Though it took me time to find a training placement, I was able to go into my industrial training at last which was short than I predicted. Despite the fact that it was short, many will not believe me when I say I had a great time at PDQ and I have learnt a lot. Its end of my industrial training and will now practice what I went through at PDQ. Before going into my industrial training I had set some goals and objectives for myself which some were achieved whereas others were not due to time taken during the internship.
My goals were:
-To enhance my understanding of media relations.
-To comprehend professional ethics, values and beliefs in Public Relations
- To relate the information learned in the classroom to the work atmosphere
Whereas my objectives were:
-inscribe a media release or any piece that gets published.
- Write a newsletter and pitch document
- Plan for an event and
-Write a report on anything related to Public Relations or PR based.
I was competent to attain my goals but the objectives lacked behind, like I was not exposed to writing media release, newsletters but I was able to write a pitch document which was well approved and I ended up compiling some reports which is the same as writing report. Communication was my daily task because I did everything with the help of my supervisors whereby I would ask where its not clear and would sit for brainstorming and briefings on my next task.
Industrial training makes someone more grown-up, more proficiently elegant, and edifies you things further than what you can learn in the classroom. I appreciate my education and I hope I am likely to perform better academically after having worked. I would say the little that I have acquired while at PDQ will be useful when I get my permanent job because it will be a matter of looking back and reflect whatever I did during my industrial training.
I learnt a lot despite the fact that it was for a short term, communication, meeting deadlines, writing sills which I have improved on, some few PR practices and abiding by the given rules. I would say there is a difference between what is being taught in class and what is done at industrial training because of practicals and theories. Hope to use the experienced gained.
All the best to those who are still doing their training.
By Tiny Diakanyeng Tshukudu
Showing posts with label PDQ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PDQ. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
RESEARCH…..
On my first post, I integrated the brief summary of my schedule, and I am now delighted to say I am getting there with my schedule. A week ago I was given a research on Medical Universities which are the competitors for our Client X. I was given several columns to research on which I would not say for the privacy of the Medical Colleges and Universities.
I researched meticulously and thought I had done the work infallible only to find out countless mistakes. Firstly I did not understand some of the columns given but I inquired about them. The explanation and instructions were well given and started the work immediately. Research is not a simple thing, it requires time and effort, and you would think you have researched well only to be surprised when your work is returned for corrections. My work was returned with some few cells colored yellow to show not well done; I had to correct the mistakes and send it again to my supervisor who is patient. I did the research for the whole week everyday there was a correction I must do. The brighter thing I did is I added some columns which I thought might be valuable to the client and it was approved. Since I could not find all the requisite information, I had to be intelligent here, I made some calls to the given Universities and medical Colleges pretending to be a student who wants to enroll in their University, in this way I asked all the questions which were relevant to the columns left. There came a problem when I was asked some questions which I had no answers to, I had to refer back again to the columns for me to answer the questions. Some spoke Malay language to me, but I was patient enough to let them know that I do not speak Malay. Everything went well when I was done with the columns. On the day of my submission, my supervisor told me some other information were wrong, I gave it a second try by calling universities again, only to find out that the other University I called gave me wrong information because at first they asked me whether I am Malay or foreigner. On my fourth day I tried it again and submitted it on the fifth day and was finally approved.I had a hard time trying to research on this particular topic because of no knowledge on medical subject.
By Tiny Diakanyeng
I researched meticulously and thought I had done the work infallible only to find out countless mistakes. Firstly I did not understand some of the columns given but I inquired about them. The explanation and instructions were well given and started the work immediately. Research is not a simple thing, it requires time and effort, and you would think you have researched well only to be surprised when your work is returned for corrections. My work was returned with some few cells colored yellow to show not well done; I had to correct the mistakes and send it again to my supervisor who is patient. I did the research for the whole week everyday there was a correction I must do. The brighter thing I did is I added some columns which I thought might be valuable to the client and it was approved. Since I could not find all the requisite information, I had to be intelligent here, I made some calls to the given Universities and medical Colleges pretending to be a student who wants to enroll in their University, in this way I asked all the questions which were relevant to the columns left. There came a problem when I was asked some questions which I had no answers to, I had to refer back again to the columns for me to answer the questions. Some spoke Malay language to me, but I was patient enough to let them know that I do not speak Malay. Everything went well when I was done with the columns. On the day of my submission, my supervisor told me some other information were wrong, I gave it a second try by calling universities again, only to find out that the other University I called gave me wrong information because at first they asked me whether I am Malay or foreigner. On my fourth day I tried it again and submitted it on the fifth day and was finally approved.I had a hard time trying to research on this particular topic because of no knowledge on medical subject.
