Three outstanding speakers shared perspectives on media, message and measurement in the context of organizational communication at a one day symposium held on June 6, 2013 at Bangalore.
Organized by the South India Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) the event aimed at broadening the impact and value of communications drew delegates from numerous communications departments in the industry and academia.  The theme of the event ‘Media. Message. Measurement’ included panel discussions and interactions with the speakers and attracted audiences from public relations and advertising agencies from different parts of the country.
I had the opportunity to speak with two of the speakers over tea – Wilma Mathews, a Fellow and accredited member of the IABC and Edward Lundquist (Ed), a former Captain from the US Navy.
As we discussed internal communications and my book displayed at the venue Ed spoke of how his role as the Navy’s media leader made him look at communications as an enabler. While there is a myth that in the military people follow orders and don’t think he believed that reinforcing values made people focus on their actions. He used that example in his address during the event interspersed with interesting anecdotes about life in the Navy.
Susan Walker, the third speaker at the event , in an expert on employee engagement and change management and her address on listening to the employee voice received a lot of attention. She spoke of the importance of linking business profitability with communications and shared recent research reports that supporting this stand. She highlighted four elements that influenced this linkage – clarity of purpose, effective interactive relationships, and effective information sharing and leadership communications. Her emphasis on research studies and how convincing leaders to build firm foundations evinced interest from the audience. She referred to Blessing White’s study on engagement and highlighted the Indian workforces’ keenness for greater clarity about the organization and what they needed to do, getting regular feedback on how they were faring and development opportunities at work.
Earlier in the day, a key note speaker spoke on the evolving world of public relations, co-creating content, the need for adaption and the willingness for communicators to take a stand with media.
Overall, a great day spent in learning from experts from the fraternity. As a South India Chapter Board member it was proud moment for me to see the event get implemented smoothly. Kudos to the PRCI and IABC board, chapter organizers and the volunteers for a wonderful session.  A special mention for Bish Mukherjee, Head – IABC’s South India Chapter  for his leadership and foresight.
The next event will be held at Hyderabad on June 8.
