Founded by Scott Parven and Brian Pomper, Parven Pomper Strategies Inc. is a boutique government relations and lobbying firm. The firm believes that small, partner-centered firms provide the best service to clients. As a result, they work as a team on all client matters and take the time to thoroughly understand their clients' issues and concerns.



The partners of the firm have successfully represented Fortune 500 companies, major trade associations, and foreign governments as lobbyists and staff executives. The firm has helped clients on political strategy and advocated for them before the U.S. Congress and administrative agencies on a wide array of issues. The Parven Pomper team has experience in multi-million dollar, multi-faceted campaigns that win elections, accomplish legislative goals, and influence public opinion.



Working with the Parven Pomper team means benefiting from the collective experience and knowledge of some of Washington D.C.'s leading policy and political experts. By working hand-in-hand with their clients, the Parven Pomper team can create and execute a comprehensive political strategy that maximizes success in Washington and beyond.

Author: Parven Pomper Strategies Inc.

About the author:
Parven Pomper Strategies Inc. is a firm of democratic lobbyists. When you're ready for results, choose Parven Pomper Strategies to work with you on every stage of your public policy campaign, from creation through execution.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

So you have a cell phone, a Palm Pilot, an automated office complete with teleconferencing, remote-access, Web site and e-mail addresses. So what? Just because you're always available to the media doesn't mean the media has easy access to your clients. What will your high-tech office be able to do when a reporter wants a press kit at 7 p.m. on a Friday evening? Nothing - except hastily prepare the hard copy kit for a costly overnight shipment.

There is a simple way to eliminate the need for keeping a large inventory of hard copy press kits and reduce your dependency on the shipping company guy: publish your clients' press kits online.

Making the move from hard copies to press kits published online that are always-accessible is essential in today's age of e-mail. The corporate world lives by e-mail; reporters and other media professionals are no different. These people are busy and time is always of the essence when they've got deadlines breathing down their necks. The decision to use your client in a story instead of someone else is contingent on whose information is easiest to get. If it takes all night for your client's press kit to reach their desk, you might get bumped.

I know what you're saying right now. 'But, Drew, I e-mail my clients' press materials to the media.' Well, that's great, but just because reporters use e-mail doesn't mean they open every stranger's message that arrives in their inbox and it especially doesn't mean that they even bother opening your attachments. Why? Because it's too risky.

First of all, everyone knows not to open an e-mail from someone you don't know; especially if there's an attachment. This is e-mail safety 101. Strange e-mails with attachments usually mean one thing: virus. At least, that's the take of most business's firewalls and anti-virus protection systems. You may think you're making waves by mass e-mailing your media lists with attached press releases, but how many calls are you getting back? Not many, since your important e-mail has been tossed out with the 'wasser' worm and those annoying 'enlargement' e-mails.

So what's the solution? Reject technology and start snail-mailing and faxing again? No. Embrace technology and publish your press kits online.

Now, an online press kit is not a Web site. Don't be confused by the term 'online.' Though an online press kit can be displayed online and present information like a Web site, it is really a virtual folder or briefcase that allows you to upload and store your press materials on the Internet. Once in your online press kit folder, these documents and images can be distributed as links - not attachments.

When you prepare your sharp, concise e-mail pitch to the media, you simply insert links to your clients' press kits. When the reporter clicks the link, the document can be opened and saved on their computer. It opens like an attachment, but the documents themselves live online. Instead of piling them onto your e-mail, you're simply providing directions (a link) to get to them. They become part of the e-mail message, so a media outlet's virus protection system won't automatically kick it out of the system.

Virtually anything can be uploaded to an online press kit: press releases, high-resolution images, video and audio clips, graphics and more. Plus, since you have control over your online press kits, you can always be sure they're up to date.

Now you're thinking 'Wow, these things sound great, but I bet they are expensive.' Not necessarily. Though there are online press kit programs available that cost into the thousands, they usually include extra features you don't really need and will probably never use. Think of the online press kit market as the binder or folder aisle at your favorite office supply store. Sure there are binders with all kinds of extras, but you pass those by for what you need and the price you can live with.

