Jan. 20, 2009, was marked with history when the 44th President of the United States took office. The entire world watched with anticipation and hope as President Obama waved to the record-breaking crowd gathered at the National Mall and delivered his inaugural address.
As a communication professional and a young adult, I listened intently to the words and phrases spoken by President Obama. At that moment I realized the true power of the spoken word and how we as communicators can learn from the commander in chief.
When speaking, choose each word with purpose. His words were carefully chosen and deliberately spoken to precisely convey the messages he wanted his fellow countrymen to hear.
Speak with passion and emotion. Simply by listening to the tone of his voice and the passion that was behind each word, I felt hope for the future, pride for my country and a realization that from now on American history will take on a different meaning for all.
As technology advances and electronic forms of communication grow rapidly, communicators must still remember the advantages of speech. Today, as seen in this historic moment, we can understand the true value of language.
I often say to fellow colleagues, “Elise Mitchell is one of the most strategic thinkers that I’ve ever met in business.” She tirelessly thinks of ways to improve upon the work we do here. We both share a common belief in providing measurable business objectives to our clients everyday, in fact it’s what we wake up for and often times stay up late to see through.
When Elise and I decided to go into business together several years back I knew her contagious energy, great counsel and her wisdom would help elevate my game in this industry. Thanks Elise, and congratulations on your feature in this month’s Celebrate Arkansas Magazine. If you’d like to see a full version of the story click the arrow in the upper right hand corner of the window below. Used with Permission and courtesy of Celebrate Arkansas Magazine
We are ringing in the New Year and celebrating a marriage of sorts at Mitchell Communications Group. Elise and I started a training company in 2001, and as of the end of 2008, that company, Executive Communications Consultants, was sold to MCG and officially became a part of the team.
So what’s the connection between communications strategists and trainers, and why did we take the leap? First, although we were two separate companies, we were working with many of the same clients. By coming together, we can collaborate more efficiently and effectively to better serve the common needs of these organizations.
Under one umbrella, the training division will now also be able to grow its product offerings and training staff. Already since last fall, we have more than doubled our training and facilitation services and organized them by tracks into a newly branded training series called ProFound
But perhaps the most important catalyst for the union was that both companies share a strategic approach to identifying and meeting the business needs of our clients. MCG uses a four-step process for designing and executing communications initiatives: research, planning, implementation and evaluation. So does the training division. Here’s a closer look:
Research: We study a client’s overall business strategy and goals. We also review their training competencies or help them design competencies appropriate for their unique business needs.
Planning: We identify what curriculum should be developed and delivered to help individuals grow and help the company meet its goals.
Implementation: We provide highly customized and interactive training experiences for participants. We deliver and facilitate curriculum design that has direct application for the success of participants. After all trainings and experiences, we follow-up with all participants in a variety of methods to reinforce learnings and encourage desired behavior change.
Evaluation: Throughout the process, we measure and evaluate the impact our trainings have to effect real change in the individual as well as the organization.
So we enter 2009 as one company with a common commitment to strategy designed to achieve what the mission of Mitchell Communications Group has been all along: We are business counselors with communications expertise focused on helping our clients build relationships, enhance their reputations and achieve their business results. We think that’s a marriage made in heaven.
Jan. 20, 2009, was marked with history when the 44th President of the United States took office. The entire world watched with anticipation and hope as President Obama waved to the record-breaking crowd gathered at the National Mall and delivered his inaugural address.
