From the Comms Cupboard

The fiddly business of automation is the hot topic from the comms cupboard this week, scrutinised by John and Shaun. What potential pitfalls exist around automation and automated messages, and what happens when scheduled content becomes irrelevant or inappropriate? It would be nice to think someone has taken ownership of it. From a communications perspective, shared ownership of the technical side of automation could be the best solution. But does this mean comms pros have to become techies too?! Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun discuss the finer details of anonymity and the feedback process of communications, from the inky corners of their comms cupboard. Does anonymous feedback create more honest responses and questions, or does it create a safe place for aggressive people to air their grievances? It all sounds rather British. Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun fixate on decisions made by committee from the blackness of their cupboard confines. Messages can become diluted when too many people are involved. It’s a chat about trust, empowerment, ownership, and whether it’s necessary for a CEO to sign everything off. Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

Social media divides opinion, so John and Shaun discuss its effectiveness from a business and communications point of view, from the gloom of their soundproof cupboard. Why are many people reluctant to engage with their organisation’s social media channels, and what stops the sales team from generating leads? Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun ruminate from their comms cupboard on the balance leaders have to strike in order to be visible and authentic. What different forms of communication are available for leaders to tap into, and how might they use them to be a more visible leader to their employees? Transparency, free breakfasts and Star Wars may come into it. Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun consider the lifespan of email, and whether it should be put out to pasture. And what other tools are out there that could take its place? They discuss WhatsApp’s alleged open rate, short messages, Ernest Hemingway, work mobiles, guilt, being ‘always on’, and the real reason people like to keep email around! Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

Who’s responsible for data protection? John and Shaun discuss handling sensitive information from the blackness of their comms cupboard. Why do companies collect so much data about us? And where do they put it? They cover unsecured Wi-Fi networks, GDPR guidelines, data breach semantics, Arnold Schwarzenegger and leaky kettles. Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

When does collaboration work and not work? John and Shaun discuss collaboration tools, stubborn people and knowledge sharing within the shady confines of their comms cupboard. How do we connect better within an organisation and stop blaming the tools? Are leaders solely responsible for encouraging people to connect? This, and more, is under scrutiny (along with the efficacy of folder hierarchies). Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun discuss the various angles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) while in dingy comms cupboard isolation. Is there an opportunity in communications to create better employee engagement by being more transparent about CSR? It’s one of many questions to ponder, and topics include charitable giving, disingenuous PR, employee inclusion, Gordon Gekko and sugared water. Podcast produced by Shaun Weston Media.

John and Shaun tackle the many misconceptions about communications people from the shadowy depths of their comms cupboard. Sticky subjects include owning your own message instead of asking someone to “comms it up”. Then there’s accountability, Chinese whispers, boats, journeys, regional insight, and the power of creativity.