Session Objectives

1. Define communication objectives2. Draft a communication policy3. Check your social media readiness

There are few opportunities in this city. But we need to create more and to do that we need government to work with us. Youth is an integral part of our society.

There are increasing number of job applications with no experience. Creating opportunity for these people is important. But economy is performing poorly and its difficult for businesses to survive.

We need to think about economic growth so that more jobs can be offered to educated youth and more taxes are collected. Government needs to help us reduce corruption in our society. We will work together to solve issues of our community.

Turn your paper with me

Do you think I failed to communication

Why you all did not get the exact message?

70 % of our communication efforts are:• misunderstood • misinterpreted • rejected • distorted or • not heard

9%

16%

30%

45%

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5%

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Writing Reading Speaking Listening

9%

16%

30%

45%

0%

5%

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Writing Reading Speaking Listening

Who teaches you this skill?

FLUFFY

There is a ditch right behind youC

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Several Messages – Less Time!

Messages

Time

Can you hit this point again and again

FRUIT

List some mediums of communication you use at your

chamber

Medium of Communication

• Media Briefings• Newsletter• Press Releases• Public Speaking• Website • Email • Fax

• Meetings• Publications /Adverts• Letters• Exhibitions• Phone Calls• Partners• Radio /TV• Posters

Who do you communicate

with?

• Members• Governments• Partners• Opponents • Media• General Public• Sneezers

Your Message is not understood because:

You do not understand your audience Your message is not clear and concise Key points are not repeated frequently Your words are not impactful Your voice is distorted due to existing noise You do not call to simple actions and

decisions

Biggest Challenge

Careful if you are:

• Finishing others’ sentences• Preparing our response before someone has

completed speaking• Multitasking while ‘listening’• Filtering content or meaning based on the

speaker• Me Me Me instead of We!

Power of Words!

Creating A Story from Rubble

• Select a legislative reform your group wishes to push.

• Select a set of 10 powerful words and two powerful sentences.

• Prepare a short and powerful message for– Your Members– Media– Government

Communication Policy

• Start with STAFF and board – Do they know what their job is– What is institutional vision– What is institutional direction– Everyone speaks the same language – (lines to take)

• Who is your spokes person• Diplomatic responses (not lies)• Stories about both success and failures• KYC (People you want to communicate with)• Mastering your Facts• What must not be discussed

20 Points to Consider1. Appoint an official spokes person2. Improve internal and external communications by developing: clear

messaging, focused and repeated3. Be proactive in demonstrating members’ successes4. Explore new ways of helping to promote members’ businesses5. Promote the chamber’s website at every opportunity as the place to vote

and or comment on chamber advocacy issues and opportunities 6. Develop social media communication platform.7. Continue obtaining feedback through direct communications (telephone,

focus groups, website, surveys, social media)8. Initiate more two-way communications with members9. Image building and membership value10. Develop initiatives to increase and maintain members

1. Develop strategic partnerships that are linked to strategic directions2. Maintain and strengthen networking programs and services3. Offer more professional development sessions4. Build member relationships and network5. Design effective advocacy campaigns 6. Take stand on positions locally, provincially, and nationally7. Strengthen partnerships with other chambers on regional issues8. Focus on chamber’s core strengths and mandate for business9. Meet with elected officials on a regular basis, also meet with the

opposition10. Become more responsive on issues

Are You Googleable?

Social Media is an internet based interactive medium of communication.

How Social Media is Impacting our lives?

Targetting vs Engaging

Emergence of Alternative Media

its live – its hot – its instantIts the fastest growing medium for communication

Social Media is VIRAL

• Social Media is changing the way humans interact & communicate

• Removing barriers like geography & language

• Democratizing the world’s information

How Social Media Can Help Business Association?

Influencing Engagement

If you are not on social media, you do

not exist!

Ideas – How can you use Social Media?• Engaging members• Engaging non-members (for membership development)• Spreading information (Webinars) • Communicating with other chambers (or chamber

leaders)• Communicating with politicians• Promoting events• Recognizing members• Engaging media• Soliciting opinion (Surveys)• Creating forums (online communities)

Self Diagnostic on Social Media Readiness

1. Have you ever contributed to a blog?2. Does your organization have a social media account in any of the following?

1. Twitter2. Linkedin3. You tube4. Facebook

1. If yes, is there a dedicated staff that manages it?3. Does your company have a blog?4. Have you ever made a comment on a social network site?5. Does your company have a personal facebook page?

1. Is it updated every 24 hours?6. Have you ever uploaded a video on any social media site?7. Have you texted in the past 24 hours?8. Do you personalize email blast to your customers?9. Does your website have social media buttons?10. Does your website have sitemap?11. Does your company website have video links?12. Have you ever participated in social media discussion?13. Did you visit your website in the past 7 days?14. Is your website optimized for organic search?15. Do you know if your competitors have social media presence?16. Will you face resistance if you introduce a comprehensive and fully integrated social media marketing

policy?

Social Media Readiness Scoring Guide

• Every question has 5 marks for yes.• Questions, 5, di, 9, 13, and 15 will have -10 negative marking

for NO.

• Results:• Below 30 marks (living in caves)• 50 marks (really hard and concentrated efforts are required )• 60-80 (can catch-up with dedicated efforts)• 100 (you are almost there)• 110 or above (well done)

Social Media Policy– Why are we using social media (what are our objectives, what are we going to

achieve)– What resources will be deploy

• Financial resources• Human resources

– How will internal buy-in be created– How will manage social media accounts– What information is not for public consumption– Redressing strategy – Role of employees in using social media for official purpose– Social media code of conduct

• Do you have a code?• Did all your staff members and board members read and signed it?• What is your organization's liability should an employee post something questionable?• Is there a process to deal a mistake?

– Disclaimers

Social Media Strategy – Who are the Target audience– Which social media channels will be used

• Specific use of– Facebook– Microblogging such as Twitter– Social bookmarking services– Blogs– Linkedin– YouTube– Flicker

– What message will be pushed– Who will be followed– Who will be blocked– Engaging in debate

• What kind of debate • If yes, who will moderate• Damage control strategy

• What must not be done (restrictions)

Your Website

A bad website will have;• Poor layout• Poor color scheme• Poor nevigationability • Poor text size• Poor information (outdated information)• Poor graphics and images (or only images)

Your Social Media

Basic Analysis Of Social Media Sucess

• Number of fans • Frequency of updates• Quality of information• Engagement

Starting a Chamber Blog

• What kind of stories• Why blog (improves google search)• Gives recognition• Creates member’s trust