This is probably the most awkward thing I’ve ever written. As a Black British woman of Jamaican and working-class heritage, self-celebratory posts like the one I’m about to write aren’t typically encouraged. “Be careful of redeye!” (Jamaican slang for “Beware of jealous people!”) “No one likes a show-off!” “It’s super-tacky to talk about yourself all … Continue reading Celebrating 2020: 5 ‘impossible’ things I did this year
Category: Corporate communications
6 effective ways to build a great mentoring relationship
What makes a good mentor? I’ve thought about this question a lot since I was asked to be a mentor on the 2020 BME PR Pros Mentoring Scheme. The scheme aims to increase ethnic diversity in the PR and communications industry, and I was paired with the awesome Corrine Lewis, a Senior Account Executive at … Continue reading 6 effective ways to build a great mentoring relationship
Change Communications: the GIF that keeps on giving
Change communications is tough. Foggy business plans; aloof/petrified senior leaders; hard-to-pin-down project plan; resistant employees (of all levels!) - us communicators brave/silly enough to work in change management have seen it all. And, for the most part, we love it (I know I do). But sometimes, the volatile and hectic nature of change environments can … Continue reading Change Communications: the GIF that keeps on giving
Jamaican Independence Day: 5 love letters from PR and media
Few things fill me with joy and pride like Jamaica. I wear my heritage like a badge of honour and for good reason. My island has it all: beautiful landscapes, a fascinating history; a diverse – and hilarious – population and one of the most influential cultures in the world. So today, I’m joining nearly … Continue reading Jamaican Independence Day: 5 love letters from PR and media
3 Ways to Keep Your Communications Super Simple
It's National Simplicity Day on Sunday (12 July); a day where people ditch the internet and life’s complications in favour of nature, calm and effortlessness. Simple doesn’t come easy for me. But if there’s one thing the current pandemic has taught me, it’s that there’s beauty in the basics. Everything else is just noise. National … Continue reading 3 Ways to Keep Your Communications Super Simple
7 meaningful ways you can support Black people today
What would you do if: You were in a meeting to discuss how to make your corporate magazine content more inclusive and the most senior person in the room – a white man – tells you he’s at risk of being a minority. Three of the seven people in the room are white men. You’re … Continue reading 7 meaningful ways you can support Black people today
3 feelings I felt while at my first Black Women in PR event
Last Thursday, I made my way to the London College of Communication to attend ‘Careers in Public Relations & Communications’, a panel and networking event aimed at anyone wanting to enter or progress in PR, comms and media relations. I was buzzed about going for 3 reasons: The panel and host were all Black women … Continue reading 3 feelings I felt while at my first Black Women in PR event
3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore
If you’d have told me when I graduated from my psychology degree course a decade ago that I’d be willingly writing about the topic, I’d have laughed my head off. It’s not that I didn’t like psychology – it fascinated me. I just didn’t like university much (a post for another day!). But here I … Continue reading 3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore
VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!
A few months ago, I was invited to speak at Leadership and internal communications: an essential partnership, the first global online conference by the fab H&H communications agency. It was my first time speaking at the conference and while I was very nervous, I was absolutely made up to be asked! Delivering a presentation applying … Continue reading VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!
Groupthink – when more heads aren’t better than one
Picture this: you've made the invite list for your organisation's exec board meeting (hopefully, as a strategic IC advisor). At your first meeting, during a group discussion about a proposed high-impact business change, a senior leader suggests a completely unworkable course of action. Before you can even think "holy shizz - this is bad!", the meeting … Continue reading Groupthink – when more heads aren’t better than one
5 times the Internal Comms community was the absolute best!
This month marks 3 years since I took my first step towards a career in Internal Communications by attending a CIPR Inside Annual General Meeting. I can still picture it now. Me, a frustrated health admin manager who’d only heard of IC a couple of months before, sat on my own in a room filled … Continue reading 5 times the Internal Comms community was the absolute best!
Valentine’s Day 2019: Why we love solving employee challenges
Tomorrow millions of people across the world will open heart-adorned cards and exchange sweet nothings across candlelit dinner tables in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re celebrating with your special someone or engaging in some self-love practices, it’s hard to deny the good feeling that comes from being in love. Whether that’s with another human, … Continue reading Valentine’s Day 2019: Why we love solving employee challenges
Annique Simpson 