FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:    Janine M. Krasicky

                  J9 Media Solutions, LLC

(248) 542-3991

janine@j9media.com

 

Building a Business Case for Communications – John Finney presents at the IABC/Detroit May 12 Meeting

DETROIT, May 4, 2004 – Would you like to find new ways to prove the value of your communications programs? The May 12 IABC/Detroit luncheon features John Finney, past chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators (1997-1998), and a senior communication consultant with Watson Wyatt Worldwide. Finney will give attendees tips on how to build a business case for communications and to quantify a company’s return on its investment. In today’s economic climate communicators are challenged to find a way to capture the tangible results of their programs, which often map to objectives that are difficult to quantify, such as employee, customer and brand loyalty.

 

Finney will draw on his more than 18 years of experience in business communication as the foundation for his presentation, which will be supported with findings from Watson Wyatt’s Communication ROI Study. The study includes raw data on the connection between communications programs and the bottom line. In addition to research linking communication best practices with higher shareholder value, John will share why capturing communications ROI is an imperative in today’s business environment and his top ten tips for value-added communication. As a specialist in employee sensing, strategic planning and change communication, Finney is well qualified to lead a compelling yet practical discussion on this topic of increasing significance and impact.

 

“We’re delighted to also honor a local winner of IABC’s most prestigious Gold Quill award,” said Cindy Orlandi, APR, 2003-2004 IABC/Detroit president and principal of Cyndosura. “PPOM, LLC of Southfield was a winner in the electronic and digital communications category for its Web site redesign in both the international and District 7 IABC awards competitions,” she explained.

 

The luncheon will be held at the Watson Wyatt Worldwide Southfield location – 28411 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, Mich. from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets for this luncheon are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Register for this event, by calling Nancy Skidmore at (248) 546-5490. No-shows and last-minute cancellations will be invoiced.

 

IABC/Detroit will also distribute IABC District 7 Silver Quill awards to Detroit members who recently received recognition for their communications programs in the competition. More than 16 communications programs from the Detroit area will be recognized.

 

-more-

IABC/Detroit will be judging entries from another chapter’s awards program on Thursday, May 6 at Margo E. Williams & Associates at 615 Griswold, Suite 820 in the Ford Building in downtown Detroit. If you are interested in helping, contact Margo Williams at (313) 961-6622.

 

IABC/Detroit, one of the largest chapters of the 13,000-member International Association of Business Communicators, has more than 250 professional communicators. The chapter, which includes members in Michigan, Ohio and Canada, holds monthly professional development programs; sponsors workshops; offers job referral services, informative publications, award programs, accreditation programs and the opportunity to meet and network with other communicators. For information on membership, visit www.iabc.com.

 

Additional information on the chapter and its free electronic job referral service for employers is available at www.iabcdetroit.com or by calling IABC/Detroit's Executive Secretary Nancy Skidmore at 248-546-5490.

 

###