Insights for Leaders Navigating
Visibility, Credibility, and Growth.
From media strategy to reputation management, we explore the trends shaping public perception and share the approaches that drive measurable results for growing brands.
In today’s workplaces, employee recognition is a powerful way to foster engagement, motivation, and overall job satisfaction. Far from being merely a gesture of gratitude, effective recognition initiatives have immense power in shaping organizational culture and driving productivity. The positive impacts of recognizing employee contributions reverberate through all businesses, from startups to multinational corporations.
In this blog post, we show how acknowledging and celebrating employee efforts boosts morale and cultivates a thriving environment of innovation, collaboration, and sustained success.
What Warrants Recognition?
Organizations can recognize employees’ contributions for many reasons. One common example is applauding achievements: surpassing sales targets, completing a project ahead of schedule, or implementing an innovative solution. Organizations might also recognize employees’ behaviors that align with company values and culture, such as demonstrating leadership, teamwork, or exceptional customer service.
Going above and beyond expectations may also warrant recognition. This might mean voluntarily taking on additional responsibilities or consistently delivering superior results. Other reasons to celebrate employees include demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills, showing initiative, displaying adaptability and resilience, and hitting tenure milestones.
Employees contribute to organizations in different ways. Leaders can fuel motivation, foster loyalty, and drive organizational success by showing appreciation for employees’ time and effort.
How Can Leaders Recognize Employees’ Great Work?
There are many ways to acknowledge a job well done. Below are three examples.
- Written kudos: Writing a thoughtful note expressing gratitude can significantly impact morale. Make the note personal and specific and consider when to share it privately or publicly with the broader team or organization. It might be easy to assume that our colleagues know we value and appreciate working with them—but we must never underestimate the power of articulating our appreciation in writing.
- Professional development opportunities: Offering opportunities for skill development, training programs, or career advancement signals a commitment to employees’ growth and recognizes their potential.
- Rewards and incentives: Providing tangible rewards such as bonuses, gift cards, or extra time off serves as a concrete expression of gratitude for outstanding performance. Arrange for team get-togethers to celebrate winning new business or achieving growth goals.
What’s the Impact?
Businesses that effectively recognize employees’ great work increase job satisfaction and retention, foster a collaborative culture, and enhance productivity.
Job Satisfaction & Retention: Research shows that employees who do not feel sufficiently recognized are twice as likely to say they’ll quit within a year. This alarming statistic shows the power of recognition initiatives to mitigate attrition. Additional research suggests that symbolic awards—such as congratulatory cards, public recognition, and certificates—can significantly increase retention rates. Organizations fortify the quality of their workforce by reaffirming individuals’ value, laying the foundation for sustained success in an increasingly competitive job market.
Team Culture of Collaboration: Beyond communicating appreciation and motivating the recognized employee, recognition also defines success for the organization. In this way, recognition is both a tool for personal reward and an opportunity to reinforce the organization’s desired culture to all employees.
It’s also important to note that being recognized by one’s peers can be as meaningful as recognition from the top. This practice is one in which Communiqué excels, as our team regularly shares kudos and expresses appreciation for individual contributions. This encourages us to do our best work on collaborative projects because we know our contributions will be valued and appreciated.
Productivity: Research from Workhuman and Gallup finds that employers that increased employee recognition saw a 9% jump in productivity. Recognition is a motivational tool. It inspires employees to deliver their best work. It also reinforces individuals’ sense of commitment and ownership, leading to higher levels of effort and productivity.
People Are at The Heart of Every Successful Business
Today’s business landscape is fast-paced and competitive. This is why employe recognition cannot be overlooked. It cultivates engaged, motivated, and satisfied teams. As we’ve seen, celebrating employees’ contributions boosts morale, shapes organizational culture, and drives productivity. By embracing recognition as a strategic imperative, leaders can inspire loyalty, nurture talent, and foster a collaborative work environment where individuals thrive.
In PR, navigating media and analyst relations requires a nuanced understanding of each. Media relations engages with journalists and secures media coverage, while analyst relations involves building relationships with industry analysts to gain insights and validation for a company that inform industry research.
Although distinct, these two areas of PR often intersect, and they can offer unique opportunities for businesses to enhance their brand reputation and credibility.
This blog explores the complementary relationship between media and analyst relations and then offers some best practices for integrating both into PR strategies.
Nuances of Media and Analyst Relations
Media relations involves cultivating relationships with journalists and influencers to secure positive coverage in outlets like newspapers, magazines, websites and broadcast channels. Goals range from generating earned media placements that raise awareness of a brand’s products or services to educating readers on a specific topic and positioning businesses as thought leaders.
Analyst relations focuses more on building rapport with industry analysts who provide expert insights and recommendations to businesses and potential customers. Analysts work for research firms like Gartner, Forrester and IDC. Their opinions carry weight with buyers, investors and other stakeholders. Analysts often work with multiple businesses within the same industry, even potential competitors. This makes it crucial to demonstrate a company’s key differentiators that enable them to compete in the market.
The Complementary Relationship
Media relations and analyst relations are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they complement each other to amplify a company’s PR efforts. While media coverage can create broad awareness and credibility for a brand, analyst endorsements can provide validation and expertise that resonates with specific stakeholders, such as enterprise customers or investors. Both relationships can build thought leadership and establish an organization’s authority with key audiences.
Media relations can include announcing product launches, sharing thought leadership content and responding to industry trends or crises. On the other hand, analyst relations involves briefing analysts on company developments, seeking their insights on market trends and participating in research reports or evaluations.
By integrating media and analyst relations, companies can create a comprehensive PR strategy that not only increases visibility but also enhances credibility and trust among stakeholders. This approach allows businesses to effectively communicate their messages, garnering attention from the broader public and key industry experts.
Best Practices for Building Media & Analyst Connections
Both media and analyst relations are essential to a strong PR strategy. Below are some best practices for fostering relationships with target reporters and research analysts.
- Know Your Audience. Understand the preferences and interests of journalists and analysts covering your industry. Tailor your pitches and communication to address their specific needs and areas of expertise.
- Add Value. Offer journalists and analysts exclusive access to company executives, product demos or industry insights. Timely and relevant information helps them do their jobs more effectively. Identify ways you provide such information to support their reporting or research.
- Coordinate Efforts. Integrating media and analyst relations into your PR strategy ensures consistency and alignment across all communications. Share relevant insights and feedback from analysts with media contacts to inform their articles. This feedback can also inform your future pitches and content development.
- Measure Impact. Monitor and measure the impact of media coverage and analyst reports on key PR metrics such as brand awareness, website traffic and lead generation. Use these insights to refine your PR strategies and optimize future efforts.
Leveraging the complementary relationship between media and analyst relations is key to a robust PR strategy. These best practices can help PR professionals integrate the two practices, enhancing their client’s brand reputation, credibility and visibility in the market.
In the century since its inception, commercial aviation has soared into modern life, becoming an indispensable mode of travel. Each day, more than 45,000 flights arrive to and depart from U.S. airports.
The 2.9 million passengers who fly daily within the U.S. entrust their safety to airlines. That’s why a catastrophe like the one on January 5, when a door plug detached mid-flight from a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines, reverberates beyond the mechanical malfunction itself. This incident not only tested the physical integrity of the aircraft, it tested the bond between airlines and their passengers.
Adding another layer of complexity, on January 6, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the grounding of the 737-9 MAX fleet of planes in the U.S. on January 6.
In the aftermath of the January 5 incident, one thing became clear: Boeing and Alaska Airlines must restore confidence in their brands. This process began with crisis communications. Below, we evaluate Alaska Airlines’ and Boeing’s initial responses.
Alaska Airlines’ Response
Following the event, Alaska Airlines acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and issued public statements through various communication channels. This included a video from their CEO, emails to customers, a page on their website, and comments in the media.
