It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and do the same thing over, and over, and over again in our careers. But where’s the fun (or learning) in that? A new podcast aims to help us all steer away from comms ruts.
by Darren Caveney
When I think back on my 20-plus year career in comms in-house almost all of my favourite projects were rooted in ‘the new’ – innovating, trying something new, creating new products, campaigns and initiatives. I can be guilty of getting a little bored doing the same old, same old. I know it’s a slight flaw of mine.
But it’s the trying of new things which sparks my interests and passions. Creating the comms2point0 brand six and half years ago grew from this approach and wandering mind.
This year, the chance to work on something completely different – Comms Unplugged - was an absolute joy. The thing which would get me out of my comfort zone by taking a punt on something new. I knew it would fly because of the quality and skills of the people on the team.
And at the end of the year I was given the chance to get involved in another new initiative by playing a tiny part in a brand new comms podcast – Talking Comms – with the very excellent Adrian Stirrup.
Episode one was a blast. Episode two launches today and is packed with interesting chat, news and views.
What you can listen to...
There is something for everyone, from the always interesting Alex Aiken sharing valuable tips and advice on how and where communicators need to be operating right now, through to a fascinating conversation with five top communications leads in Fran Collingham, Jayne Surman, Shirah Bamber, Emma Rodgers and Matt Nicholls, chewing the fat on the big issues and opportunities facing local government right now.
There a bit from me, slightly excitable, after the UnAwards17, as well as winners and shortlistees talking about their big day.
Now I should stress that my role on the Talking Comms Podcast is tiny – Adrian is both the brains and the doer behind the scenes. Go him.
Running my own comms consultancy is great fun and provides me with so many opportunities to get involved in things which grab my attention. And I wouldn’t change it one bit.
One of the things I don’t have the chance to do as much now is to work in a team. I led comms teams for 15 years so it is inevitable that I might sometimes slightly miss the buzz of creating something shiny and new within a tight and loyal team.
Like Comms Unplugged before it, it’s been a real pleasure to get the chance to work in a (very) small team again and contribute to a new podcast.
So hats off to Arian and thanks for the chance to be your assistant. And I promise to turn up with more material in 2018, boss.
Get following @TalkingCommsPod and take a listen to episode two here.
Darren Caveney is creator of comms2point0 and owner of creative communicators ltd
Image via the Library of Congress
