Liz Oakley’s Post

💬 “Everyone knows how to talk, so why should we pay someone to communicate for us?” 💬 If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that in my PR and marketing career! Effective leaders recognize the power of having professional communicators on their side—and they don’t wait for a crisis to hit first. Here’s why investing in professional communication is crucial: 🚀 Effective Messaging  Creating high-quality content that attracts and retains audiences requires expertise. From writing to design to multimedia production, professionals craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for websites, social media, newsletters, and more. This ensures that all perspectives are considered and respected. 🔗 Brand Consistency  Your company’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets. Professional communicators maintain a consistent brand voice, align messaging with your brand values, and proactively build and protect your reputation through positive storytelling and constructive feedback management. 🛡️ Crisis Management  Trained to handle sensitive issues, professional communicators manage crisis situations and mitigate damage to your company’s reputation. They provide timely and accurate information, maintaining public trust through transparent and effective communication. 📰 Media Relations  Building and maintaining positive media relationships is essential. Professionals interact with journalists, pitch stories, and secure coverage that highlights your company’s achievements. They act as gatekeepers, ensuring your experts are prepared for media interactions, preventing potential PR mishaps. 🤝 Stakeholder and Employee Engagement  Engaging customers, employees, investors, and partners requires strategic communication. Professional communicators foster trust and loyalty through tailored strategies, enhancing overall stakeholder engagement. 📈 Innovation and Adaptability  The communication landscape is constantly evolving. Professional communicators stay updated with industry trends and innovations, keeping your strategies relevant and competitive. Professional communicators bring a wealth of expertise that can significantly amplify your company’s ability to connect with audiences, manage its reputation, and achieve business objectives. Their skills in crafting effective messages, engaging stakeholders, and navigating complex communication challenges make them invaluable assets. Ready to elevate your company’s communications plan? Worthy Communication is here to help. Reach out to learn how we can take your reputation to the next level. https://lnkd.in/gEiM43Vx 🚀✨ #Communication #PublicRelations #BrandManagement #MediaRelations #CrisisManagement #StakeholderEngagement #ProfessionalCommunicators

Why Strategic Communications Is a Must for Every Business Recently, many corporations have found themselves in the headlines, but not in the way they wanted. These situations underscore the essential role a seasoned communications leader plays in shaping a company’s public perception. Whether in-house or outsourced, having someone oversee the communications function is crucial. A strategic communicator supports your business plan, navigates challenging situations, and amplifies your story with priority stakeholders. Whether you're an early-stage startup, a well-established private business, or a publicly traded giant, each stage in your company’s journey requires a unique communications approach. Here's why prioritizing communications is a must for every business: 1.  Strategic Counsel and Advocacy 🤝 Communications leaders are trusted advisors, providing insights on public perception and aligning strategies with company values and goals. They evaluate how actions impact stakeholders, crafting messages for each audience. Integrating communication strategies into your core business plan prepares you to adapt to changing dynamics.   2.  Crisis and Reputation Management 🔥 Every business faces potential crises, threatening reputation and stability. A seasoned communications advisor is crucial for proactive crisis planning, working with leadership to swiftly address issues. They help preserve brand integrity by delivering transparent, honest, and timely information. As recent news cycles show, maintaining trust during a crisis demands experience and situational awareness.   3.  Brand Awareness and Storytelling 📣 Communications professionals build credibility with the news media to tell compelling brand stories through earned coverage or a combo of paid + earned. Marketing and comms teams must work in lockstep, ensuring a consistent, authentic, and cohesive brand message across all channels.   4.   Internal and External Message Alignment ✳️ Consistency in messaging across all organizational levels is vital. A great external strategy starts with an internal focus. Ensure employees understand business goals and their roles in supporting them. Aligning internal and external messaging maintains a cohesive culture and delivers a consistent brand narrative.   5.  Business Growth 📈 Strategic communication fuels business growth and transformation by crafting compelling content and narratives that highlight products, services, and initiatives. A communications advisor ensures an ongoing dialogue with priority stakeholders. Their awareness of current trends and media strategies enables you to seize opportunities and tell your story. Investing in a skilled communications leader or advisor is investing in the long-term success and resilience of your business. It's not just a nice-to-have but a critical component of a successful business strategy. #StrategicCommunications #BrandReputation #CrisisManagement #CorporateCommunications

