Song of the nation

India storms the World Cup bastion once again.The victory was full on adrenalin and feet stomping. It was so powerful and vivacious that Sri Lanka was virtually blown away by the swaying emotions of a billion heads roaring as 'one India'. 
As I saw people spilling on to the streets with their cars and bikes, with laughter and music flowing, I wondered how a simple cricket match could have brought so much change in a nation of billion which never looks beyond its individualistic approach. 
We communicated with ourselves, with each other and with virtual strangers as we saw them as fellow Indians who felt proud being a part of this priceless moment.
We were, for these 35 days, a single nation with a single need and a single vision.
Then where do we fall short for the rest of the 300 days? We fall short in having a single vision - that of well being of India. We forget that it is the power of the nation that takes care of our future and our well being. Without the nation we can only buy time but not the living.
Let's look for that communicator who can, selflessly, instil this power of vision in us that can sway the entire billion to surge and come together as the single super power the world has ever seen in this century.

Games people play

I have been suitably impressed and influenced by Dr Eric Berne. Transactional Analysis is, indeed, an interesting concept for interactions and one could use it to one's advantage.
In Games People Play, Berne introduces Transactional Analysis and defines a game as 'an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome. Descriptively, it is a recurring set of transactions... with a concealed motivation...or gimmick.'
Eric Berne writes that each person is made up of three alter ego states:
Parent
Adult
Child
These terms have different definitions than in normal language.

Parent
This is our ingrained voice of authority, absorbed conditioning, learning and attitudes from when we were young. We were conditioned by our real parents, teachers, older people, next door neighbours, aunts and uncles, Our Parent is made up of a huge number of hidden and overt recorded playbacks. Typically embodied by phrases and attitudes starting with 'how to', 'under no circumstances', 'always' and 'never forget', 'don't lie, cheat, steal', etc, etc. Our parent is formed by external events and influences upon us as we grow through early childhood. We can change it, but this is easier said than done.

Child
Our internal reaction and feelings to external events form the 'Child'. This is the seeing, hearing, feeling, and emotional body of data within each of us. When anger or despair dominates reason, the Child is in control. Like our Parent we can change it, but it is no easier.

Adult
Our 'Adult' is our ability to think and determine action for ourselves, based on received data. The adult in us begins to form at around ten months old, and is the means by which we keep our Parent and Child under control. If we are to change our Parent or Child we must do so through our adult.
In other words:
Parent is our 'Taught' concept of life
Adult is our 'Thought' concept of life
Child is our 'Felt' concept of life

When we communicate we are doing so from one of our own alter ego states - Parent, Adult or Child. Our feelings at the time determine which one we use, and at any time something can trigger a shift from one state to another. When we respond, we are also doing this from one of the three states, and it is in the analysis of these stimuli and responses that the essence of Transactional Analysis lies. 

When we join the corporate world, there are times when we might feel that we are a marionette, being manipulated. In all possibility we are. In today's context, when interactions are complex, it is even more critical to understand TA. For example, a boss who talks to his staff as a controlling 'parent' will often engender self-abased obedience, tantrums, or other childlike responses from his employees, who will then be in the 'child' state.
The most effective state of interaction is if both individuals are in a one-on-one conversation and remain in an Adult ego-state. Because in this state. it is unlikely that a game is being played.

2010 The Year of Relationships

The economic situation has impacted all of us, regardless of our job or industry. Many of us have seen dramatic layoffs, leaving some of us doing several jobs at one time. The pressure to succeed and exceed expectations is unbelievable.

In these down times, relationships become more and more important.People need to trust others, whether the person is an outside vendor or member of a cross-functional team.

When people are under the gun, they do not have the time or energy to source new relationships, unless it is absolutely necessary. However, the danger is in taking these relationships for granted. 

