At the turn of the 20th century, it is said that Philadelphia's captains of commerce and industry came together to form a country club dedicated to golf, baseball, tennis and the pursuit of happiness through social interaction. Towards this end, the group built two fabulous golf courses, about a dozen tennis courts, a swimming pool and a sprawling clubhouse. Constant improvement and regular gatherings soon formed a strong familial bonds and friendships that made Philmont a home away from home.

Decades later, Philmont Country Club continues to offer a wide array of activities to suit every member and guest. Topping its list of services is for golf enthusiasts. Philmont Country Club offers an unprecedented setting for a round of golf or a tournament for your business, charity or organization. Featuring 36 holes and operating seven days a week, Philmont Country Club members can golf all they want.

Their Championship North Course -- designed by world-renowned golf course architect William S. Flynn -- boasts old world charm with its mature trees and spectacular greens. Their South course features wide open spaces and punishing greens for the player looking for a challenge. Both the North and South courses offer full caddie or cart services for your enjoyment of the game.

If you need to improve your game, Philmont also offers fantastic practice facilities, including two large putting greens, an oversized chipping green and long driving range. If practicing on your own is not enough, a private lesson from one of our PGA professional staff may help put your golf game on the path to success. Philmont's fully stocked Pro Shop features a wealth of signature gear and sportswear, a true treasure for the golfing enthusiast.

If you are looking for a more active sport, Philmont's Tennis program is worth looking at. The Club's outstanding indoor and outdoor facilities are home to a year of activities for men, women, and children of all ages.

The Indoor Tennis Pavilion is a thirty one thousand square foot Butler Building. Three hard playing courts made of compressed cork, it is one of the only tennis facilities in America with this unique surface. With a thirty-two week indoor season that runs from September to May it is easy to find time for a game of tennis, even in the coldest of winters.

Meanwhile, Philmont's two and a half acre Outdoor Tennis Complex offers ten of the finest hard courts in the Delaware Valley. The courts also offer stadium lighting for night time play. With its 20 week outdoor season running May thru September, members can rely on Philmont Club to add many hours of enjoyment for you and your family and friends.

For weddings and other special occasions, Philmont Country Club's newly renovated 88,000 square-foot clubhouse presents a perfect scenic and spacious facility to host any event. It has four banquet and event rooms, as well as spectacular outdoor accommodations from their Brazilian hardwood porch to red bricked patio overlooking an Olympic size swimming pool.

Philmont caters to a variety of different types of social and business functions, including: Weddings, Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate and Business Dining, Conferences, Golf Outings, Seminars, Receptions, Retirement Parties, Anniversary Parties, Baby Namings, Awards Programs, Holiday Events, Fundraisers, Charity Balls, and more.

Children will also enjoy the amenities of Philmont's Country Club. Their children's program provides childcare and activities for children of all ages. They have a fully trained staff that provides activities that promote fun, socialization and learning, so that parents can enjoy golf, tennis or just socializing. Philmont's outdoor children's center provides a full playground, basketball court as well as a full range of activities for children of all ages. The club provides activities for its younger adults, including, but not limited to, summer camps, golf and tennis seminars, yoga, and hourly pool activities.

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Author: Russell Peskin

About the author:
Russell Peskin is the General Manager of Philmont Country Club, a Philadelphia Country Club with a web site (http://www.philmontcountryclub.com) that offers a full array of activities and services to suit every member and guest.


Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Sales prospecting or business development is a key activity for most sales driven organisations and for most salespeople. It is also the cause of demise of most sales careers. Business development is a skill and must be mastered if you are to sustain a long-term sales career.

The current volatile economic environment, sagging consumer confidence, increasing customer distrust, more informed customers and tougher competition have put excessive pressure on sales teams in all companies making it harder and harder to get out there and develop new business.
As a professional salesperson you:

* are facing growing pressure as others compete for your accounts,
* find yourself having to discount to bring home deals,
* struggle with sales cycles that just seem to get longer and longer

If that's not bad enough, you still have to struggle to maintain a full pipeline. Do you ever wonder how others seem to manage?

The fear of rejection Do you dread the 'prospecting' part of sales? Do you find the constant rejection excruciating?

Whilst effective prospecting is a critical component of sustainable sales success, it is not selling. As a salesperson, you may be a well trained in selling skills and product knowledge; you may not have learned specifically about prospecting. Business development is mostly learned through trial and error and unfortunately for many, ends up as a career disaster.

