Afleveringen
-
This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans.
Effective communication is crucial for businesses looking to build trust and enhance their brand reputation. This episode of CRUNCH highlights essential foundational actions that every organisation should take to ensure their communications are effective and resonate with their audience.
Heather and Emma discuss the importance of keeping communication channels, such as websites and social media, updated and engaging, as well as maintaining direct communication with customers through personalised newsletters. They emphasise that even during challenging economic times, maintaining a consistent buzz about your organisation is vital for staying competitive.
Additionally, the episode underscores the significance of internal communications, urging businesses to keep their staff informed and motivated to foster a positive work environment that can drive success.
The latest discussion on CRUNCH highlights the critical need for businesses to revisit and reinforce their communication strategies, especially in the face of economic challenges.
Heather and Emma delve into how a stagnant online presence can suggest neglect, which can detrimentally affect a brand's reputation. As both hosts point out, regular updates and active engagement are pivotal in ensuring that a business does not appear dormant in the eyes of its audience.
Additionally, the conversation shifts to the role of direct communication with customers, notably through e-newsletters. Heather highlights how these tools serve not only as a means of keeping clients informed but also as a powerful way to generate referrals and maintain a steady flow of business. Emma adds to this by discussing the significance of personalising content to enhance engagement and relevance, thereby turning these communications into valuable business assets. They remind listeners that effective communication is not just outward-facing; it also includes internal communications aimed at keeping staff informed and motivated, especially during tough times. This multifaceted approach to communication is essential for building trust and sustaining a positive brand image, reinforcing the notion that businesses must actively nurture their communications to thrive.
Takeaways:
Every business must regularly update their communication channels like websites and social media to maintain credibility. Direct communication with customers, such as through e-newsletters, is crucial for ongoing engagement and referrals. Personalising content in communications enhances effectiveness and helps maintain customer relationships during tough times. Keeping a buzz around your organisation, especially during economic downturns, is essential for staying relevant. Measuring the impact of PR and communications is possible and necessary for achieving business goals. Internal communication with staff is key to maintaining morale and ensuring they act as brand ambassadors.Companies mentioned in this episode:
HMC MailChimp
-
This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans.
Building strong relationships is a crucial tool for driving business success, as highlighted in this episode of CRUNCH. Nicola and Kate delve into the importance of internal team dynamics and how they translate to external business goals.
Kate emphasizes that leaders must exemplify empathy and understanding to foster a positive work environment, which in turn helps employees become advocates for the business.
The conversation also touches on the value of authentic connections, whether in-person or online, and how these interactions can enhance trust and rapport. Ultimately, the episode underscores that treating others with respect and authenticity is key to nurturing meaningful business relationships.
The conversation delves into the foundational principles of relationship-building, starting from the internal dynamics of a team. Kate emphasises that a leader's effectiveness is not just in their expertise, but also in their ability to foster connections within their team.
The proverb 'a fish rots from the head down' serves as a poignant reminder that leadership requires empathy and understanding, which ultimately reflects on the organisation’s external relationships. When teams are cohesive and supportive, they are better positioned to advocate for the business, creating a ripple effect that enhances customer trust and loyalty.
The podcast also addresses the challenges leaders face in prioritising relationship-building, especially in a digital age where in-person interactions are often overlooked. Kate argues for the necessity of genuine connections, suggesting that leaders should actively nurture relationships without ulterior motives. This authenticity is crucial, as people can sense when interactions are transactional rather than sincere.
The hosts share personal anecdotes about the importance of face-to-face engagement and the insights gained from observing body language and nuances in conversation. They conclude that while online interactions have their place, nothing quite replaces the depth of connection achieved in person, underscoring the human need for interaction and connection in a business context.
Takeaways:
Building authentic relationships within your team is crucial for driving business success. Leaders must show empathy and understanding to foster healthy workplace relationships. Internal team dynamics significantly influence external business outcomes and client perceptions. In-person interactions are invaluable for establishing trust and strong relationships with clients. Authenticity in relationship-building is key; reach out without an ulterior motive. Understanding your audience and how they prefer to connect is essential for effective communication.Companies mentioned in this episode:
HMC
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans.
This CRUNCH episode dives deep into the concept of the 'Credibility Gap', a critical topic for leaders and businesses striving to align their identity with their reputation. Hosted by Kate Webber and Heather Claycomb, the discussion begins by defining the nuanced differences between identity—how one perceives themselves—and reputation—how they are perceived by others.
This gap can lead to a lack of credibility, which poses significant risks for leadership and organizational success. The hosts share examples of leaders who overestimate their effectiveness, leading to disconnects that can undermine team morale and organizational goals.
Heather emphasizes the importance of recognising this gap and its implications, reminding listeners that authenticity and self-awareness are key to bridging it.
Takeaways:
The credibility gap arises when there's a misalignment between self-perception and public perception. To minimise the credibility gap, leaders must consistently seek and embrace feedback from their teams. Authenticity is key; being true to oneself fosters trust and strengthens relationships with others. Adapting your communication style to different audiences while maintaining integrity is essential for credibility. Acknowledging your shortcomings and apologizing when necessary helps to rebuild trust over time. Regular self-assessment and reflection on how others perceive you can bridge the credibility gap.Companies mentioned in this episode:
HMC
-
This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans.
Building trust for any organisation is essential for fostering strong relationships with your audience and stakeholders, and this episode dives into effective public relations techniques to achieve that.
Heather and Nicola from New Zealand PR Agency, HMC, delve into the intricacies of trust-building in their latest discussion on the CRUNCH podcast. They emphasise the importance of visibility, stating that organizations must be present in media and online spaces to be trusted. This visibility goes beyond mere branding; it requires authentic human interaction. Listeners are reminded that trust is fostered not through faceless corporations but through relatable individuals who communicate genuinely and transparently. Authenticity is key, as audiences are drawn to real stories and honest exchanges rather than polished corporate rhetoric.
The conversation further explores the dual role of listening as a crucial trust-building strategy. Heather highlights that organisations should not only speak but also actively listen to their stakeholders. This means soliciting feedback, understanding audience needs, and implementing changes based on that feedback. The hosts point out the common pitfall of organisations seeking input without following through, which can erode trust. They draw parallels with past experiences in local councils that often conducted consultations without visible results, illustrating the significance of demonstrating accountability and action following feedback.
Lastly, the episode touches upon the necessity of showing care as a leader. Heather and Nicola discuss the balance between maintaining professionalism and being approachable. Different leadership styles can express care in various ways, and it's essential for leaders to find their authentic method of engagement. Whether through community involvement or transparent communication about failures and successes, leaders are encouraged to share their stories and connect with their audience on a personal level. This combination of visibility, listening, and authentic engagement forms the foundation of trust in any business setting.
Takeaways:
To build trust, organisations must be visible and actively engage with their audience. Authenticity is crucial; people respond better to genuine and real communication from individuals. Listening to feedback is essential; showing that you value input builds stronger relationships. Acknowledging mistakes openly and sincerely apologising helps to strengthen trust within your community. Showing you care can take many forms, not just through interpersonal connections. Telling your organisation's stories, including failures and lessons learned, fosters transparency and trust.Companies mentioned in this episode:
HMC New Zealand PR agency HMCPodchaser: Aw8a3r29A5ZzySd8FHGh
-
This is a CRUNCH 'small bite' - a quick tip for our followers and fans.
As the saying goes, "Content is King!"
But first things first - are you wondering, "How exactly do you define 'content?'" We'll answer that one for you!
And once you know what content is, then how do you use it to achieve real, measurable results? We've got a few tips.
In this short CRUNCH episode, we give you a few meaty tips to help you get your content working for you in a way that helps you achieve bottom-line results for your business.
Takeaways:
Content encompasses a variety of forms including videos, blogs, and white papers. Understanding your audience is crucial in creating effective and engaging content. Great content should drive engagement and align with your overall business goals. Investing time and resources into content creation builds brand authority and trust. Don't view content creation as an afterthought; treat it as an essential strategy. Offer valuable insights for free to increase your chances of being hired later.
-
Whether you're on a board or executive team, having a senior PR advisor by your side is a huge advantage when formulating business strategy, managing risk, working proactively to enhance reputation or tackling a crisis.
But what are the skills you should look for in that senior PR advisor?
In the conclusion of our two-part conversation with PR industry leader, Strahan Wallis of Wallis&Co, we talk about 5 essential skills and character traits the best PR advisors embody:
They are educated and trained in the communications professional and have proven experience in public relations.They understand how reputation impacts your organisation's license to operate.They are tuned into the wider environment - your industry, public perceptions, social trends, international impacts and more.They are committed to ethical practice.They are not driven by ego, are a good listener and willing to work on a team of skilled leaders to develop the best communications solution.
-
"What's a farm boy from Raglan, New Zealand, doing here?"
That's what PR industry leader Strahan Wallis has asked himself throughout his PR career as his PR roles took him around the world working in the UK, USA and New Zealand.
Over the years he’s found himself at a red carpet event where the Queen of England opened a James Bond movie; sitting in the members' lounge at Wimbledon watching the Nadal vs Federer final; sitting six rows from the stage at The Grammy Awards and more.
“These are all places my PR career has taken me and I’m so grateful for that!”
Strahan Wallis joins Heather and Nicola from the HMC team to talk about how the public relations profession has radically changed.
We discuss the specific skills PR professionals need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving industry and provide value to the organisations where they work.
This is PART ONE of a two-part conversation.
-
PART TWO:
In part two of this podcast interview, founding editor of BusinessDesk Pattrick Smellie continues his discussion with HMC.
We talk about how the media is using artificial intelligence (AI) and adjusting for the rise of disinformation and misinformation.
Pattrick and HMC also provide some practical tips for how businesses must adjust their communications and media strategies to be successful in building trust and reputation through the media, in light of New Zealand’s changing media landscape.
-
PART ONE:
Pattrick Smellie, founding editor of BusinessDesk, joins us to discuss the changing face of NZ media and the impact these changes will have on how businesses work together with journalists.
He provides a behind-the-scenes look at how media are navigating these industry transformations and adapting. Plus the HMC team provides a perspective on how businesses must also adjust communication strategies to suit.