Are you nurturing your current relationships? Try out the following:

1. Go above and beyond. Don’t wait for others to ask for information, anticipate their needs and provide the data. For example, run projections ahead of time. Look at trends or analyze what is different. Make an  impact on their business. Don’t just be visible. Individuals will be more likely to renew or adjust plans and policies if you have been very diligent and gone beyond what is expected.  

2. Contact them, other than to ask for business. Relationships are often deepened over lunch or a game of golf. Take the time to get to know the people that you currently do business with. Share your interests. Tell them about yourself. Ask questions about their family, the weather, their vacation. Update them on anyone you know in common. Your warmth and friendliness will be noticed. Many of us may feel we are imposing or bothering people by our calls. The opposite is true. Moreover, people like to do business with those they feel they know on a more personal basis.

3. Be true to your word. Deliver on your commitments. Under promise and over-deliver. Tell the truth, not just what others want to hear. Provide a consistent, attentive level of service that makes others see you in the best possible light. 

2010 is certainly the year of relationships. As people hunker down, they look to those they know rather than to outsiders.Take the time to deepen your existing relationships and notice the benefits you will receive. 

Employee newsletter

The cornerstone of an internal communication plan is the employee newsletter. Newsletters are vehicles of effective communication between management and employees; for employee bonding across the entire spectrum of the organisation.

Internal newsletters usually keep employees abreast of the latest developments within the company in terms of various product and services, new business policies and regulations, upcoming events, news on achievement, etc. And, of course, news and views of employees and their families, that are of interest and that help bonding as a family.

Professionally managed companies hire the expertise of reputed communication agencies to help them in bringing out effective newsletters. The agency, in a way, assists the top management in creating eloquently worded, attractively designed communication tool. Electronic newsletters are also being used nowadays as the second format.

Many-a-times a company creates its own internal newsletter, assigning the task to its human resource or marketing services department. Although this may save the company some money, but in terms of the quality of the output one can clearly see that the newsletters that have been generated by professional agencies are far superior to those that have been created internally. This is mainly because the staff associated with the exercise does not have the necessary expertise when it comes to newsletter creation.

Rich content, smooth reading flow and variety of subjects are important for the newsletter to be a success. Moreover, a printed newsletter especially that in 4 colours, ideated, developed, rewritten and created by a communications agency, is a recipe for instant success and, thereby, an effective medium of communication. Such a tool, when published consistently, over a period of time, helps strengthen the corporate image.

A poorly created newsletter fails not only as a proposition but also as a poor corporate image building tool.

In a nutshell, a business must be able to show value and quality in all its communication endeavors. And an internal newsletter is an important entity in the entire communication plan.

Communication with a tiny tot

I had been on a business trip when I broke journey to visit my tiny nephew called Aadi. He is too small to talk or walk. But communicate he does. When he has to be fed he wails and make his presence felt. He smiles at the world when he is happy and plays when he feels secure with people who dote on him.

It made me realise that we start relating, communicating and expressing even when we do not have the words in our vocabulary and we really are not in a position to fully understand the environment.

And we, as adults, need to adjust to that human being who is expressing with movements and emotions, to connect with us.

Aadi made me think this time. And I opened a newer dimension in my communications exploration, so to speak. 

Integrated Marketing Communication - an overview

Integrated Marketing Communication is a term used to describe the holistic approach to marketing communication. It ensures that all forms of communications and messages are carefully linked together. 

Communication tools work better when they work in harmony rather than in isolation. Their sum is greater than their parts - provided they speak consistently with one voice all the time, everytime.

This is enhanced when integration goes beyond just the basic communications tools. There are other levels of integration such as Horizontal, Vertical, Internal, External and Data integration.

Integrated Marketing Communication delivers many benefits. It can create competitive advantage, augment sales and profits, while saving money, time and stress.

IMC wraps communications around customers and helps them move through the various stages of the buying process. The organisation simultaneously consolidates its image, develops a dialogue and nurtures its relationship with its customers.

