| Issue 21, April 2004 |
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This is m-news, M Power's monthly e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading it. M Power is a communication, consulting and training company. m-news includes information about related themes - six quick snippets about business, organisational and individual effectiveness, communication and public relations. Communication empowers. Karen Morath, managing director, M Power
1. Stakeholder relations
1. Stakeholder relations In a buzzword world where organisations are talking about wanting to communicate with their ‘stakeholders’, there is much confusion about the potential to do it properly. Ideally, a stakeholder mapping exercise would be part of the initial research phase of public relations strategy planning, but there is more to it than simply identifying which stakeholders to communicate with. The challenge is to establish ways in which an organisation’s stakeholders can communicate with the organisation, not simply be ‘communicated to’ or – worse – ‘communicated at’. Effective stakeholder relations require opportunities for organisations to be challenged, questioned, informed and shaped by the thoughts and opinions of those which have a ‘stake’ in them. We are hearing a little bit of talk about ‘dialogue’, but watch for ‘two-way communication’ becoming the next significant communication buzz term. And rightly so. If organisations respond, then they will be really communicating – not just talking about it.
2. A quote we like "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
Source – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. 3. Introducing M Power Speaker Jan Claire
Continuing our series of profiles introducing speakers represented by M Power’s speakers’ agency. Jan Claire hosts dinners, conferences, launches, fundraisers, fashion parades and shopping centre appearances. Give her a microphone and an audience, and she's in her element. From 'Gown of the Year' galas to guiding tour groups - Jan talks for a living. Her style is always friendly, engaging and humorous. She builds a relaxed environment which suits lengthy presentations, or she can create a more formal atmosphere if your function requires it. Jan is the ideal host or speaker for all sorts of functions and is especially popular with groups of women. She invites interaction and the natural rapport she builds always gets the audience 'in'. With her varied experiences in food, wine and hospitality and the glamour of the fashion industry - Jan has a repertoire of stories and an ad-lib talent to connect with any group in any environment. Jan recently hosted the first M Power What Women Want seminar (see below). For enquiries about how Jan Claire could add value to your next function, please contact M Power Speakers on 9510 2592. 4. Gratuitous plug for M Power M Power is proud to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and its new book, Melbourne’s Delights. The book is a photographic essay of Melbourne’s beauty and variety, including photographs taken by 30 well-known Melburnians including Jo Hall, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Christine Nixon and Santo Cilauro. All have lent their talents to capture their most intimate and treasured parts of Australia’s most livable city, on film, to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The concept is the creation of Boris Struk, Executive Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Melbourne’s Delights collection of over 70 photographs will be open for public viewing from May 1, 2004 at the ANZ Gothic Building, 388 Collins Street, Melbourne. The book can be purchased through the Muscular Dystrophy Association via the Melbourne’s Delights website, www.melbournesdelights.org
5. Email versus snail mail Interesting piece of data in light of the recent ban of unsolicited commercial email messages – Australia Post research indicates only 10 per cent of people want official contact with organisations to be by email or SMS. Considering the ‘so-called’ snail mail gets it there overnight anyway, the ideal form of written communication seems logical. 6. This month's book review
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. Profile Books Ltd, 2003. If you get (really) annoyed when you see a sign that advertises ‘Fish and Chip’s’ or ‘Member’s Bar’ you have what author Lynne Truss describes as ‘the seventh sense’. This is very polite compared to the way I have been described over the years, although people’s colourful use of adjectives before the word pedant is in itself cause for celebration amongst ‘words’ people. Others merely suggest I ‘get a life’, whatever that is. But for pedants, or indeed those with the seventh sense – and you know who you are - this book is exhilarating. It’s exciting (and comforting) to know there are others like us in the world. It’s for people interested in an amusing read – the book is categorised as reference/humour - or who want a ‘how to’ guide to punctuation (yes, really, in the same book). It’s a rare find. I will read and be guided by it again and again. To buy Eats, Shoots & Leaves from Amazon click here.
* * * * * The next Letter Writing Course at the M Power office will be held on Friday, April 23, 9.30 – 12.30 led by Karen Morath. $160 plus GST per person. Three places left.
Inspired by Lynne Truss’s book, the next M Power Punctuation Blitz workshop will be held at the M Power office on Tuesday, April 27, 10 – 12 noon led by Karen Morath. $120 plus GST per person. It will be painless and fun!
M Power What Women Want forums will be held throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria from April to June. For enquiries and bookings call M Power on 9510 2592. * * * * * M Power’s electronic distribution list is compiled with the express or inferred consent of those on the list. Should you not wish to receive this email communication from us, please unsubscribe below. © M Power CCT Pty Ltd 2004 |
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