Self-imposed absense
Hello Café crowd. I suppose you noticed that I have not been here for a while. FYI, I have been on a self-imposed absence (from pretty much all things IABC) to give my undivided attention to work and life matters - before heading back out on the road for IABC next week (Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne). If you recall, I had a computer meltdown a few weeks ago that put me behind on most of my projects. Since then I have been running like mad to get my work back on track and reconstructing everything I had on the little black box that died. Unfortunately, it also meant not attending the IABC Canada Conference and cancelling a visit to IABC Newfoundland and Labrador - which I hope to reschedule in the new year.
The past few weeks have been extraordinarily busy but I have learned a few valuable lessons. First, back ups are important. I am now paying meticulous attention to backing up and making sure my entire life will not go on hold again when my new laptop kicks the bucket - which I know it will some day. Second, I have great clients. Their patience is most appreciated. Third, my family is a continuing source of love and support. Thanks.
I hope to get back to a more regular schedule of Café visits in the very near future. In the meantime, thanks for you patience and thanks to the guest baristas for taking up the slack now and then.
October 23rd, 2005 at 6:40 pm
There are English language business reporters in Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne who write for local papers, and maybe even in Beijing. And in Beijing there are correspondents from papers all over the world.
All their articles are read by business executives who would benefit greatly from a world-view of what’s happening in the world of busienss communciaitons — understanding builds success, and there’s no success without understanding, blah, blah…
If business communications is anything other than just a nice to have add on to company management in prosperous times, and if IABC is anything other than a Melcrum / Ragan competitor selling courses, I guess we’ll all see links her to stories based on interviews with the man responsible for chairing the world’s most-country oraniazation of professional communciators.
Unless, of course, IABC is clueless about media relations.
Any idea how many of the postings on Member Speak are from IABC members outside of North America?
Have a great trip.
BAK
October 24th, 2005 at 2:29 pm
Brian, it takes time to turn a supertanker. Even if the exec decided today to try for a higher profile, it probbaly wouldn’t start to roll during Warren’s term at the helm. Perhaps Glenda could comment on whether she is interested in pursuing a higher profile for IABC in the media when it is her turn.
Of course, media attention will come instantly if an IABC leader makes some politically incorrect remarks, as the now-resigned Canadian ad guy did last week. That was a classic example of “Sure, it’s true, but you can’t say it like THAT!” — and I am pleased to see in the weekend Globe & Mail that attention has now turned to improving the situation (i.e., reducing unreasonable expectations) rather than attacking the messenger.
October 25th, 2005 at 5:14 am
I’ll keep you posted, Brian. As I have said before, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. I will continue to speak to any journalist that wants an interview - no matter where I am.
October 26th, 2005 at 2:47 pm
Speaking of Glenda, where is she? I’d have thought our Vice Chair would be contributing here far more frequently. I’m wondering, too, why Paul Sanchez, Chairman of the IABC Research Foundation, isn’t chomping at the bit to be a Guest Barista.
The days are gone when IABC leaders can give a speech at the start and end of their terms, and throw a few giveaway interviews to CW.
So, Warren… how’s the money? Are we up to the 14,000 or so members we need to complete the Strategic Plan? Dues will have to be raised this year to match inflation; that was supposed to have been decided in June…. what’s up with that? How’s marketing going?
Come on, Warren. More juice. Less “where I went this week”.
October 28th, 2005 at 2:33 am
1. Membership growth is on track with the goals established in the strategic plan.
2. (From the latest What’s New member email)
Annual Membership Dues Adjustment Held to US$5 (or less)
A board motion approved in June 2003 requires the Executive Board to review international membership dues annually and adjust them in tandem with government-reported cost-of-living statistics if necessary.
At the 17 September International Executive Board meeting in San Francisco, the 2005 review of those statistics resulted in approval of a small increase of 2.6 percent, effective 1 January 2006.
Members can renew at the current rate through 31 December 2005.
For further information about the tier rates, etc., visit http://www.iabc.com/join/.