The news is full of cyber-attacks on organizations large and small, exposing sensitive customer and other information, forcing companies to pay ransoms to retrieve locked data, and creating public relations nightmares. In episode 51 of IABC’s Circle of Fellows broadcast, five IABC Fellows will discuss the PR and internal communication aspects of cyber-attacks, including the steps to prepare for a data breach; understanding your IT leaders and keeping the lines of communication open and clear; educating your employees about cybersecurity: What they need to know and do; and recovering trust following a cyberattack.

IABC Fellows participating in the discussion include Priya Bates, John Deveney, Martha Muzychka, Sheri Rosen, and Mark Schumann. Shel Holtz, SCMP, IABC Fellow, will moderate.
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Communicators who lack specific expertise and/or resources inside the organization often turn to external consultants to help with everything from strategic planning to project execution. That relationship can be amazing, delivering exceptional results. It can also be a minefield, causing sleepless nights, unsatisfying results, and even diminished trust in the communicator from company leadership.

In episode 50 of Circle of Fellows, four IABC Fellows will discuss the consultant/client relationship, including…

• How to hire and manage an array of consultants in a gig economy
• How to build and maintain a corporate client base as an independent consultant
• Top five ways for consultants to build loyalty with their clients, and keep them coming back

IABC Fellows participating in the broadcast will include Jim Lukaszewski, George McGrath, Jim Shaffer, and Jennifer Wah — all practicing consultants. Shel Holtz (a former consultant who has returned to the client-side) will moderate.
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With dramatic, unpredictable change as a constant in business and technology, how can communication professionals help build resilient organizations and increase the resilience of employees in enterprise transformations? On episode 49 of Circle of Fellows, four IABC Fellows will discuss the role of communication in facilitating change. IABC Fellows participating in the broadcast will include Amanda Hamilton-Attwell, Jim Shaffer, Mark Schumann, and Brad Whitworth. Shel Holtz will moderate.

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Four IABC Fellows will discuss the challenges of aligning communication strategies to an ever-changing media environment as it relates to both internal and external communication on episode 48 of Circle of Fellows, the monthly panel discussion broadcast live (and then made available as a video replay and an audio podcast.) ABC Fellows participating in the broadcast at noon ET on Thursday, August 15, will include John Deveney, Cindy Schmieg, Brad Whitworth, and Stacy Wilson. Shel Holtz will moderate.
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With so much data available, it can be difficult to determine what information is actually useful to track to measure the success of your communication activities.  What and how to measure in order to best inform your work and demonstrate communication impact is the next topic for discussion on Circle of Fellows. Episode #47 of the broadcast will explore measurement for both internal and external communication activities. IABC Fellows participating in the broadcast at noon ET on Thursday, July 18, will include Neil Griffiths, Jim Shaffer, Angela Sinickas, and Stacy Wilson. Shel Holtz will moderate.
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According to a study conducted by MIT Sloan Management Review and The Boston Consulting Group, three-quarters of executives believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will enable their companies to move into new businesses, and roughly 85% believe AI will allow their companies to obtain or sustain a competitive advantage. At noon ET on Thursday, June 20,… Continue Reading →

In May’s Circle of Fellows panel, four IABC Fellows will explore the steps organizations need to take to mitigate the risk of reputational crises and address the challenges of consumer activism in highly politicized environments by listening to your customers, understanding their concerns and shaping communication to build trust, clarify and dispel myths. The panel is set for noon ET on Thursday, May 16. Join us in real time as Shel Holtz moderates a panel that will include Jim Lukaszewski, George McGrath, Bish Muhkerjee, and Angela Sinickas.
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At noon ET on Thursday, April 18, four Fellows will discuss the evolution of the communication function into one that adds measurable value to the organization in episode 45 of the “Circle of Fellows” program. Join us in real time as Shel Holtz moderates a panel that will include Mary Hills, Jim Lukaszewski, Jim Shaffer, and Angela Sinickas.
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Diverse, inclusive workplaces are essential to business success. But how does a company achieve authentic representation without resorting to stereotypes? On March 21, join four IABC Fellows for a discussion about how to define rubrics and criteria to evaluate diversity and inclusiveness, as well as best practices in language and visual representation. The hour-long panel discussion kicks off at noon ET. You will be able to ask questions and share observations via Twitter by using the hashtag #COF43. If you can’t watch live, catch the video replay on YouTube or subscribe to the Circle of Fellows podcast for the audio version.
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In a recent Weber Shandwick study, among executives who reported working in companies with world-class reputations, 63% favored companies taking a public stance on social or political issues. On Circle of Fellows’ February episode, four IABC Fellows will look at how to coach leaders on when and how to take a stand on political/social issues, the pitfalls of CEO activism, and how to maintain a productive, inclusive tone that seeks consensus and solutions. The panel discussion is set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 21. Watch the video here on this page or on YouTube. We’ll take questions in real time via Twitter with the hashtag #COF42. The session will bed available later as a YouTube video and as a Circle of Fellows podcast.
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