All Communications Articles
  • 3 essential KPIs to align creative output with performance

    Elea Andrea Almazora Business Management, Services & Risk Management

    Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measures used to gauge the success of a business, a campaign, a project, an employee, or processes of production. For example, if you send a fax online with an invoice, an accounting department can use this as part of their KPIs to see the time it takes to receive payment of that invoice. For creative teams, projects, or inputs, measuring performance can be difficult. Businesses with creative departments constantly question the value of those departments. Yet, even though creativity is not easy to define and is hard to measure, it is possible to assess its value using the following three indicators, among others.

  • 5 less explored marketing channels that can bring a lot of value

    Petra Odak Marketing

    Marketers have multiple options to promote their products and services. You have almost certainly heard of email marketing and social media marketing. Marketers use these methods because they work. And when the marketing is effective, the money comes in. But what about the other avenues you might be ignoring? In this article, let’s look at five less-explored marketing channels that can still bring a lot of value to your business.

  • Why board orientation is fundamental to the success of your organization

    William D. Pawlucy Association Management

    How many times have you heard, "we don’t need a board orientation; it is a waste of time," as your organization prepares to welcome new board members? This type of thinking usually stems from the director who likes to exert control over the organization and who easily dismisses any information that would threaten such control. Despite this common misconception by some leaders, board orientation remains one of the most fundamental keys to the success of your organization.

  • Podcast: How to market your practice online like a pro

    Jarod Carter Marketing

    Are you confused or clueless when it comes to Facebook Ads and how to create ad campaigns in-house that actually generate patients for your practice? This episode is for you. For the past eight years, Jordan Mather and his partner have made a business of helping physical therapy practices successfully manage their online marketing. But in light of the mounting financial pressure on those practices during the pandemic, they decided to pivot and teach their clients how to handle their online marketing in-house. In this podcast, you’ll hear some powerful strategies and easy-to-implement tactics for getting big returns on your Facebook Ads and other digital marketing efforts.

  • ‘Please give me my space:’ A school counselor’s perspective

    Sweety Patel Education

    I want you to think back to when you were a student and you walked into your school counselor’s office. What do you remember about his/her office? Do you remember the walls, the furniture, the seating arrangement, the atmosphere? Was there something really unique about the counselor’s space that moved you somehow? Oftentimes when we are learning how to be school counselors, we are very focused on the interaction between the student and us. We do not always think about the surroundings, and a lot of times we feel there is not much time to, either.

  • Infographic: The importance of links

    Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk Management

    Most people who use the internet regularly do not understand the impact links have on their search results. However, not all links are helpful, and it is critical to understand how to comply with Google’s quality guidelines. A successful link will create trust, diversity, and relevance for its users. These high-authority, high-value links dominate the internet and provide the search results that are most effective. Conversely, low-quality links create a sense of unease and misinformation. Check out this infographic to see an in-depth breakdown of link quality and how to build a professional link profile.

  • Framing the strategic plan

    Robert C. Harris Association Management

    At the planning retreat, scores of recommendations are proposed. Ideas are scribbled on flipcharts or keyed into laptops. Eventually the flipchart pages are rolled up and stored in a closet or the report is added to a file folder to collect dust. A strategic plan is meant to be a tool for use by board, staff, and committees. Knowing the potential uses and formats of the final plan, the planning team can better focus their input. For example, are they creating a 20-page document or a one-page brochure? There are many ways to frame a strategic plan to guide a successful association.

  • 10 ways to make a positive first impression at a new job

    Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

    First impressions are lasting impressions. Every new employee is under intense scrutiny as hiring managers and HR attempt to evaluate each new hire’s potential. Impressing in a series of interviews and during the selection process was only the preliminaries. Every new employee starts out at exactly the same place in the job, since there is no performance track record to view, no known bad habits, and an equal opportunity to excel. Here are 10 ways to stand out and make a great first impression during your onboarding period.

  • Technology transformation: From avoidance to advocacy

    Angela Cleveland Education

    What did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, did you dream of being an astronaut, a doctor, or a teacher? How closely does your childhood dream connect with your current career? As my life went on, I thought I could follow my career goals and wouldn’t need to use technology if I pursued a career as a school counselor. I felt like I finally landed in the right spot. I dove into school counseling and loved the work I was doing with my students. But, I soon faced some professional challenges that made me question how I could continue to meet the needs of my students.

  • Win with just three points

    Robert C. Harris Association Management

    Sixteen years ago, Gary LaBranche, CAE, addressed the Tallahassee Society of Association Executives. He was the CEO at Association Forum of Chicagoland. Now he is president and CEO of the National Investor Relations Institute. The Tallahassee audience knew the topic was to be, "Association Trends, Changes and Certainties." As he picked up the microphone, he said, "Today I’m going to present just three points." He explained audiences understand and remember when you offer just three points or concepts. His advice on communication structure resonated.