Comments on: Building a credible communications function http://jeffzwier.net/2009/03/building-a-credible-communications-function/ Where strategic communications and business meet Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:27:47 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: New Comm-versations » Why are you here? http://jeffzwier.net/2009/03/building-a-credible-communications-function/comment-page-1/#comment-10 New Comm-versations » Why are you here? Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:00:30 +0000 http://jeffzwier.net/?p=25#comment-10 [...] approaches to demonstrating your value. If you’re like my colleague Tom (see comments to my previous post), you have seen the value of turning yourself into a “walking mission statement.” And [...] [...] approaches to demonstrating your value. If you’re like my colleague Tom (see comments to my previous post), you have seen the value of turning yourself into a “walking mission statement.” And [...]

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffzwier.net/2009/03/building-a-credible-communications-function/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Jeff Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:55:48 +0000 http://jeffzwier.net/?p=25#comment-8 I agree Tom. Writing is not enough. My concern is that not enough of us have invested in the deep, meaningful work of building that mandate. As you mention here, that work has to be done with your customers. And you have to live, breathe and carry that work with you every day. Change it as needed, use it to empower action in your team, inform your strategy and tactics to deliver value. I am not a huge fan of writing team mission statements unless it is done right - which takes more time than most managers want to take. But I do believe in doing some hard thinking about what we are supposed to be doing - and why - and keeping that top of mind every day. I agree Tom. Writing is not enough. My concern is that not enough of us have invested in the deep, meaningful work of building that mandate. As you mention here, that work has to be done with your customers. And you have to live, breathe and carry that work with you every day. Change it as needed, use it to empower action in your team, inform your strategy and tactics to deliver value. I am not a huge fan of writing team mission statements unless it is done right – which takes more time than most managers want to take. But I do believe in doing some hard thinking about what we are supposed to be doing – and why – and keeping that top of mind every day.

]]> By: Tom Keefe http://jeffzwier.net/2009/03/building-a-credible-communications-function/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Tom Keefe Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:24:26 +0000 http://jeffzwier.net/?p=25#comment-4 One thing that is working for me in my current position is to have the clear focus on the value and purpose for my team that you describe in your post. A mission, mandate and strategy won't necessarily alter the perception of others within your organization--until you bring them into the equation. A former boss asked each of the team managers within our group to develop team mission statements. We posted those mission statements on the wall, and pointed them out to everyone who made the mistake of walking into our group's work area. Words on a wall didn't change things. The relationships I have been nurturing and the quality service I provide HAVE positively changed people's perception of the Communications Team. By reaching out, understanding the needs of my internal customers, and then taking the time to explain how communications would help them, I became a walking mission statement. That walking mission statement has to prove itself daily, not with cleverly written prose pasted on a wall, but with a true desire and ability to help others. One thing that is working for me in my current position is to have the clear focus on the value and purpose for my team that you describe in your post. A mission, mandate and strategy won’t necessarily alter the perception of others within your organization–until you bring them into the equation.

A former boss asked each of the team managers within our group to develop team mission statements. We posted those mission statements on the wall, and pointed them out to everyone who made the mistake of walking into our group’s work area.

Words on a wall didn’t change things. The relationships I have been nurturing and the quality service I provide HAVE positively changed people’s perception of the Communications Team. By reaching out, understanding the needs of my internal customers, and then taking the time to explain how communications would help them, I became a walking mission statement. That walking mission statement has to prove itself daily, not with cleverly written prose pasted on a wall, but with a true desire and ability to help others.

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