How do you define the communications practice/profession? I have been in communications for over 13 years. I’m what many call a generalist, although more strategic over the years. My job titles have included Press Officer, Strategic Communications Manager, Head of Internal Communications, Digital and Print, Communications Service Manager, and Head of Strategic Communications, so I’ve delivered or managed media handling, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, crisis communications, internal communications, print and branding, social media, events, and strategic communications and planning. Yet when I recently needed to supply a definition of the communications practice/profession I was stumped. Obviously I googled. No quick solution. I asked ChatGPT and got this: “Communications practice or profession involves the strategic management and dissemination of information between individuals, groups, or organisations. It encompasses various methods such as writing, speaking, design, and digital media to convey messages effectively. Professionals in this field aim to build and maintain positive relationships, enhance reputation, and achieve specific goals through clear, targeted communication strategies.” Meh. So I drafted this definition: “A communications practice is vital for organisations. It defines, explains, and amplifies objectives, values, policies and deliverables - aligning staff to an organisation’s strategy and delivering effective storytelling to external audiences. It provides clarity in crises and supports organisational growth and change. Its core purpose is to nurture positive relationships internally and externally, enhancing reputation and awareness through audience understanding, channel selection, and consistent look, tone and message. Deliverables span written, spoken, and visual content, while specialisms include marketing, internal communications, press and PR, digital and social media, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications.” What would you change? How would you define the communications practice/profession? #communications 🙋🏻♀️ I’m Georgia, I’m a strategic comms specialist with over 13 years' experience 👩🏻💻 I post about comms - from neuroinclusive comms to leadership in comms - and the importance of flexible working as a tool to tackle the motherhood penalty 👩🏻💼 All opinions are my own, not my employer’s Image description: White quote on a beige background which says “How do you define the communications practice/profession?”

Do you like change? Having worked in communications for over two decades, change is something I’ve become pretty comfortable with. In fact, it’s something I actually quite enjoy – it mixes things up a bit and keeps me on my toes. This means that I’m comfortable with change in my working life and I don’t mind a healthy bit of it outside of work too. BUT – I know many people aren’t ok with change. This is perfectly reflected in my two little ones. 🧒 My littlest one meanders along (intentionally or unintentionally!) taking change in their stride, while my daughter openly HATES change. Changing the colour of our living room walls was an issue so I can’t bear to think what would happen if we ever moved house! 😱 Accepting that my kids deal with change in different ways has been fundamental to how I support and communicate with them as they grow. And there are obvious similarities when looking at how you communicate change within an organisation. To effectively support your people through change, it’s vital to recognise that people will react differently: they’ll have different needs, different priorities and want the answers to different questions. Get this right and you can take people on the journey. Don’t, and you could leave some of your most valuable, skilled people behind. Need a bit of help navigating your teams through change? That's where I come in 😊  ------- Hello, I’m Liz, a seasoned communications consultant with extensive experience in both external and internal communications. 🔔 Follow Liz Oakley for communications advice and insight. ❓ Looking for some strategic communications support? A clear narrative and messaging? Or some bespoke communications and media training? Get in touch via DM 📩 and we can have a chat 😊 #communicationgsstrategy #communicationsadvice #communicationsconsultant #changecommunications  

Internal communicators want to be in the room where decisions are made—but getting there takes more than communication skills alone. This insightful article by my colleague Kevin Blasko argues that business acumen is the missing piece for comms professionals who want to make a strategic impact. The key takeaway? Developing business acumen not only enhances our effectiveness today but also opens doors to future opportunities. If you’re looking to level up your comms game, I highly recommend giving this a read! Also check out Kevin’s weekly newsletter, Strictly Internal—a must for internal comms job openings and insights delivered straight to your inbox. #CommsJobs #InternalCommunications

When I was a Head of Internal Communications, the one thing I needed but didn't get enough of was time and space to think 🧠 Because without it, I couldn't: ❌ Be truly strategic. ❌ Lead my team properly. ❌ Push creative ideas forward. Yet too often I was mired in a combination of low-level delivery, management (upwards, downwards, and sideways), and stakeholder pacification, which is: 😩 Exhausting. 😩 Wastes talent. 😩 Doesn't deliver commercial value to your business. If you're a Head of IC or senior communications professional, what's the one thing you need but don't get enough of? ----- 📈 With extensive experience on both sides (in-house and independent), I help companies with Communications strategy and delivery to stand out from the crowd, cut through the noise, and get results. 🔔 Follow Simon Rutter for useful, thought-provoking content on Corporate Communications, EVP/Employer Brand, and Employee Experience, and ring the bell icon at the top of my profile so you don't miss any of my posts.   📭 DM me if you're looking for support with your Communications Strategy, Delivery, Coaching/Mentoring, or need a speaker on any of the above topics. Slots open now. #CorporateCommunications #InternalCommunications #CommunicationsCoaching