Face it - technology is only going to get better and faster. Don't be left in its dust trying to wave down that brown truck with your emergency overnight press kit. By going online with your clients' press kits, you're not only making them easy to access, but easy to cover by the media. The media loves that - and so will your clients.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Reaching political goals in Washington D.C. is complicated. Whether you are developing a campaign to win elections, influence public opinion, or accomplish legislative action, successful lobbying can hinge on the relationships a lobbying firm has in all parts of Washington-the Senate, House, and Administration.



Parven Pomper Strategies Inc. is no ordinary Washington lobbying firm. The Parven Pomper team is well-versed in a myriad of policy issues and has the connections necessary to open the doors to important public policy decision-makers. With years of experience in Washington, the Parven Pomper team knows how and when policy decisions will be made, and how to best lobby on a client's behalf. Better outcomes for client organization's result from the legislative experience of Parven Pomper team members.



Through contact with staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means and U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, and Democratic leadership staff, amongst others, the Parven Pomper team has built an impressive track record of accomplishment on behalf of private corporations, trade associations, and foreign governments.

Author: Parven Pomper Strategies Inc.

About the author:
Parven Pomper Strategies Inc. is a boutique government relations firm expert in lobbying relationships and political campaign strategies.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

There is an epidemic in the United States. An epidemic that is so overlooked, if gone unchecked any longer, could cripple the economic strata of the U.S. An epidemic that could be responsible for the genocide of millions of businesses. Curious what it is? I am referring to the gross mismanagement of e-commerce businesses. Okay, perhaps the phrases 'cripple the economic strata' and 'genocide of millions of businesses' was stretching a bit too far, however, it is a fact that the bulk of e-commerce businesses are not built on an infrastructure that embodies stability. I am referring to a lack of customer service support in the umbrella of businesses designating themselves 'e-commerce' or 'virtual businesses'.

It is true that the lure of starting the e-commerce business is powerful. An endeavor as such usually requires little or no capital investment, a credit card processing account, and rudimentary knowledge of HTML coding. These three elements compose the basic formula for starting an e-commerce business. There is a marked difference in the formula for starting a business and the formula for maintaining a business. To expound on the latter, what truly makes a business thrive is proper customer relationship management and immediate telephone / live voice account support. This is the key component that is missing from most on-line or 'virtual' businesses.

Take, for instance, the internet based company Netflix. If you are unfamiliar with the company, they are a relatively young e-commerce business specializing in mail order DVD rental. The minds behind the ingenious idea that is the basis of Netflix failed to create telephone support for their product. There is no doubt this decision was a calculated one as they most likely weighed the cost of maintaining an in-house call center vs. integrating purely e-mail based support. Without looking at the numbers side of the argument, imagine the frustrated consumer having problems with their order and having to rely on a 24 hour lagged e-mail response system to rectify their account issues. Based on this plausible conjecture, I believe lack of live operator support will be the ruin of the Netflix organization and the downfall of all e-commerce businesses that follow the same train of thought. What these businesses do not realize is that it is possible and extremely cost effective to outsource your call center needs to an established advanced call center facility. This solution has a two fold benefit. It serves to establish a solid foundation of customer relationship management and opens businesses up to benefit from word of mouth advertising.

I believe even a small internet business can greatly benefit from utilizing a call center to manage their customer service or sales calls. The initial investment is usually zero (excluding research time to find the appropriate facility) and most call centers charge on a per call basis (meaning you only get charged for the calls they actually receive). If looking at business from the customer's perspective as opposed to looking at it from an initial profit standpoint, it behooves all e-commerce businesses to initially setup a live call center to manage all of their calls. If the infrastructure is not initially setup correctly, your business may fail before it has even begun.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Clients are the most precious assets for a business. Without clients, there can be no business. With poor quality of clients, the business will be poor and if you manage to get very good clients and retain their loyalty, your business will only go up and up. This all sounds very exciting. But it is not easy to get very good clients and all the more difficult to retain them. After all, whatever you do, your competition is trying the same and may use better techniques to get business. Are there any innovative approaches to client relationships?

