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Communications. Social. Strategy. Local

Join me at the CPRS National Conference in Ottawa June 9-11

Author: | May 1st, 2013 | Category : public relations

Even though I’m heavily vested in IABC (being chapter president will do that to you) I’m also a huge supporter of the Canadian Public Relations Society. I’ve been to the national conference twice and both times found it to be a high quality conference and all around great time. This year, the CPRS National Conference is coming to Ottawa and I am thrilled to be a part of it! I … Read more »

How to be a good listener (a work in progress)

Author: | April 23rd, 2013 | Category : random

I’m not writing this post because I happen to be an expert on the subject. I do know and believe listening is the most important skill anyone can and should have, but I’ve also found myself falling into bad habits that hinder my ability to be a good listener. I am writing this as a reminder to myself and also as a commitment to do better. Perhaps you could use … Read more »

How to be awesome: be replaceable

Author: | October 30th, 2012 | Category : Just for kicks

Many people have this silly notion that they need to be irreplaceable. Like their workplace couldn’t function without them. Like they should keep everything secret so if they are not around no one can figure out what they do. Perhaps it’s some form of job security… After you’re gone you’ll be some sort legend because no one else could step into your shoes and do your job like you did. … Read more »

Three chances to win workshop passes to the IABC Business Communicator Summit next week…

Author: | October 24th, 2012 | Category : Just for kicks

If you haven’t heard yet , the IABC 2012 Canadian Business Communicators Summit is happening in Ottawa next week from November 1-3, 2012. There’s still time to buy a full pass if you’re the last-minute conference going type, but you can also have an opportunity to win a pass to one of the six pre-conference workshops happening on November 1. Actually you have THREE  FIVE chances to win (see update … Read more »

Communications students: Are you being recognized for your great work?

Author: | July 25th, 2012 | Category : public relations

Although I’ve learned *SO MUCH* since graduating from the PR program at Algonquin College in 2006, I still miss those days every now and again! Also the sad fact about working is you simply can’t execute every project to its fullest potential the way you might have as a student (maybe that’s just me, I was a good student!).  Reflecting back I worked on some amazing (and real!) projects as a … Read more »

Using social media for research – Recap from #SoCapOtt

Author: | July 23rd, 2012 | Category : social media

It takes a lot to get me out of the sun on a hot Saturday in July and into an over-air-conditioned venue for a full day of learning, but fortunately the Social Capital Conference this weekend delivered a worthwhile, great time. This past Saturday I joined over 200 others on the Algonquin College campus for a so-called “Social Media Learnathon.” I was even priviledged enough to present at the event. I spoke … Read more »

I don’t need to write this, I want to write it.

Author: | June 21st, 2012 | Category : random

I miss writing. An odd thing to say, since I’m almost always writing something: A proposal, a report, an email, a tweet… I love the written word and it’s always been my personal favourite form of communications to output… The issue is feeling like I’m always writing out of obligation, not inspiration. Even with this blog*; it’s reached a point where I am trying to force creative words and ideas … Read more »

With marriage out of the way, some other big changes for me…

Author: | June 7th, 2012 | Category : Just for kicks

What a whirlwind few months it’s been… As perhaps is obvious from my lack of blogging! So far, 2012 has been a really crazy (good) year! In addition to a busy start of the year at work I’ve been prepping to take the reigns over as President of IABC Ottawa in July, helping with the IABC Canada 2012 Business Communicators Summit in Ottawa November 1-3, 2012, still running Girl Geek … Read more »

Most readers don’t care what you tweet, researchers say. Should you care what “most readers” think?

Author: | April 30th, 2012 | Category : Just for kicks

New research making the rounds in media says that most readers don’t care what you tweet. The research and commentary suggests that because a certain per cent of Twitter users (which, as you’ll see below is admittedly bias) don’t like what you might be tweeting about so you should probably tweet about other stuff. Media love sensationalized research (like this piece) to sensationalize research like this because it causes people to pause … Read more »

Next Third Tuesday Ottawa: Ann Fuller on “Social Media: The big ‘what if’ of health care reform”

Author: | April 20th, 2012 | Category : Just for kicks

Just a quick note to let you know about the next Third Tuesday Ottawa: Ann Fuller from CHEO is discussing the role social media is playing in health care reform. I met Ann at the Social Media for Government Conference, and while her talk was not specific to government, it most definitely stole the show! In fact, I was so impressed with her content (and her speaking ability) that I send … Read more »