Politicians as communicators

Over the years I have found that politicians are excellent examples of good communicators. They orchestrate information, emotions, human relationships, interactions, money so smoothly and with such panache that each one who is in orbit around them is in a dizzy spell of words, power and dreams.
Look at the IPL scenario. The press is dancing to the tune of sensationalism of news. Modi and Tharoor are trying to outlive each other and the public is swinging like a pendulum to keep abreast facts.
Who really gains in the bargain? The politicians. Their fine tuned manipulation of situations, behind the scenes adjustments and then the grasp on the language while dealing with the press and the public alike is really an example of effective communication.
The spade should be called a spade only when required, core group should be kept motivated and the press should be at the beck and call of the communicator.
Look at the Indian political scenario closely and you will find effective communication is flowing with the ease of a hot knife in butter. 

Communication is important in business

In any business scenario, ineffective communication is a major obstacle to productivity. It is immensely avoidable and must be constantly worked upon.
Management must face squarely the challenge of formulating strategies to encourage personnel to communicate effectively. 
It is important for seniors to set examples. They need to realize that successful communication is a two-way process.They need to realise that reciprocity is the essence of communication. This is irrespective of whether the process is conducted verbally or through the medium of the written word.
In any given situation, human beings are involved with other human beings. It is far greater than just giving or taking of information or instructions. Communication is as much a matter of human relationships as it as about transmitting facts.
To communicate successfully, each person has to understand his or her peers or the subordinates, and has to work hard to get the other person to understand him or her.
Words have to be chosen with care and actions must be in line with what has been said. 

e-mail manners

Interesting reading...
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/communications/got-email-manners-see-these-dos-and-donts.aspx#GotemailmannersSeethesedosanddonts

Branding in brick and mortar sector

Eversince its inception, Ideas Inc. has been working closely with the brick and mortar sector, viz., industrial and engineering.

In fact, it is one of its kind, since it understands these sectors and the needs. Ideas is well equipped to develop the communication strategy and the communication tools that are required for these sectors.

Except for the major players, there are very few organisations in these sectors that really look at planned and sustained advertising. In fact, few of them have budgets allocated for promotion. This is mainly because the companies conecentrate on driving sales and whatever communication tools they require are mainly to augment the sales pitch.

There is no branding activity and the now familiar inconsistencies in the promotional activities, at times, makes me wonder if we are really in the right sectors! 

I really have to educate the clients, when I work with them, on the importance of a concerted promotional effort and what it gives back to the organisation. But if they were to choose between saving money and promotion, they would rather choose the former!

The result is a weak brand and no effective market position. Therefore, the emphasis on networking, service and driving sales gets even more critical. And when there is a new entrant, for example an MNC with an established brand, the insecurities are huge.

Then the company realises that it needs to focus on its image and gradually the change sets in on a much lesser scale than desirable.

With globalisation, branding has come to stay in the Indian brick and mortar sector. Sooner the players realise it the better it is for their business.

Portfolio

We, at Ideas Inc. have been doing a lot of good work in the BTL sector for industrial and engineering companies.
Some of it is on the website and some on my portfolio link.
Do have a look at the portfolio and give me your feedback!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ideas-Inc-the-communications-and-graphics-agency/500778035472

Our website is www.ideas-elan.com

Newsletter, the powerful communication tool for employee engagement

In the present global scenario, company managements are gradually realising as to how effective an internal newsletter is, as a communication tool, in the employee engagement plan. More so for fast growing companies where the management needs to keep its employees on the same page as far as the organisational changes go.
But finding the right set of people to give the newsletter an effective shape are not many in the market. Company newsletters are more than a simple set of printed papers bound together and sent around to show everyone associated with the company how wonderful the company really is. 
Company newsletter provides valuable information that employees should know about. It is an integral and important part of the communications strategy that keeps everyone on the same page wrt Important issues, policy changes, changes in direction, etc. 
The difference between an excellent and poor newsletter is content and commitment. If the editor of the newsletter is only writing about topics that interests him/her, it is likely to be seen as a company mouth piece. 
If th editor delves into topics that are relevant, important and interesting, people will read the newsletter regularly. Employee news, their achievements and helping them express their artistic efforts are critical in the acceptance of the tool and consequently its success.
Engaging employees' families in the process is also an added advantage.

