Issues Management « Talk, Inc

Outsmart your boss if he outlaws social media in the office

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

I’ll preface this entry and tell you that I realize I’m probably not the norm.

I work in an office where it’s encouraged - even required on some level to explore and engage in social media networks. I’m convinced Debbie knows what she’s doing when she mandates this. She’s studied up and witnessed the benefits first hand. So, I can’t help but feel sorry for the folks I come across who say Facebook and the like are off-limits at the office. Perhaps their bosses don’t know what they’re missing.

Well, get ready to chant “Viva La Revolucion!” because I’m here to arm you the best arguments for allowing the use of social media in your office.

1. Make a sale.

True story - I asked a question on LinkedIn looking for recommended vendors for a project. Someone responded to me, gave me options but also encouraged me to check out his company. Days later we signed a $15,000 contract with the company to utilize their services. What a coup for that company, who I would not have known about if they hadn’t been on LinkedIn. When appealing to your boss to allow to use social media networks at work -try to emphasize how it can build your company’s bottom line. It’s the very best argument you can offer.

2. Network.

Simply, social media can help you optimize your networking. Do it right and you can do in 15 minutes what you can’t do in five hour-long Chamber After Hours socials. Relationship building on social media networks like Twitter are a prime place to find top talent in today’s market, where many accomplished professionals are looking for new work. This is a great HR reason for using social media in the workplace.

3. Get publicity.

Smart reporters today are demanding that PR pros “tweet” their pitches. That means 140 characters or less. That means one, you better get good at getting to the point quickly (as in under 140 characters) and two, you better familiarize yourself with the conversations on Twitter, so you can get a piece of the huge publicity pie to be had in the Twitterverse. And when you get publicity, social media networks are the best places to aggregate it. You can add your hit to your Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon, Del.ici.ous and more. Tell your boss that user-generated news is the way of the future and your company’s latest announcement is no relegated to traditional media outlets.

Are you ready to make your case now? Don’t forget to register for Talk’s free social media webinar on Thursday, April 23. You’ll get resources and tools for using social media to grow your business. And why not invite your boss to sit in?

Tags: Advertising in Wilmington N.C., Public Relations Agency in N.C., Social Media in Wilmington N.C.
Posted in Issues Management | Comments

Spotlight on corporate social responsibility

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a movement that encourages companies to advocate for social and environmental concerns within their activities and in their relationships with their customers, employees and investors. While corporate participation in CSR programs is at an all-time high, some companies are still missing out on the benefits of these programs.

CSR campaigns enhance a company’s reputation and brand image by providing a valuable opportunity to link branding with consumer values. These days consumers expect to get more for their money, so a great way to stand out among the competition is to provide the consumer with the feeling of satisfaction that comes with philanthropy. A good reputation enhanced by CSR involvement also makes companies more attractive to investors and makes it easier to recruit the best employees. The increased media attention that results from CSR campaigns provides companies with another valuable avenue for exposure.

Corporations can donate money, use of their facilities, property, services, products, or advertising support. Also, employee volunteer work groups can be formed to donate their time to the cause.

Here are a few of our favorite CSR campaigns:

• Project Pet Project supports Carolina Canines for Service, a non-profit corporation that provides people with disabilities enhanced independence through the gift of a quality trained service dog.

• The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty supports the DOVE mission to make more women feel beautiful every day by widening stereotypical views of beauty and encouraging self esteem in women of all colors, shapes and sizes.

• Haagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees provides a way to indulge in your favorite treats without the guilt. Haagen-Dazs is donating money in support of honey bee and sustainable pollution research programs. When you enjoy any of the “Bee-Dependent” ice cream flavors, a portion of the proceeds is donated to research.

• American Express (UK only), Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Dell, Windows, Apple, Hallmark, and Starbucks have partnered with the Global Fund to produce (RED) branded products that support African AIDS programs. These products are produced at no additional expense to the consumer.

Tags: (RED), American Express, Apple, Caronlina Canines for Service, Converse, Dell, Dove, Emporio Armani, Gap, Global Fund, Haagen-Dazs, Hallmark, Issues Management, Project Pet Project, Starbucks, Windows
Posted in Branding, Issues Management | Comments

Social media provides platform for social change

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Large and small companies across the globe are using Corporate Social Responsibility programs to support causes they believe in and boost their company image to boot. CSR initiatives run the gamut from supporting education programs in Africa to saving honeybees to promoting conservation of the rain forests. And the opportunity for your company to carve out its own niche in the CSR world is wide open.

