What's it all about?

So here goes with another academic blog...

 I’m hoping you have read through my blog archive and worked out what I am all about. But for those who haven’t, I’ll introduce myself again. I’m Sophie Hanson- a third year (yes, that’s third and final year) Marketing and PR student at The University of Lincoln. In six weeks time I will have completed my penultimate semester, and six months after that, I’ll be dreaming of the Harvard Reference System, and wondering how I never failed to miss a Wednesday night out on the town.  But until then, my focus is simple;

In a society that has been shown to enjoy gossip fed by rumour and speculation, I’m going to look at honesty and fairness, and how they relate to the successful practice of public relations.

Call it a generalisation, or call it human nature. Either way, we are all intrigued by what we read in Hello magazine or The Sun. We all wanted to be the first to see Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. We all wanted to be sat in the audience as Piers Morgan picked apart Katie Price’s broken marriage. And we all stop and stare as the headline ‘Victoria and David Beckham taking time apart’ is plastered across the top shelf of a magazine stand. It may be because I have grown up in a household where OK! magazine was as regular a purchase as bread and milk, but I’ll be the first to admit I get the  excitable urge to find out something new, something someone doesnt want us to know. It's like, how Hamish Pringle says: “That unavoidable buzz!" (Pringle, 2004, pg 4).

It doesn’t stop at celebrity; In October 2008, a rumour that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suffered a serious heart attack caused $9billion in market value loss (PR News, 2011). Similarly, during the Northern Rock crises, tens of thousands of people rushed to withdraw their hard-earned savings from Northern Rock, after rumours spread of the bank collapsing. This resulted in Northern Rock being in a worse position than originally anticipated. Shocking, right? It seems the implications of our rumours are only ever obvious to party in question. And now, to add insult to injury, the rise of social media has meant the cogs of the rumour mill are turning more than ever. Twitter now houses a page dedicated to ‘Celebrity Gossip’, and with 34,225 followers, it’s easy to understand how the truth can often be buried beneath layers of misinterpretation and sensationalism. 

Is it our interest to know if Kerry Katona is back on drugs? Are we to blame for Northern Rock losing millions? Do we actually even question whether what we hear or read about is truth or rumour?

Well, let the battle commence- Gossip and rumour vs. Honesty and Fairness within the successful practise of PR.  You’re in for a treat!

References:
Pringle, H (2004). Celebrity Sells. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. p4.

PR News. (2011). Dealing With Rumors: The Best Defense Is a Smart Offense. PR News. 67 (38)

The Telegraph. (2007). The Northern Rock Crises Explained. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1563266/The-Northern-Rock-crisis-explained.html. Last accessed 14th Nov 2011.

Blogger vs. Wordpress.

After taking almost a year out from blogging to concentrate on passing assignments, gaining work experience, and fulfilling my second year University expectations, I'm back. Back with a thirst, a fresh insight, and nearly three years of studying PR under my belt.

Over the past year, I’ve gained firsthand experience working in the Consumer Marketing Team at telecommunications operator O2 in London. Three months experience has taught me countless invaluable lessons that I believe will aid my studies in my final year. I have learnt about organisational structure and functionality, the implications of reputation, and to avoid Paddington tube station at 8:00am. 

So now a year older, wiser, and with the prospect of graduation looming, it’s time to move with the times, develop with technology, and embrace the social stratosphere. In doing this, I did what most second time bloggers do... a month ago I signed up to Wordpress.

Since that fateful day, I have spent many evenings trying to comprehend aesthetics, publishing and commenting. Despite an impressive array of templates available, I’m sorry to say my time with Wordpress was short lived. No sooner was I excitingly trawling through fonts and themes that I felt exasperated- my wavering patience only too obvious for onlookers on the third floor of the University Library. There are only so many shades of blue backgrounds, right?  A particular struggle for me was the layout of the software. With so many tabs on the screen at any one time, I found the publishing process difficult.

So, you’ll be pleased to know I’m grovelling my way back to Blogger, typing my fingers to the bone on a simple yet aesthetically pleasing page. Like Timothy Curtis, a Leeds Metropolitan PR student, I too have taken comfort in the pages of Blogger. Maybe one day, I will return to Wordpress, but for now, ‘sophiehanson1@blogspot.com’ is my doorway to the blogosphere.

I would love to know what you think- Blogger vs. Wordpress? As ever, please feel free to comment and I’ll get back to you, just as soon as I’ve decided on today’s new template...

Team work makes the dream work...

My recent posts have been a personal reflection of the issues involved with ‘Managing PR’. I have paid particular attention to The Belbin Team Roles, because I’m intrigued by the extent the roles are considered in a recruitment situation. It leads me to question whether the way a team works together is important at all. It is not just about meeting deadlines to a high level? Does the combination of Belbin Team Roles account for a successful team? And if I was a manager, would I consider the Belbin Roles during a recruitment situation?

