4/11/2018 december professional independent communicators ... · 4/11/2018 december professional...
TRANSCRIPT
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 15
PIC Newsletter mdash December 2017 View this email in your browser
Hello ltltFirst Namegtgt Hope you enjoy the latest edition of The Buzz
A message from PIC chairSharon Aschaiek
In between spinning dreidels swigging eggnog and scrambling forBoxing Day specials some of us might reflect on our plans for ourcommunications businesses in 2018 In the spirit of the 12 Days ofChristmas carol Irsquod like to present the top 12 reasons to maximizeyour involvement next year with Professional IndependentCommunicators and the International Association of BusinessCommunicators ndash Toronto Chapter
1 Networking Make important connections with other indiecommunicators with whom you may partner on projectsand with communication executives who may want to hireyou
2 Learning Develop the knowledge and skills you need tobe a pro communicator at topshyshelf professionaldevelopment sessions
3 Stay current Discover the latest issues and trendsaffecting the communications profession throughIABCTorontorsquos membersshyonly online magazineCommunicator
4 Discuss Through PICrsquos and IABCTorontorsquos social mediachannels you can take part in conversations about themost pertinent communications issues of the day
5 Work opportunities Find out about job postings forcommunications positions at organizations orcommunications projects requiring contractors
6 Community Build ties with others who understand yourdayshytoshyday struggles and can offer valuable advice
7 Boost your brand Include your company information inPICrsquos free online directory to attract more clients
8 Support If yoursquore a relatively new communicator you cangain useful insights and guidance from an IABCTorontomentor
9 Certification Build your credibility and demonstrate yourexpertise as a communicator by pursuing an IABCprofessional certification
10 Volunteering Help shape the future of thecommunications profession build relationships with otherpractitioners and expand your expertise by volunteering forPIC or IABCToronto
11 Advocacy Enjoy the rewards of being part of anorganization that helps drive the communicationsprofession forward
12 Fun PIC and chapter socials are popular events held atcool locales in the city ndash yoursquore always welcome
Happy holidays Sharon Aschaiek Chair Professional Indepedent Communicators (PIC) Vice President Special Interest Groups IABCToronto torontoshysigiabcto
In This Issue
A message from SharonDec 13 Cheers to theseasonJan 9 See you at thesocialJan 29 PWACinterviewing skillsFeb 15 Webinar withGini DietrichInternal communicationsstudy results are inPIC Personality MeetJanice SuttonUpdate your profile onthe PIC member list byDec 29Whatrsquos new on ourLinkedIn groupJoin PIC on FacebookGet a copy of The IndieLife
Quick Links
PIC on the webPIC on LinkedInPICToronto on TwitterGet a copy of TheIndependent LifeIABCTorontoPIC email torontoshypiciabcto
Newsletter archives
Find back issues of TheBuzz from Jan 2010 toAug 2016 hereJoin Our Mailing List
We want your talents Interested in writing editing orcontributing ideas for PICs TheBuzz or IABCTorontosCommunicator Wed love yourhelp Let us know PIC Executive Contact any of us withquestions comments and ideasfor speakers or topics Chair Sharon Aschaiek Past Chair Donna Papacosta Communications Sue Horner Membership MelikaRamkissoon Programming John BromleyABC Social Media Bill Smith
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 25
Dec 13 Cheers to the season
PIC members enjoy great conversations tasty snacks and a festive beverage at the Duke of York pub on Dec 13 Photo Bill Smith
Jan 9 Beat the January blues with PICTuesday Jan 9 6 pm to 830 pm Duke of York Pub 39 Prince Arthur Ave Toronto
The holidays will be over Winter cold will have settled in Yoursquoll have bills to pay Never mind Share your highs and lows and beat the January blues with PIC Join us for anothercasual evening of networking and conversation at the Duke of York The pub is located east ofBedford Road north of Bloor Street a short walk from the St George subway station As always PIC socials are free to attend drinks and food are payshyyourshyownshyway
Jan 29 Advanced interviewing skills (PWAC)Monday Jan 29 7 pm to 830 pm Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre 750 Spadina Ave Toronto
Whether yoursquore a journalist a corporate writer or a ghostwriter you need to know how to ask tough questionsand get good answersmdashpreferably without alienating your interview subject At this panel presentation yoursquoll getpractical tips from professionals who are experts at getting people to share information PIC members areconsidered PWAC Partners and pay $10 plus tax Learn more and register now Note If you hear of a communicationshyrelated course workshop or another event we should share with PICmembers please let Sue Horner know Thanks
Feb 15 Building your business in an ever-changing PR worldThursday Feb 15 noon to 1 pm Webinar (link to come)
Have you struggled tohellip bull Build your business in a changing environment bull Persist through the highs and lows of your business bull Lead your business with confidence Whether striking off on your own or recalibrating through times of constant change building a successfulindependent business involves surpassing many hurdles In this webinar wersquore honoured to feature one of NorthAmericarsquos preshyeminent marketing and public relations strategists As a business and corporate leader Gini