Effective training and coaching, tailored to suit each individual salesperson and their own specific issue around prospecting/business development, will have a huge impact on your sales revenue. It shouldn't ever take a suit of armour and great gulps of courage to deal with the issues of fear of rejection during prospecting. It takes understanding and a plan.

Effective business development/prospecting requires a plan Winning salespeople recognise that to be effective at prospecting, it should never be done by the 'seat of one's pants'. Effective sales prospecting/business development requires a well thought out plan. This means sitting with your manager or Sales Performance Coach and objectively assessing your current situation, setting realistic and achievable goals and creating both strategies and tactics to achieve that goal.

If you've been taught that Sales Prospecting is just a 'numbers game', and to believe that a prospect is someone who can be convinced that they need your product, you've been playing the wrong game. One of the major causes of failure in sales is the fear of rejection. If your sales strategy is to see lots of people and play the numbers game, regardless of how qualified they are, you are simply setting yourself lots of rejection. If you believe that you need to get in front of as many prospects as possible, you're confusing a 'true prospect' with people who may be 'interested' but unlikely to do business with you. When you play the prospecting game by attempting to 'sell' an appointment with as many people as possible, you're setting yourself up for failure and probable burnout.

'Don't Go Fishing in the Sahara!' Traditionally salespeople are taught to 'sell' to everyone they contact. They are taught that selling is a 'numbers game.' As a result of this out dated and out-moded way of selling, salespeople:

* Waste much of their time.
* Avoid sales prospecting and business development because of rejection
* Lose interest and become demotivated
* Face prospects who don't want to and have no interest in hearing about what they have to sell

Effective business development means shifting the paradigm from attempting to 'sell' to everyone you contact, to contacting those potential customers who actually want what you're selling! Winning salespeople effectively target those prospects with whom they to want to work. They identify, plan, and execute a well thought through prospecting effort.

Author: Ian Segail

About the author:
As one of Australia's leading authorities and coaches in sales management, Ian Segail has been involved in the coaching, training and development of sales managers and salespeople for over two decades.
You can access other great resources on sales management and training from Ian at http://www.salestutor.com.au/Content_Common/pg-Salestutor-Tools-and-Resources-Articles-and-Whitepapers.seo

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

A company or group logo is a great way to establish brand identity in an attractive, memorable way. If you look at the biggest corporations, you see that their logo is displayed prominently in every bit of promotion that the company puts out. You find logos on websites, in magazine ads and on the products themselves.
Clothing is another excellent way to use a logo to your advantage. Your logo gets seen every time that garment goes out the door. This is also one of the most versatile uses for your logo as clothing could be created for your employees, customers and even prospective clients. Clothing with logos on it is one of the least expensive ways to get your logo seen on a widespread basis and can be utilized by so many types of organizations.
If you have employees that are out and about in the public eye, customized logo apparel helps your employees present a professional image as well as allowing customers to easily identify them. Not only are your employees identifiable, they are also helping to impress your company's brand identity upon every person who sees them.
Your employee's LogoWear apparel doesn't stop working for you when they punch out at the end of the day, either. Many of these workers will make at least one stop on the way home each day - at the store, the post office or just to get gas. Think of how many prospective customers are seeing your company's logo? The more often they see your logo, the greater the impression made in their minds. When they need the product or service your company provides, who are they going to think of first?
Another use for custom LogoWear is as gifts for your customers, suppliers and prospects. Not only will you be reinforcing your brand image to the ones you give the clothing to, they also will be wearing that apparel elsewhere. It's like having a whole army of people out there advertising your business to the rest of the world. When someone wears your customized LogoWear, they are indirectly providing an endorsement of your product which is an extremely effective method of promotion.
The uses of custom LogoWear isn't limited to business, either. Any organization needs to establish a brand identity in order to grow and expand, even charitable or sports organizations. Donations have been shown to increase when a small gift is received so why not reward donors with a t-shirt with your logo on it? Again, just as with businesses, these custom LogoWear items keep on promoting your cause every time the person wears it.
Brand identity is a crucial component of the success of any organization. Custom apparel from LogoWear Direct can reinforce your brand in those who wear it and those who see it worn. It's like having a whole army of living business cards presenting your brand to the world. Unlike ordinary business cards, your LogoWear Direct apparel are useful and durable. Let LogoWear Direct help with your brand identity today!