During the first half of 2024, journalist redundancies were rife in the media industry with most of Newshub being axed by its owners, Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus, TVNZ and Stuff also announced job cuts and shrinking offerings. These are major changes that will transform the current media landscape.
As a business leader, learn how these changes affect you.
-
In this episode of CRUNCH, we unlock a few secrets of the world of influencers and content-creators and explore the power of third-party endorsement. This time-tested PR strategy has undergone a contemporary evolution over the past decade or so, and our panel of experts provide a few tips.
Our guest, Zoe Virtue, Head of Group Social at DDB Group in New Zealand, has a wealth of experience working with influencers and content creators. Joining her are HMC Managing Director Heather Claycomb and Digital PR Content Co-ordinator Jamie Batters.
In this episode, we unravel the evolving landscape of third-party endorsement and its pivotal role in the influencer era. Learn how influencers are reshaping PR dynamics and discover the invaluable lessons PR professionals can glean from the strategies employed through this strategy. From building authentic connections to leveraging online communities, our panel dissects the nuances of influencer PR, providing insights that can elevate your next PR strategy.
Even if the jury is out for you and you haven't used influencers before, this podcast delves into how influencers can teach PR professionals the art of mastering third-party endorsement.
-
Julien Leys, crisis management specialist, joins HMC director Heather Claycomb and HMC senior account manager Kate Webber on this information-rich episode.
These three senior PR advisors talk through several of the crises they've managed during their careers and provide essential crisis communications tips for any leader who is managing a crisis.
You'll walk away from this episode with a deeper understanding of the difference between a crisis and and issue. We talk through how to prepare for your next crisis and your next issue.
And we give tips for maintaining trust through a crisis and using these tough times as an opportunity to build relationships with staff, stakeholders and your community.
-
In today's competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent is a challenge that companies face on a daily basis. To stand out in the crowd and become an employer of choice, an effective employer brand is essential. But how can you build and maintain such a brand that not only attracts the best talent but also retains them? A careful communications strategy one of the keys.
Join us in this CRUNCH episode as we delve into the role public relations plays in helping companies build a reputation as an employer of choice. We'll uncover the secrets of successful employer branding and how PR can be the catalyst to make your organisation a magnet for top-tier professionals.
Our guests include founder and executive recruiter at Everest Group, Senga Allen and business development manager at Perrin Ag, Michael Matthews.
Our guests, alongside HMC senior account manager Kate Webber, share their insights and experiences in leveraging public relations to create a positive company image, enhance your culture, and strengthen your talent pipeline.
Discover the role communications can play in helping your company differentiate itself in the competitive job market and become the go-to destination for top talent. Whether you're a small startup or an established corporation, this episode will provide you with actionable strategies to build a stellar reputation as an employer of choice.
-
Is your organisation considered to be a 'high trust' organisation? Why is it important to build trust? What are the benefits of purposefully building trust?
In this episode, we explore the idea of trust and the challenges of building trust, particularly in the current 'age of generative AI.'
We tackle tricky questions, such as: "Are communities ready for AI?" "Should you disclose if you are using generative AI?" "How do we bring communities along with us on our generative AI journey?"
Our guest on this episode is advertising industry executive, CEO of King St Chris Williams. Alongside HMC director Heather Claycomb and senior account manager Emma Letessier, we provide insights and tips on how to build trust with a community that has become mis-trustful of big corporates, governments and more.
-
Podcasting is a public relations dream - when done well.
This podcast about podcasts talks about the power of a quality podcast to help you build credibility and, over time, a 'leadership brand.'
We walk you through how to maximise the 'content' from one podcast episode and distribute through multiple channels. We also talk about the critical importance of putting a communications strategy and action plan alongside your podcast to gain subscribers and listens.
The HMC team is joined by Kane Power, the owner of Precision Podcasting. You'll gain insights from his deep knowledge of this specialised content platform. And he gives some tips to help ensure your foray into podcasting produces a quality result.
-
Join us in this episode as we delve into the dynamic world of TikTok and its transformation from a teenage playground to a business tool.
Insights from a leading CEO and Marketing Manager will help you discover how organisations are leveraging the TikTok platform to boost reputation and build relationships. This episode will help you determine if TikToking is a good PR tool for your business.
We break down what TikTok can achieve, and how to do it well by using a real success story from Hamilton Central Business Association (HCBA) - operating in New Zealand's fourth largest city of Hamilton.
You'll learn valuable insights from HMC's digital content expert Jamie Batters. You'll find out how to target your audience on TikTok, provide value to them, and create a plan for success.
Plus, we'll demystify the process of creating video content – all you need is a smartphone!
-
As a business leader, you need to be purposeful in building your professional reputation. If you want to be respected by your staff, sought after for your opinion and listened to as a thought leader, then you need the info in this episode.
You'll learn the 5 foundations for building a personal brand: 1) be visible; 2) lead in many circles; 3) hang with leaders; 4) cultivate deep relationships; 5) provide considered opinion.
Don't forget to check out HMC's website for additional resources on this topic: https://www.wearehmc.co.nz/crunch
