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Tough interview- and a lesson learned
Came across this interview recently. U.S. Senator Kirk Watson appears on MSNBC’s Hardball as an Obama supporter, facing off against a Hillary supporter. Host Chris Matthews asks Watson a pretty simple question that leaves him staring helplessly at the camera for much of the segment.
Someone with Watson’s experience and, undoubtedly, his vast PR resources should never have found himself in this position. Especially not on national TV.
It’s yet another reminder that anyone speaking to a reporter – not matter how senior, experienced or smart they may be – needs to put in the prep time, and expect the unexpected.
Talk up, not down, to CIOs
Some fascinating tidbits of data from ITWorldCanada this week on the innermost thoughts of CIOs, based on its recent CIO survey.
· Seventy-two per cent say they spend most of their time “interacting” with other CXOs. That’s well ahead of strategic planning (56%) and making strategic decisions (55%). Not surprisingly, three-quarters of CIOs say an ability to communicate is most pivotal to their success
· They spend the least amount of their managing IT crises (6%) and budgeting/learning about IT (6%)
· What skills are NOT key to becoming a stellar CIO? IT proficiency ranked “first” at 3 per cent, followed by a through knowledge of IT (7%)
Two lessons here. One, if you have plans to include a CIO title next to your name one day, better polish your sales and networking skills. Two, what we always suspected to be true has been confirmed once again. Clients looking to get a deep technology message across are far better talking to IT managers. Most CIOs simply don’t live in that world.
We're Hiring
Put your skills to work for a fast-paced PR firm with a stellar reputation – a place where you can be creative and really make a difference.
High Road Communications is an award-winning public relations agency dedicated to shaping integrated communications for technology and lifestyle companies – including some of the biggest brands in the industry. The firm serves clients across North America from offices in Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Ottawa, and Montreal.
We have immediate opportunities for both intermediate (3 to 5 years experience) and senior level (5 to 7 years) PR consultant positions in the Vancouver office. The ideal candidates will have relevant technology and/or entertainment industry, social and digital media experience in an agency environment.
If you have the above qualifications, as well as a related academic background, please submit your resume to Raman Uppal, Human Resources Specialist at careers@highroad.com
For more information on High Road Communications – consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in Canada – please visit our Web site at www.highroad.com.
B2B Blogging
Yesterday, my colleague Martin Hofmann and I had the opportunity to speak at the Canadian Marketing Association conference. The buzz at the conference: making web marketing & online communications effective. Martin and I talked about connecting with customers online through Web 2.0 tools and the keys to doing it right. (If you would like a copy of the deck, e-mail me and I will send it to you). My takeaway is that marketers on the B2C side recognize the need to integrate the Web into their overall marketing plans, while B2B marketers are still dipping their toes in the 2.0 ocean, wondering how to incorporate social networking, videos, and blogs, etc.
High Road is a Best Workplace in Canada
For the second year in a row High Road has been named one of the Best Workplaces in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute. I am so proud of our team for continuing to make this one of the best places to work. This team’s passion, dedication and creativity continue to impress me and our clients. Since founding the company 12 years ago, we’ve focused on building the best team in the industry and celebrating the over and above commitment that is made every day through company-wide training programs, national teambuilding events, sabbaticals and High Road celebrations.
Our High Impact Awards program was acknowledged as a best practice this year. The program is based on staff nominations for outstanding contributions to High Road around our core values of teamwork, respect for the individual, personal passion and commitment, and new business drives the firm. All nominees are highlighted during the monthly national all staff meeting and one is randomly selected to be put in a draw for an all paid weekend get away. What a great way to celebrate going above and beyond for the company and our clients!
Sometimes it isn’t the big gestures that make the difference. The small ones are often more impactful.
Check out what some of our employees think about High Road:
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