Market and Brand Communications

ARK is a new brand of clothes made in Ireland. It sells shirts for men and women. The name means: Acts of Random Kindness and the idea behind that is "a clothing line with a purpose other than profits". So every time you wear an ARK you should make and act of kindness - and the world will be a better place. It´s viral and the message is great! I am very interested to discover how the clothes are made. Maybe this ARK spirit starts inside the factory with the employees. Maybe with the suppliers too? Can you imagine such a pleasant place to work? An internal ARK spirit doing clothes full of good vibrations and energy? What kind of words are being used in the face to face everyday conversations at ARKs factory?

" The people who really make companies successful are the employees, not the stockholders." Read more at: http://www.henrymintzberg.com/mangnotmba.htm

We are living in an uncertain world for sure. Risks are everywhere and are high. External issues and internal situations must detected, understand and clarify. Human lives are always involved. And there is no business more valuable than human lives, that´s my point of view. So how can corporate communication professionals develop a communication plan in a way to improve knowledge of risks and its possible effects? In 2004 the UK government published a useful guide about risks that could affect the country. It´s is very useful for those who work with crisis management (and communications). Learn more, visiting: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience.aspx Do your company have something like this? Could it be possible to internal communications make such a tool with a complete overview of corporate risks? What is your opinion?

Last year I was pleased to take part in the International Program in Corporate Communications sponsored by ABERJE and the S.I. Newhouse of Public Communications (USA). One of the teachers was Gary Grates (president and global managing director of Edelman Change and Employee Engagement). Since then, I have been following his ideas and texts published in his blog. This week I have received another one. It´s is simple, but precious. Some of the most easy solutions to face this economical crisis are trough communications. Serious. To rebuild trust for example, companies, gevernment and people (employees also!) should talk. That´s what I believe: corporate communications don´t start with nice bulletins or expensive videos and folders. It starts with dialogue. So, Gary Grates wrote about it too. And there is a specific part of his text that I want to publish here. It´s about listening, a basical part of a conversation: Listen: The first step is listening. It's an old adage, but there ...

"You don´t win a game without playing togheter with your team mates" - just to remeber how communicate well with your staff and others employees is so important. Internal communication efficiency starts with a good conversation. Always!

Interesting and precious article from a blog called Insights and Ingenuity about employees as brand ambassadors.I do believe on that, and that´s why internal communications (brand focused) is so strategic and engaging. "They’re employed by your company and represent your brand from 8am-5pm. Call on them to be more than employee, to be a steward and ambassador of the brand. Charge them with helping you build a stronger environment, a better product, grow more share. Inspire them to help propel the company forward". Read the full article at: http://insightsandingenuity.com/2009/02/03/brand-building-is-an-inside-job/

On March 11-13, in the USA, internal communications, public relations and marketing professionals will understand a little bit more about social media and its tools that are more and more affordable and easier than ever to use. But remeber...you will always need a good strategy and get ready to face old thinking leaders criticism about to this new collaborative culture in your company! See more details about this event at: http://www.ragan.com/ME2/Sites/Default.asp?SiteID=2CDC7D1B27E742558351E367BA90775F