Author: Sandy L Parker

About the author:

Sandy L Parker is an Independent Rep for LogoWear Direct.�Logo apparel is great for:Company Wear, Corporate,Giveaways, Fundraising, Brand Identity, Team Wear, Employee Incentives, Meetings & Outings, Advertising, Uniforms, Customer Appreciation, Golf Outing.Take a look at our online catalog at:
http://www.logoweardirect.biz/sparker81

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Most dollarstore business owners don't really understand the huge positive impact that press releases can have on the success of their business. In fact they see creating a press release as a difficult, time-consuming, low priority task. As a result they miss many great opportunities to get the word out about their company. Don't join that crowd. Make creating press releases a part of your overall strategy to inform shoppers and others about your store. Soon press releases will pay dividends as readers visit your store and make purchases. If you'd like to know more, read on. In this article I present when you open a dollar store leverage press releases to build sales.

When you open a dollar store you need to continually be on the lookout for press release opportunities within your business. Everything starts with your dollarstore business opening. But after the grand opening, what else can you do? Some of the options might be the addition of a new manager or assistant manager for your dollarstore. Store expansions, completion of significant training, the addition of a new department, or even the addition of new product lines all qualify for mention.

Make it your practice to jot down every potential press release idea whenever if comes to mind. Save those ideas up for review at a later date. Then about every other week examine the list of potential ideas. Eliminate those ideas that do not make sense, or didn't come to be. For the ideas you still feel are a good possibility for a press release, stop and write the press release immediately while the idea is fresh. If you want to delay until a future date, then take a few minutes to add some of the details you want to be sure you include whenever you do decide to create the press release regarding that topic.

Be sure you follow the basics of writing a high quality press release. There's nothing worse than going to all the work to open a dollar store and coming up with a great idea for a press release, and then throwing together and submitting a poorly written press that isn't read by your target shoppers.

When you open a dollar store always remember the power of creating quality press releases. Getting the word out there about your dollarstore is critical to growing sales and profits. Well written press releases are one of the keys to getting the word out about your dollar store business.

To your dollar store success!

Author: Bob Hamilton

About the author:
Learn how you can Start your own Dollar Store Business.

Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer,
business consultant and trainer.


Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

What is an ezine? It's a newsletter sent out via email.

How is ezine pronounced? There was actually a poll on the VA Networking Association forum... Mostly it was pronounced 'e-zeen,' like electronic magazine, but there were a few responses for 'e-zine' like 'pine'.

What is the purpose of an ezine? There are many purposes of an ezine. First, it keeps you in front of prospects and clients by providing meaningful, helpful and informative content. Your ezine counts towards those 6 to 12 contacts it takes to make a sale. For your clients, it helps them remember you, and hopefully even provide referrals to you.

Next, it helps your prospects see you as an expert in your field because you are providing 'meaningful, helpful and informative content'.

You can build your prospect list by providing a sign up on your website. Very seldom does a potential client 'buy' from visiting your website the first time, and you have no way to follow up with those visitors. But if you offer an ezine, your prospect can subscribe to your ezine and allow you to work on those 6 to 12 contacts. You can even offer a bonus for subscribing, like a special report or other valuable information they can't get anywhere else.

An ezine can also be used to drive prospects to your website. There are numerous websites geared towards article marketing and ezine publication. Both provide more exposure for your website, thereby driving more traffic to your business.

So, you're thinking, 'Yes, I need to be publishing an ezine, but how often? What will I write about?' The 'how often' is up to each individual. I've seen some quarterly, some monthly, some twice a month, some weekly. I was, however, on a recent teleseminar with Alexandria Brown -- a/k/a The Ezine Queen -- who said if you're only doing it once a month, then it's a waste of time. And really, if it takes 12 contacts to close a sale, would you rather close that sale in 6 months or 12 months?

Now, 'what will I write about?' I have to admit, some weeks I do have difficulty trying to figure out what to write, but it has always seemed to work itself out. Some articles come easier than others, and some are better than others. Don't be afraid to publish an ezine because you're afraid you won't be able to come up with the content... You will be able to. It's amazing how, when you put your mind to something, it happens. You just want it to be related to your field. You wouldn't want to receive an ezine from me full of recipes or horse training tips. Make sure your ezine is relevant to your industry.

