n2n communications

Public relations agencies, and in fact all types of organisations, know that internal collaboration is good for business.  It’s how work gets done, plans get made and results get delivered.  Serious stuff.  So serious in fact that media articles this week report BBC bosses have banned employees from keeping bins at their desks because it makes staff territorial and stops them from mixing with other people in the office.

Necessary measure to increase workplace collaboration or a load of rubbish?  Whatever you think, the BBC’s policy on bins goes to show the steps businesses are taking to foster a collaborative working environment.

Surely though, there’s more to it than moving office furniture around? Read the rest of this post

The sad passing of Steve Jobs sent shockwaves across the tech industry yesterday, leading many of us to reflect on the significant contribution he’s made to technology and innovation.  But aside from the products we’re all familiar with the news also reminds us, it’s people that matter.

Read the rest of this post

In the past two years I’ve seen more transformation in the PR sector than I have in my entire 10 years of working in the industry.

Today, the PR toolkit is expanding faster than ever with digital, social media, event management, analyst, government and community relations now all important elements of the services we offer to clients.  Add to this the ever-changing media landscape and it’s no wonder we’re busy.  Not only are we required to help our clients keep up to speed with changes but at the same time navigate brands through an increasingly complex communications environment. Read the rest of this post

A story this week in Mumbrella incited some passionate debate in our industry about metrics in public relations.

This is an age old debate in our profession.

Whenever measurement comes up in PR – it invariably focuses on media results. How much media coverage was achieved, audience reach, key message penetration and how it was published are some of the metrics commonly discussed and used. Read the rest of this post

Debate surrounding where the PR function should sit within an organisation is a bit like debate on whether Australia should become a republic. We don’t talk about it every day, but pretty much everyone’s got an opinion.  And just like the republic debate it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon.

According to recent PRIA guest blogger Mary-Lee Sachs that’s not surprising given the rate of change and rising importance of reputation management.

But what does this mean for PR professionals?  Read the rest of this post

It’s ironic that after an incredibly busy week, and one during which I believe our business has produced lots of great results for clients, that I read this article from the CIO of a global company on organisations not having structures to operate fast.

We are a smallish company with lots to learn but here are a few ways we go fast… Read the rest of this post

Dan Kaufman, in his ebook, Dealing with grumpy editors (a media survival guide), gives some straight talking, good advice for PR practitioners. As an ex-editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and various other publications with over 17 year’s experience, he is well placed to provide some practical tips to PRs about what an editor is looking for, how to work with media and how to best represent your clients. His experience has also given him plenty of fodder to demonstrate what a PR should not do, and he doesn’t pull any punches in dishing out his views on worst practice PR.

Unsurprisingly well written and engaging, he is a little tedious at times in his negative feedback on the PR profession, but his tips about dealing with the media are hard to ignore (and may seem obvious, but are a good reminder to us all). Read the rest of this post

In an age where communicating online is the norm it’s easy to forget the value and impact of face-to-face communication. Attending a trade show in Sydney last week however reminded some of us just how powerful it can be in building relationships and communicating messages.

After a day spent staffing back-to-back media interviews for a client we were struck at how refreshing it was to spend most of the day engaging with people in the flesh as opposed to on the phone or via email. The benefits were numerous. No time lag between exchanges, no misunderstanding over responses and a rapport that you just can’t build on a call or WebEx conference. Read the rest of this post

After a busy and successful start to the year, the n2n team decided it was time to get together for some well deserved team bonding.  The location – Sydney Harbour; the activity – jet boating. 

On one of the most beautiful days in Sydney this year, the team sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the sights of one of the most stunning harbours in the world.  And although getting out of the usual office environment and having time to catch up with one another was a great way to spend a Tuesday afternoon, the benefits were actually less obvious than that.

As communications people, we spend our days developing messages and communicating with clients, the media and the public.  We all work closely with our clients, listening, discussing and understanding them.  Taking the time to do this with our colleagues is just as important  - and made jet boating on the harbour much more than just a jolly afternoon out.