Five Essential Trainings to Amplify Your Mission
John F. Kennedy was famously quoted saying “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” Simply put, if we fail to plan ahead, we can find ourselves in a situation with less than ideal results.
The same is true in the world of communications. There’s a reason why students and accredited public relations professionals are taught a proven formula called “RPIE,” the acronym for research, planning, implementation and evaluation. Before executing, the best-laid communications plans start with research and planning.
Your mind may be running through all the reasons why planning ahead feels impossible at times. Lack of resources or capacity, the urgency of immediate results and projects, challenges convincing leadership or stakeholders...the list is endless. We’ve heard it all because we’ve been there too, but any organization that has experienced a reputation issue has wished they could turn back time and make time for preparation.
Don’t get me wrong – organizations have to be flexible to address communications opportunities or challenges at a moment’s notice. But wouldn’t you rather have a strong foundation of trained, prepared spokespersons and thoroughly vetted plans to lean on when navigating an unexpected course change?
LEVEL UP YOUR TEAM
Communications trainings can not only level up your team to serve as effective brand ambassadors but also protect your reputation. Trainings are a great way to invest in your team’s professional development and groom the next generation of leadership into confident communicators when they transition into more visible roles.
Think of trainings as packing your umbrella when rain is in the forecast...just in case.
Depending on the size and scope of your organization, you may need to implement only a few trainings, or several. In the coming months, our team of thought leaders will be covering the five most essential trainings to upgrade your communications:
Media Preparation – leveraging media to amplify your mission and building skills for more confident media interactions
Crisis Communications – protecting your reputation by identifying vulnerabilities, developing a plan to address them and practicing as a team
Internal Communications – conducting a deep dive into your target audiences, communications goals and developing a tactical action plan to own your communications strategy
Advocacy & Coalition Building – understanding the life cycle of an issue and how to engage key stakeholders who can move the needle
Public Speaking & Soft Skills – transforming your team into the ultimate brand ambassadors, whether within your organization or outside it
FIND THE RIGHT PARTNER
Sourcing a third party is most helpful to bring an unbiased outside perspective, but it’s not always easy finding the right team. Proven trainings experience, additional credentials or certifications and overall chemistry is important.
To find the right fit, ask around for referrals or start with researching available options, either for a firm or consultant that is a known subject-matter expert on a particular topic. Once you find two or three potential options, schedule a virtual or in-person introduction conversation to feel them out.
After the first call, take a pulse check. You have to feel like you can trust them before moving forward. This team will be looking behind the curtain and addressing the vulnerabilities within your organization. Are you comfortable being transparent with them?
If they’re not asking about your business goals or showcasing they’ve done homework on your company or industry, consider it a red flag and keep looking.
SUBMIT TO THE PROCESS
Even when you find good partners, this process takes time to do it right. Training experts need to gain an intimate understanding of your business, industry and your weak points.
If you’re still unsure of where to start, we invite you to tune into our upcoming Peritus Training Guide series breaking down each of these five essential trainings with case studies, how-to tips and expert interviews.
Remember, the best time to prepare for a storm is while the sun is shining.