Corporate Profiles
IABC “Corporate members” are professional members from the same organisation who have enrolled as a group of five or more -this entitles them to special discounts. For more information, contact Michael Mead at: michael.mead@dia.govt.nz
Read about two of our corporate members - what drives them and why they chose to join IABC as corporate members:
- Ideas Shop - Anna Kominik (who is also on the IABC Wellington Board)
- Department of Internal Affairs - Colin Feslier, Manager Strategic Communications
Anna Kominik, Director and Co-owner, Ideas Shop
What is Ideas Shop?
Ideas Shop is a creative public relations firm working with leading and emerging brands in New Zealand and overseas.
From the outset, Ideas Shop has endeavoured to do business differently. Our aim is to be a next generation professional service firm.
Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We need engaged and sustainable communities, where businesses, families and individuals each play their part, to successfully address the environmental and social issues that challenge our future.
That’s why about 10% of our work is directed towards providing pro-bono to the enterprise sector and the community and voluntary sector. It’s also why we have flexible work practices that encourage a work-life balance among our staff, and have strong environmental policies for how we do business.
The Sustainable Business Network recently acknowledged our efforts by naming us a finalist in the annual regional sustainability awards.
Why did you join IABC?
Like most members we had several objectives in joining IABC:
- to tap into an effective local professional association with a strong focus on ethics and professional development
- to get access to an established international network with all the knowledge and resources that brings, and
- to do our bit to grow professional opportunities for the next generation of professional communicators.
IABC has delivered on all of our objectives. IABC is a treasure-trove of resources and learning opportunities, including local events, the access to a global network of highly skilled professionals, and the reference materials, recognition and learning.
What areas do you specialise in?
We are experts in internal communications, change management communications, publications management and media relations. We also work with nonprofits and enterprise sector organisations to raise awareness and profile on important issues.
We recognise that all organisations and businesses are different. We listen, learn and then take a fresh look at how tried-and-tested solutions can be adapted to best meet a client’s individual needs. We’re not afraid to stand out, and do things a little differently.
Most interesting assignment?
Ideas Shop has worked on a range of projects, from the global launch of a performance management programme in one of Australasia’s largest companies, to promoting the most anticipated Bollywood film of the year in Wellington, and working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the Safe Travel campaign.
We have also helped several of our clients announce to their staff, stakeholders and customers that they were restructuring or offshoring some of their work.
A recent interesting assignment was working on a pro-bono basis with Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) to raise awareness about the concerning level of child poverty in New Zealand.
Our support focused on the release of Left Behind, a report into child poverty in New Zealand. Using a combination of traditional media promotion and social media, CPAG attracted national and international media, prompting a public conversation about how to address this important issue.
What interesting trends do you see in the New Zealand market?
The current economic environment and competition for talent make good employee communication and change management communication even more important in an organisation. That’s a challenge.
We recently conducted a survey of internal communications practitioners in New Zealand. The results showed that most of our colleagues are caught in tactical delivery and do not have the time or opportunity to develop and implement good measurement programmes. From our work with overseas clients, communications measurement is becoming an increasingly important tool. Afterall, how do you know what you’ve achieved if you haven’t measured it?
Ideas Shop [Ideas Shop]
Colin Feslier, Manager, Strategic Communications, Department of Internal Affairs
What is the size of your team and what is the range of communication that they are responsible for?
We have 17 communicators working for the Department of Internal Affairs – some based in the corporate area and others in the various business groups. The work we do as a Department is diverse, and that’s reflected in the different skill sets of our communications staff. Some have media management skills, others have more publishing experience, and some focus more on internal communications, for instance.
As a senior manager, what benefit does your organisation get from the comms team being IABC members?
Because of the diversity of our work and the varying levels of experience and skills required, it’s really important our communications staff have opportunities to develop. Having access to the IABC resources and articles from leading world experts is a real advantage. I also believe that offering membership of a professional communications association adds value to our employment brand. It’s a tough employment market when it comes to attracting good communications professionals, and I know team members appreciate their IABC membership. They listed it as both an ‘opportunity’ and a ‘strength’ at a recent team planning session.
What are some of the benefits that you have seen your communicators get personally from their IABC membership?
Many staff have attended local events and rated them highly. Some have also won free entry to events – including a scholarship to attend the recent IABC New South Wales chapter conference. Two of my staff serve on the board as well, and I’ve seen them grow professionally through that involvement.
What personal benefits have you got out of your membership?
IABC’s on-line resources are very helpful when I’m thinking through organisational or strategic issues. There’s a good mix of private and public sector insights put forward, and a large part of the articles available are aimed at communications managers and leaders.
Would you recommend that other organisations look to join IABC as a team?
I think all teams are different and have different needs. Team membership is a relatively inexpensive way of providing practical support to those in the team who are ambitious to do better. As always, it’s those who take up the opportunities who will do best. But I think everyone gets some value from the membership, and many benefit greatly. So I think managers should look at IABC team membership as a part of their overall support for professional development.