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 35
Dietrich will provide her perspective on the important aspects of building your business in todayrsquos competitivecommunications and PR space Ginirsquos insights will be useful to new and experienced communications and PRindependents navigating our age of digital transformation and organizational change About our speaker Gini Dietrich is chief executive officer at Arment Dietrich Inc and chief blogger at Spin Sucks She is an industrythought leader who serves on the national advisory council for Women in PR USA and is the coshyauthor ofMarketing In the Round Gini also coshyhosts Inside PR a weekly podcast about communications and socialmedia Mark your calendar and watch for registration details soon
Internal communications study results are inIn October more than 100 communicators from across the country took part in a survey on internalcommunication practices within Canadian organizations PIC member Maryjane Martin APR who conductedthe study shares some of the initial highlights
Employees arenrsquot using accessible tools to the best of their availability (there are large gaps betweenwhatrsquos accessible and what they actually use)Email (even with its limitations) is still the vehicle of choice for organizations (98)A noticeable proportion (61) of internal communicators are left out of the loop in the selection processof internal communication technologiesBudget and priority are top barriers for the implementation of new internal communication technologiesManagement is seen as effective but could improve on keeping upshytoshydate with industry standardsMost realize that the decisions on the use of internal communication technologies are hamstrung byregulations and processes
ldquoCommunicators have an appetite for newer technologies and tools that make communications easierrdquo Maryjanesays ldquoWhile they say they are fast to adopt there is still a gap as to whether they fully use everything alreadyavailable to themrdquo Do communicators just stick with tools that currently work for them ldquoThat is something I am going to probe in thecoming monthsrdquo she says Maryjane and her change management colleague Dennie Theodore are still analyzing the data and will publishthe final report soon If yoursquore interested in getting a copy please email Maryjane at mjmjmartinandcocom
PIC Personality Meet Janice SuttonBy Sue Horner and Janice Sutton Janice Sutton is a writer editor and communication strategist runningmaddixcommunications Connect with her on LinkedIn email her or call416shy476shy7374
Whatrsquos your background My career started in the automotive industry in customer service and then in Torontorsquos highshytech sector during the booming rsquo90s One of myresponsibilities was supporting the executive team as the companyevolved from a familyshyowned business to a publicly traded entity I learned to manage investor relations andapplied my writing skills to produce annual and quarterly reports My parents are from PEI and growing up I spent every summer holiday in the Maritimes When an opportunityarose in 2001 to work in the energy sector there we packed up the kids and moved to Halifax I worked withproject teams and HR to strategize write and execute communication plans I had an amazing leader andmentor who helped me see that communication was the right path for me and joining IABC in 2010 supportedmy growth as a communications professional In 2011 following my employerrsquos investments in three Caribbean electric utilities I accepted a twoshyyear contractto develop and implement communication best practices in Grand Bahama Next I went to Barbados to bring
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 45
that utilityrsquos internal and crisis communication practices in line with established standards Perhaps surprisingly Idonrsquot miss the climate but I do miss the culture and the ability to create something from scratch I moved back to Toronto in 2015 to be closer to my adult children and extended family Irsquom grateful every day tobe home When did you launch your independent business I thought moving back to Toronto would mean leaving my Halifaxshybased employer but I was able to continueworking remotely with its Caribbean teams for the first 18 months I officially launched my business on July 12017 and Irsquove been fortunate to continue consulting with those teams What type of work are you doing now My first love is internal communications I love to work handshyinshyhand with HR particularly in unionshybasedenvironments to plan for and meet the challenges of employee attraction engagement and retention But theline between internal and external communications is blurred As communication professionals we understandthat the key messages are the same itrsquos the framingshyup tactics and timing that change depending on theaudience I will be starting work with a new USshybased client in the new year that will be largely focused on customercommunications and Irsquom looking forward to putting that experience to practice and learning more about theneeds of that stakeholder group What do you enjoy most about being an indie The flexibility of my schedule The ability to work from home That my success is entirely dependent on me and(hopefully) reflects the energy I put into it My involvement in PIC What donrsquot you like about being an indie Like so many others Irsquod say the lack of a steady paycheque As a lifetime corporate bee business developmentwas never in my scope of work so thatrsquos a big challenge for me too What advice would you give someone new to independent life The thing I learned early and that Irsquod suggest to a newbie is to tap into your network People want to see yousucceed and can be so generous with their time and expertise How long have you been a PIC member and what value do you get from your membership Irsquove been a member for about a year and get to as many PIC events as I can PIC hones down the largeIABCToronto chapter to a more manageable and valuable subset and the networking is invaluable My PICcolleagues have helped me figure out the ins and outs of hanging my shingle They so generously share theirstories and expertise and theyrsquore also a fun group to hang out with Special thanks to Andrea Bassett inparticular for her generous guidance