Author: Jama St. John

About the author:
Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager Jama St. John of Gulf Coast Office Support publishes a biweekly e-newsletter with tips for office efficiency. To receive your subscription, go to www.gulfcoastos.com.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

As a 34-year-old, born-and-bred New Yorker, as I read the details of Barack Obama's stimulus plan, many memories come to mind. A product of the NYC public school system, I have worked hard for my money, and according to government classifications am 'rich', as I have made many sacrifices to get to where I am. I've weathered a divorce, failed friendships, dwindling family time, and many others sacrifices entrepreneurs make, and I am sure these self-sacrifices will continue.
Growing up in a Bronx household where my mother worked very hard, we were 'latchkey' kids. I worked 40 hours a week from the age of 11 in a local pizzeria run by a 30-something, hardworking Italian immigrant. This man saved his money to open the business and worked 90 hours a week there to send his two young children to Catholic school. My mom was the daughter of Holocaust survivors, who had instilled in her a unique endurance, but she was stubborn and refused to ever accept help from anyone. It had to always be her way, and she refused to lose. We never asked nor received any help from the government. My mother raised my sister and me to believe in ourselves, and she sacrificed herself tremendously so we could advance.
Prior to entering the field of Public Relations, I had one job. I worked in that same local pizzeria every day until I was 23 years old. Summers? Eighty hours a week doing dishes, mopping floors, and delivering pizza. Though it was grueling, I loved it and wouldn't change it for the world. But from a young age, I promised myself my children would never want for anything.
I was blessed to be accepted to an elite NYC public school, Stuyvesant HS. I managed to avoid attending my local Bronx high school, described at the time as 'one of the most dangerous high schools in the country,' by taking the subway system an hour and a half each day in the pre-Rudy Giuliani NYC. Those were the lovely days of boom-boxes, graffiti and muggings every minute. From the age of 14, I learned to navigate those causeways safely in order to reach school. In high school, I met driven, focused young people for the first time, and was inspired to work harder. Despite being accepted to numerous elite private colleges, I attended a NY State School, which I graduated from in 3 years after working hours and hours. Memories of my mother clipping coupons, always picking up pennies from the floor, having me return bottles for the 5 cent return (in the pre-green days), and never using credit cards because you never knew if you'd be able to pay the bills remain in my mind then and now.
I started my agency, 5W Public Relations, in 2003. Since then, it has grown to become one of the 20 largest independent PR agencies in the U.S., ending 2008 with nearly $12 million in revenue. We have no debt, pay all vendors on time, and have always had a profitable business, as we work very hard and deliver results. We don't accept complacency; we demand and deliver. We have never had a line of credit, don't carry credit card balances and pay our bills.
Government to date has affected my firm in many ways: we have footed the bill for jury duty for countless employees; we have matched Medicare tax rates (with little faith the system will exist when most of my employees will eventually need it); and as my firm grew, we paid extra commercial real estate taxes. Yet, we have always followed the letter of the law and kept forging forth.
Over the last few months, my firm, like many other companies across the world, has seen our business depreciate. We have lost clients due to finances, collections have become much harder, and we have had layoffs. Yesterday, the stimulus package arrived at my business. We learned that my firm will have to pay 65% of COBRA's costs for each laid-off employee, eventually to be reimbursed in some form of tax credits (as a business owner I pay and pay and pay - and never seem to get credits). This stimulus package adds bills to my business, which is already down and suffering from lower cash flow.
I hear about New York's governor proposing to raise taxes another 4 percent and Obama consumed with the popular tale of 'taxing the rich.' Growing up in NYC, I always viewed the rich as elite folks who were billionaires - Rockefellers who ran humongous publicly-traded corporations - not my boss from 20 years ago, who owns seven local pizzerias and surely makes more than the $250,000 a year our President and Governor deem as the salary of the rich. These so-called rich are the people who create jobs and who sacrifice. People who work hard.
Today's government is putting more strain on the hardworking entrepreneur. It is taxing energetic people who sacrifice every day to create opportunities for others as well as themselves. This is simply not the answer to the nation's devastating problems. Countless small businesses are comatose and need stimulation; it's not their responsibility to bail out individuals. The drivers of the American economy aren't the poor and the jobless, but the entrepreneurs who create the opportunities for these jobless Americans.
The new government taxes will result in more job losses. They will penalize the productive and give needlessly to the unproductive. They will relinquish an entrepreneur's motivation to work even harder to provide jobs. This political hurricane sweeping through our businesses will change the country's landscape for the worse. It's nothing more than un-American. (And by the way, don't forget, when I die, my kids will be taxed another 50 percent on my money.)