By Tiny Diakanyeng
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
MEDIA PROFILE AND MEDIA REPORT
Media profile or updating media on a certain client is easy as long as you give it time and comprehend with it before you even start. I was given the work on media profile for dissimilar newspapers and magazines for our client, which at first I did not understand but did it without any assistance to see whether I can do it appropriately.
I was given a list of newspapers and magazines of which some were not in the office, in this case I had to go into the supermarket to research on the newspapers and magazines. Being terrified of being spotted researching on the newspapers and magazines without buying, I had to buy them mostly newspapers which I spent a lot just for research. What I was supposed to do was to research on the profile of different newspapers which included target audience; websites of the newspaper, the day the paper is published, programmes’ included in the newspaper and the pages the newspaper is composed of. For example News Straits Times is composed of NST Learning Curve, NST Sunday People, NST, Life and Times and NST Travel Times. Luckily I was given only the English newspapers, so I could understand better.
This media profile update has helped me to be familiar with the local English newspapers because even now I know what is included in different newspapers as well as their target audience which I was not familiar with and had no interest of knowing about it.
Apart from the media profile update, I was given a task on compiling the client’s media yearly report. I compiled the report from July 2009 to January 2010, this perplexed me a bit because I did not know where to get the media clippings for the past months that I was not in the office. There came an idea, I went through the client’s folder only to find media clippings for the past months and reports, I compiled all of them accordingly and then I started afresh with the January reports and clippings which took me less time to get done.
I had to collect all the media clippings for January and then compile a report based on those clippings. The report included activities for the month, publication, circulation, media value and the date of the publication. It was not an easy task because I kept on missing some clippings of the month and had to go back again and look for them. Be reminded that the report was from July 2009 to January 2010 which is seven full months. I gave it time and enthusiasm but I jammed on the way with the events and activities because they were mixed up. This took me time as I did not anticipate something of that temperament. Some articles were the same but it did not come to my mind that there are different newspapers so this means that every newspaper can publish the same article. For example New Strait Times had the article and The Sun had the same one too with same heading, so I was like this is the same article so I will just include one and leave the other aside. When I was done compiling the report I emailed it to my supervisor who after checking it, she told me that I have missed some clippings and had to include them. I did it again because by then I was familiar with the clippings and the report compiling. Media value was well calculated as I was told how to do it so it was not a dilemma to me.
With media report and media profile update, it has left an aide memoire to me because the newspapers that we read every morning we read them to compile clippings which at the end are compiled as a report for the month or year. I have been thinking I am given simple task which is reading without any idea that those media clippings are important at the end of the month. So my advice is if you have not done media monitoring yet make sure you take it seriously because at the end the same clippings you cut every morning are to be used as media report, who knows, the task might be given to you and it will be uncomplicated if you have an idea where and how you saved the clippings.
By Tiny D. Tshukudu
I was given a list of newspapers and magazines of which some were not in the office, in this case I had to go into the supermarket to research on the newspapers and magazines. Being terrified of being spotted researching on the newspapers and magazines without buying, I had to buy them mostly newspapers which I spent a lot just for research. What I was supposed to do was to research on the profile of different newspapers which included target audience; websites of the newspaper, the day the paper is published, programmes’ included in the newspaper and the pages the newspaper is composed of. For example News Straits Times is composed of NST Learning Curve, NST Sunday People, NST, Life and Times and NST Travel Times. Luckily I was given only the English newspapers, so I could understand better.
This media profile update has helped me to be familiar with the local English newspapers because even now I know what is included in different newspapers as well as their target audience which I was not familiar with and had no interest of knowing about it.
Apart from the media profile update, I was given a task on compiling the client’s media yearly report. I compiled the report from July 2009 to January 2010, this perplexed me a bit because I did not know where to get the media clippings for the past months that I was not in the office. There came an idea, I went through the client’s folder only to find media clippings for the past months and reports, I compiled all of them accordingly and then I started afresh with the January reports and clippings which took me less time to get done.