We count more than 100 members in PIC offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to videoproduction and writing Do you know everyone Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members andrandomly profiles existing members Let Sue Horner know if youd like to be profiled and shell be in touch to setit up
Update your profile on the PIC member list before Dec 29 As a member of PIC you can promote yourself at no charge on the PIC member list on the IABCTorontowebsite We keep a running list of changes (such as new contact information or links to your LinkedIn profile orwebsite) and update it with IABCToronto every quarter Not on the list yet or want to make an update Send Melika Ramkissoon your name company name locationemail address telephone number website URL and a brief description of your business (up to 40 words) Thenext deadline to submit a profile or make changes to your existing profile is Dec 29 otherwise yoursquoll wait untilMarch
Whats new on PICrsquos LinkedIn group Youll find useful information about building and managing a small communications business when you visit PICrsquosLinkedIn group IABCToronto Professional Independent Communicators (login required) Recent posts have shared tips to help with late payments a pitch to land new clients advice on setting rates andmore You are welcome to post articles or ask questions that will help you and other members grow and manageyour businesses
Join the PIC conversation on Facebook (chapter members only) Build and strengthen your connections with other PIC members and advance your communications business byjoining PICs Facebook group This is a great opportunity to network discuss business issues and ideas andaccess exclusive professional development resources To access this IABCToronto chapter membersshyonly perk search for our private Facebook group by ourname Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) part of IABCToronto
Get your copy of The Independent Life
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 55
PIC has a wonderful resource in our eshybook The Independent Life It shares the wisdom of PIC members withonline resources to guide you through the steps in starting your ownbusiness setting up your office managing your finances setting feesmarketing and more Our thanks to graphic designer Cathy Ledden RGD for turning thecontent provided by many PIC members into a handy guide Grab yourcopy as a PDF download or as an eshypublication for Kobo or iReader
PIC is a special interest group of IABCToronto PICs mission is to support independent IABCTorontocommunicators through professional development networking and marketingThe Buzz is PICs eshynewsletterintended to inform independent communicators about our activities share professional development tips frompast meetings and keep us aware of whats going on Connect with us on the web at pictorontocom andLinkedIn As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators IABCToronto providesaccess to products services activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world IABC helpspeople and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communication public relations employeecommunication marketing communication public affairs and other forms of communication For moreinformation visit the IABC website
Sue Horner Editor and Director Communications mdash PIC
Copyright copy 2017 IABCToronto All rights reserved
Want to change how you receive these emails You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 25
Dec 13 Cheers to the season
PIC members enjoy great conversations tasty snacks and a festive beverage at the Duke of York pub on Dec 13 Photo Bill Smith
Jan 9 Beat the January blues with PICTuesday Jan 9 6 pm to 830 pm Duke of York Pub 39 Prince Arthur Ave Toronto
The holidays will be over Winter cold will have settled in Yoursquoll have bills to pay Never mind Share your highs and lows and beat the January blues with PIC Join us for anothercasual evening of networking and conversation at the Duke of York The pub is located east ofBedford Road north of Bloor Street a short walk from the St George subway station As always PIC socials are free to attend drinks and food are payshyyourshyownshyway
Jan 29 Advanced interviewing skills (PWAC)Monday Jan 29 7 pm to 830 pm Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre 750 Spadina Ave Toronto
Whether yoursquore a journalist a corporate writer or a ghostwriter you need to know how to ask tough questionsand get good answersmdashpreferably without alienating your interview subject At this panel presentation yoursquoll getpractical tips from professionals who are experts at getting people to share information PIC members areconsidered PWAC Partners and pay $10 plus tax Learn more and register now Note If you hear of a communicationshyrelated course workshop or another event we should share with PICmembers please let Sue Horner know Thanks