We are talking about direct sales in this discussion and not about selling merchandise to large consumer base. For example if you are a contractor maintaining air conditioners in clients work places. Or a direct seller of computer hardware to business buyers, and all such businesses where your sales to individual clients are large, and you are in direct contact with clients.

The first need is of course client satisfaction. If the client is satisfied with your response time, after sales service and can depend on you, pricing may become secondary. All clients do not buy from a supplier whose sales at the lowest price. If your product cost is a small percentage of clients total expense or if your product is essential for your clients, you are onto something good. How to retain such clients despite all the competition? What are the other factors than client satisfaction?

Relationship is one such other major factor. Do you relate with your clients only professionally, or are very good friends? Both these extremes can hurt. For a long-term business relationship, good friendship is not good for health of your business. Any problem in the personal friendship will directly affect your business. What if you relate to your clients mechanically in a professional style totally devoid of personal touch? You know the answer yourself.

What is needed is a relationship that does not border on personal friendships, but crosses mechanical approach. A fine balance between personal and professional.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

CUSTOMERS ARE NOT YOUR ONLY MARKETING TARGET, there are five other very important sectors

You CAN market your business on a budget and reap huge rewards. CRISSE is just one leading edge strategy and it is EXCLUSIVE to the Underdog Marketing Challenge. Many business owners actively market to their customers. But did you know there are five other markets you must also include in your marketing mix? This concept is taught as part of the University Master of Marketing degree, but we have simplified it for use by any business owner or manager.

Underdog Marketing Challenge Tutor, Penelope Herbert, uses this technique for private clients but it is also a skills development course on the on-line marketing resource, the Underdog Marketing Challenge.

To give you the greatest chance of success, there are six elements that must be included in any marketing plan. We have called it CRISSE.
In every marketing plan, include communication with people in these six categories
Customers
Referrers
Influencers
Suppliers
Society
Employees

Customers, Most businesses focus on customers and clients, which is fine, but there are five other areas that can greatly increase your market share and public profile

Referrers, Clearly, people who can refer business to you. Current and past customers, friends, networking affiliates, and so on. Market to them and ask them for their support in referring business to you

Influencers, An influencer may not be a customer, they may never have used your business, but they can influence feelings about your business, because people listen to their opinions. They could be your local Mayor or President of the Chamber of Commerce. Market yourself and your business to them in a positive manner

Suppliers, This is possibly the most under-utilised segment. Suppliers interact with you regularly and have the capacity to refer and influence business. Do not see this segment as JUST a supplier see them as a partner in promoting your business

Society, If you work in the community, support charities, or have a philanthropic role, then market that as a positive component of your business. Do not brag, but allow this part of your business to be a marketing tactic. Many customers and potential customers, will value a business that cares about its community

Employees, Can be your BEST ambassadors. Treat your staff as valued and empowered people. Share your appropriate fears and your dreams with them. Tell them and show them how they can help you, and they will take that message far and wide. Treat them badly and they will take that message far and wide too

Advertising is NOT marketing. It is only one small tactic of a competent and wide-reaching marketing plan. You CAN market your business on a budget and reap huge rewards. CRISSE is just one leading edge strategy. For more, join global members of the Underdog Marketing Challenge, a 12-step mentored marketing program that is interactive, on-line, dynamic and it WORKS.

Author: Penelope Herbert

About the author:
Penelope is the owner of marketing and public relations agency, Hot Pepper, with over 20 years experience in television, print media, marketing planning, brand management and media relations.
She is the co-author of 'Underdog Marketing', film director, television and seminar presenter, features writer and contributing editor to a business magazine. Penelope welcomes feedback, and her profile can be viewed at www.Ecademy.com/user/penelopeherbert & blog is www.PurePr.blogspot.com


Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Whenever you need to wish your friend or acquaintances happy and belated birthday, or wish your near and dear ones merry Christmas, or send your beloved one happy valentines day wishes or just say hello or give a 'get well soon' message to your bosom friend , you just go to a greetings card outlet or visit an online greetings card website and send the desired card. Have you ever wondered what greetings card is all about and how did it originate. If you have the desire to know, this article is for you.

