Inkling Success Agency’s Post

HOT OFF THE PRESS Inkling Success Agency are excited to share a recent example of progressive thinking in the communications space. All too often, presentation folders are devalued because of their predictability (client logo and imagery). 💤 Recognising this is an opportunity to burst through the blandness. 🤕 By understanding what's important to your reader, interesting, high value, market facing content can be added to increase up-take and comms effectiveness. We celebrate Good Earth Dairy courage and vision to recognise this. 🔝

For all the heavy stuff and literary tomes written on communications theory and strategy, is it wrong to say that ‘be helpful, useful and generous’ is the shorthand you really need to run with? Because this means audience first thinking in terms of value shared. It covers relevance, topicality and what people need now. It pushes a focus on being both entertaining and educative. And encapsulates the humanity we need in storytelling, brand energy and brand thinking. All in a world where brand trust and accessibility is as rare and sought after as Spice in Dune. It reminds me of a scurrilously entertaining novel by John (‘Kill Your friends’) Niven called The Second Coming that in challenging-the-status-quo on religion and other things suggested there was originally just One Commandment  - “Be Nice” - until Moses got more creative and added a few. Yet “Be Nice’ in its simplicity summarises so much and with much less room for over interpretation. Which I would argue ‘be useful, helpful and generous’ does too for comms planning, as the model I try and work to and build from with clients and partners. Or would we prefer something more head scratchy and convoluted as the start point?

Ready to elevate your business communication skills? 🌟 Storytelling isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for driving real business results. Join Dr. S V Nathan, in an exclusive, hands-on workshop designed to help you craft stories that resonate, inspire, and lead to tangible success. In this workshop, you’ll learn: 🔸 How to introduce relatable characters that draw your audience in. 🔸 The art of presenting conflicts or challenges to create tension and build towards resolution. 🔸 Using emotional triggers to connect on a deeper level and engage your audience fully. Mastering the art of storytelling will help you communicate your brand’s mission, motivate teams, and build strong relationships with clients. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform the way you present ideas and inspire action! 🗓 Date: 07 November 2024 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM 📍 Join us to unlock the secrets of powerful narratives and leave your audience wanting more! https://lnkd.in/dCygkuVq Global HR Community Nathan SV Ramesh Ranjan Sreekanth K Arimanithaya

5 key communication trends for 2024 🖇 FOCUS ON IMPACT AND TRUST As per data from KANTAR: • 83% of Ukrainians are interested in knowing about brand donations to the Armed Forces and assistance to the wounded • 80% – about the support of social projects • 64% – support for national culture, art, and traditions. Humanity is at the center of communications. Display responsible leadership practices, and talk about your positive contribution to bringing the Victory closer and developing society. Inspire by example. 🖇 INCLUSIVENESS The task of responsible leaders is to create a barrier-free space for interaction with different people. Today, it is essential to rethink your approaches: is your space, service, communication, or product adapted to people with different needs? If not, what can you do to fix it? 🖇 USE OF AI AI will not replace people, but it will definitely replace those who do not know how to use its capabilities. Learn effective tools and put them into practice to improve efficiency. 🖇YOUTUBE, PODCASTS, AND TELEGRAM CHANNELS 44% of Ukrainians receive information from Telegram channels, 36% from YouTube, according to KIIS. According to InMind, 72% of Ukrainians read Telegram channels. New media are ahead of traditional media in terms of trust and popularity. Explore their opportunities for effective communication. 🖇 DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL BRANDS Openness, publicity, and interaction with others open up new opportunities for growth in life, business, and career. To enjoy the results in a year, you need to start today.

How many of you have a regular seat for a communications advisor at your boardroom table? And how many of you understand why the ‘yes’ answer is business critical and the ‘no answer’ is a seismic mistake? This is not about someone who you can summon when you have a story around company success and glory to pump out. But about someone who has the remit to question, challenge, and bring vital stop/start thinking to the table. Because almost everything you do, regardless of business size, comes with either pitfall or opportunity built in as standard, for how you are seen, and how that impression can shape success. Or otherwise. Perception is reality, in everything, in a world not shy to ask the tough questions or leap to conclusions, warranted or unwarranted. Meaning communications needs to be a central strategy not just a business function. It’s the glue that holds things together, for both talking and listening. Whether permanent, fractional or advisor level, see the role as parallel in value to your other core disciplines. Because communication-light decisions that chip away at reputation can impact the numbers, culture, recruitment and employer brand, partnerships and positive word of mouth that is the nirvana of good business marketing. Without it where is the oxygen and well timed ‘background’ in which any sales model can breathe more successfully? These should not be new thoughts, but too often pass otherwise smart people by. Cultural understanding, audience first thinking, and reading the room context are start points for core decision making. And personality, humanity and ‘colour’ are what help messages, missions and leadership become more credible and less wallpaper. This is epicentre stuff. Business counselling. Seeing the wood for the trees. Internal and external glue. And relevant to all your boardroom discussions. Because for big or small business, reputation challenges don’t pick or choose. So if you aren’t there yet, let’s talk, and help to soften inevitable bumpy rides.