I had to collect all the media clippings for January and then compile a report based on those clippings. The report included activities for the month, publication, circulation, media value and the date of the publication. It was not an easy task because I kept on missing some clippings of the month and had to go back again and look for them. Be reminded that the report was from July 2009 to January 2010 which is seven full months. I gave it time and enthusiasm but I jammed on the way with the events and activities because they were mixed up. This took me time as I did not anticipate something of that temperament. Some articles were the same but it did not come to my mind that there are different newspapers so this means that every newspaper can publish the same article. For example New Strait Times had the article and The Sun had the same one too with same heading, so I was like this is the same article so I will just include one and leave the other aside. When I was done compiling the report I emailed it to my supervisor who after checking it, she told me that I have missed some clippings and had to include them. I did it again because by then I was familiar with the clippings and the report compiling. Media value was well calculated as I was told how to do it so it was not a dilemma to me.
With media report and media profile update, it has left an aide memoire to me because the newspapers that we read every morning we read them to compile clippings which at the end are compiled as a report for the month or year. I have been thinking I am given simple task which is reading without any idea that those media clippings are important at the end of the month. So my advice is if you have not done media monitoring yet make sure you take it seriously because at the end the same clippings you cut every morning are to be used as media report, who knows, the task might be given to you and it will be uncomplicated if you have an idea where and how you saved the clippings.
By Tiny D. Tshukudu
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Pitch Document, Brainstorming and Event
A pitch document is a short letter which is normally used to accompany press release or press kits. It’s just tremendous the way I am learning in PDQ, for a pitch manuscript to be fascinating it should have an appealing story angle. I was given a task on writing a pitch document for Client X which when dispensed to me I was like I will give it an endeavor before I even ask on how to do it. I wrote it unaided and emailed it to my supervisor who went through it only to find trivial errors, I was so delighted to get the congratulation remarks.
In many occurrences we get to disregard inconsequential steps on writing some documents but when you memorize them wedged into the brain eternally. The other thing that I have done during the course of the week is being part of the brainstorming for the Strategies, how to build a relationship between media, corporate segments and media involved for Client W. Saying whatever you think might be advantageous to the team is brilliant because they get to correct you whenever you are erroneous. We brainstormed this because Client W is a new client for the company so we were asked to help with new ideas. Before that we had another brainstorming for Client Z which included coming up with taglines for their products for Valentine’s day and also for Chinese New year which was more interesting, mind that I am not familiar with Chinese language nor my colleagues are, but we came up with a suggestion of spicing up with the Chinese tagline which was more attention-grabbing.
Having knowledge about local (Malaysia) newspapers is more advanced because you will not get jammed on the way asking yourself which magazine to use for that certain client. Apart from Chinese and Malaysian newspapers, I read English newspapers and I am now familiar with most of them and their contents.
Luncheon is one of the events to attract media, we had one on Wednesday for Client F and the main purpose of the luncheon was to build a relationship with the media and Client F. The preparations were done before I even came to the company but I was able to get what the luncheon was all about.
I still believe that for someone to learn more, he or she should communicate with the superiors or the superintendent and when given work firstly give it a try before you can even ask for help in that way you will have two documents in hand the first try and the finalized one after discussion. You have a probability of viewing them whenever given something linked or parallel to that.
I think I have improved my writing skills if you can view my first post and compare it with this one, it really shows the difference and I am proud to say I am almost there, the journey is still on.
In many occurrences we get to disregard inconsequential steps on writing some documents but when you memorize them wedged into the brain eternally. The other thing that I have done during the course of the week is being part of the brainstorming for the Strategies, how to build a relationship between media, corporate segments and media involved for Client W. Saying whatever you think might be advantageous to the team is brilliant because they get to correct you whenever you are erroneous. We brainstormed this because Client W is a new client for the company so we were asked to help with new ideas. Before that we had another brainstorming for Client Z which included coming up with taglines for their products for Valentine’s day and also for Chinese New year which was more interesting, mind that I am not familiar with Chinese language nor my colleagues are, but we came up with a suggestion of spicing up with the Chinese tagline which was more attention-grabbing.
Having knowledge about local (Malaysia) newspapers is more advanced because you will not get jammed on the way asking yourself which magazine to use for that certain client. Apart from Chinese and Malaysian newspapers, I read English newspapers and I am now familiar with most of them and their contents.