Communications - tactical or strategic? This has come up in a few conversations I’ve had recently. Communications teams are often seen as service departments that exist to execute requests and deliver collateral. I’m sure “can you pretty this up” will sound familiar (and massively frustrating) to #commshero friends! However, this overlooks the ability to bring about real change within a business and play a key role in delivering companywide results. Here are 5 reasons why strategic communications are absolutely essential to any business and why comms professionals are critical business advisors. 🚀 💡 Alignment with business goals Strategic comms ensure that every message supports the company’s overarching objectives. It’s not just about what we say, but why we say it and how it moves us towards achieving our goals. 🔁 Consistency is Key When communications are strategic, they are consistent across all channels. This builds trust and reinforces your brand, internally and externally. 🤜 Engagement and buy-in Whether it’s employees or customers, strategic communications help engage your audience and secure their buy-in. It’s about creating a narrative that resonates and drives action. 🛡️ Crisis management A well thought out communication strategy equips you to handle crises more effectively. It provides a framework for responding quickly and transparently, maintaining trust even in tough times. 📏 Measurable impact Strategic communications aren’t just about feeling good – they’re about delivering results. By aligning with business strategy, you can measure the impact of your communications and continually refine your approach. So, while tactical communications might get you short-term wins, it’s strategic comms that drive long-term success. 💬✨ What do you think?👇 #Communications #Marketing #BusinessStrategy #PeopleAndCulture #Leadership

5 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Media and Communications Officer The world of media and communications is dynamic, fast-paced, and often unpredictable. As a Media and Communications Officer, I’ve worn many hats—storyteller, strategist, mediator, and sometimes even crisis manager. Over time, I’ve gained insights that have shaped not only my professional growth but also my perspective on effective communication. Here are five lessons I’ve learned along the way:  1. Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication  In communications, clarity is king. Whether drafting a press release, creating a social media post, or crafting internal messaging, I’ve learned that simplicity often carries the most weight. Complex jargon or overly technical language can alienate audiences, while clear and concise messaging fosters connection and understanding.  2. Adaptability is Key   No two days are the same in this role, and no plan is immune to last-minute changes. From unexpected crises to spontaneous opportunities, being flexible has been essential. Adaptability allows me to pivot when needed without losing sight of long-term goals.  3. Relationships are Everything   Media and communications are built on trust and relationships. Whether working with internal teams, external stakeholders, or the media, fostering genuine connections is invaluable. I’ve learned that showing empathy, being approachable, and maintaining consistent communication can turn colleagues into collaborators and stakeholders into advocates.  4. Content is Powerful, but Context is Crucial   A beautifully written message or a visually stunning post means little if it’s not tailored to the audience. Understanding your audience—their preferences, pain points, and cultural context—is critical. I’ve learned to always ask: "Who is this for, and why should they care? 5. Data and Creativity Go Hand-in-Hand  In the world of communications, creativity drives engagement, but data provides direction. I’ve learned to rely on analytics to measure the effectiveness of campaigns, refine strategies, and make informed decisions. Combining the art of storytelling with the science of metrics has been a game-changer.    Being a Media and Communications Officer is both challenging and rewarding. It’s about more than just crafting messages—it’s about connecting people, ideas, and solutions in meaningful ways. These lessons have shaped my approach to this ever-evolving field, and I’m excited to keep learning and growing.  What lessons have you learned in your professional journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Data can help inform effective internal communications campaigns but securing leadership buy-in is crucial for success. This article by Ragan Communications and PR Daily outlines how to successfully translate raw figures into actionable insights that foster innovation. By aligning data with business objectives, simplifying your message, and engaging your audience through visuals and stories, you can drive meaningful actions and capture executive attention.

Need help with your escalating comms to-do list? I've currently got capacity to support any hard-pressed comms teams, for the mad build-up to Christmas or if you're planning ahead for 2025 (no sniggering at the back). What sort of support, you cry from behind your overflowing notepad - well, this: 👇 💥 Planning and running campaigns (external or internal) - short-term wins or long-term behaviour change 💥 Potent content and copy - newsletters, publications, websites 💥 Comms planning and insights (research, workshops etc) 💥 Additional capacity 💥 Brand or narrative creation/refreshing 💥 Video creation and planning 💥 Workshops to inspire creativity, storytelling or just team backslapping And feeding in the irresistible powers of creativity and stories, wherever possible. An example that captures all this? How about creating the story of a cartoon poo for Barts Health NHS Trust while working with the mighty Alive With Ideas team (link to full lowdown in comments). Drop me a message if you could do with campaign or project support, consultancy or training. ---- Turn The Page is a story-fuelled communications consultancy, using proven engagement and insight methods to create campaigns that convert, comms that crackle and brands with bite.