Author: RonnTorossian

About the author:
As a 34-year-old, born-and-bred New Yorker, as I read the details of Barack Obama's stimulus plan, many memories come to mind. A product of the NYC public school system, I have worked hard for my money, and according to government classifications am 'rich', as I have made many sacrifices to get to where I am. I've weathered a divorce, failed friendships, dwindling family time, and many others sacrifices entrepreneurs make, and I am sure these self-sacrifices will continue.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

PR News Wire Service lets you convey your special messages to people around the world that matters. If you have developed a new technology, launched a new product or if your restaurant menu has some special menu items that the whole world doesn't have, they are all news. Let PR News Wire Service take this news to the editors of several hundreds of newspapers, magazines, websites, news syndication sites, and more.

News delivery has evolved over the centuries and it has become easier for everyone to convey the message across. Press release services have changed its shaped several times before the digital delivery took place after Information Technology has changed everything.

Send Electronic Press Kit Instantly to Thousands of Editors

It is the latest thing and trend in news syndication. Just like the traditional press kit, electronic press kit too has all the details of the company or organization providing the news. Reporters might be a bit disappointed, as they can't find the freebie items like notepads, pens, and other pleasantries they used to receive. It is a good thing for the companies that want to get their news published and the best thing, they can send the electronic media kit to editors located anywhere in the world and in a minute.

You can use web services to reach several thousands of editors who are looking for interesting news items for their newspaper, magazine, websites, etc. A stripped down version of the press kit or a simple press release too can be circulated, so that automated news syndication services can easily pick the news. It was not even imaginable not so far away.

Video News Release -VNR

Internet too is fast becoming a video medium. Video news release is not just for the TV channels, but also for the internet. There are different websites that now offer people to host videos even without charging them anything. Video syndication sites make it easier for you to take your video news releases to people in your city and to around the world.

In both electronic press kit and video news release, you only need to provide newsworthy events - like developments in new healthcare facilities, some entertainment news, and a lot more. Syndicate media outlet of any size or reputation can help you to take your message to the editors. However, appealing to them and letting your 'news' in is at the sole discretion of the editors. However, in most cases, you can get past the door by offering a good product - an irresistible piece or well-presented news item.

Electronic press kits and video news release are becoming the norm of the day and syndicate media outlets also change their style of functioning. It is time for you to plan promotion through news through PR news wire services. Because, without people knowing the existence of your business, it is extremely difficult for it to survive, let alone succeed.

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Keywords: Press release, video news release, PR & VNR, electronic press kits
Category: Media, Public Relations, News or similar

Author: Dev Sri

About the author:

Are you planning to take your piece of news to the mass market? Let PR News Wire Service help you gain instant exposure through newspapers, local news channels and several hundreds of news and video websites.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Electronic press release kits are the same as regular press release kits - the only difference is that they don't have any pleasantries for the journalists. Well, and they are distributed in CD or over the internet. When it is made available online, editors of newspapers working around the world can download the content straight from the news syndication website. They can also receive them through email. There aren't any restrictions, especially when it comes to delivering news online.

Electronic press kits (EPK) have the news article or press release. It also has necessary background information of the company. They can be quite extensive, as you can include all relevant data in the kit for the editors to explore. A good option for marketers and everyone who wants to get his/her news across to a maximum number of people. Companies, non-profit organizations, political parties, etc all now use EPK for possible inclusion in newspapers, magazines and websites.

Drafting electronic press release kits require some skills and understanding of what the editors need. No editor will like to make his editorial space another advertising billboard. They need news - what is in it for the readers type news stories. Your success with EPK depends on your ability to convey in clear language that there is something for the readers. Newsworthy events, development of new technologies, curious uses of different products, etc all make for news. If the release has no news value, it won't get published.

Video News Releases

They are also like EPK. The difference is they are aimed at television channels. A news video, which can be included in the local channel as news, companies can get some exposure through VNR. Just like in case of EPK, you need to have a newsworthy or interesting story weaved into the video. You can very few seconds to sell the story, you need to make sure the video passes like a bullet. There are techniques that you can use to make your VNR irresistible by TV news editors.

Apart from the local TV channels, you can also target the websites catering specific geographic locations or target demographic groups. There are several websites now available online, streaming videos. The visitors of such websites use high speed broadband connection and they watch the videos just as TV programs. When planning VNR production, make sure you target this group too.

There are different strategies of gaining attention of the editors. They include releasing a funny or entertainment video, a compelling news story that editors can't overlook, and videos featuring celebrities are always in demand. They go to both TV channels and websites delivering online videos.

Entertaining or informing news releases also go to newspapers - both local and national papers. Some editors pick shorter news items - less than 200 words, while others have 700 word releases OK. Also think about the newspapers and magazines that give snippets of less than 20 words.

