
Inclusive Communication Fosters Belonging
It seems the only predictable part of life is change. Who knows that better than PR professionals? Each year we work in this profession should sharpen our skills and open our minds as we observe change — changes in people’s attitudes, behaviors and even beliefs. After two decades of working in public relations, I believe the principles of this work should remain static while everything about how we bring those principles to life is dynamic.

Be Courageous When Communicating
Communicating when the stakes are high or the subject is uncomfortable can be a challenge for PR practitioners. It seems like tactfully sharing hard truths or facilitating sensitive conversations is somewhat a specialty. All PR professionals should become skilled in navigating tricky topics and conversations to be true advisers. Even crisis communication experts may have to overcome fear or anxious feelings that arise before communicating. We may not have that thick skin yet, but we can work to develop it.

A Board Member's PR Responsibilities
Statistics show that boards are typically not diverse enough, which can cause issues. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times shared how, while Latinos are the nation’s largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority group in the United States, they remain less likely than Black or Asian professionals to be found in the boardroom. In fact, an analysis by SpencerStuart shows that Latinos make up only 5% of S&P 500 boards.

Time Management: The Key to Success for Interns
Fitting an internship into an already packed schedule of classes, assignments, and extracurricular organizations can seem overwhelming. As an intern at MVW Communications and a full-time student at Texas State University, I quickly learned the skills needed to thrive! The key to success lies in strategic time management.

Book Sneak Peek: Strategic Communication Planning
In Chapter 4, “Planning Like A Pro,” I explain a four-step process to creating and implementing a strategic communications plan.