So, lets start with what is a greeting card. Originally, greeting cards derive from postcards ( which are single sided without the fold ) and are an illustrated, folded card usually featuring a message of greeting or other sentiment. They can be either printed or handmade. Now, with the advent of Internet though, virtual greetings cards have evolved which doesnot fit into the above-mentioned definition. Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, they are also sent on 'non-occasions' to say 'hello' or 'thank you'. They are manufactured and/or hand-made by hundreds of companies big and small. Hallmark Cards and American Greetings are the largest producers of greeting cards in the U.S. It's the UK, where more cards per head are sent than any other nation. The UK continues as a world leader in this area, as well as leading the world in the region of greeting card design.

What laid the foundation for the greeting card industry and when and how did it all began ?

The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, who exchanged messages of good will to celebrate the New Year, and to the early Egyptians, who conveyed their greetings on papyrus scrolls.

By the early 1400s, handmade paper greeting cards were being exchanged in Europe. The Germans are known to have printed New Year's greetings from woodcuts as early as 1400, and handmade paper Valentines were being exchanged in various parts of Europe in the early to mid-1400s.

However, by the 1850s, the greeting card had been transformed from a relatively expensive, handmade and hand-delivered gift to a popular and affordable means of personal communication, due largely to advances in printing and mechanization.

This trend continued, fuelled by new trends like Christmas cards, the first of which appeared in published form in London in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole hired artist John Calcott Horsley to design a holiday card that he could send to his friends and acquaintances. Technical developments like color lithography in 1930 propelled the manufactured greeting card industry forward.

During the 1980s the trend began to turn, with consumers increasing looking for greeting cards that were differentiated from the standard offering. In the late 1990s the market was clearly beginning to separate in to three different segments:

1. handmade and premium cards

2. mass-manufactured cards

3. e-cards

So, this is all about how the greetings card industry begun and flourished. Though the current trend is to send greetings through e-cards, there is the need to sustain the traditional greetings card industry and maintaining the age-old tradition of sending greetings card via conventional means.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

It is very difficult to achieve an individual position in a business. To help out, the various business advertising agencies have come up which can help you solve this problem of the promotion of your products and services in a very efficient manner.

You can use the promotional items to carry out your business advertising and also strengthen your relationship with your business partners. With the help of promotional items imprinted with your company name, logo, contact details, and slogan, you can enlarge your customer base and create loyalty among your existing customers. Till now, if you haven't tried this proven marketing method, this is the time to appreciate and enjoy its benefits.
It is advised that before buying or even choosing a promotional product for your business advertising do spend considerable time in exploring your company's client base and the promotional items that would best suite your company. Many companies use promotional items like pens, mouse mats, and mugs but in order to reach a wider audience your imagination should also emerge to be equally larger. You can also go for things like umbrellas, USBs, clocks, tape measures, and desktop accessories as your promotional items.
It should be remembered that your company brand image is a very important factor and you may not like to compromise with it. This means that in order to make the image of your company a very high profile one, carry out the efficient utilization of the things like leather conference folders rather than low cost promotional items such as acrylic keyrings. Once you have selected the promotional items for your business advertising, the next step would be of displaying your brand, logo or message on your promotional items. You can emboss your company details such as name, telephone number, and web address on the promotional items. You can even add your slogan or your physical office address with a unique stylized design.
Though very small in size, these promotional items can add a real charm to your arrangements of the business advertisings.

Author: Shipra Kaul

About the author:
Whenever you think of B2B marketing, Business to Business marketing,B2B advertising,Construction marketing,Marketing agency,Marketing companies, Advertising Agency,Public Relations,Marketing agencies or Marketing company, then think of Think Tank.


Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

The people's need to obtain more information about their future employees is driven by the lack of certainty and safety in a society with an increasing number of criminal offences. The criminal records search, however unethical it may sound, is a necessity for today's employers. The big risk of hiring the wrong person for one's business has turned this issue into an important one for any company. Employers have to make a criminal record check of future employees otherwise they can get sued in case the person they hire breaks the law affecting their business. On the other hand a very important issue is whether persons with criminal records can be turned down on job applications because of their criminal background. The criminal record check may seem quite difficult to conduct and might even rise up problems of immorality, but one has to balance well the decisions regarding the future of his company.

Criminal offence has grown a lot over the years. This has led to a very big uncertainty when it comes to meeting new people and choosing who you'll be working with. Employers (all over the world) have confronted with this problem when hiring someone. They have to verify this person's background, but the criminal record check can be quite limited. When pursuing a criminal record check, employers don't have access to governmental information. The first step of the process is to view that person's job application. The criminal records offer information regarding the applicant's past problems with the law. Then, they can consult the credit bureau's registers from which they can find out addresses and social security numbers and check the past jobs as well. This way the employer finds out what the future employees have done before and whether there are any intentionally left out details in the applications. Many companies resort to hiring special services to conduct the criminal records search, but only if the applicant has given his written consent. If there are criminal records to be found, the employees should be given the chance to elucidate their case. The job applicants must be informed upon their legal rights before any decision to reject the job applications is made.

In the Internet era, the most accurate help you can find consists of the online services. Most companies offer their help in criminal record check, but their efforts are made using the Internet as well. These companies can give detailed information on how a criminal record check can be conducted. They know how a person can pursue a criminal record check by obtaining the information they need from the local courthouse and which criminal records can be granted by the specialized web sites in the criminal record check. Even so, this doesn't mean it is the easiest or cheapest way to obtain the information you want. The problem is that criminal record check can't be 100% accurate, because criminal records may suffer corrections along the years. There are also some limitations on how much information an employer can obtain about an applicant's criminal background. Nationwide, the criminal database has a lot of lacks. But this doesn't mean the employer's strive to obtain a criminal background is useless, because most of the companies specialized in criminal records search have been book keeping all the changes conducted in one's criminal records.

Another important issue may be whether the applicant with criminal records has a chance in being hired or not. An employer can not reject a job application due to criminal records search because it would be considered a discrimination against this category of persons. Nevertheless, the employer can check whether that person's criminal background could interfere with the future job, whether they are related and how the applicant's behavior has been ever since. This remains a very controversial matter because it is very difficult to prove that a person has been rejected for employment due to his criminal record check, which is in fact illegal.

In spite of all these issues, criminal record check is a very important step in hiring someone because of the problems that may occur in the future. Hiring someone can influence how your business will develop, so risks are involved. The employer should be able to conduct a criminal records search to minimize the risks, but he should not make a decision basing it only on the criminal records. There are web sites or companies specialized in criminal records search, which can offer you the most accurate information you need in the shortest period of time. Qualified personnel can simplify finding an applicant's criminal background and the information obtained will help you make a balanced decision regarding your future employees.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

There's a clear way around press release failure and it's called the pitch. A lot like it sounds a pitch is a fast throw at busy editors about a possible story. If they want to find out more, then you send the press release.

That leads me to a huge pet peeve: Sending out press releases via e-mail to a list of editors. From my experience it's never - ever - worked. I no longer try it and suggest you don't either. It's a waste of your time and all of the editors. Instead:

1. Focus on a handful of your 'dream publications.' For me, I'd like to get into Fortune Small Business, Entrepreneur magazine and the Wall Street Journal. When picking your publications, think of your target audience. What do they read and why do they read it?

2. Pick the section you'd like to appear in. You never know, but chances are you won't appear on the cover of the publication in your first attempt at placement, instead, focus on sidebars, resource listings and short news sections. Almost all print pubs have them. Look at it as the waiting room for bigger and better stories on the unique products and/or services you offer.

3. Find out who the editor is. Once you have your section, find out who's in charge of it. You'll need the person's name, e-mail address and the most important element of successfully getting placed in the publication . . .