When it comes to electronic press release kits, your primary requirement is to get your release printed or published in websites. We can help you reach hundreds of editors in a matter of minutes.

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Keywords: Electronic press kits, video news release, epk, vnr,

Category: Communications, mass media, news, or similar

Author: Dev Sri

About the author:
Are you looking to get exposure for your company's activities, technologies or products? Make Electronic Press Release Kits a big part of your public relations strategy. Gain instant exposure through websites, newspapers and magazines.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.

Every now and then I think of public relations, I ask myself with utmost dismay if indeed practitioners of the profession in Nigeria will increasingly get a seat at the top management - the height of any organization - in years to come.

It is no more news that the public relations profession dates back from the 15th century. And that its activities are widely used and well appreciated in countries like the USA and UK to mention just two.What is however news is that the Nigerian government is never really aware if public relations practitioners do exist in the country, not to talk of patronizing them! It is disheartening also to hear corporate executives talk down on public relations people. You hear such comments like 'What exactly are public relations functions in an organization?' or 'How does a public relations job fit into our corporate goal of maximizing profit?'

This cold disposition shows an inadequate orientation on the objects, scope and roles of public relations in industry.In a recent study of the US bureau of labour statistics, about 700,000 jobs were held by advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers in 2002. It was observed that sales managers held almost half of the jobs (343,000); while marketing managers held more than one-fourth (203,000). Advertising and promotions managers held 85,000; and public relations managers held only 69,000 of the total jobs.

The result of the study above is a crystal clear indication of the low recognition corporate executives the world over place on this highly priced profession.From my point of view, I believe this misunderstanding and skepticism of public relations role can be attributed to the fact that many of the traditional corporate executives had a management background which placed little or no emphasis on public relations or reputations management. Many CEOs are ignorant of what a public relations function is, and what it is not.

A look at the educational curriculum for social and management sciences department of many higher institutions in Nigeria shows dearth of requisite courses in Public Relations. A typical example is the department of Business Administration of Olabisi Onabanjo University, BUS 407 (Promotional Management 1) is the only course one would notice a Public Relations mention. And, you need to know the worst of it all: It is an elective! (I guess for students who specialize in Marketing.)This perhaps is the reason heads of both marketing and public relations department dispute over the right to plan and present communication strategies.

The public relations practitioner is faced also with a similar problem. As a result of his narrow exposure to management principles and techniques, he lacks managerial and administrative skills that modern CEOs look out for. Public Relations courses are often housed in a journalism, mass communications or communications department which makes it difficult. (But, that is not to say it can't be found in a business school.)

As Chief Bob Ogbuagu, an expert in public relations sums it up: Broaden the base of the training of public relations people so that they'll do a bit of accounts, do a bit of everything because when you become a manager, really your profession is not strictly what you do.The pressure is on public relations people to acquire sound managerial skills.

Though effective writing is absolutely a critical skill; judgment may be the most important single qualification needed in their field; the capacity to think analytically under pressure; confidence, sensitivity, organizing and planning ability may be the hallmark of a public relations training; nevertheless, management skills are invaluable for successful climbing the public relations ladder.

For a career in Public Relations, a university or polytechnic degree or diploma respectively is essential, and a basic grounding in the liberal arts is strongly recommended. The practitioner need give it a thought also on earning a degree (probably a master's) in Management, Administration or Business, and attending short training courses or certification programmes related to his field and specialization in order to remain relevant in this highly competitive job market.

Further more, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) should fight for more Public Relations courses to be taught in the social and management departments of institutions of higher learning and ensure only professionals teach those courses.Conclusively, every true public relations practitioner has a role to play in this revolution.

All hands must be on desk to ensure her rightful place in the society. Public relations professionals are role models. Once, the simple operation of publicity today has emerged as an important management function. Gone are the days when public relations executives are pegged at the manager level. The public relations head should hold strategic positions like vice president, assistant general manager, deputy managing director, or even managing director/CEO status.It is high time practitioners equipped themselves with the required training and skills in order not to be relegated to incidental activities in corporate hierarchy.

Author: Ayokunle Bankole

About the author:

Owner of www.rulingideas.com and CEO at Loud Media Company - a promotional and marketing consulting firm, with an operational client-service base in Lagos, Nigeria. As a passionate and creative resource person, he helps small businesses to communicate effectively using cheap, simple but efficient marketing tools and strategies.

Article source: Free Public Relations Articles.