There are many factors to consider before you choose which cause to support. You may want to select a cause that dovetails with your company’s mission, or pick one that your employees are passionate about, or you could let the needs of your community determine how you give back. But no matter how you come to your final choice, just make sure it’s one you support wholeheartedly to ensure the initiative has the appropriate momentum to gain further support.

In this social media-obsessed age, it’s easier than ever to raise awareness and recruit supporters for your specific cause.

The Causes application on Facebook takes the idea of social networking and applies it to fundraising and community involvement. It empowers socially-minded individuals and companies to actively seek support for initiatives they care about In under half an hour, you can set up your cause, page name a beneficiary to receive funds raised through the application, upload photos, recruit supporters and start online conversations among them.

Want to see some great causes in action? Check out the ones various Talkers support, including Talk’s CSR initiative Project Pet Project, and local non-profits Carolina Canines For Service, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity and Community Financial Education Foundation.

Tags: Issues Management, Social Media in Wilmington N.C.
Posted in Issues Management | Comments

The truth about “Truth”

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Believe it or not, smoking is bad for you. Sure, we’ve all heard it a thousand times, and during our teenage years, most of us probably lit one up at some point or another out of curiosity. But those few puffs here and there can quickly turn into an addiction that can last years or even decades and cause health problems or even death. When the American Legacy Foundation decided to run an anti-smoking ad campaign, they ran into a big problem – how are you suppose to talk to a bunch of unreachable, stubborn, curious teenagers and actually convince them to listen? The foundation decided to tell the truth. The “Truth” campaign that launched in 2000 depicts ghastly images of body bags outside a tobacco company high-rise, rats dying from tobacco toxins and a 19-year-old girl with lung cancer. Most recently, a satirical singing performance bashes a statement from a tobacco company that said quitting the habit would cause domestic abuse.

Even though most of us have seen these commercials, I’m not sure we were all aware of the dramatic impact they have on teenage smoking. A new study revealed that from 2000 to 2004 the campaign prevented 450,000 teens from smoking. These staggering numbers prove that a creative concept combined with a little common sense can make a big difference.

Tags: Truth campaign
Posted in Issues Management, Marketing | Comments

Thank goodness it’s Denim for Dogs day!

Friday, February 6th, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, Talk announced that it would be implementing a Denim For Dogs day, where employees are allowed to wear blue jeans to work each Friday for a suggested donation of $5 to our philanthropic initiative Project Pet Project. Today, all of us decided to participate, and below is a photo of everyone enjoying the comfort of a nice pair of jeans.

If you are a business owner, or someone who likes to share great ideas, we encourage you to adopt a Denim for Dogs day in your office. The funds raised for Project Pet Project is used to help animals that help people, and this year, our sole beneficiary is Carolina Canines. This non-profit organization trains quality service dogs for people with disabilities at no cost to the recipient. Carolina Canines also has a variety of other programs that help improve the lives of hospital patients, the elderly, military veterans and even young children who struggle to read. By allowing your employees to wear jeans just one day of the week, your company could give so much to a cause that is so important to our community. If you have any questions about Denim for Dogs or Project Pet Project, give us a call. We’d love to Talk!

Tags: Carolina Canines, Denim for Dogs, Project Pet Project
Posted in Issues Management, Marketing | Comments

Ad of the Day: Starbucks asks, “Are you in?”

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

This Starbucks ad is running to coincide with Inauguration Day. It’s part of a greater effort to celebrate this historical occasion: Starbucks is promising a free coffee to everyone that pledges five hours of volunteer time this week. This campaign is a perfect example of incorporating current events in your cause related marketing campaign. After all, today President Obama declared this the “era of responsibility.”

Talk is heeding the President’s and Starbucks’ call and volunteering for local organizations in our community like the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Junior League of Wilmington and of course, for our friends at Carolina Canines. Hopefully Starbucks’ campaign will inspire others to answer the call for volunteerism.