4. Learn what the editor needs. The number one thing you'll need to know about the editors you're targeting is the kind of information they want to publish in their sections. There are two ways to do that: You could ask, but then that could open up a can of worms if the editor doesn't want to get calls - and most don't. Or, you could compare a few back issues of the publication to find out what they've published in the past.

5. Create the pitch. You'll want to start your pitch by stating your understanding of the editor's needs. Then list - in clear bullet points - how your news fits his or her requirements. Note: Always leave your phone number in the text of the pitch e-mail to give the editor easy access to you - and your story.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you get a response. Sound tedious? Maybe. But at least the time you spend on this will reap much better results than sending one release out to thousands of editors - right along with other business people hungry for coverage.

Bottom line: It's about building relationships with editors. And the only way to build a relationship is to find the need and fill it - consistently and considerately.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

When I was a Venue Media manager with the Commonwealth Games, I received some of the best coverage of the venues that I was looking after. I had some people ask me what was my secret.

I first inquired what they were doing and found out that some of them had an attitude of seeing the media as something to be suspicious of, to keep at bay and give as little as possible. In turn, the media had little regard for them as well.

There are many people who treat the media this way as well when it comes to their business, and then hope that the media will give them great coverage and a good story as well. This is a receipt for disaster.
First, true media does not have the time or energy to 'GET' everyone. Often the people end up getting themselves in their worry or nervousness. They may say something dumb or negative or attack the reporter who is just doing his or her job. In most cases, the media does not have an ulterior motive and is just collecting information. If you do something foolish, remember though that it is not the media's job to help you out of a crisis.

When you treat people with respect, they are much more likely to treat you the same way. Yes, there could be exception, but in most circumstances, I have found that it was never about me and more about what was happening to them at the time. For example, I had three cases where the people weren't great to me, and in each case, they came back to apologize with gift or peace offering in hand.
They were each dealing with personal issues and / or were having a bad day. With forgiveness, you create a friend, someone who is more willing to help you out in the future.

Keep in mind that we need a symbiotic relationship with the media. There will be times when you want to announce an upcoming event, a breakthrough or change in your organization etc. How you have treated them in the past will affect what kind of coverage you will get and whether it is good or not.

The media can supply you with some very valuable free coverage and coverage that is 3rd hand. This coverage gives credibility to what you are doing or saying.

And should something happen that could be negative, the media may write the story whether you cooperate or not. For the most part, it is better to have your comments included rather than them only having half the facts or speculation to go on.

If it is a special event that will last for a while, coffee, treats and smiles go a long way with having them stay and giving good coverage. The cost of a coffee and a treat is small potatoes compared with the coverage that you can receive.

Oh, and my secret, just that. I treated them like human beings. I offered to get them coffee. And when the game went late, on the break I took them up to the athlete and coaches dinner area and gave them sandwiches and drinks. They were able to get great interviews and we received great coverage.

This can be a metaphor for many areas in our lives. Ask yourself, 'How am I treating the people in my life that can help me the most?'

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Sometimes, a great product is not enough to get the attention your company deserves from the public. Sometimes, you need to make waves the right waves in order to get noticed and employing a public relation firm can help you gain your place in the limelight.

The relationship between a company and its public relation firm should be long-lasting. IF you change public relation firms periodically, the public may end up being confused with the ever-changing messages of your ads. Start advertising right with the right public relation firm.

Heres how to find the perfect public relation firm for your companys needs:

Work Experience in a Particular Industry and Location

Hiring a public relation firm with extensive experience in advertising and marketing hotels is not a good decision, no matter how many awards it had garnered, if your business belongs to the medical industry. Hotels and hospitals are two completely different things and thats why you need a public relation firm with experience in handling public relations of hospitals, not hotels.

Likewise, hiring a fancy New York public relation firm may not be a good choice to make if your business is located in the smallest and most traditional town of Texas. Again, New York and Texas are two completely different tastes and inhabited by completely different people, so what may work in New York could absolutely fail in Texas!

Party, Party, Party!

