Building Good Relationships is important, but how?

It’s 8am on the Monday morning.

You arrive in your office. You turn on the computer and start to reply thousand of e-mails that you came in on weekends. You go through your lists of to-do for the day and start to get it done. After awhile, you look at your watch only to realize that you didn’t manage to finish all the works and it’s already 5pm. You switch off the light, you take a bow. Then, you called it a day.

Let’s face it, IT’s BORING!

The one thing that I enjoy the most working in PR industry is its flexibility. I’m not that kind of person who can spend the whole day in front of computer doing paperwork. By working in corporate PR, I’ve the privilege to talk with my colleagues even during working time and most importantly, I’ve the opportunity to participate to some of the events that were organized by Miri community. Few weeks before, I was invited to an event organized by John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA). As most of you are Curtin Student, I’m sure you are quite familiar with JCLA. For those who don’t, JCLA is actually a leadership program of Curtin University that provides leadership skill training, such as understanding of workplace, and leading edge skills in the job market and encourages entrepreneurial spirit.
 There were seven students participated in the Poster Presentation Event that day. They were set to initiate projects over the next few months that will benefit the local community and hopefully to attract potential industrial organization to sponsor their projects. The event started with a speech from Professor Mienczakowski, the pro vice-chancellor of Curtin Sarawak and followed by the presentation from both teams (seven of them are grouped into 2 groups for work for 2 major projects). After having some light refreshments, the potential sponsors were given a chance to speak with the students to have further understanding for the projects.   I personally was so impressed by their performances. Their performance during presentation session were remarkable, especially when most of whom are only first-year students. I wouldn’t have done it when I was in my first-year back then. I only find the courage to speak confidently after taken few of those PR classes. Another round of applause for all those little soldiers.
 So back to these event, it is not common that me, as a Curtin Student, to get invited to Curtin-organised event as a representative of a well-respected company, but not some who-care-who-you-are kind of student.
 What can you ask for more? You get to talk with corporate leaders and public relations officer from other organisations (that you wouldn’t have a chance to speak with as a student), and not to mention there’s always delicious foods and drinks prepared after the event.
 At first, I wasn’t really sure about the purpose of attending all these events, because to be honest, it has no direct relation to our business at all. After attending dozens of those events, I started to realize it doesn’t matter if you could make any profit out from the events, it’s about how many connection you’ve established for your company.
 Few days ago, I was introduced to the public relations manager from Accor group, a French hotel group. Also, I spoke to few of the freelancers who work in the media and it really helps me to understand the industry better and understand the angle that they are looking for from media’s perspective. It is not necessary for us to speak about our company all the times. You can talk about anything, the perfume you use, the car model that you think is environment friendly, the ideal type of boyfriend, or whatsoever. It doesn’t matter at all. It is important to make people feel good and comfortable about you so there’s a high possibility that you’re the first person they come to when they are looking for future partnerships or opportunities for the company.

Ya, pretty much that's it! 

Until Then. 

YeeShen Yap