Alaska Airlines’ communications had two important components:
- An apology: After a horrific event, Alaska Airlines apologized to its passengers, acknowledging the gravity of the incident. This is important because acknowledging a mistake is the first step towards rebuilding trust and credibility. By openly expressing remorse, Alaska Airlines demonstrated humility and accountability, laying the groundwork for transparent communication and constructive action moving forward.
- Safety information: In addition to expressing remorse, Alaska Airlines took proactive steps to address safety concerns. They detailed information about specific measures and protocols they were implementing to mitigate similar issues. This included explanations of enhanced maintenance procedures, rigorous safety inspections, and collaborative efforts with regulatory authorities and industry partners. By transparently sharing this information, Alaska Airlines reassured passengers of its commitment to safety and to instill confidence in the airline’s ability to keep passengers safe.
Boeing’s Response
In contrast to Alaska Airlines’ response, Boeing took a more passive approach. Although the company released timely statements, Boeing did not offer much information or include details about actions to avoid similar issues.
For instance, Boeing released a statement on January 8 that read, “As operators conduct the required inspections, we are staying in close contact with them and will help address any and all findings. We are committed to ensuring every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards. We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers.”
This statement lacks an apology and attempts to distance Boeing from those affected by the incident. In the last sentence, Boeing merely acknowledges the impact on customers and passengers without expressing empathy or taking responsibility. By failing to offer an apology, Boeing missed an opportunity to convey empathy. Furthermore, the statement lacks transparency regarding Boeing’s plans to prevent similar issues in the future, leaving passengers and stakeholders with unanswered questions and concerns about the manufacturer’s commitment to safety and quality assurance.
Unlike Alaska Airlines’ proactive approach, Boeing’s response appeared detached and insufficient, potentially exacerbating distrust and dissatisfaction among passengers and the aviation community.
Alaska Airlines’ vs. Boeing’s Responses
When comparing the two approaches, there is one important factor to consider: Boeing is a B2B company, manufacturing aircraft for airlines, and Alaska is a B2C company, serving passengers.
This is significant because Alaska Airlines was more proactive in crisis communications and engaging with the public—their target audience. Boeing, by contrast, took a more reactive role. Ultimately, Alaska Airlines is Boeing’s customer; this implies that Boeing must be careful not to break ties with Alaska Airlines. Furthermore, other airlines were likely evaluating Boeing’s responses and considering their own relationships with the aircraft manufacturer.
Boeing’s primary audience is the airlines themselves. While this may explain their less direct approach to communication, it doesn’t absolve them from the responsibility to communicate effectively with the public, especially about safety concerns.
From an outsider’s perspective, Boeing had an opportunity to thread this needle better, balancing the B2B communication concerns with public perception. One way the company could have done better is by aligning with Alaska Airlines on a communication approach and releasing joint statements to the public.
Scrutiny of Alaska Airlines over Boeing
Although both Alaska Airlines and Boeing continue to face scrutiny, Alaska Airlines seems to bear the brunt of it. For example, SNL did a parody making fun of Alaska’s response to the incident. The parody stated, “You know those bolts that like hold the plane together? We’re gonna go ahead and tighten some of those.”
This high-profile mockery highlights the intense scrutiny that Alaska Airlines faced in the aftermath of the incident. While Boeing’s role as the aircraft manufacturer is certainly a focal point of investigation, Alaska Airlines, as the operator of the flight, faced more direct criticism. As the public face of the incident, the airline was under pressure to provide reassurance and transparency to passengers and stakeholders. Yet the parody suggests that its efforts may have been perceived as inadequate, even comically so.
This demonstrates the importance of effective crisis management not only for preserving reputations but also navigating the complex interplay of media scrutiny and public opinion in the digital age. Although Alaska Airlines did many things right in its crisis response, there’s always room for scrutiny and improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Transparency and Timeliness Matter: Alaska Airlines’ swift acknowledgment of the incident and transparent communication with passengers and stakeholders set a positive tone for crisis management. Immediate action and open communication help mitigate speculation and build trust during uncertain times.
