The Business Communicators

The Business Communicators

By Austin Staton, Hattie Horn, Thomas Baen, Kim DavisBusinessMarketingCareersManagement
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The Business Communicators episodes

  • Damage Control: Recovering When You Make a Mistake

    Mistakes are part of being new to any profession, but how you recover from them can change the trajectory of your career. Mandi Kane, a senior managing advisor based in Nashville, Tennessee, joins The Business Communicators to share her insights on overcoming mistakes as a professional, and how communicators can learn and grow from these experiences.

    In this episode, listeners will learn:

    • How to apply the same strategies you use every day to bounce back from a faux pas and build trust.
    • The importance of understanding what happened and that you understand how it can be avoided in the future.
    • And, important tips on transparency, preparedness, and so much more!
    • Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email to [email protected].

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      28 min
    • Silence Isn’t Golden for Crisis Communicators

      Planning in advance for the unthinkable and unimaginable circumstances that will inevitably come our way is key to success for crisis communicators. Remaining silent during a crisis impacting your company – in an age of 24x7, instant news coverage – is guaranteed for public relations doom. Bill Salvin, Founder and President at Signal Bridge, joins The Business Communicators to recount his lessons learned and to share nuances of communicating in a crisis, bringing his vast PR insight from the U.S. Navy Reserves to the oil and gas industry.

      This episode explores the critical questions that are oftentimes overlooked by communicators until a crisis beckons an immediate answer and plan of action:

      • Is my organization prepared for a crisis with the infrastructure and systems in place to appropriately and quickly respond?
      • When a crisis occurs, will we be ready to issue a statement within a very brief window of time? (Hint: You’ll learn today’s expected response time versus what it was 10 years ago!)
      • What if I have a tight PR budget? How can I still be prepared with limited resources to leverage?
      • Additionally, Bill shares his advice on proactively steering your company in the direction of PR success – during a crisis!

        Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to

        subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email to [email protected].

        Bonus: View the Ken Starr interview clip that was discussed in the episode.

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        39 min
      • Riding the Digital Wave: The Fast, The Furious and The Unpredictable

        Adapting to change in an age of constant technology advances is critical in the communications profession. If we don’t shift our thinking to embrace the fast, furious and unpredictable nature of today’s digital strides, we risk falling behind the curve of new standards for success set by our industry peers. The Business Communicators welcomes Saxum Founder and CEO, Renzi Stone, to share his perspective on this subject and take a closer look at the implications of how ‘staying on top of our game’ impacts our success as a team.

        In this episode, we’ll examine principles for operating effectively as a team through championing digital advances. No matter whether you’re representing a small business or a large corporation, recognizing these realities serves to remind us of the importance of staying current:

        • If we don’t shift our thinking, digital tools are worthless.
        • If you aren’t aligned as a team to create value for clients, you’re at risk for losing them.
        • The speed of change is daily – are you on top of your digital game TODAY?
        • Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email at [email protected].

          Bronze Quill Reminder: The clock is ticking with the 2019 Bronze Quill entry deadline just around the corner! Don't miss your chance to be recognized by peers for outstanding communications work, or to serve as a judge in this Awards program. The deadline to enter is Friday, May 3. For more information, visit BronzeQuillAwards.com.

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          32 min
        • Measurement is Not a Four-Letter Word for Marketing and Communications

          Data measurement and analytics are tools that every communicator should have in their bag. But, how can we use these tools effectively to encourage buy-in from senior executives and key stakeholders? Marketing Data Scientist and IABC Houston board member, Thomas Baen, joins The Business Communicators to discuss how businesses can leverage key data insights to create a profit center that enhances their corporate narrative, campaigns, and brand awareness.

          This episode equips communicators with tips on:

          • Using data analytics to earn a seat at the table with senior execs
          • Ensuring that you’re delivering the right message — at the right time, to the right person, in the right medium — that is effective and efficient
          • And, why communicators should avoid vanity metrics and focus on data that matters
          • Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email to [email protected].

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            27 min
          • Identifying Influencers to Elevate Organizational Success

            Some say that being able to identify the influencers inside your organization is the 'ultimate strategy.' Why? Because it reduces friction and increases impact. But how do you accomplish this with a globally-dispersed employee base, challenging a communicator to reach teams in the face of diverse cultural nuances? The Fifth Business' Client Partnership Director and IABC Executive Board Member, Michael Nord, joins The Business Communicators to discuss this topic in depth.

            At its foundation, this episode explores how identifying the right people inside any organization can:

            • Help managers reach all corners of the company
            • Support communicators in their work to identify the ‘real’ issues
            • Propel any company into a more coherent and connected organization
            • Additionally, Michael offers his unique perspective as a native Netherlands-based communicator for reaching culturally and geographically diverse employee groups. ‘Hot-button’ questions Michael addresses include:

              • What are the challenges a communications professional might expect when working in a different country?
              • How do internal communicators navigate and effectively engage with a diverse employee base?
              • Where do you start to begin identifying influencers within an international organization – and even more so – how can you BECOME an influencer within this corporate landscape?
              • Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find

                out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email to [email protected].

