research – Page 2 – Geneva Communicators Network

Popularity does not equal influence, survey finds

To discover how popularity and influence correlate, the Social Computing Lab at Hewlett-Packard’s research arm analysed 2 million messages on Twitter.

While measuring popularity proved straightforward: it’s simply a case of looking at the numbers of people signed up to follow a specific person’s or organisation’s messages, determining influence was more tricky.

To measure influence, the researchers hypothesised that users of Twitter are the more influential the more they manage to get their followers to pass on messages. Surprisingly, the results showed that the correlation between popularity and influence is weaker than one might expect.

If you want to know who has the most influence in the digital world, you can
read the full article on the Economist Blog >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| November 29th, 2010|Other resources|0 Comments

Chief communicators unprepared to deal with social media threats, survey says

The third annual ‘Rising CCO’ survey has revealed that corporate and brand reputations face greater risk from online threats today than ever before.

The survey, conducted by global executive search firm Spencer Stuart and global public relations firm Weber Shandwick, revealed that while 34% of global chief corporate communications officers (CCOs) report that their companies experienced a social-media based reputation threat during the past 12 months, just as many (33%) say they are not prepared for managing these types of online reputational threats.

Interestingly, or perhaps consequntly, of the CCOs surveyed 54% cited new/social media experience among the most important qualifications for tomorrow’s communicators, showing that CCOs worldwide are preparing to meet the social and online media challenge.

In addition, the firms behind the survey expect social media/blogging to be the fastest-growing function in communications departments in the next 12 months, having already risen dramatically from 28% in 2008 to 41% in 2010.

How is social media changing in your world?

With the increasing popularity of Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn and the like, the communication profession is facing new and exciting opportunities to communicate – as well as new challenges to meet.

To map out exactly how Social Media is impacting the communications profession, Communication Director magazine and the University of St. Gallen are currently conducting a Europe-wide study of communications professionals – and have invited GCN members to contribute.

For instance, how do you use Social Media? What impact does it have on your daily work as a communicator? What support do you need to be able to cope with using Social Media?

There are two versions of the survey accessible via the below links. Please select the most appropriate one for you.

Survey for agencies and consultants >

Survey for in-house communicators >

Completion of the questionnaire will take approximately 15 minutes. All answers are anonymous.

A summary of the results will be posted here in the winter.

Melitta

By GenevaCom| October 14th, 2010|Other resources|0 Comments

Tough times favour the underdog

That is the theme of a forthcoming article in the Journal of Consumer Research: ‘The Underdog Effect’.

In the article, HBS professor Anat Keinan and colleagues explain how and why a ‘brand biography’ about hard luck and fierce determination can boost the power of products in industries as diverse as food and beverages, technology, airlines, and automobiles.

Despite psychological research showing that people want to associate themselves with winners (and therefore with winning brands), Keinan was interested to see increasing numbers of brands trying to position themselves as an underdog, i.e. the one expected to lose.

It seems that when times are tough, people are more willing to relate to and support those who’s passion, determination and perseverance have helped them to overcome adversity.

This is an interesting concept that can be easily translated into external, corporate and internal communication to help show a new level of understanding and empathy with stakeholders, and help draw them closer to the leaders, products and organisations we represent.

To find out more, read an interview with Anat Keinan
in HBS’s Working Knowledge newsletter >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| September 14th, 2010|Other resources|0 Comments

Capitalizing on Effective Communication – Study

Companies that communicate with courage, innovation and discipline, especially during times of economic challenge and change, are more effective at engaging employees and achieving desired business results.

That is according to research by Towers Watson which has consistently found the firms that communicate effectively with employees are also the best financial performers.

In their 2009/2010 report titled: Capitalizing on Effective Communication, Towers Watson summarizes the findings of their 2009/2010 multiregional study and identify what companies with highly effective communication practices are doing to inform and engage their employees in challenging economic times, and shows how these practices vary around the world.

Key Findings:

Effective employee communication is a leading indicator of financial performance and a driver of employee engagement. Companies that are highly effective communicators had 47% higher total returns to shareholders over the last five years compared with firms that are the least effective communicators.
The best invest in helping leaders and managers communicate with employees. While only three out of 10 organizations are training managers to deal openly with resistance to change, highly effective communicators are more than three times as likely to do this as the least effective communicators.
Companies are struggling to measure the return on their investment in social media tools. Highly effective communicators are more likely than the least effective communicators to report their social media tools are cost-effective (37% vs. 14%).
Measurement is critical. Companies that are less-effective communicators are three times as likely as highly effective communicators to report having no formal measurements of communication effectiveness.