- Proactive Engagement is Essential: Alaska Airlines’ proactive engagement with passengers through CEO videos, emails, and media comments demonstrated a commitment to addressing concerns and reassuring customers. Proactive communication fosters a sense of accountability and shows dedication to passenger safety and satisfaction.
- Consider Your Audience: Understanding the differences between B2B and B2C communications is essential. Boeing’s audience primarily consists of airlines and industry professionals, whereas Alaska Airlines communicates directly with passengers. Tailoring communication strategies to suit the target audience is vital for effective crisis management.
Alaska’s and Boeing’s responses illustrate the critical importance of effective crisis communication in maintaining trust, credibility, and public perception. Alaska demonstrated a proactive approach, acknowledging the incident, offering an apology, and providing transparent safety information to reassure passengers.
In contrast, Boeing’s response appeared reactive and lacking in empathy and transparency, potentially exacerbating distrust among passengers and stakeholders. By prioritizing open communication, addressing concerns promptly, and demonstrating a commitment to safety, both companies can rebuild trust and rebuild their reputations.
As Colleen wrote earlier this month, 2024 marks Communiqué PR 20th year in business. While we commemorate this anniversary, we also want to reflect on the incredible individuals we have worked with over the years. The team has been instrumental in creating a vibrant culture at Communiqué PR, which has been so important to our success.
When Colleen and I began the business in 2004, it was just the two of us working in our home offices. Today, our dynamic team has grown to encompass over 20 dedicated members, including a blend of full-time employees, skilled freelancers, and dedicated contractors.
Throughout the years, we’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with numerous individuals, many of whom have gone on to do amazing things at Amazon, Edelman, Grammarly, Microsoft, Seattle Children’s, Smartsheet, Splunk, Starbucks, Sumo Logic, WE Communications and the University of Washington.
These colleagues have enriched our journey and broadened our expertise. They’ve worked tirelessly to drive the right results for our clients, mentored one another, helped Colleen and me grow as leaders, and have been instrumental in the success of Communiqué.
Thanks to their unwavering support, our business not only weathered the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the COVID pandemic but also thrived. By collaborating effectively as a team to navigate the challenges presented by each crisis, we continued to deliver exceptional value to our clients, contributing to our collective success.
Our team are also the ones that have helped us build and shape our culture – one characterized by a commitment to excellence, teamwork, openness and transparency, continual growth and empathy.
From spirited brainstorming sessions to staffing press tours and client events, our team’s dedication has been a driving force behind our accomplishments. Let me share a few other examples of the contributions that have had a lasting impact on our culture.
- Leading by example. My colleagues consistently demonstrate the behavior, attitudes and ethical standards that they expect from one another. This is evident in many of their daily activities. As one example, many of my coworkers prioritize work-life balance and encourage their colleagues to take time off. To ensure this doesn’t impact client service, we have multiple people on account teams who can cover for them – another practice suggested by the team.
- Mentoring and support. Our team is also excellent at helping one another develop new skillsets. They hold weekly or biweekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports to help them assess their skills, set short- and long-term goals, provide coaching and to help identify best practices for specific assignments. As such, they’ve helped the firm develop a strong track record of career advancement and promotions. Some of our most senior employees began with us as interns or in entry-level positions.
- Innovation and initiative. If people see something they feel can be improved, they speak up and make suggestions. This empowerment means fostering a culture of continuous improvement and nurturing a sense of ownership among team members. Ideas have included small suggestions like setting up email aliases for account teams to make it easier for clients to connect, to more significant suggestions like investing in training programs, to adopting an enterprise version of ChatGPT.
