Communications in Today’s Environment

1. Communications in Today’s Environment Phil Morabito, CEO Pierpont Communications Ken Jones, President KJ Partners Director of Entrepreneurship, UHD April 23, 2009

2. Overview Communications has never been more important than now in this down economy Employees want to be informed Stakeholders (customers / vendors / investors) all want to know what is happening with your business…good news or bad news Clarity and consistency must resonate in all messages

3. What to Do Have a strategy and a plan Crystallize your messages both internally and externally Get all your leaders on the same page Be consistent with no surprises Work harder and smarter

4. External Communications Two sides informative stimulus Paint a real picture Be positive, but not fake Use your messages consistently (i.e., our company…largest in town….safe choice)

5. External Communications Proactively seek out new venues to communicate through new groups target companies industries vendors external professional resources

6. Your External Communications Be visible while others are invisible Speak more Network more Events Lunches Seminars Activities

7. Your Internal Communications The art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas The communication that exists within a company, between and among employees

8. Your Internal Communications Many forms: face-to-face casual conversations, formal meetings, phone calls, emails, memorandums, etc. An organization's adaptability to external changes relies on efficient communication internally

9. Communication Vehicles • Intranet web site • Wikis, blogs, podcasts, internal social media tools (e.g. internal Twitter-style sites such as Yammer) • An informal session where employees can listen to and talk with the organizational representative such as a managing director, such as a Town Meeting or breakfast with CEO

10. Communication Vehicles • Conference calls • Employee television channel • Intranet web site • E-mail

11. Communication Vehicles Team briefing sessions Message boards Personal or group meetings Virtual meetings Communications packs for line managers

12. Interesting Statistics and Data Points • Non-Verbal Communication accounts for 93% of all communication • 7% Words • 38% Tonality • 55% Physiology

13. Interesting Statistics and Data Points • Of all Internal communication • 13% pen and paper • 49% from email • 29% SMS text • 10% Internet Instant Messaging

14. Interesting Statistics and Data Points • 50 Billion emails per day world wide….in 2000, < 12 Billion • Average Company spends $15k paying employees to read unnecessary e-mail • Many people use 10 words when they could use 3…when communicating

15. Interesting Statistics and Data Points • Employees spend more time wading through their messages than playing with their children…according to one study • Working parents spend 25 minutes per day playing with their kids • Recent report – workers spend 49 minutes per day to sort out their in-boxes

16. Interesting Statistics and Data Points • While texting: • 32% of 15-24 year olds also watch TV • 18% also listen to music • 10% browse the internet • 6% also are reading • Traditional lunch hour becoming thing of the past – almost ½ of the workforce takes less than ½ hour for lunch and 1 in 10 take no lunch break at all

17. Interesting Statistics and Data Points 2 hours and 10 minutes…amount people waste each day at work…of which 1 hour and 38 minutes was due to communication technologies not being used to good effect 70% of 15-24 year olds say they could not live without their mobile phone

18. “ Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind…” Rudyard Kipling

19. Interesting Statistics and Data Points Internal communications budgets have increased in 42% of organizations over the last three years High performing organizations put communications at the top of their agenda…

20. “The problem with communication…is the illusion that it has been accomplished….” George Bernard Shaw

21. Pet Peeves • How much information do you share? • E-mail salutations • Voice mail • Business cards

22. Pet Peeves • Lousy receptionists • Phone mail messages out dated • Lack of knowledge on how to use the phone system

23. Do’s and Don’ts of Communications DO: Be honest Show your strengths Have consistent messages Execute a communications strategy letters / e-mails / calls Have a focus in your messaging Inform your employees of your plan

24. Do’s and Don’ts of Communications DON’T: Be fake Send mixed messages about your company Try to do too much Hesitate

25. Tips and Tactics Have a message / communications meeting with staff Put your messages on a card for everyone Read your own website

26. Summary Pay attention to your communications Develop a plan Be genuine

27. Q&A

28. About the Presenter Phil Morabitofounded Pierpont Communications in Houston in 1987. Under his leadership as CEO, Pierpont is now one of the largest integrated communications forms in the Southwest, with offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. A regular on the networking scene in Houston, Phil is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He is also on the Board of Directors for Theater Under The Stars, and Houston Technology Center. Houston 713-627-2223 | Austin 512-448-4950 | Dallas 214-217-7300 | San Antonio 210-372-9200

29. About the Presenter Phil is a sought-after speaker on the topics of public relations and marketing, Phil is well known in the Houston community and across the state as an expert in all aspects of marketing and communications. He was named a 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Houston. Phil earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and MBA in marketing. Since 1988, Phil has been an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and today teaches a course in integrated marketing communications in the Graduate School of Business. You can email Phil at pmorabito@piercom.com and visit Pierpont on the web at www.piercom.com, or in Houston call 713-627-2223. Houston 713-627-2223 | Austin 512-448-4950 | Dallas 214-217-7300 | San Antonio 210-372-9200

30. About the Presenter Ken Joneshas more than 25 years of experience creating, building and selling businesses. His background includes an array of responsibilities with documented success ding in the areas of entrepreneurial development, turnaround management consulting, software development and implementation, and e-business creation. Mr. Jones’ background also includes experience in financial management, sales management and strategic marketing. Mr. Jones is the Director of the Entrepreneur & Venture Development Center at The University of Houston Downtown. He is a national speaker/instructor for the NKBA – National Kitchen and Bath Association, teaching and consulting to business owners in that industry. Ken Jones picture here ?

31. About the Presenter Ken defines an entrepreneur as “one who knows the outcome is up to him and wants it that way.” This definition is proven everyday through his consulting practice, KenJones Partners, which targets small to medium sized businesses and provides strategic as well as practical advisory services for revenue and cost optimization. KenJones Partners also excels in the area of turnarounds and strategic shifts sometimes necessary for early stage businesses. Mr. Jones has an undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and received his MBA from the University of Houston. kjones@kjpartners.com 281-687-4633 Ken Jones picture here ?