Day: July 2, 2004

What does is take to become a successful Public Relations leader?

Heyman Associates, a PR executive search firm have announced the results of a study they conducted with 97 top PR executives on what it takes to success in PR.

It makes for interesting reading. Here’s a summary:

  Outstanding performance record linked to group and organizational goals.

  Experience is good, diverse experience is better.

  Multidimensional set of communication skills.

  Ability to develop and nurture internal and external relationships.

  High energy, initiative, passion and the willingness to take risks.

  Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

  Commitment to learning

When you take a breather, push back from your desk and have a think about how your employer’s or client’s prospects are finding them online, the one common factor is the ubiquitous search engine.

How many PR programs include search engine related tactics? These include optimizing websites, using commercial outlets like Google Adwords, understanding how search engines find and rank pages, weblogs etc.

Very few I imagine.  Yet this is an huge opportunity for PR practitioners in every industry.

Take some much needed time and learn about the how, who, where and why.

Search Engine Watch has a somewhat patchy article on the topic, but it’s not a bad jumping off point. Have a read of it.

 Paige Henson takes a good shot at explaining what Public Relations is and how it works (Warning: It’s primarily focused on Media rather than Public Relations) Source: The Macon Telegraph

 A profile of Paula Pedene, Public Affairs Officer at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Arizona. Source: The Arizona Republic

 How many of today’s companies will last 130 years? General Mills has done just that and the Sun Post has an interesting profile of their corporate archivist. Source: The Minnesota Sun.

A big thank you to everyone who has completed the “State of PR” survey to date. The feedback has been fantastic.

It will remain online for a couple of more working days if you haven’t already completed it.

Take the PR Survey here.