Download the full report via the Towers Watson website >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| May 1st, 2010|Other resources|0 Comments

Key Data for Communicators in Global Survey

The latest global survey from Melcrum, Key Benchmark Data for Communicators 2009, has revealed that in the light of the recession, every area of internal communications is being re-examined. Here are some of the survey’s headlines and what they mean for IC professionals:

Budget cuts – almost half of respondents (46%) said they will be spending less on consultants in the next 12 months. External advisors will therefore need to “re-evaluate what they offer and become more focused”. For those working in-house, budget cuts will mean less opportunities to move position and engage employees on a grand scale – but will be a chance for savvy communicators to gain respect by getting creative working closely with leaders and to make a difference.

Strategy change – 47% of respondents stated that cutbacks have led to fundamental change in their communication strategy. The main focus for internal communicators today appears to be on rebuilding trust and giving employees the answers they need. This is good news as it puts IC in the limelight, but it is demanding work that often needs to be done with fewer resources. Now more than ever, IC professionals need to prove their worth to gain the resources they need.

Change in Channels – 45% of respondents predicted a reduction in print communications in the coming year, with many seeing the Internet as a more cost effective and engaging alternative, due to its ability to spread messages to the right audiences with simplicity, immediacy and transparency.

Priority skills – Most respondents indicated that over the next 12 months, the most important skills will be: ‘managing change communication’ (43.2%), ‘supporting senior leadership communication’ (37.9%), and ‘measuring the effectiveness of internal communication’ (27.6%). In terms of leadership communications, ‘coaching managers to communicate’ came out as the top priority (52.5%), closely followed by ‘strategic planning’ (51%) and ‘how to assess communication effectiveness’ (49.3%).

More about the survey and its findings >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| October 2nd, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Employee engagement, the key to Britain’s future

A new British Government review has highlighted the importance of effective engagement to successful business performance, showing that high levels of employee engagement are inextricably linked to the successful achievement of commercial and other organisational objectives.

The MacLeod Review, commissioned by the British Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, also states that British firms need to improve engagement levels. It cites a number of impeding factors ranging from leaders not really understanding what employee engagement is or recognising its importance, to not knowing where to go for assistance, and the poor people skills of many line managers.

David MacLeod, who lead the review with Nita Clarke, said: “This is about unleashing the potential of people at work and enabling them to be the best they can be. Whether we are in a downturn or in better economic times, engagement is a key to innovation and competitiveness.”

Nita Clarke said: “By respecting the contribution employees can make and ensuring they are fully involved in developing their organisation’s future, employers can help unlock their full potential. When done well, employee engagement is a win for the organisation, a win for the individual and therefore a win for the country as a whole.”

Read more about the review’s findings >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 30th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Internal Communications – vital and growing in Latin America

We have often reported on Internal Communications (IC) in Europe and the States and it’s importance during times of crisis. So it was interesting to read a report this week that shows how IC is regarded in Argentina.

Interestingly, the study conducted by the Asociación Argentina de Comunicación Interna (Argentine Association of Internal Communication), shows that the majority of Argentine companies formally manage their Internal Communications (70% with an in-house person or team), with 84% of those responsible for Communication stating that they have their own budget and 40% of them are handling a budget which is higher than last year’s.

This fact, together with the knowledge that none of the companies survey plan to downsize their internal communication function or activities, would seem to show that the discipline is seen as an important success factor, particularly in today’s climate of change.

For more about the survey and its findings, download a copy of the research >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 14th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Twitter tops social media for Fortune 100 companies

During 2009, Twitter surpassed blogging as the social media platform of choice – at least among the Fortune 100.

A recent analysis compiled by Burson-Marsteller and Proof Digital Media found that the largest 100 companies, in the terms of revenue as compiled by Fortune Magazine’s annual Fortune 500, were active on three key social media: Twitter, Facebook and Blog.

According to the study, 54% of the Fortune 100 use Twitter to reach out directly to stakeholders,while 32% use blogs and 29% actively use a Facebook Fan Page to engage. Despite the perception that Twitter is the newest kid on the block among the three platforms, 76% of Fortune 100 companies that were using just one social media channel were using Twitter over the other two channels.

The study also revealed that that Twitter is most often used for news and announcements (94%), customer service (67%), promotions and deals (57%), and job postings (11%). By contrast, Facebook fan pages are more consumer focused, with promotions, product information, and philanthropy and community service announcements. And content on corporate blogs, the study found, falls into categories of current projects, external initiatives, and community involvement.

More about the surveys results >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 12th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

World class internal communications revealed

Recent research, aimed at discovering how internal communication works in global organisations, has revealed just what global best practice looks like today.

The study, headed by HSBC and supported by brand and communication consultancy Uffindell West, looked at: the purpose of internal communications, strategy development, new and emerging trends, the use of technology, measurement and many other aspects of internal communications for a comprehensive view of what works and how the communication discipline is evolving.

Read a summary of the research findings in Melcrum’s Strategic Communications Management magazine. Download the article >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 6th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Blog categories: