market. De Los Santos said Coca-Cola's PR strategy for attracting and retaining diversity includes diversity training programs and education to maintain an "ongoing dialogue" among their employees, suppliers and customers.

Ernest Hicks, Manager of the Corporate Diversity Office for Xerox said that a commitment to diversity is important because, "It creates more diverse work teams — facilitating diversity of thought and more innovative ideas — and it positions Xerox to attract a wider customer base and to address the needs of diverse customers." This is a great insight, because it covers the importance of diversity in both the inner-workings of the company and in meeting the needs of the customers. Hicks said PR has a role in the diversity of Xerox, by encouraging minority and female-based businesses as suppliers and by creating different diversity-driven programs.

American Express Chief Diversity Officer Kerrie Peraino said diversity is important because it "creates culture of inclusion" and "drives business success." Peraino said PR plays a major role in diversity by communicating the company initiatives through guest speakers, programs, and networks, both within and outside of the company.

Diversity inclusion is an important tool for maintaining a successful company. A PR department can help diversity initiatives by communicating both to their employees and to their customer base about how the company values diversity and what programs they have to maintain diversity. PR professionals need to recognize the importance of diversity not only when managing within the company, but also when catering to their clients needs.

To read the full interviews and to find out where these companies ranked in the DiversityInc listing, click here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Michele Reilley.

Internal Twitter

One company in Seoul recently harnessed the power of Twitter to facilitate its internal communications. Instead of using the public domain of Twitter for its messages, though, the company adapted the Twitter concept to create an internal Twitter-like network it has named BizTweet. Thanks to the network, employees can reach out to one another for information, or even to seek partners for lunch.

They're not alone. "Companies are using [the Twitter phenomenon] for internal communication and other purposes beyond the external marketing for which it has become well-known," said Evan Ramstad in an article for the Wall Street Journal.

"Twitter's creators laid the foundation for such development," Ramstad said, "by using open-source software to make the system and releasing features they've developed in a public form called an application programming interface, or API" he said.

Do you see "the Twitter phenomenon" as a useful tool for organizations? What uses could you find for an internal Twitter-like network in your workplace?