Hello again, this shall be my last post and I hope to make it a meaningful one.
In my first year, the concept of public relations was foreign and unfamiliar to me, all i thought i knew was if I liked to talk and write, and if liked socializing perhaps I might like PR. Fast forward to my last month as a PR intern, I've still got a long way to go before i can confidently say that I know what PR is all about. Nonetheless, my studies and this placement have given me valuable insight into the PR industry.
After much consideration, I have made a realization that PR may not be me my cup of tea, I will probably not actively pursue a career in PR as I don't see myself working in a PR consultancy or a PR department in a company. Nonetheless, this does that mean that i will completely forsake the three years I've spent learning and practicing PR. If the opportunity presents itself, i would very much prefer to practice PR in an NGO or utilize the knowledge I've gained for a future business venture.
I do believe that PR, good PR that is, is something that should be practiced by everyone. To conclude this post, I would like to recap on my favorite things about PR. My studies have taught me that PR has the power to shift perceptions and change attitudes and because of this power, PR can be a powerful advocate for marginalized groups and issues. If i were to practiced PR, i hope that it would be for a meaningful cause.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
Showing posts with label #CorporatePR(CPR). Show all posts
Showing posts with label #CorporatePR(CPR). Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Loyalty and commitment in the realm of Corporate PR
The role of a public relations officer in a company is not an easy role to shoulder. With that said, I hardly think that it is fitting role for me to take on in the future. From my observations, when working for a company a whole lot of loyalty and commitment is required is do a job well done. In the context of corporate PR, the level of loyalty and commitment is even higher when it boils down to safeguarding and improving the reputation of the company.
Thankfully, my role as intern did not require me to shoulder such a responsibility. However, the purpose of this post is to reflect on the requirements of practicing PR in a corporate setting. Throughout my placement, I was mostly exposed to the company's CSR activities and some industry events. Nothing too heavy considering which industries (Timber production and property development) Interhill is involved in. As an intern, my tasks were satisfying enough.
Going back to the role of PR in a corporate setting, my experience has taught me that it is necessary to have a strong sense of loyalty to be able to constantly plan for activities that will be able to change public perception and improve the reputation of the company.
This may seem like a simple task on paper but add in all the challenges a corporate job entails, it comes to a point where the only people who are willing to do a good job are those who are truly enthusiastic about the industry and committed to the company.
My point is to say that before considering for a PR position in a company, I would first have to be enthusiastic about the industry that the company operates in and be inspired to work in a company with a conducive environment.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
The heartaches and headaches of event planning
How does one plan a successful event? As the saying goes, if there is a will there is a way. Unfortunately, that did not ring true for my experience in event planning during my placement at Interhill. Yes, the events were executed in the end, the outcome however were rather disappointing.
My first task as an intern was to plan an International Women's Day (IWD) event. As written in my prior post, this event came to be a collaboration between Interhill and Top Dog Factory to provide a free Muay Tai session for Interhill's female staff.
Naturally, being my first ever event, I poured my heart and soul into it. Angelyna, my supervisor was encouraging and offered suggestions. The first headache came when setting the date for the event, IWD is celebrated annually on the 8th of March, as the company's working hours is from 8 to 5, Monday to Friday and half a day on Saturday it was a challenge to actually come up with a timing when employees would feel encouraged to attend the event. The event was eventually set to happen in the last week of March. Preparation for the event went smoothly, with agreements for the venue and program coming through, the posters and invitations were eventually sent out and some attendance were confirmed.
The heartache however came on the day of the event, as only a handful of women staff turned up for the event. Nonetheless, we still went through with the event. I was told that this was a usual scenario as employees shied away from this sort of activities. This was a disappointing start to my internship, but the event itself was worthwhile.
Another challenge that I faced was getting the press release for an After School Project published. As the event was held in late April, right when the Sarawak Elections were coming to a climax, the media release was not published as the press focused their coverage on issues concerning the election.
But of course, my experience at Interhill has not been all doom and gloom. Nonetheless, the purpose of this post is to be honest about the challenges that I have faced, in doing so I am able to identify my shortcomings when planning these events. For starters, I should have had the foresight to plan my event when it does not coincide with other big events. Additionally, I have learned that it is a must to continuously engage the staff when inviting them to an event in order to make them to feel welcomed and comfortable to show up for the event.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
My first task as an intern was to plan an International Women's Day (IWD) event. As written in my prior post, this event came to be a collaboration between Interhill and Top Dog Factory to provide a free Muay Tai session for Interhill's female staff.