Public relation firms are best known for their ability to create glitzy events. Availing the services of the right public relation firm will enable you to create parties that are nothing but exciting and fun without having to spend half as much as you imagine you would for such events.

Offering Something beside Trendy

Most individuals believe that hiring a public relation firm is necessary only when you have to organize a party or get the right people to notice your product. The right public relation firm, however, can give you more than that if you know the right things to ask for.

A public relation firm understands that each company is unique from the other, even if theyre competing in the same sector. This means different strategies as well. Given the opportunity, a public relation firm can also help you determine the right positioning in the industry, make brand recognition possible and identify the target market for your company and products.

Public relation firms are not all about parties and fun. They can get down to business too, if youre dealing with the right firm.

The AllInOne Media Kit

Getting heard is not enough; the best public relation firms know that saying the right things in the right manner are equally, if not more so, important. The right public relation firm takes the time to get to know a company inside and out in order to generate the right kind of media frenzy.

Numbers They know that figures carry considerable impact, but too much of it can make a report boring and uninteresting.

Events Narrating the companys history can be tedious, so it must sound exciting while remaining factual at the same time.

Testimonials Customer cases are tricky; too much gushing can make a reader suspicious while lack of information will make a reader lose interest.

Ability to Solve Crises and Sensitive Issues

Publicity firms generally act like problem solvers. When a crisis ensues that threatens the reputation or credibility of a company, a good public relation firms able to step in to smooth out ruffled feathers and restored damaged company images.

Creativity and Out of the Box Thinking

The right public relation firm never runs out of creative ideas to help promote your company. Because it knows that the world around us is constantly changing, its also aware that the company must have continuous use of dynamic advertising for their success.

Adapting a Maternal Role

Lastly, the right public relation firm is one who acts like a mother hen to your company. It knows how important it is to listen to your concerns and your complaints, but it also knows when its right to stand firm and push for its suggestions while ignoring your recommendations. The right public relation firm always has your best interests at heart -even if it may not seem so at first glance!

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

According to a Study by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Companies that communicate effectively with their workers financially outperform those that don't. Watson Wyatt's 2005/2006 Communication ROI Study found that between 2000 and 2004, companies with most effective communication programs returned 57% more to their shareholders than companies with the least effective communication programs.

According to the survey of employers in the US and Canada, companies with the most effective communication programs achieved a 91% total return to shareholders, while those with the least effective communication programs earned a 58% total return. The study also found that a significant improvement in communication effectiveness is associated with a nearly 20% increase in a company's market value.

Specifically, the study identified nine communication practices that are directly linked to an increase in market value:

� Driving managers' behavior to communicate effectively;
� Connecting employees to the company's business strategy; and
� Following a formal communication process.
� Facilitating changes effectively
� Creating employee line of sight.
� Focusing on continuous improvement.
� Effective use of employee feedback.
� Integrating total rewards.
� Leverage Technology

The number of companies using 'formal' communication measures increased 11% during the past two years from 73% in 2003 to 81% in 2005. According to Watson Wyatt this is primarily due to the increased use of focus groups and surveys.

Three-quarters of all respondents used more electronic communication in the past 24 months, while 30% used less print communication. Seven percent of the high-effectiveness companies also used blogs and wikis to help get their message across. Companies with high levels of communication effectiveness were 20% more likely to report lower turnover rates than their competitors.

The study also identified several best practices that differentiate companies with the most effective communication programs from those with the least effective. For example, companies that communicate effectively are much more likely to give workers the opportunity to provide input into how the business is run. High-performing companies also consistently measure the communication function's contribution to their strategic business goals.

'The results of our study confirm that communication is a critical element in creating successful business results,' says Kathryn Yates, global director of communication consulting at Watson Wyatt. 'The more effectively a company communicates with its employees, the better off its shareholders will be.'

Author: S.wright

About the author:
Simon Wright is Co-director of Gatehouse Group, UK's leading internal communication agency, provides global services for internal communications, internal comms, internal comms research, audit, jobs, and employee engagement.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.