- Open communication. Our commitment to open and transparent communication is a cornerstone of our company’s culture. This practice is fundamental to fostering trust and alignment within our team and our clients. Every morning, we have a brief meeting where folks provide an update on their projects and communicate how they’re doing. This allows us to connect and check in with one another, share information and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
We also set clear revenue goals at the beginning of each year and diligently share our progress in monthly meetings. Additionally, to further align our team’s efforts with our financial objectives, we’ve instituted an annual bonus program directly linked to achieving these revenue targets. This approach ensures everyone is informed, motivated, and working cohesively towards our common goals.
These are just a few examples of how our team has shaped the culture and ongoing success of our firm. We wouldn’t have a growing business without the dedication of our amazing colleagues.
I can’t wait for the next twenty years to see what the future holds for Communiqué PR. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing the relationships that have been the foundation of our success while also forging new partnerships and exploring innovative strategies to continue our growth.
Our journey has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and a pursuit of excellence, values that will continue to guide us in the future.
In closing, this milestone is a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a commitment to our future. We are profoundly grateful to our team, clients, and partners who have shared this journey. Your trust, support, and collaboration have been integral to our story.
Here’s to continuing to create impactful work together, setting new benchmarks for success, and making the next 20 years even more remarkable than the last.
Over the past twenty years, we’ve witnessed extraordinary change.
The emergence of the iPhone in 2007, the rise of social media, and the creation of influencer culture have reshaped how we communicate, creating an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
We’ve also seen dramatic shifts fueled by the advent of cloud computing, a global financial crisis, the ascent of e-commerce, rapid advancements of AI, challenges posed by fake news, and a global pandemic. Strategic communications and public relations have evolved amidst these shifts, and so have we.
This year, the Communiqué PR team celebrates its 20th anniversary. This milestone presents a time for reflection on the evolution of technology, changes across the media landscape, and the success and growth of our colleagues and clients. We didn’t merely witness transformative changes; we navigated them with purpose and adaptability. Embracing the dynamic landscape, our team took the helm, steering through the challenges and capitalizing on new opportunities to help our clients achieve their most important business goals.
To commemorate our 20th anniversary, we want to spotlight the remarkable success of our clients, and the stories we have developed and shared on their behalf over the years.
Our clients are not just business associates; they are partners on a shared journey. The trust they’ve bestowed upon us has been the driving force behind our commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and staying at the forefront of industry trends.
From early-stage companies that blossomed into industry leaders to established enterprises that underwent transformative journeys, each success story is a testament to our clients’ trust. Here are a few of the highlights from the past 20 years:
- Collaborated with teams to prepare for successful exits – more than 20 through acquisitions or IPOs.
- Launched hundreds of new products, ranging from Darigold’s White Cheddar Cheese to B2B software from BitTitan, Mosaicx, Tideworks Technology, and more.
- Managed and participated in media relations events such as a cocktail party in Barcelona, a media gathering at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, WSDOT’s opening of the new SR-99 designed by HNTB, Facebook’s office opening in Seattle, and a press conference for Bank of America.
- Capitalized on changes within the technology landscape with newsjacking for Amperity around Google’s deprecation of third-party cookies and what it means for advertisers; introduced Kymeta’s scalable satellite solution for continuous, high-quality broadband access anywhere in the world; and demonstrated how Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder is disrupting the agriculture industry.
- Announced hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for clients, including Big Fish Games, Carbon Robotics, Revel Systems, Smartsheet, and Spaceflight, among others.
- Helped teams prepare for and navigate through crisis situations, including the destruction of rockets, labor disputes, accidents, fire, and criminal acts. In business, challenges are inevitable, and we are committed to helping our clients successfully navigate them.
- Accompanied executives on media and analyst tours, visiting the offices of the New York Times, Tech Target, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Dow Jones Newswire, Inc., Seattle Times, InStyle.com, Family Circle, Reuters, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, San Francisco Chronicle, Red Herring, and San Jose Mercury News, among others.