Luncheon is one of the events to attract media, we had one on Wednesday for Client F and the main purpose of the luncheon was to build a relationship with the media and Client F. The preparations were done before I even came to the company but I was able to get what the luncheon was all about.
I still believe that for someone to learn more, he or she should communicate with the superiors or the superintendent and when given work firstly give it a try before you can even ask for help in that way you will have two documents in hand the first try and the finalized one after discussion. You have a probability of viewing them whenever given something linked or parallel to that.
I think I have improved my writing skills if you can view my first post and compare it with this one, it really shows the difference and I am proud to say I am almost there, the journey is still on.
Monday, February 1, 2010
MEDIA MONITORING, MEDIA TRACKING AND MEDIA CALLS
Hello everyone, My name is Tiny and I am one of the interns and your colleague too. I am attached to the Public Relations company known as PDQ. I Just started my industrial training few days ago but it seems like I have 2 months there. I would like to say PDQ is open when it comes to their interns, communication wise. Upon completion of my industrial training I should be exposed to the following areas with PDQ: Media monitoring, Organizing Press events (if any during training period), Drafting Press Release, Liaising with Press, Reporting, Creative Development Procedures, Client Liaison, Contact Reports, meeting Coordination, Research, Job briefs (if any during training period, work in Progress, Liaising with other internal Departments and proposals/quotations to clients. (the list is endless) that is why I am saying its like I have 2 months. Before I go further, PDQ have many clients and this makes us more active and meet the deadlines.
So to start with, there is what is termed media monitoring in Public Relations, It is the activity of monitoring the output of the print and broadcast media if you all remember from our PR classes. In the morning, before I even sit on my chair, I grab one newspaper or two to my table I am expected to go through the newspaper and find the articles related to the clients that PDQ deals with, cut out the article, scan and save under the particular file of the client. The purpose of media monitoring is to analyse and provide feedback to our clients in the form of press clippings, daily monitoring reports and media analysis. It also helps us to have access to news information created by the media . The other importance is to create a link between the media and their audience, I like this because someone cannot escape the media monitoring which takes an hour or so.
Apart from media monitoring there is media tracking, this is whereby the attendance if I may call it that way, is taken after reading the newspaper, I have to record that Tiny Tshukudu has read this certain newspaper and others as they follow. I had no experience on media tracking it sounds fun because if you do not read a newspaper it will show at the end. Enough about media monitoring and media tracking.
Following the media or calling the media is another stressful task ever, but I have built my confidence on this one. Someone has to be patient because you might not understand the language they are using but you have to go over and over again till the two of you understand each other.
I would like to say there is still more to come this was just to pass by, like I said before the above mentioned are my training schedule. Oh!!! before I forget communication in PDQ is of high standard, I cannot complain on their communication, its ever busy in the office.
Wait for more from me because I am still working on something which will be beneficial to you all when I bring it to the table for discussion.
Have a blessed and productive week ahead.
Tiny Diakanyeng
So to start with, there is what is termed media monitoring in Public Relations, It is the activity of monitoring the output of the print and broadcast media if you all remember from our PR classes. In the morning, before I even sit on my chair, I grab one newspaper or two to my table I am expected to go through the newspaper and find the articles related to the clients that PDQ deals with, cut out the article, scan and save under the particular file of the client. The purpose of media monitoring is to analyse and provide feedback to our clients in the form of press clippings, daily monitoring reports and media analysis. It also helps us to have access to news information created by the media . The other importance is to create a link between the media and their audience, I like this because someone cannot escape the media monitoring which takes an hour or so.
Apart from media monitoring there is media tracking, this is whereby the attendance if I may call it that way, is taken after reading the newspaper, I have to record that Tiny Tshukudu has read this certain newspaper and others as they follow. I had no experience on media tracking it sounds fun because if you do not read a newspaper it will show at the end. Enough about media monitoring and media tracking.
Following the media or calling the media is another stressful task ever, but I have built my confidence on this one. Someone has to be patient because you might not understand the language they are using but you have to go over and over again till the two of you understand each other.
I would like to say there is still more to come this was just to pass by, like I said before the above mentioned are my training schedule. Oh!!! before I forget communication in PDQ is of high standard, I cannot complain on their communication, its ever busy in the office.
Wait for more from me because I am still working on something which will be beneficial to you all when I bring it to the table for discussion.
Have a blessed and productive week ahead.
Tiny Diakanyeng
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