Communication World articles from September 2005

Communication World archives from September 2005

From the editor.
September 1, 2005... I've been reflecting on what I learned from an incredible speaker I heard at IABC's International Conference in June. In fact, I can say without a doubt that he was the most impressive speaker I've ever heard. It's likely that anyone out there...

Member benefit spotlight.(International Association of Business Communicators, Web sites, links)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Bookmark these online IABC services and visit often. * CW Bulletin: IABC's monthly e-newsletter is an indispensable source of reformation on communication topics ranging from new technologies to employee productivity. Contact...

A life of discovery.(iabc update)(as business communicator)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Have you wondered what's possible after a career as a business communicator? The valuable skills you have can help you move into many new and unexpected directions. Here's a story of rediscovery for two such communicators. It may only be a...

IABC delivers new books on consulting, marketing and internal publications.(iabc update)(International Association of Business Communicators)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The IABC Knowledge Centre is offering three new resources for members. If you're thinking of going out on your own, or if you already have a consulting business, the second edition of The Successful Communication Consultant is a great resource....

October is accreditation month.(iabc update)(International Association of Business Communicators)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Thinking about becoming an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC)? Now is the time to do it. IABC's accreditation program offers professional communicators a way to demonstrate their ability to think and plan strategically, and to successfully...

Research Foundation launches new study.(iabc update)(International Association of Business Communicators)(employee communication)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The IABC Research Foundation, in partnership with Gevity, a leading provider of employee management solutions, is launching a study on best practices in employee communication in small organizations. A Canadian firm, Insightrix, will conduct...

Poor lessons.(LETTERS TO CW)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... I have just returned from the annual conference in Washington, D.C., still infuriated by the appalling and arrogant presentation of "Leadership Lessons from Tony Blair," given by Lord Gould. I sincerely hope that no one at the IABC...

Important awakening.(LETTERS TO CW)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... In a challenged and diverse world, Norm Leaper's review of The Elements of International English Style ["Bookmark," CW,, July-August 2005] is an important awakening. A great piece, for sure. Robert Dilenschneider, New York City

2006 Recognition programs: call for entries, nominations.(iabc update)
September 1, 2005... The following IABC Recognition programs are accepting entries or nominations. Visit www.iabc.com for complete program reformation. Gold Quill awards: Measure your best work against your peers' For more than 35 years, the Gold Quill has...

Events.(iabc update)(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... 20-21 September Conference: IABC Financial Management Conference, The Yale Club, New York City 28 September Web Seminar: Getting the Boss to Endorse and Support internal Communication Programs 28-30 September Conference:...

Netherlands Antilles.(global perspectives)(marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Here in paradise, the strategy of effective marketing is designed, implemented and achieved predominantly on the basis of creativity--or, as my clients summarize their requirements, "meet my objectives and increase sales--with this budget." In...

Australia.(global perspective)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Birds swoop in springtime. It's natural. They instinctively protect their territory and their young. However, being swooped can be frightening or even dangerous. The government agency I work with wanted to educate people--including managers of...

United States.(global perspectives)(Nonprofit associations )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Nonprofit associations are notorious for setting ambitious goals, yet having shoestring marketing budgets to achieve them. I should know, as I've made a career out of managing the budgets of nonprofits. Follow these four tips, and you'll...

Podcasting, anyone? The rediscovery of radio in the digital era is a communication windfall--if you get in on it early.(tech talk)
September 1, 2005... "Radio in My Head" is the title of a song by the Chinese pop star Pu Shu. But it could very well be the phrase that underscores the reincarnation of radio, as cell phones (which are nothing more than souped-up radio receivers anyway), satellite...

By the numbers.(Apple iPods)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... 1,650 Number of students who were given an iPod during their freshman year at Duke University in North Carolina 10 million Number of iPods sold in three years Source: Duke University, www.duke.edu/ipod

What is the role of the corporate editor? It's not to be the "voice of the people" or a management mouthpiece. It's to be a translator.(editor's angle)
September 1, 2005... As corporate editors, we sometimes struggle with what role we're supposed to fill in our organizations. Are we supposed to be a champion of the people? Are we supposed to rise up and bite management's butt from time to time, to let them...

Put productive meetings on your agenda.(bookmark)
September 1, 2005... Done right, meetings are one of the most powerful communication tools. Why, then, are they so painful? More important, why is it that nothing much happens once participants leave the meeting table? In Death by Meeting, Patrick Lencioni tackles...

The ethics of not answering: is staying on message--regardless of the questions asked--in line with PR codes of ethics?
September 1, 2005... I was surfing the Internet recently when I came across an interesting article in the January-February 2004 issue of the Columbia, Journalism Review. Under the headline 'Answer the &$%=* Question!" author Trudy Lieberman outlines her perspective...

Creating translation-ready marketing documents: follow these tips to ensure that the content and layout of your materials carry your message around the world.
September 1, 2005... While distributing marketing materials beyond a company's home borders can help build brand awareness and increase profits, having those materials translated into various languages can be frustrating. Translation typically occurs at the end of...

Managing your organization's collective voice: just like visual identity, verbal identity is crucial to building a global brand.
September 1, 2005... I define verbal identity as the accumulated collection of words and phrases that defines the business culture of a global organization. Marketing slogans, advertisements and trademarks are part of a company's verbal identity. But there's more...

With his eyes on the prize: for 2005 EXCEL Award recipient Mark Hurd, the focus is on helping HP's stakeholders understand the relationship between the mission and the results.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... Is it possible to be both insider and outsider? That's the strategy that Mark Hurd is using in his new role as president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co. Hurd, who was named to the top job at HP in March, comes off a 25-year stint at NCR Corp.,...

A buzz with activity: listening and sharing, IABC conference-goers addressed the key issues in communication today.(IABC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE)(International Association of Business Communicators)
September 1, 2005... If you listened closely, you could hear it--everywhere, brains whirring, ears listening, mouths sharing, asking and challenging. At IABC's annual International Conference in June in Washington, D.C., 1,388 communicators from around the...

Speaking out: incoming executive board members share their visions and plans for the future of IABC.(International Association of Business Communicators )
September 1, 2005... Prior to IABC's International Conference in June, CW Executive Editor Natasha Spring posed a series of questions to IABC's incoming executive board. Here, board members offer their thoughts on the state of the association, challenges and...

Yahoo! PR events sing with the Yodel Challenge.(case in point)
September 1, 2005... Having successfully turned itself around by focusing on new revenue-generating services, Yahoo!, a leading global Internet company, challenged its public relations team to create a program that would reinforce its brand. While Yahoo!'s brand...

Telephoto lenses help create intimate portraits and images.(photocritique)
September 1, 2005... While the wide-angle lens remains the most effective tool for controlling perspective in editorial photography, its counterpart, the telephoto lens, also plays a critical role. Telephoto lenses allow us to reach out into space to bring our...

Farcus.(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... "Sorry, Chris, our market research tells us that most people prefer it remain flat." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

See if you can correct the errors: to pound on the podium, remember, the pounder must be prone, that is, lying on one's belly. It is difficult to appear resolute and firm while throwing a tantrum.(wood on words)
September 1, 2005... A Wall Street Journal feature dated 21 April proffered cautionary data on "Why Burning Rubber Is Getting More Expensive." Copy in the graphic said, "Replacing high-performance tires can be expensive, but it's possible to purchase alternate...

A conversation with Ephraim Cohen.(personality)(Interview)
September 1, 2005... What historical figure do you most identify with and why? I would have to say that I identify with U.S. President Harry S Truman. He was always underestimated, he was focused on the bottom line, and he tried not to care too much about what...