I've had the privilege of building my own communications teams throughout my career, but perhaps some of my favorite moments of this year have been supporting clients in thinking through org design for their communications function. Joining a team as a leader with existing infrastructure can be overwhelming - how do you build a successful team and effectively use the resources you have? How do you assess capabilities and identify the gaps for the function? How do you balance transparency as you are building with giving yourself space to understand what you might not know? We've built a working role taxonomy (what does it mean to be a Vice President vs Director? What are your KPIs and skills required for the job?), thoughtful org chart based on the taxonomy and clear roles and responsibilities for each function. Transparency, clarity, career mapping, change communications - all essential components of communications org design and building trust with your team. Let's keep making a stronger, better, longer view point for communications.

Managers, please stop micromanaging your creative teams! Your team's productivity depends a lot on the leverage you give them. Marketing is 20% systematic and 80% creative process. There are set rules and guidelines that teams need to follow, but micromanaging each creative asset, each description, and each line of copy? You are killing the creativity of your team. Please start appreciating the thought process of your teams and, for once, believe in their abilities!

How elevated is your comms team? It only takes 10 minutes to find out.     Find your path forward: localwisdom.com/maturity #localwisdommaturitymodel #maturitymodel #internalcomms #internalcommunications #comms #communications #team #teams #grow #develop #evolve #strategy #strategize

I don’t think most people realize if company change is happening and there is no communication, employees will fill the void. I’ve seen it happen, there is a… ▶️ Major organizational restructure ▶️ Merger or acquisition ▶️ New operating processes being implemented A change is occurring in the company, and no one is communicating. At least not formally. HOWEVER… Communication is still happening AND it may be inaccurate or not positioned how you intended. Here’s the deal: - There is not a single organizational change that does not require some level of communication. NOT. EVEN. ONE. - Natural information does not flow if an employee is several managerial layers from the top. IT. NEVER. HAPPENS. Preparing a structured communication so everyone is reading (and absorbing) the same information = ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Why? ACCURACY is telling the right story. [Should sales tell a client the wrong details of an acquisition?] POSITIONING is how you want the story heard. [Is your new chief technology officer just an outside hire?] Here are the key three points that should be covered when communicating change: 1)       What is the change? 2)       Why is the change occurring? 3)       How will it affect the company and how it operates? 4)       How will it affect the employees? ⬇️ Your Turn ⬇️ How can change be better communicated in companies? HI! I am Jeanene O’Brien. I’ve built my career in marketing communications. Today, I’m a fractional CMO/CCO and marcomm consultant creating and expanding my work (and life). Need help crafting change communications? Connect, follow, and reach out!

The Lies They Tell About Communication Majors... Saw a social media post listing "easiest" college majors based on surveys, and let me tell you - Communication did NOT get the respect it deserves! As a communications graduate, I want to explain that we are not that bad. Sure, we're not crunching numbers all day, but that doesn't mean it's a cakewalk. We learn the art of decoding and crafting messages that resonate with ANY audience. Think about it - how many grads from other fields struggle to communicate effectively? Here's the real cost of strong communication skills: 1. Knowing your audience: Tailoring your message for maximum impact, from boardrooms to social media. 2. Reading the room like a pro - understanding the vibe and adapting your approach on the fly. 3. Crafting compelling narratives: Weaving a story that grabs attention and keeps them hooked. 4. Responding with grace under pressure: No matter how someone reacts, you stay calm and collected. 5. Leading with confidence: Owning your mistakes and inspiring others. Field experience is great, but wouldn't it be awesome to master the theory AND practice? Because communication is the key to: - Leadership: Inspiring and guiding your team. - Credibility: Building trust and establishing yourself as an expert. - Winning over clients: Persuading them to choose you. - Correcting errors: Taking responsibility and finding solutions. - Ultimate success: Your skills are worthless if you can't communicate them effectively. ️ Don't underestimate the power of communication! It's the ultimate competitive advantage.