News from the FIR Blog

The past year has been — to put it mildly — consequential. If nothing else, the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence has dramatically altered the communication landscape. But AI isn’t the only issue that faced communicators in 2023. From remote and hybrid work communication and the evolution of social media (as Twitter flails and younger demographic groups move away from the big dominant networks) to attacks on corporate DEI initiatives and rising levels of misinformation and disinformation, it has been a busy year! Join moderator Shel Holtz, SCMP, and four IABC Fellows for a look back on these issues and trends and how they will shape communication practices in the years ahead.

The final 2023 installment of Circle of Fellows will stream live at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 21. You can ask questions and share comments and observations, becoming part of the discussion. If you cannot participate in real-time, you can watch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast shortly after the discussion concludes.
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With the holiday season upon us, it is appropriate to talk about a gift communicators can give: the gift of communication. For several years, the day before the IABC World Conference begins, communicators spend a day with local nonprofits from the host city, providing their advice and recommendations to organizations that don’t have the resources to employ or contract strategic communication counsel. The practice has spread to regions and chapters and beyond. In this live stream, four Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) will discuss this practice and other ways it can be applied.

The session is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16. Join us in real time on YouTube, ask questions and share observations. The panel will be available shortly after it wraps up as a video playback on YouTube and as an audio podcast here on the FIR Podcast Network.
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In an increasingly interconnected world, the role of effective communication has never been more critical to organizational success. This month’s panel of IABC Fellows will delve into the nuances of Global Diversity Awareness. For organizational communicators, understanding and embracing the diverse tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives is pivotal. The discussion will shed light on the challenges and opportunities presented by global diversity, offering insights on how to craft messages and engage in dialogues that resonate universally, build inclusive communication strategies, and foster a culture of understanding and respect in a dynamic global environment. The panel will be streamed live on YouTube, enabling viewers to pose questions and share experiences and ideas in real time. If you can’t join USD for the live stream, you can watch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast. The live stream begins at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 19.

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Don’t miss the exclusive live panel discussion hosted by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) on September 21 at noon EDT. Tune in as an esteemed panel of IABC Fellows explores the intersection of leadership and communication and how those at the top can leverage their communication skills to drive business success. These leaders will share their insights on communicating vision, values, and purpose; creating alignment around the business plan; motivating teams; and more. Whether you’re an aspiring communicator or a seasoned executive, this can’t-miss event will provide strategic advice to help you empower teams, connect with stakeholders, and boost leadership impact through effective communication.

Using YouTube’s live chat feature, you will be able to ask questions and share your own observations and experiences in real time. If you are unable to join us live, the episode will be available shortly after the panel wraps up as a YouTube video replay and an audio podcast.
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The goal of communication in any organization is for the recipient to think, feel, or do something. Most often, the outcome we seek is a behavior: We want the recipient to do more of what they’re already doing, do something differently, or do something new. Conveying information alone will rarely inspire someone to action. That requires communicators to add creativity to the mix. In this Circle of Fellows episode, four IABC Fellows will explore the application of creativity to business outcomes, including the various approaches one might take, the differences between influencing employees and other stakeholders, and convincing leadership that creativity is an appropriate business communication technique.

The panel will be streamed live at noon EDT on Thursday, August 17. Using YouTube’s live chat feature, you will be able to ask questions and share your own observations and experiences in realtime. If you are unable to join us live, the episode will be available shortly after the panel wraps up as a YouTube video replay and an audio podcast.
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In this modern era where AI is changing the dynamics of every industry, questions inevitably arise about its efficacy and implications. Will AI replace communicators? Is it ethical to use AI with or without disclosure? Besides writing, how can communicators best use AI? What risks should we be aware of? What role can we play in helping introduce AI throughout our organizations to ensure it is used to its best advantage?

Join us at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 20, as a panel of IABC Fellows tackles these and other complex issues. The session will explore the risks and benefits, aiming to provide clear guidance to communications professionals seeking to navigate this new landscape. The panel aims to delve into the exciting and rapidly evolving intersection of AI and communication, examining how artificial intelligence can shoulder much of the mundane load, freeing up communicators to focus on creative, strategic, and value-added work. The panel will explore optimal ways for professionals to harness the power of AI in their communication strategies while helping the rest of the organization adopt AI to its greatest potential.
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Wellness has risen from an afterthought in companies to a prominent issue. Businesses increasingly recognize the impact of physical and mental health in the workplace. An opportunity loss of $20 million for every 10,000 workers can be attributed to low well-being and its negative impact on performance. This amounts to a staggering global cost of up to $322 billion in employee turnover and diminished productivity as a result of burnout caused by low well-being. On the other hand, effective wellness programs leave employees seven times as likely to strongly agree that they have meaningful connections or a best friend at work, a key indicator of engagement. Mental wellness is also getting more attention as companies see the consequences of depression, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms in the workplace. Only 57 percent of employees who report moderate depression and 40 percent of those who report severe depression receive treatment to control depression symptoms. Even when programs are available, employees don’t avail themselves of them. Only about 3.5 percent of employees across the U.S. have taken advantage of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to which they have access.

Clearly, there is plenty in the wellness space for internal communicators to address, both in terms of raising awareness and moving the culture among employees as well as counseling leaders on the actions they should take through their own messages and the degree of support they offer for wellness programs.
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There has been no shortage of crises in the business world in recent months. From the failure of FTX and Silicon Valley Bank to the Norfolk Southern train derailment and fans revolting against Ticketmaster, there is more than enough fodder for a robust discussion about how companies can prepare for crises while establishing their reputations, and communicate effectively when a crisis strikes.

Join moderator Shel Holtz, SCMP, ABC, IABC Fellow, and four seasoned communicators from the ranks of Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for this hour-long conversation. Ask questions using YouTube Live’s chat feature, share your experiences, and comment on panelist observations. The live stream is set for noon EDT on Thursday, April 20.
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Everybody hates change, right? You hear that all the time; it’s why organizational change is so hard. The fact is, people love change. They willingly and enthusiastically make changes all the time. They change their fashions, their hair styles, their cars, their homes, their vacation spots, their furniture, their spouses…

If change is hard in organizations, it’s not because people just don’t like change. If there is resistance to change, you have to know why. Even if resistance is not a major issue, managing change is still a complex challenge for communicators, who play multiple roles during a change initiative, creating alignment so employees and leaders are on the same page about where we are, where we’re going, why we’re going there, how we’ll get there, and so on. And that doesn’t even account for dealing with the ongoing, day-to-day change that is a fact of life in any business. (As they say, change is the only constant in life.)

On Thursday, March 16, four Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) will discuss a wide variety of communication-related change issues. The panel, hosted by IABC Fellow Shel Holtz, SCMP, will begin at 5 p.m. ET. You will be able to ask questions and share your comments and observations, engaging directly with the panelists. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experienced communicators with combined decades of change communication experience.
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As communication professionals grow in their careers, they’re expected to provide strategic counsel to company executives about communication and its impact on business. This week’s hot topic might be new legal regulations; next week, it could be stakeholder relations. No matter the issue, IABC’s Code of Ethics serves as a roadmap for communication professionals, guiding them to make consistent, responsible, ethical, and legal choices. Join this international panel of IABC Fellows as they share their insights and advice from decades of experience as strategic communication leaders and counselors.

Episode #89 of Circle of Fellows is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 16. Shel Holtz, SCMP, ABC, IABC Fellow, will moderate the panel. You can ask questions and share observations and comments in real-time using YouTube’s live-streaming chat feature. If you can’t participate during the live panel, you can always watch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast shortly after the panel discussion wraps up.
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