Feb 15 Building your business in an ever-changing PR worldThursday Feb 15 noon to 1 pm Webinar (link to come)
Have you struggled tohellip bull Build your business in a changing environment bull Persist through the highs and lows of your business bull Lead your business with confidence Whether striking off on your own or recalibrating through times of constant change building a successfulindependent business involves surpassing many hurdles In this webinar wersquore honoured to feature one of NorthAmericarsquos preshyeminent marketing and public relations strategists As a business and corporate leader Gini
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 35
Dietrich will provide her perspective on the important aspects of building your business in todayrsquos competitivecommunications and PR space Ginirsquos insights will be useful to new and experienced communications and PRindependents navigating our age of digital transformation and organizational change About our speaker Gini Dietrich is chief executive officer at Arment Dietrich Inc and chief blogger at Spin Sucks She is an industrythought leader who serves on the national advisory council for Women in PR USA and is the coshyauthor ofMarketing In the Round Gini also coshyhosts Inside PR a weekly podcast about communications and socialmedia Mark your calendar and watch for registration details soon
Internal communications study results are inIn October more than 100 communicators from across the country took part in a survey on internalcommunication practices within Canadian organizations PIC member Maryjane Martin APR who conductedthe study shares some of the initial highlights
Employees arenrsquot using accessible tools to the best of their availability (there are large gaps betweenwhatrsquos accessible and what they actually use)Email (even with its limitations) is still the vehicle of choice for organizations (98)A noticeable proportion (61) of internal communicators are left out of the loop in the selection processof internal communication technologiesBudget and priority are top barriers for the implementation of new internal communication technologiesManagement is seen as effective but could improve on keeping upshytoshydate with industry standardsMost realize that the decisions on the use of internal communication technologies are hamstrung byregulations and processes
ldquoCommunicators have an appetite for newer technologies and tools that make communications easierrdquo Maryjanesays ldquoWhile they say they are fast to adopt there is still a gap as to whether they fully use everything alreadyavailable to themrdquo Do communicators just stick with tools that currently work for them ldquoThat is something I am going to probe in thecoming monthsrdquo she says Maryjane and her change management colleague Dennie Theodore are still analyzing the data and will publishthe final report soon If yoursquore interested in getting a copy please email Maryjane at mjmjmartinandcocom
PIC Personality Meet Janice SuttonBy Sue Horner and Janice Sutton Janice Sutton is a writer editor and communication strategist runningmaddixcommunications Connect with her on LinkedIn email her or call416shy476shy7374
Whatrsquos your background My career started in the automotive industry in customer service and then in Torontorsquos highshytech sector during the booming rsquo90s One of myresponsibilities was supporting the executive team as the companyevolved from a familyshyowned business to a publicly traded entity I learned to manage investor relations andapplied my writing skills to produce annual and quarterly reports My parents are from PEI and growing up I spent every summer holiday in the Maritimes When an opportunityarose in 2001 to work in the energy sector there we packed up the kids and moved to Halifax I worked withproject teams and HR to strategize write and execute communication plans I had an amazing leader andmentor who helped me see that communication was the right path for me and joining IABC in 2010 supportedmy growth as a communications professional In 2011 following my employerrsquos investments in three Caribbean electric utilities I accepted a twoshyyear contractto develop and implement communication best practices in Grand Bahama Next I went to Barbados to bring
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 45
that utilityrsquos internal and crisis communication practices in line with established standards Perhaps surprisingly Idonrsquot miss the climate but I do miss the culture and the ability to create something from scratch I moved back to Toronto in 2015 to be closer to my adult children and extended family Irsquom grateful every day tobe home When did you launch your independent business I thought moving back to Toronto would mean leaving my Halifaxshybased employer but I was able to continueworking remotely with its Caribbean teams for the first 18 months I officially launched my business on July 12017 and Irsquove been fortunate to continue consulting with those teams What type of work are you doing now My first love is internal communications I love to work handshyinshyhand with HR particularly in unionshybasedenvironments to plan for and meet the challenges of employee attraction engagement and retention But theline between internal and external communications is blurred As communication professionals we understandthat the key messages are the same itrsquos the framingshyup tactics and timing that change depending on theaudience I will be starting work with a new USshybased client in the new year that will be largely focused on