Make your communication effective

Interesting reading..http://www.nwlink.com/~Donclark/leader/leadcom.html

Dos's and dont's while speaking

• When you are explaining something, ensure that the listeners understand what you mean
• Make sure the receiver has a chance to comment or ask questions
• Be sensitive to the receiver of the message, his feelings and his opinions 
• Your communication should be crisp, clear and consistent
• Look at the receiver in the eye while speaking
• Make sure your words match your tone and body language (nonverbal behavior).
• Vary your tone and pace of speaking
• Do not ignore signs of confusion

Speak right and speak tight

Lot of us face what Afridi has faced. Some frequently and some less frequently. That is having 'your foot in your mouth'. 
The ability to speak right and speak tight is a real uphill task! We all love listening to ourselves and if we have an audience...wow! Well, some of us just cannot stop preening. Such human beings are quite common and they end up with a greater share of misery in terms of controversies and irate acquaintances.
I believe such entities require a great degree of training in effective communication. How to speak, when and where to say what. The art of communication is actually a science. The methodology studies the human mind and its perception and reactions to situations.
The communication training models are accordingly developed, to suit individual requirements.
For, effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know. - Jim Rohn

All about words and actions

The IPL fracas brings forth the interesting issue of how important communication is. To begin with, the IPL management may not have foreseen the violent reaction of the Pakistanis and the Pakistanis never dreamt that their top players could be so royally dumped in the forthcoming IPL3. 

To start with, what went into getting the Pakistani players onto the auction platform was really not the concern of the team owners. Nor did the IPL management stop to think as to what would happen in the event that none of the Pakistani players were bid for, given the state of our delicate relationship. With the last fall of the hammer, the Indo-Pak 'Aman ki Asha' fell apart!

Pakistan, to say the least, was not amused. The damage was done.

In fact, the damage control mechanism went on to make more faux pas.

The media was given the freedom to opine on an already burning issue. They went about it like a bull in a china shop. Finally, Lalit Modi spoke, rather brusquely, without facts and figures to back up his statements.

Each group in the process washed its hands off the whole drama. The team owners, the government and the IPL management.

Leaving the Pakistanis red faced and baying for more blood.

Why did this happen really? Because many-a-times when we act or speak, we share our point of view, without considering the effect that it may have on the listener, reader or viewer. Picking and choosing words or actions are mostly not given the importance that it deserves and at times we are at the receiving end of actions or words meted out by a third person or element.

There was no apparent planning in the building up of inter-relationships. The IPL management and the team owners, riding high on the IPL success wave, forgot to build bridges of goodwill through cohesive and concerted action.

Planned communication is critical. A good communicator, at the end of the day, wins the war, even as the battles are won by generals.

IPL failed to win the war, it only won the battles. 

Listen or hear?

I needed an envelope of a specific size urgently. I told my office boy, in chaste hindi, the details of what I wanted and also gave him a sample of the envelope to match. What came to me was something that no way could I use.

Why did I get this?

One, because the boy was more comfortable in his mother tongue and not Hindi. So I couldn't communicate my need for the exact replica of the envelope. Second, he couldn't find the envelope in the first shop, therefore, found a solution that suited him and his intellect.

So both of us, the boy and I, went throught the process all over again and went on till I went with the boy to a shop where I got what I wanted.

In my professional interactions I meet people from all walks of life. Of different kinds and from different strata of society.

This is because I am a communications expert and consultant. I also run a business which offers communications solutions to the industrial, engineering and services.

As I go along meeting people, I realise - all the time - that most people hear but don't listen!

Today, before I meet anyone of consequence, I work on the communication process before I meet the person.

I find it's a good beginning.