Modern Communicator

On and Offline are dead......

It's just communication....

Just returned from a second meeting with NMK. (First meeting posting here)

We're developing an event around the theme of organisational communication. The 'strap' is emerging. Something like,

'Online and Offline are dead. It's just communication'.

The point of the event is to focus on key organisational communications challenges, examples being Change Management, Compliance, CSR (and sub themes within them). The event might take the form of a series of short case studies outlining how both on and offline techniques were employed together to solve a problem. This would be followed up heavy duty Q & A. In addition, there'd be a seriously inter-active element, yet to be decided on.

The feeling developing between NMK director, Zoe Black, and I is a more holistic approach to organisational communication means better communication.

Additionally, to expose new (and to some, radical) offline communication techniques such as:

- Unconferencing

- Flashmob meetings (Special thanks to Tony Carey for allowing this to be published here)

We see participants as including:

- CEO's
- Brand Managers
- Internal Comms Directors
- Knowledge Managers
- HR directors
- Marcoms directors
- Web Communicators (less so, developers/designers)

The first step is to shape ideas, then build a steering panel consisting of practicioners, thinkers, buyers, suppliers. Once a basic agenda has been shaped, we'll move onto logistics, then the event itself.

I welcome feedback in the form of comments to the post. In this case, there's no such thing as a bad idea!

Web Communicators listened to at Board level?

Last night, had a very engaging conversation with David Galipeau of UNAIDS. He's got some revolutionary ideas about shaping the role of Web Communicators within UNAIDS. All too often, organisational web communication is simply about the 'monkeys' being told what to do by Marketing and/or Communications.

With the rise of Naked Conversations, organisations need to start thinking both top down (announcements) and bottom up (involving grass routes at the earliest stages), perhaps by seeding ideas in the blogosphere and other forms of online community. 

One of David's challenges is that 'Web Communicator' doesn't actually exist as a job description. It's either along the lines of 'Web developer' and 'Communications officer'.

My belief is that the new breed of 'Web Communicator' needs to be technically competent and fluid with the subject matter at hand. In addition, some entrepeneurial spirit wouldn't go a miss.

And finally, to be really effective, they must be given sufficient authority to act purposefully and swiftly when required. In large organisations, this kind of authority will require confidence and trust from the highest levels.

Good luck with it, David.