I’m drawing my conclusions to these questions from the experience I had during a summer placement, and from the experience within Fusion PR. Firstly, when answering the question “What are the issues you have to manage at work?” I believe that time management is a paramount aspect that exemplifies a successful PR agency and team. Organising myself, and keeping consistent contact with a number of clients essential because it proves organisation, perfect planning, and keeps the client in the loop. Naturally, time management, budgeting, precise contracts and legalities, planning and creativity collectively are important issues to manage at work, however I feel that time management accounts for ‘the make or break’ of a successful team, and PR agency.

The validity of The Belbin Roles has formed the basis of my blogging archive, and an issue I feel strongly about. In theory, my role according to Dr Belbin was Team Worker. However, in practice I acquired the role of Specialist, using different software to generate creativity and make our pitch aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, if I was in the shoes of a manager, I would use The Belbin Test during recruitment, but in practise. I believe the results of the test on paper are different to how a candidate performs practically, and this must be accounted for. Once a definitive team role can be applied to the candidate after a practical assessment, then I feel Belbin’s theory of a successful team works well. The combination of specific behavioural characterises enables a team to collectively work successfully. The tricky bit is ensuring each candidate is accredited with the correct team role.

So how did Fusion PR get things done? We got things done Planning, time management, and a combination of different behavioural characteristics.

Any other thoughts of the validity of The Belbin Test, or anyone who agrees that a practical assessment would help to determine Belbin Roles, please let me know! The lack of practical assessment is an issue that I think heavily hinders what could be an internationally acclaimed recruitment and team development exercise.  

Like they say- team work makes the dream work!

Issues to manage at work.

As I have already mentioned in a early post, I have grasped the concept of different PR categories (In-house, Consultancy and Freelance) and have decided that a career in a Consultancy appeals to me most. Now, in preparation for my departure from ‘Studentville’ into the big wide world, I’m going to recap on the paramount issues to manage when working in PR. I revise best by writing out what I’m learning. So welcome to my revision session right here on the Blogosphere!

Firstly, it’s essential I manage myself and my time- nobody likes the late comer. When working so closely with a number of different clients, communication is paramount. Regardless of whether they are conference calls, video calls or face to face, consistent communication requires precise time management. Microsoft Outlook has tools to book meetings efficiently, identifying time, location and attendees. The software provides a database to store all contacts clearly. I have used Microsoft Outlook in practise during work experience and found it remarkably useful.

Plan, plan, and plan- this is key! It’s important to plan how long tasks are going to take, not just for a future in PR, but for general day to day activities. Planning campaigns is essential to ensure all aspects are completed, with time to spare for all eventualities, as hiccups often occur.

It’s important that the budget is constantly considered throughout the planning process. When completing my assignment on behalf of ‘Fusion PR’, the budget acted as a barrier restricting many of our ideas.  It’s important not to get carried away and plan effectively to cater for the budget given.

Now for the serious stuff; the contract and legalities. The contract is the legal document that states and explains a formal agreement between two different people or groups. All contracts must adhere to the Code of Conduct. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations highlights the principles, values, standards and rules of behaviour that guide the decision, procedures and systems of an organisation or professional person. The CIPR Code of Conduct is a scary looking document, but essential to the PR agency. Take a look...

Any other important points, please feel free to comment, every little helps!

Which PR?

After completing a year and one semester at University, I’ve got my heart set on going into the Public Relations sector. The opportunities and diversity that a career within PR has is an exciting prospect that I'm looking forward to.  It’s the whole ‘no two days are ever the same’ bit that particularly appeals to me. One day you could be meeting with clients, next day organising an event, and the day after writing press releases. Writing this blog has made me question the area of PR that I want to go into.

Samantha Jones, PR Consultancy.
Sex and the City

As much as I don’t want to base my judgment around an American Drama, does Samantha Jones from Sex in the City represent what Public Relations is and what practitioners do? If so, the expensive breakfast briefings, glamorous event planning and high profile client meetings suit my aspirations perfectly! But is that what it’s really all about?

Tench and Yeomans suggest that the type of PR practitioner you are depends upon the categories of PR you work in; In-house, Consultancy, or Freelance Practitioners. I’m drawn towards each for different reasons. Working within in-house PR is safe, reliable and familiar. I like the idea of working for one company, as part of that company. However, despite the security that in-house PR has, I’m not one to take the easy road. I have a preconceived perception that working in an office five days a week, working for one company could become somewhat mundane. For example, if I got employed by the NHS PR department, I have a limited creative platform and subsequently little diversity. Any in-house PR practitioners reading this, I would love to get your insight.

PR Consultancies where practitioners work for one or more clients seems much more exciting. Some might find it a hassle, but I would find travelling to different clients, and being in a different working environment throughout the week fresh and often a cause of creativity.  