Naturally, being my first ever event, I poured my heart and soul into it. Angelyna, my supervisor was encouraging and offered suggestions. The first headache came when setting the date for the event, IWD is celebrated annually on the 8th of March, as the company's working hours is from 8 to 5, Monday to Friday and half a day on Saturday it was a challenge to actually come up with a timing when employees would feel encouraged to attend the event. The event was eventually set to happen in the last week of March. Preparation for the event went smoothly, with agreements for the venue and program coming through, the posters and invitations were eventually sent out and some attendance were confirmed.
The heartache however came on the day of the event, as only a handful of women staff turned up for the event. Nonetheless, we still went through with the event. I was told that this was a usual scenario as employees shied away from this sort of activities. This was a disappointing start to my internship, but the event itself was worthwhile.
Another challenge that I faced was getting the press release for an After School Project published. As the event was held in late April, right when the Sarawak Elections were coming to a climax, the media release was not published as the press focused their coverage on issues concerning the election.
But of course, my experience at Interhill has not been all doom and gloom. Nonetheless, the purpose of this post is to be honest about the challenges that I have faced, in doing so I am able to identify my shortcomings when planning these events. For starters, I should have had the foresight to plan my event when it does not coincide with other big events. Additionally, I have learned that it is a must to continuously engage the staff when inviting them to an event in order to make them to feel welcomed and comfortable to show up for the event.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
A taste of Corporate Public Relations: The CSR in CPR
Hi Everyone! So here i am reflecting on my on-going internship placement at Interhill Group of Companies (a property developer and timber producer). My placement began in March and will end on the 31st of June.
First and foremost, I feel nothing but gratefulness to Interhill's CSR Department for giving me this opportunity. With this i extend my thanks to Interhill's CSR Manager and my supervisor Miss Angelyna and fellow intern June for teaching and guiding me through this experience.
Corporate Public Relations to my understanding is the maintaining of the relationship of a corporate organization with their various stakeholders.In my case, the stakeholders that i dealt directly with were Interhill employees and the children from Interhill's After School Project (ASP). In dealing with these two stakeholders, I've been exposed to handling internal communication and corporate social responsibility. Both stakeholders were a joy to interact with and working with the children was especially rewarding.
As I've stated in the first paragraph, Interhill is involved in a competitive and challenging industry that makes internal communication and CSR seem like mundane aspects to consider. In a corporate setting, there is a danger to overlook these aspects, thus I believe a CSR department should exist as an advocate to safeguard the importance of these and other aspects that may usually be set aside.
I have been taught that public relations should be utilized on more than a tactical level, going beyond maintaining public image and PR stunts but rather genuinely investing in stakeholder relationships to build long lasting trust. Sadly, this may not be the case for most organizations as public relations has yet to secure its well deserved place within the management.
Despite various challenges and limitations, Interhill's CSR department is taking its responsibility seriously by strengthening the company's commitment to its stakeholders. My placement allowed me to witness and be a part of the fulfilling of that commitment. By planning employee relations events, such as International Women's Day Muay Tai collaboration with Top Dog Factory, the department strove to empower women employees. By committing to the ASP the department does not forsake the needs of others.
To conclude my reflection, public relations should bring a human touch to a company, without it a corporation will seem like an inhuman entity.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
First and foremost, I feel nothing but gratefulness to Interhill's CSR Department for giving me this opportunity. With this i extend my thanks to Interhill's CSR Manager and my supervisor Miss Angelyna and fellow intern June for teaching and guiding me through this experience.
Corporate Public Relations to my understanding is the maintaining of the relationship of a corporate organization with their various stakeholders.In my case, the stakeholders that i dealt directly with were Interhill employees and the children from Interhill's After School Project (ASP). In dealing with these two stakeholders, I've been exposed to handling internal communication and corporate social responsibility. Both stakeholders were a joy to interact with and working with the children was especially rewarding.
As I've stated in the first paragraph, Interhill is involved in a competitive and challenging industry that makes internal communication and CSR seem like mundane aspects to consider. In a corporate setting, there is a danger to overlook these aspects, thus I believe a CSR department should exist as an advocate to safeguard the importance of these and other aspects that may usually be set aside.
I have been taught that public relations should be utilized on more than a tactical level, going beyond maintaining public image and PR stunts but rather genuinely investing in stakeholder relationships to build long lasting trust. Sadly, this may not be the case for most organizations as public relations has yet to secure its well deserved place within the management.
Despite various challenges and limitations, Interhill's CSR department is taking its responsibility seriously by strengthening the company's commitment to its stakeholders. My placement allowed me to witness and be a part of the fulfilling of that commitment. By planning employee relations events, such as International Women's Day Muay Tai collaboration with Top Dog Factory, the department strove to empower women employees. By committing to the ASP the department does not forsake the needs of others.
To conclude my reflection, public relations should bring a human touch to a company, without it a corporation will seem like an inhuman entity.
Daphne Margaret Jolly
17895620/7E4A2937
Curtin Sarawak Campus
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