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                40 min
              • Geoff Morrell’s Communications Journey from the Pentagon War Room to the BP Executive Suite

                Former ABC News White House Correspondent and Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell joins The Business Communicators to discuss his unique career path that landed him in London as the Group Head of Communications and External Affairs at BP, overseeing the strategic communications efforts for a company with operations in 70 countries. Morrell shares insights into crisis communications, rebuilding a corporate reputation, working with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and why the ability to write is the most crucial tool for any communicator.

                Morrell also recalls strategies from his experience in the external communications field, using personal examples of demonstrated success in reaching, and re-engaging, diverse stakeholders. Subscribers will learn:

                • What resulted from an advertising campaign launched with the goal of regaining public and media attention following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill when Morrell joined BP in 2011.
                • How an organization restructure changed the landscape and success factor for BP’s internal and external communications function.
                • Why campaign and messaging efforts are best executed by individual regions to match culturally-preferred communication styles and methods.
                • BONUS: Morrell also took some time to share his personal advice on advancing in your communications career – you won’t want to miss his guidance on how to:

                  • Plan for success while remaining flexible for the unexpected.
                  • Tapping into your emotional quotient (EQ) in developing communications plans to better relate to and demonstrate alignment with audience goals.
                  • and more!
                  • Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email at [email protected].

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                    35 min
                  • The Evolution of the Media and the Rise of Fake News

                    How has communications evolved over the past 25 years? From print communications in the mid-90s to radio and television broadcasting – fast-forwarding to today’s self-publishing model via numerous social media and 24/7 news platforms available – communicators must adopt these new technologies to optimize business communications success. The Business Communicators welcomes public affairs veteran and Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ Managing Director, Joe Householder, to weigh in on this topic, the evolution of the media, the current political landscape, and the rise of fake news.

                    This episode will review key questions for communicators today, including:

                    • How has the corporate world adopted the ‘self-publishing’ model in today’s communications environment?
                    • Is ‘fake news’ impacting corporations today, and how do they battle this?
                    • Is there a concern on news media trying to be first to report a story versus being accurate? How do you combat this?
                    • Additionally, Householder will address the critical concern of news media editorialization and how to prevent this in telling your organization’s story.

                      Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find

                      out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to
                      subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an

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                      25 min
                    • Taylor Bisciotti on the NFL Network’s shift to digital content; personal branding

                      Taylor Bisciotti is a reporter for the NFL Network — and the youngest female on-air personality ever hired by the network. She joins The Business Communicators to share her insight on breaking into a male-dominated industry, and the NFL’s shift to embracing digital content to enhance their reach with a new audience of fans.

                      This episode will cover the data behind a shift to digital content and how it compares with network ratings, the importance of being authentic when sharing your message, and leveraging your personal brand to enhance your professional profile.

                      Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email at [email protected].

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                      19 min
                    • The PR and Digital Influencer Machine behind SXSW

                      Held annually in Austin, Texas, since 1987, South By Southwest (SXSW) brings together experts from the tech, film, and music industries, to help creative people achieve their goals. SXSW senior publicist Brett Cannon and Giant Noise vice president Jennifer Sinski join The Business Communicators to break down the PR machine behind the festival, and how leveraging digital influencers has crafted power messaging to enhance the annual event on a global scale.

                      This episode shares insights on how to reject complacency and maintain a competitive edge in public relations, how to effectively leverage influencers to enhance the reputation of your business or brand, and more.

                      Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find

                      out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to
                      subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an

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                      28 min
                    • Storytelling in a Digital World – The Art of Audio Tales

                      Why is the art of audio storytelling – essentially born with the introduction of Apple’s podcast platform in 2004 – just now on the rise? Milieu Media Group's Luke Brawner joins The Business Communicators in this insightful conversation on the importance of sharpening your edge on the art of audio storytelling and podcasting for your organization.

                      Given the low barrier to entry, is podcasting a largely missed opportunity for organizations today spanning from the ‘mom and pop shops’ to large, Fortune 500 companies?

                      In this episode, discover the answers to these burning questions and more:

                      • Will 2019 see an increase in use of this communication channel for small businesses to international corporations?
                      • What types of stories should companies weave in podcasting? How often should these be shared?
                      • Be sure to check out Brawner's flagship show, The H, and his latest creation, Thirty Pop.

                        Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find

                        out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to
                        subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an

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                        26 min

                      About The Business Communicators

                      From the publisher's feed

                      The Business Communicators takes professionals on a journey that explores the key issues and trends that impact our industry. Focusing on professional development, each episode features a compelling…