Hi Everyone!
I’m currently half way through my professional placement at Perth Zoo and I love it!
However, it has come to my attention over the past 5 weeks, how much everyone’s PR roles over lap here (and I’m sure in other organisations as well). I used to think that, for example, the events team would deal with only events and carry a project from beginning to end. Nevertheless, the more I experience each department here at the Zoo, the more I realise how much everyone’s roles overlap.
Last week I was helping the events team organise an up and coming event. Because the event was a fundraising event, it needed some work done by the fundraising department. In order for visitors to be aware of this event, the advertising team had to create on site and off site advertising and finally it needed the financial support from a corporate sponsor which therefore needed the approval from the sponsorship department. All this running between departments made me think how much all the pr roles here at the zoo are integrated.
At first this seemed rather time consuming and pointless. Wouldn’t it be easier if just one person looked after one project and knew everything there was to do with that one project?
But it then occurred to me how everyone knows what is happening at the zoo. They all have a thorough understanding of every aspect which takes place and are all genuinely interested in each others work.
So it seems this overlapping of roles creates a more positive work environment and stronger work relationships. And isn’t relationships the most important part of public relations in any industry?
Lesson Learnt? Build as many relationships as you can because you never know when you'll need that persons help for a project!
4 comments:
Hi,Ali.
Overlapping of roles are present in many organisations, it’s only when we are doing our internship that we realised that. This overlapping is essential for the good functioning of the organisation as everyone gives a helping hand so as a function works efficiently. I share the same opinion with you that it “creates a more positive work environment and stronger work relationships.” This is what I have experienced and concluded throughout my internship and events that were done.
I do agree with you that PR roles between departments are integrated as communication between them is vital.
Your thought about one person looked after 1 project and knew everything: Hmm, I think that this person will have a titanic work to do all by him/her. Imagine the stress, the work load, and time to do all that. PR is also about delegating work and it’s indispensable in our domain.
It is great that at Perth Zoo that there is good internal communication going on as you said everyone there knew what is happening at the zoo.
My opinion is that relationship is one of the most important thing in our industry, but does good communication has the first place in this matter as without it, there would not be a good relationship.
Building relationship is one of our tasks and an important one. Future reserves us many things. Hence, it’s good to be proactive and build as much relationships as we can.
Hope, you continue to enjoy your internship.
Regards,
Joyce
Hello Alison,
It sounds like you are enjoying your time at Perth Zoo, which is fantastic to hear!
I definitely agree with Joyce - in a discipline like PR where there are so many overlapping facets, its necessary to utilise the skills and knowledge of everyone possible to ensure the most effective results.
I'm sure Perth Zoo is utlising all of your skills whilst you are there.
Take care,
Yvette
Joyce - I totally agree. I did not realise that how much PR would overlap with other roles.
I'm at Variety Children's Charity and I’m surprised with how much the PR department overlaps with so many other areas (primarily due to not enough staff).
I agree with you that good working relationships are VITAL and that effective communication between departments helps this.
I think there are pros and cons to overlapping between roles within the workplace though. From my experience I have seen the PR/marketing side of the organisation become extremely pressured as it has had to handle other areas of the organisation too. I guess overlapping of roles can work at times; however, it is can also work in a more negative way. I guess in the end, all work places are different and it definitely comes down to effective communication between staff members to ensure that everyone is able to do their own job whilst also perhaps helping out others.
Enjoy the rest of your placement! It sounds fun.
Hello Aly,
I just came across your post and I found it both interesting and reassuring. I indeed realised the same thing during my work placement at the International Students Committee. Everyone's roles overlap. I was assisting the PR officer during my intership and although we were called PR officers, other members with different functions also undertook PR functions.
I found this quite disturbing and confusing at first. When you are used to the university teaching methods and you are taught what is the role and function of PR, you expect that it would be the same in the real world.
However, I realised that it was indeed an effective way to get the job done and an integrated team working together always produce better outcomes that one single person.
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