customercommunications and Irsquom looking forward to putting that experience to practice and learning more about theneeds of that stakeholder group What do you enjoy most about being an indie The flexibility of my schedule The ability to work from home That my success is entirely dependent on me and(hopefully) reflects the energy I put into it My involvement in PIC What donrsquot you like about being an indie Like so many others Irsquod say the lack of a steady paycheque As a lifetime corporate bee business developmentwas never in my scope of work so thatrsquos a big challenge for me too What advice would you give someone new to independent life The thing I learned early and that Irsquod suggest to a newbie is to tap into your network People want to see yousucceed and can be so generous with their time and expertise How long have you been a PIC member and what value do you get from your membership Irsquove been a member for about a year and get to as many PIC events as I can PIC hones down the largeIABCToronto chapter to a more manageable and valuable subset and the networking is invaluable My PICcolleagues have helped me figure out the ins and outs of hanging my shingle They so generously share theirstories and expertise and theyrsquore also a fun group to hang out with Special thanks to Andrea Bassett inparticular for her generous guidance
We count more than 100 members in PIC offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to videoproduction and writing Do you know everyone Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members andrandomly profiles existing members Let Sue Horner know if youd like to be profiled and shell be in touch to setit up
Update your profile on the PIC member list before Dec 29 As a member of PIC you can promote yourself at no charge on the PIC member list on the IABCTorontowebsite We keep a running list of changes (such as new contact information or links to your LinkedIn profile orwebsite) and update it with IABCToronto every quarter Not on the list yet or want to make an update Send Melika Ramkissoon your name company name locationemail address telephone number website URL and a brief description of your business (up to 40 words) Thenext deadline to submit a profile or make changes to your existing profile is Dec 29 otherwise yoursquoll wait untilMarch
Whats new on PICrsquos LinkedIn group Youll find useful information about building and managing a small communications business when you visit PICrsquosLinkedIn group IABCToronto Professional Independent Communicators (login required) Recent posts have shared tips to help with late payments a pitch to land new clients advice on setting rates andmore You are welcome to post articles or ask questions that will help you and other members grow and manageyour businesses
Join the PIC conversation on Facebook (chapter members only) Build and strengthen your connections with other PIC members and advance your communications business byjoining PICs Facebook group This is a great opportunity to network discuss business issues and ideas andaccess exclusive professional development resources To access this IABCToronto chapter membersshyonly perk search for our private Facebook group by ourname Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) part of IABCToronto
Get your copy of The Independent Life
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 55
PIC has a wonderful resource in our eshybook The Independent Life It shares the wisdom of PIC members withonline resources to guide you through the steps in starting your ownbusiness setting up your office managing your finances setting feesmarketing and more Our thanks to graphic designer Cathy Ledden RGD for turning thecontent provided by many PIC members into a handy guide Grab yourcopy as a PDF download or as an eshypublication for Kobo or iReader
PIC is a special interest group of IABCToronto PICs mission is to support independent IABCTorontocommunicators through professional development networking and marketingThe Buzz is PICs eshynewsletterintended to inform independent communicators about our activities share professional development tips frompast meetings and keep us aware of whats going on Connect with us on the web at pictorontocom andLinkedIn As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators IABCToronto providesaccess to products services activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world IABC helpspeople and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communication public relations employeecommunication marketing communication public affairs and other forms of communication For moreinformation visit the IABC website
Sue Horner Editor and Director Communications mdash PIC
Copyright copy 2017 IABCToronto All rights reserved
Want to change how you receive these emails You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 35
Dietrich will provide her perspective on the important aspects of building your business in todayrsquos competitivecommunications and PR space Ginirsquos insights will be useful to new and experienced communications and PRindependents navigating our age of digital transformation and organizational change About our speaker Gini Dietrich is chief executive officer at Arment Dietrich Inc and chief blogger at Spin Sucks She is an industrythought leader who serves on the national advisory council for Women in PR USA and is the coshyauthor ofMarketing In the Round Gini also coshyhosts Inside PR a weekly podcast about communications and socialmedia Mark your calendar and watch for registration details soon
