On my consultancy and training travels around the UK I get to learn so much from other people. Plus, there are comms lessons all around us if we look closely enough. And so, I thought I would begin sharing these lessons more regularly via the somewhat obvious blog post title of ’Things I learned this week’ 😊
I hope you enjoy volume 10
by Darren Caveney
1. Working together – why it’s important to find the time
Most of us will have felt the pressure at some point of having to write a comms plan and have to do it flying solo. This doesn’t mean we can’t create a good plan but there is a lot to be said for some collaboration here and bringing other insights and experiences into the mix.
When I deliver in-house training sessions I like to run live group exercises and give team members the chance to have some time and space to let ideas and conversation flow. It’s a lovely thing to see. When I ask the question it seems that most teams don’t work in this way. That’s not a criticism – I have been in the eye of the comms storm too and I know how difficult it can be to elevate ourselves above the demand side-wash which streams in each day.
But taking an hour or two away from screens, meetings and office distractions is where we can create some really important work. I like to call it the ‘magic 10%’ - where the truly great comms ideas and work can emerge.
It’s also more fun to work with others than alone.
My learning?
If you have a comms plan to write right now and you’re staring at a blank sheet of paper or struggling for a little inspiration don’t struggle alone. Pull in a couple of pals – team mates, other colleagues – they don’t necessarily need to be comms people to add value and ideas – or even someone from within our industry. Lure them with a good coffee, do it away from the office and you might just create something brilliant and better than you may have developed on your own.
2. Great things happen when you share – the mystery of the Nobbies
Last week I wrote about a little trip down memory lane I’d had with Phil Jewitt on the subject of character rubber pencil toppers we collected as kids and which in our neck of the woods we called ‘Nobbies’.
Following that I returned home one day and found an unusual looking envelope in the hall and was intrigued to find that it was a card (with a really lovely message inside) and three original – yes, original – Nobbies.
The card wasn’t signed and I genuinely have no idea who it was from.
If it was you please let me know so I can say thank you. Or if you want it to remain a mystery let me thank you here (as you obviously read my ramblings)
My learning?
If you ever needed another reason to write blog posts it’s this – good things can happen when you share.
3. comms2point0 summer drinks – it’s a date
Lots of you said you fancied getting together for drinks and chat and so we’re on. If you have signed up you know all about it but if not and you fancy it we’ll be meeting on Tuesday 13 August from 6pm in the Pint Shop in Birmingham. It will be great to see faces new and old.
Shout me if you fancy it on darrencaveney@gmail.com
Darren Caveney is creator of comms2point0 and owner of creative communicators ltd and you can reach me on darrencaveney@gmail.com
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Sound good? You can sign up to it right here. It will be in your inboxes very soon.
image by me