Tags: Ad of the Day, Cause Related Marketing in Wilmington, Public Relations Agency in N.C., Starbucks
Posted in Branding, Issues Management, Marketing | Comments

Denim For Dogs Fridays

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Because Talk is a company that prides itself on being professional and classy, we, as Talk employees, make sure to look the part each day with our clothing and appearance. We confidently welcome the surprise client visit or last minute networking opportunity because we always know that our outfits are polished and appropriate. Despite our pride in the way we dress, Talk is turning over a new leaf and bringing out the blue jeans for a good cause. With the start of the new year, we have implemented a Denim for Dogs day every Friday, which gives employees a chance to strut their favorite pair of blue jeans when they donate to Project Pet Project. The suggested cost for comfort is a $5 donation to the cause. Project Pet Project is Talk’s philanthropic effort to help pets that help people. The money raised through this initiative is given to Carolina Canines, an organization that trains service dogs and supports a variety of other programs that assist everyone from veterans to school children. Talk began contributing to Carolina Canines in 2008 and has renewed its commitment for 2009. We look forward to helping the organization this year and wearing blue jeans of course.

Posted in Issues Management | Comments

Campbell Soup vs. American Family Association

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

The American Family Association (AFA) has recently taken issue with Campbell Soup/ Swanson for a print ad aimed at gays and lesbians. On their website the AFA is urging consumers to contact Campbell to demand that they stop “pushing the gay agenda” and to “remain nuetral in the cultural war.” Here is the kicker, the ad was specifically created to run in The Advocate, a hugely successful Gay and Lesbian magazine. Is this really “pushing the gay agenda”? Known for being all American and very conservative, Campbell Soup is nonetheless standing fast against the AFA. They have made no apologies for the ad series and have taken a very strong stance on the criticism. ” Our position on this is pretty straightforward, inclusion and diversity play an important role in our business, and that fact is reflected in our maketing plan. For more than a century, people from all walks of life have enjoyed Campbell’s products, and we will continue to try to communicate in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them.” said company rep Anthony Sanzio. “Our plans for the Swanson brand include additional placements in The Advocate.” Misti Graham, president of the LGBT-specific agency MDG Marketing Group, said the gay and lesbian marketing targets an estimated $690 billion in buying power. “The LGBT audience is the third-largest in the country behind African-Americans and Hispanics, and we’re very in tune with which brands embrace the community and whose messaging and imaging reflects that.” I think this is all…. well….. Mmm, Mmm Good!

Tags: Marketing in a Recession
Posted in Branding, Issues Management, Marketing, Public Relations | Comments

Google fever

Friday, November 14th, 2008

The classic symptoms of the flu are beginning to show up this season but something else is going around: Google “flu symptom” searches. Google has reported a spike of related searches during flu season, which has lead them to track flu tends across the country.

Before now, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported flu trends. Now, as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Google has developed a new early warning system for flu outbreaks called Google Flu Trends.

Flu Trends tracks flu-related searches and is able to detect regional outbreaks up to 10 days sooner than the CDC. The CDC relies on reports from healthcare providers around the nation, creating a slower method of detecting flu trends. Google’s philanthropic unit developed the system in the hopes that earlier warning will create better and earlier prevention.

Google has developed a national early warning system for the sickness everyone wants to avoid, and one day Google hopes this technique will be a worldwide system able to track influenza and other diseases. Until then, stay tuned to Google Flu Trends if you want to be healthy and avoid the flu this season.

Posted in Issues Management | Comments

Getting into the Halloween spirit

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Studio Center, a full-service audio and video production company (that we used to create our award-winning WAVE Transit jungle), knows how to have a good time. I received an email today with a looping animated message announcing it’s 2nd Annual “Costume Contest for Charity”. The company is inviting its clients to submit photos of themselves decked out in their Halloween costume by end of business tomorrow. The top three winners will have a donation made in their name to the charity of their choice. What a great way to have fun with a holiday and make a difference in the lives of their customers and charities alike.

Too bad I didn’t know about this last year. My husband and I as Axl and Slash (respectively) from Guns N Roses, just might have won $500 for a cause we love.

Posted in Issues Management, Marketing | Comments

June	Use Blogs to Grow Your Business

May	Avoid A Crisis by Planning for One

April	Get Online or Get Left Behind

Sept 24	Local SEO

Oct 22	Crisis Management

November 19	Facebook 101

Dec 17	Twitter 101

Archive for the ‘Issues Management’ Category

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Categories

Twitter Updates

Archives