December 2015                        Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube View our photos on flickr
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Don't Wish for a Christmas Miracle to Manage Crises
By Keith Marnoch, ABC 

Before you make like Bob Cratchit and escape for some well-deserved time off over the holidays, remember that crises never take a vacation. In fact, when your organization isn't on a regular schedule, the chances of a crisis developing actually increase, while your agility to react to one is under an unusual strain.

During the holiday season putting in that little extra effort in, during December, will definitely lead to a much happier new year.  As a communicator you need to adjust your mindset and understand the realities of dealing with challenging incidents when people and resources may be not as readily available as usual. 

A PR Pro's Christmas Wish List

By Katrina Fortner

Dear Santa, 

It's been a busy year in the land of IABC! The international team announced its brand new look and over the next year, our local chapter will adopt it too. The first stage of the CMP - Communication Management Professional - global certification rolled out (want to know more or how to request a CMP exam for London, let us know!). 

And, we've got a bunch of fun events coming up in London, starting with January's ' Communicating on a Shoestring'. 

I know you're busy too, so I'll keep this list short:

1. New copy of CP Stylebook

I'm a total grammar nerd and am ashamed to say I haven't purchased a new copy of CP Stylebook since college - pre-social media boom - so I can imagine how things have changed. Did you know, recently, even one of the world's foremost authorities on the English language appointed a social media icon as its Word of 2015
?


 
UPCOMING EVENT: Communicating On A Shoestring

Do you ever feel stumped by a budget that seems impossible? 
Do you have big ideas paired with a tiny wallet? 

Our panel is here help. 

January's event is all about communicating on a shoestring, with an emphasis on achieving great outcomes in spite of limited budgets. Our panelist will offer insights, tips and real-world experiences to make people's budgets work.

In January, you will hear from: Kelly Ziegner

When: January 28th, 2016 at 7:30-9:00am
Where: Western University Continuing Studies, CitiPlaza
Tickets: $20 Students | $25 Members | $35 Non-members

RSVP is required by 12pm on Wednesday, January 27th.
2016 Virtuoso Awards Call for Entries is fast approaching!

'Tis the season for reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next - why not reflect on your best work of 2015 as well? 

2016 Virtuoso Awards Call for Entries opens January 21, 2016.

Modeled after IABC's global Gold Quill and Canadian Silver Leaf awards programs, the Virtuoso Awards celebrate best practices that advance strategic business communications. It is the only regional awards program in southwestern Ontario that recognizes excellence in communications and the best in creative strategy and design.

The IABC Virtuoso Awards recognize individual or team projects and is subject to standardized judging, making it easier to receive valuable feedback for future communication goals. In 2016, the award categories have been streamlined for ease of entry, and the Communication Skills Division has been updated to more closely align with a skills and tactics-based project.

Virtuoso award winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony in June 2016.

Looking Back on IABC London Fall 2015 Events

It's been a great year of learning and networking so far, so here's a look back on recent IABC events. 

November 19th was IABC's Power of Community event with Brian Crombie. Key tips and takeaways: 

1) Relationships are crucial. Taking time to maintain relationships is a significant investment and is often overlooked. More deals take place in coffee shops than in boardrooms, so set aside time each week to call people. Bridging relationships builds communities.

2) Put yourself out there. Talk to new people and always carry your business card with you. Share your business card, share a meal and bring a gift. It's the little things that people will remember! In addition, if you meet someone who you think could benefit from chatting with someone else you know, make the connection. Introduce them and bridge the gap.

3) Be confident . Before a big meeting or presentation, get motivated by listening to a great song. Or, wear a statement piece like a bow tie or really great shoes to give people a conversation starter. If someone else is wearing something similar at an event, use it to spark a conversation!

On December 3, Fanshawe College's CCPR students put on a fabulous holiday social to get us communicators in the spirit. Complete with communications jeopardy, delicious food and a yummy signature beverage, it was a perfect holiday party. To top it off, students and working professionals socialized throughout the entire night, a true networking success.

 
Passionate about how to tell the story and its impact

Meet IABC London Member Sara Steers 

Member since...

Sara Steers joined IABC London seven years ago but wanted to join much earlier. "When you are a charity, resources for memberships can be limited.  I know I wanted to be a member years earlier."

IABC Benefits

Sara enjoys coming to the professional development events for the new learning experiences and for the networking opportunities these events encourage. She also takes advantage of the job posting board for new job opportunities with Let's Talk Science.

"Knowing there are resources that we can call upon when needed is a real benefit. It helps to stay abreast of new developments and trends."
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About Connect
Connect is the monthly newsletter of IABC London.
Feedback and news ideas are always welcome.
Please contact
Jeannette Palmer at [email protected]

Director of Communications: Andrea Lukac, [email protected] 

About IABC
IABC London is a chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. We are a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that fosters business communication excellence in southwestern Ontario by providing professional development, recognition, accreditation and networking opportunities through a local, national and international network of communications professionals.