Internal communications study results are inIn October more than 100 communicators from across the country took part in a survey on internalcommunication practices within Canadian organizations PIC member Maryjane Martin APR who conductedthe study shares some of the initial highlights
Employees arenrsquot using accessible tools to the best of their availability (there are large gaps betweenwhatrsquos accessible and what they actually use)Email (even with its limitations) is still the vehicle of choice for organizations (98)A noticeable proportion (61) of internal communicators are left out of the loop in the selection processof internal communication technologiesBudget and priority are top barriers for the implementation of new internal communication technologiesManagement is seen as effective but could improve on keeping upshytoshydate with industry standardsMost realize that the decisions on the use of internal communication technologies are hamstrung byregulations and processes
ldquoCommunicators have an appetite for newer technologies and tools that make communications easierrdquo Maryjanesays ldquoWhile they say they are fast to adopt there is still a gap as to whether they fully use everything alreadyavailable to themrdquo Do communicators just stick with tools that currently work for them ldquoThat is something I am going to probe in thecoming monthsrdquo she says Maryjane and her change management colleague Dennie Theodore are still analyzing the data and will publishthe final report soon If yoursquore interested in getting a copy please email Maryjane at mjmjmartinandcocom
PIC Personality Meet Janice SuttonBy Sue Horner and Janice Sutton Janice Sutton is a writer editor and communication strategist runningmaddixcommunications Connect with her on LinkedIn email her or call416shy476shy7374
Whatrsquos your background My career started in the automotive industry in customer service and then in Torontorsquos highshytech sector during the booming rsquo90s One of myresponsibilities was supporting the executive team as the companyevolved from a familyshyowned business to a publicly traded entity I learned to manage investor relations andapplied my writing skills to produce annual and quarterly reports My parents are from PEI and growing up I spent every summer holiday in the Maritimes When an opportunityarose in 2001 to work in the energy sector there we packed up the kids and moved to Halifax I worked withproject teams and HR to strategize write and execute communication plans I had an amazing leader andmentor who helped me see that communication was the right path for me and joining IABC in 2010 supportedmy growth as a communications professional In 2011 following my employerrsquos investments in three Caribbean electric utilities I accepted a twoshyyear contractto develop and implement communication best practices in Grand Bahama Next I went to Barbados to bring
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 45
that utilityrsquos internal and crisis communication practices in line with established standards Perhaps surprisingly Idonrsquot miss the climate but I do miss the culture and the ability to create something from scratch I moved back to Toronto in 2015 to be closer to my adult children and extended family Irsquom grateful every day tobe home When did you launch your independent business I thought moving back to Toronto would mean leaving my Halifaxshybased employer but I was able to continueworking remotely with its Caribbean teams for the first 18 months I officially launched my business on July 12017 and Irsquove been fortunate to continue consulting with those teams What type of work are you doing now My first love is internal communications I love to work handshyinshyhand with HR particularly in unionshybasedenvironments to plan for and meet the challenges of employee attraction engagement and retention But theline between internal and external communications is blurred As communication professionals we understandthat the key messages are the same itrsquos the framingshyup tactics and timing that change depending on theaudience I will be starting work with a new USshybased client in the new year that will be largely focused on customercommunications and Irsquom looking forward to putting that experience to practice and learning more about theneeds of that stakeholder group What do you enjoy most about being an indie The flexibility of my schedule The ability to work from home That my success is entirely dependent on me and(hopefully) reflects the energy I put into it My involvement in PIC What donrsquot you like about being an indie Like so many others Irsquod say the lack of a steady paycheque As a lifetime corporate bee business developmentwas never in my scope of work so thatrsquos a big challenge for me too What advice would you give someone new to independent life The thing I learned early and that Irsquod suggest to a newbie is to tap into your network People want to see yousucceed and can be so generous with their time and expertise How long have you been a PIC member and what value do you get from your membership Irsquove been a member for about a year and get to as many PIC events as I can PIC hones down the largeIABCToronto chapter to a more manageable and valuable subset and the networking is invaluable My PICcolleagues have helped me figure out the ins and outs of hanging my shingle They so generously share theirstories and expertise and theyrsquore also a fun group to hang out with Special thanks to Andrea Bassett inparticular for her generous guidance
We count more than 100 members in PIC offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to videoproduction and writing Do you know everyone Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members andrandomly profiles existing members Let Sue Horner know if youd like to be profiled and shell be in touch to setit up
Update your profile on the PIC member list before Dec 29 As a member of PIC you can promote yourself at no charge on the PIC member list on the IABCTorontowebsite We keep a running list of changes (such as new contact information or links to your LinkedIn profile orwebsite) and update it with IABCToronto every quarter Not on the list yet or want to make an update Send Melika Ramkissoon your name company name locationemail address telephone number website URL and a brief description of your business (up to 40 words) Thenext deadline to submit a profile or make changes to your existing profile is Dec 29 otherwise yoursquoll wait untilMarch
Whats new on PICrsquos LinkedIn group Youll find useful information about building and managing a small communications business when you visit PICrsquosLinkedIn group IABCToronto Professional Independent Communicators (login required) Recent posts have shared tips to help with late payments a pitch to land new clients advice on setting rates andmore You are welcome to post articles or ask questions that will help you and other members grow and manageyour businesses
Join the PIC conversation on Facebook (chapter members only) Build and strengthen your connections with other PIC members and advance your communications business byjoining PICs Facebook group This is a great opportunity to network discuss business issues and ideas andaccess exclusive professional development resources To access this IABCToronto chapter membersshyonly perk search for our private Facebook group by ourname Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) part of IABCToronto
Get your copy of The Independent Life
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 55
PIC has a wonderful resource in our eshybook The Independent Life It shares the wisdom of PIC members withonline resources to guide you through the steps in starting your ownbusiness setting up your office managing your finances setting feesmarketing and more Our thanks to graphic designer Cathy Ledden RGD for turning thecontent provided by many PIC members into a handy guide Grab yourcopy as a PDF download or as an eshypublication for Kobo or iReader
PIC is a special interest group of IABCToronto PICs mission is to support independent IABCTorontocommunicators through professional development networking and marketingThe Buzz is PICs eshynewsletterintended to inform independent communicators about our activities share professional development tips frompast meetings and keep us aware of whats going on Connect with us on the web at pictorontocom andLinkedIn As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators IABCToronto providesaccess to products services activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world IABC helpspeople and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communication public relations employeecommunication marketing communication public affairs and other forms of communication For moreinformation visit the IABC website
Sue Horner Editor and Director Communications mdash PIC
Copyright copy 2017 IABCToronto All rights reserved
Want to change how you receive these emails You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 45
that utilityrsquos internal and crisis communication practices in line with established standards Perhaps surprisingly Idonrsquot miss the climate but I do miss the culture and the ability to create something from scratch I moved back to Toronto in 2015 to be closer to my adult children and extended family Irsquom grateful every day tobe home When did you launch your independent business I thought moving back to Toronto would mean leaving my Halifaxshybased employer but I was able to continueworking remotely with its Caribbean teams for the first 18 months I officially launched my business on July 12017 and Irsquove been fortunate to continue consulting with those teams What type of work are you doing now My first love is internal communications I love to work handshyinshyhand with HR particularly in unionshybasedenvironments to plan for and meet the challenges of employee attraction engagement and retention But theline between internal and external communications is blurred As communication professionals we understandthat the key messages are the same itrsquos the framingshyup tactics and timing that change depending on theaudience I will be starting work with a new USshybased client in the new year that will be largely focused on customercommunications and Irsquom looking forward to putting that experience to practice and learning more about theneeds of that stakeholder group What do you enjoy most about being an indie The flexibility of my schedule The ability to work from home That my success is entirely dependent on me and(hopefully) reflects the energy I put into it My involvement in PIC What donrsquot you like about being an indie Like so many others Irsquod say the lack of a steady paycheque As a lifetime corporate bee business developmentwas never in my scope of work so thatrsquos a big challenge for me too What advice would you give someone new to independent life The thing I learned early and that Irsquod suggest to a newbie is to tap into your network People want to see yousucceed and can be so generous with their time and expertise How long have you been a PIC member and what value do you get from your membership Irsquove been a member for about a year and get to as many PIC events as I can PIC hones down the largeIABCToronto chapter to a more manageable and valuable subset and the networking is invaluable My PICcolleagues have helped me figure out the ins and outs of hanging my shingle They so generously share theirstories and expertise and theyrsquore also a fun group to hang out with Special thanks to Andrea Bassett inparticular for her generous guidance
We count more than 100 members in PIC offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to videoproduction and writing Do you know everyone Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members andrandomly profiles existing members Let Sue Horner know if youd like to be profiled and shell be in touch to setit up
Update your profile on the PIC member list before Dec 29 As a member of PIC you can promote yourself at no charge on the PIC member list on the IABCTorontowebsite We keep a running list of changes (such as new contact information or links to your LinkedIn profile orwebsite) and update it with IABCToronto every quarter Not on the list yet or want to make an update Send Melika Ramkissoon your name company name locationemail address telephone number website URL and a brief description of your business (up to 40 words) Thenext deadline to submit a profile or make changes to your existing profile is Dec 29 otherwise yoursquoll wait untilMarch
Whats new on PICrsquos LinkedIn group Youll find useful information about building and managing a small communications business when you visit PICrsquosLinkedIn group IABCToronto Professional Independent Communicators (login required) Recent posts have shared tips to help with late payments a pitch to land new clients advice on setting rates andmore You are welcome to post articles or ask questions that will help you and other members grow and manageyour businesses
Join the PIC conversation on Facebook (chapter members only) Build and strengthen your connections with other PIC members and advance your communications business byjoining PICs Facebook group This is a great opportunity to network discuss business issues and ideas andaccess exclusive professional development resources To access this IABCToronto chapter membersshyonly perk search for our private Facebook group by ourname Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) part of IABCToronto
Get your copy of The Independent Life
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 55
PIC has a wonderful resource in our eshybook The Independent Life It shares the wisdom of PIC members withonline resources to guide you through the steps in starting your ownbusiness setting up your office managing your finances setting feesmarketing and more Our thanks to graphic designer Cathy Ledden RGD for turning thecontent provided by many PIC members into a handy guide Grab yourcopy as a PDF download or as an eshypublication for Kobo or iReader
PIC is a special interest group of IABCToronto PICs mission is to support independent IABCTorontocommunicators through professional development networking and marketingThe Buzz is PICs eshynewsletterintended to inform independent communicators about our activities share professional development tips frompast meetings and keep us aware of whats going on Connect with us on the web at pictorontocom andLinkedIn As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators IABCToronto providesaccess to products services activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world IABC helpspeople and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communication public relations employeecommunication marketing communication public affairs and other forms of communication For moreinformation visit the IABC website
Sue Horner Editor and Director Communications mdash PIC
Copyright copy 2017 IABCToronto All rights reserved
Want to change how you receive these emails You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
4112018 December Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Buzz
httpsmailchimp85470a6048a1julyaug-professional-independent-communicators-pic-buzz-344089 55
PIC has a wonderful resource in our eshybook The Independent Life It shares the wisdom of PIC members withonline resources to guide you through the steps in starting your ownbusiness setting up your office managing your finances setting feesmarketing and more Our thanks to graphic designer Cathy Ledden RGD for turning thecontent provided by many PIC members into a handy guide Grab yourcopy as a PDF download or as an eshypublication for Kobo or iReader
PIC is a special interest group of IABCToronto PICs mission is to support independent IABCTorontocommunicators through professional development networking and marketingThe Buzz is PICs eshynewsletterintended to inform independent communicators about our activities share professional development tips frompast meetings and keep us aware of whats going on Connect with us on the web at pictorontocom andLinkedIn As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators IABCToronto providesaccess to products services activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world IABC helpspeople and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communication public relations employeecommunication marketing communication public affairs and other forms of communication For moreinformation visit the IABC website
Sue Horner Editor and Director Communications mdash PIC
Copyright copy 2017 IABCToronto All rights reserved
Want to change how you receive these emails You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list