- Celebrated our clients’ milestones and impressive growth, including HNTB’s 100th anniversary; Delta-Q Technologies’ 20th anniversary, its new headquarter offices, exceptional revenue performance, and global expansion with ZAPI GROUP; Spaceflight’s new offices; LeoStella’s new manufacturing facility; Darigold’s 100th anniversary; and Tideworks’ 20th
As many of you know, running a business is no easy feat. We were reminded of this when we started Communiqué PR, facing the sobering statistic that 30 percent of new enterprises falter in their first two years. According to the Small Business Administration, an average of 50 percent of new employer businesses survive at least five years, 30 percent survive at least ten years, and only 25 percent survive at least fifteen years. Our journey has not been without hurdles, but it has been one of learning, adaptation, and growth.
As we reflect on the past, we also look to the future. The next chapter of Communiqué will be marked by our continuous commitment to excellence, innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of our clients’ success. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the prospect of writing more success stories together.
As Communiqué PR steps into its next chapter, we do so with excitement and anticipation. Here’s to the next twenty years and beyond! Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey.
Virtual conferences have gained popularity in today’s remote working environment. Compared to in-person gatherings, they offer the potential to reach more attendees and save up to 75% in event production fees.
Virtual events are now a cornerstone of networking and information-sharing, especially for global organizations with a distributed workforce and international customer base. Virtual gatherings remove geographical barriers, enabling professionals from diverse locations to share expertise and engage in meaningful discussions.
Panels at virtual conferences are exciting opportunities to discuss industry trends, innovations, and challenges that impact both the industry and the company’s customers. Panelists can leverage these discussions to share their expertise, build credibility, establish thought leadership, and expand their professional network on a global scale.
Planning for panels is essential to ensure smooth and engaging sessions. Below are some best practices to set up panelists for success. These tips can be used by PR or marketing teams to help executives prepare for sessions or even conference organizers who are helping coordinate handfuls of sessions with various moderators and panelists. These steps should occur after deciding on the panel topic and appropriate panelists.
- Be Proactive with Communication
Before the event, establish clear lines of communication with panelists. Share the agenda, expectations, and background materials to ensure everyone is on the same page. Be proactive in anticipating questions during prep calls. Information about conference themes, target audiences, and key discussion points helps speakers tailor their insights to the event’s goals. While it may seem like a lot of content and emails, more information ensures panelists feel prepared.
- Prep the Moderator and Draft Panel Questions
After confirming the panel topic, notify the moderator and seek their input. Provide the moderator with comprehensive information about the topic and panelists. Brief the moderator on the format, time constraints, and logistics, including the pronunciation of panelists’ names. Keeping in mind the length of the panel and number of panelists, work with the moderator to develop panel questions.
- Set Up & Host Pre-Event Briefing Calls
Schedule and conduct pre-session briefing calls to help panelists and the moderator build rapport and prepare for the event. After creating a list of questions, set up a briefing to discuss the agenda, format, questions, and expectations. Clarify objectives with panelists, confirming key points and takeaways for the audience. Walk through each question, gauging which panelists will lead each response and discussing time allocation for each question. Depending on the panel’s focus, holding multiple prep sessions may help the panelists deliberate talking points and secure diverse perspectives from the group. These steps will help ensure a well-rounded and inclusive discussion.
- Hold Tech Rehearsals
In separate calls or during pre-briefings, allow panelists to test the meeting platform, links, audio, and video technology in advance. This helps ensure that everyone is familiar and comfortable with the platform while providing a chance to troubleshoot technical issues. Moderators can also use tech tests to explore interactive features like audience polls or Q&A break-out rooms, enhancing engagement and insights. Ensure that lighting and camera angles are optimal for each panelist.
- Provide Speaker Coaching
If time allows, offer panelists public speaking strategies for engagement, including eye contact with the camera, expressive body language, interaction with other panelists, and enthusiasm when responding to audience questions.
These best practices help ensure a smooth and successful virtual conference. Thoughtful preparations transform a virtual panel session into a positive and informative experience for panelists and attendees.