From my experience working at 02 Marketing, no five working days were the same- an aspect I loved! For example, two days a week would be in the office, two days a week in central London at different agencies, and the final day at hotel conferences. According to Tench and Yeomans, working for a Consultancy often requires the need for “specialist areas”. Referring back to the Belbin Roles, in practise I confidently acquired the role of Specialist, formatting the presentation, experimenting with software, and using tools and tricks to make the aesthetics of the campaign professional and appropriate to the content. This leads me to believe that not only have I got benefits from the Consultancy, the Consultancy has got benefits from me.

Working as a Freelance Practitioner seems risky. A dry month where you don’t win any pitches could be worrying. I think freelance practitioners have generated years of experience, and have the financial support to develop their own company. I’m confident in saying that with the rise in tuition fees and a massive student loan, I’m not going to be working freelance for a long time after I graduate!

Be it through the influence of Samantha Jones, or the opportunities to travel and work on different projects, I am swayed towards a career at a Consultancy rather than In-house or Freelance. Any PR people in the blogosphere please tell me how it works for you?

The Dream Team...



Fusion PR logo.

 
When developing and delivering our Pitch to Bring The Beat Clothing, our group ethic and ability to complete our pitch to a high level lay dependent upon the combination of our behavioural characteristics. We call ourselves ‘Fusion PR’, and luckily for us, our group comprises of a diverse selection of team roles. Introducing the dream team!  

Myself- Team Worker

“Ability to respond to people and situations and to promote team spirit.”

Connie Brodribb- Resource Investigator

“A capacity for finding useful people and promising ideas or opportunities, and a general source of vitality.”

James Shippen- Plant

“Genius, imagination, intellect, knowledge”

Carla Leighton- Co-ordinator

“Welcomes all potential contributors on their merits and without prejudice, but without ever losing sight of the main objective.”

Chloe Mitchell- Completer Finisher

“A capacity for fulfilling their promises and working to the highest standards.”

In the name of an easy life, let’s assume my previous contradiction with Dr Belbin didn’t occur.  Now I have introduced the team, it’s important to see how well we worked together. In practise, I can safely say that I promoted team spirit, as my role suggests. Times occurred where we couldn’t find a computer in the library (with 3 floors of computer suites, it’s hard to believe I know!) Or times when we were all overloaded with deadlines. I think in times like these I acted as the uplifting ‘look on the bright side’ character. In my view, my behaviour complemented Chloe’s- our Completer Finisher. Although her role was invaluable to our team, Chloe had a tendency to worry about the small things. Whilst she motivated me, I calmed her down in situations where she could have otherwise escalated and got ‘stressed’- a word used far too often during a University hand-in period!

In practise, I found that my role as a Team Worker, and our Plant- James, were very similar. We both promoted team spirit. Call it a ‘laugh or cry’ situation, but we often found ourselves smiling when the computer froze- a situation where not everyone smiled. Let’s say our optimism shone through! Our chatty aura meant we often bounced ideas of each other, ideas that were eventually presented in our pitch. Luckily, our imaginations where capped by our Co-ordinator Carla. Although she welcomed and encouraged our often wacky ideas, she confidently never lost sight of our main goal. Belbin describes how the Co-ordinator ‘Welcomes all potential contributions, but without ever losing sight of the main objective’. This perfectly exemplifies Carla’s priceless role within Fusion PR.

But of course, what would we do without our trusty Resource Investigator Connie? Connie certainly does have a way with words. James- the Plant, and myself generated ideas that we understood, but where continuously stopped in our tracks by the same old question. How do we write that in words? And in a professional manner at that? Belbin describes Co-ordinators as ‘good communicators, both inside and outside the organisation’.  This described Connie's contributions perfectly. Connie helped the team collaborate ideas in an illustrative yet professional manner.  She had the ability to write in words what James and I had in our heads. This sought after characteristic was invaluable to us. 



Print screen on my formatting the Fusion PR logo.



During numerous group meetings, I found myself leading the creative roles. For example, I formatted our PowerPoint presentation, played around with fonts, colours and other tools and tricks. I found myself eager to take the content of our pitch and ‘make it look pretty’. My group seemed impressed with the technical knowledge that I had acquired using Microsoft PowerPoint, Macromedia Fireworks and various other software. It became assumed that my role would be to take the content and make it look professional. On reflection, maybe my Belbin team role should be Specialist? Belbin describes Specialists as ‘dedicated individuals who pride themselves on acquiring technical skills and specialist knowledge. Their priorities are to maintain professional standards and advance their own subject.’ I'm beginning to think that maybe this role is better suited to my behaviour, not only apparent from this assignment, but other group assignments too.

After using the Belbin test in practise, I am, yet again, contemplating its validity. I have realised that the combination of different team roles works well in presenting an entire spectrum of behaviours. However, I think a practical examination of how well people work together is more valuable than the results of the test. For example, I found myself taking the role of specialist more so than team worker. Hypothetically, if this is the case an organisation should realise this through a fictitious project during the recruitment stages. I think that Belbin’s behavioural team roles are useful, but the process in which the team roles are obtained should be altered to consider how participants behave practically, not just on paper.    

It seems Dr Belbin is baffling my brains once again!