Vollocity Live! - July 2009

Vollocity Live! is produced by Vollmer Public Relations, one of the leading independent public relations and marketing communication firms in the country and the largest in the Southwest. The production is a companion piece to our eNewsletter Vollocity with articles and information on messaging and branding; media and influencer outreach; issues and crisis counsel; and social media along with our defined practice areas in training, creative and digital services, education, travel and hospitality, hospitals and healthcare, energy and petrochemical, international, public advocacy, consumer, business to business, and technology, as well as the arts and non-profits. For more information, go to http://www.vollmerpr.com

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How to Get the Best from your Summer Interns

by Leticia Schmidt Camara, Ashley Hellen and Amanda Waldman
Vollmer Public Relations Summer Interns Twitter @vollmerinterns

The three Vollmer summer interns got together to offer insight into what makes for a valuable intern experience for both the intern and the employer:

Leticia Schmidt Camara, Vollmer Public Relations – Houston Office

Last week I met up with a friend that I hadn’t seen in ages, and we talked about our most exciting summer plans – our internships. I was very quick to dominate the conversation with all of my new experiences at Vollmer – the media calls, my emersion into Social Media tools, fun conversations with interesting co-workers, event planning and media recaps. I could not be stopped. Until I took a breath, and realized my friend wasn’t looking very excited. So, politely, I asked, “What has your week been like?”And my friend replied, “I’ve been licking envelopes.” I paused. Why? Why wouldn’t you use a glue stick/tape/staples/a sponge (insert anything else that might have been more pleasant than using your tongue repeatedly)? My friend wasn’t even sure what event he was licking for.

Having coffee with him made me realize the difference between an internship that will keep you busy and an internship that will help you grow. I am happy to say that I find myself in a summer mentorship, while my friend is stuck in an internship. I believe understanding the difference between the two and striving to create a “mentoring” atmosphere is ultimately the best way an employer can motivate and best use an intern.

This difference stems from the approach the company takes towards the intern and learning process. A mentoring institution views the intern with curiosity, respect and with a willingness to teach. Interns thrive at places like these, such as Vollmer Public Relations, where questions are welcome, co-workers share stories, and tasks are given but also explained. Employers would also greatly benefit from getting to know their interns. Ask about hobbies, skills and interests. Sometimes these may translate into valuable differentiators for your firm.

Employers that focus on teaching and pushing interns to see how daily tasks fit into the big picture of an industry may not fully realize the substantial impact they have on our lives. My time with Vollmer will allow me insight into a market segment so that I can have a strong base to ponder post-graduation plans, and the opportunity to ask questions and pick brains is priceless.
It’s hard for employers to fully grasp how much responsibility interns can be given right off the bat, and we understand that we may be given jobs that may come across as “busy work.”

However, there are some simple ways to help us feel motivated to do whatever task comes our way. One of the easiest ways to help an intern feel included in your organization is by setting aside time to allow everyone to introduce themselves and explain what they do within the company. This allows us to see how the organization works, who we can “bug” with questions on a certain task, and most importantly – it’s a chance for us to learn everyone’s names!
By creating this atmosphere with open dialogue and patience, employers will optimize the internship experience, for both the mentee and the firm.

Ashley Hellen, Vollmer Public Relations - Dallas Office

To sum up what Leticia said, here are some tips on how to use an intern best to get the most out of an internship:

• No job is too small



• Make me feel a part of the team



• Schedule one-on-ones



• Evaluate my performance regularly



• Encourage participation

Amanda Waldman, Vollmer Public Relations – Austin Office

Still not exactly sure where to start your intern?

At Vollmer this summer, I have been assigned to answer the phones. Although I was hesitant at first, I think this was a great way for me to become familiar with the clients our firm represents. I am the first person they hear from and the one who answers all of their initial questions. I have to know these answers, of course, which only comes with experience. Put your interns on the phone for a while and see what they can do. I know I have certainly learned a lot from being on the phone.

And, please remember, interns love to sit down to talk with their employers and fellow co-workers. We are curious individuals who are excited and eager to get involved and learn about the field we are working in. I encourage employers at the end of the week to debrief what your intern has done, in order to make sure they are staying on track and getting the most out of their experience. That way everyone will be satisfied.

Once again, thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope that by the end of my internship I will have made you proud and that we both will have learned a lot.

Twitter @vollmerinterns

Trade Shows – Smart Move or Risky Business?

by Rupa Patel, Vollmer Public Relations

Halfway through 2009, it’s safe to say that economic concerns remain top-of-mind in the business world. Eager to find ways to cut budgets and expenses, more companies are putting trade shows on the chopping block – a move that some call a no-brainer and others call risky. So with purse strings tightening and budgets being slashed left and right, why should companies keep trade shows as part of their marketing and sales mix?

Exhibitors:

There’s no time like Face-Time. Face-to-face meetings get you visibility that no amount of blogging, tweeting or other tech-forward, budget-friendly communications channels can duplicate. Buyers want to see which companies are out there and talk with the people behind the products. If they’re going to invest in you, they want to have a face that goes with the company and a history with you that tells them their investment is a safe one.

A buyer may not have money to spend now, but when they do, you want to be the last company they spoke with and the first name they remember.

Hundreds of Birds, One Stone. Compare the expense of having to make multiple sales calls to each and every one of your prospects compared to the cost of making one trip with all of your potential buyers together under one roof. While doing a show is by no means cheap, it’s a small price to pay for the short and long-term payoff of leads (not to mention possible media exposure) that can be gathered over just a few days.

Remember: A friendly 15-minute chat at the registration table can mean the
difference between making multiple trips to woo a possible client and being able to pick up the phone and make a deal.

Buyers:

Take Advantage. Having multiple suppliers in one place means you can weigh your options against each other and make a more sound decision versus having to compare multiple offerings over a few weeks or months worth of sales visits.

Remember: These events are full of exhibitors just as eager to make a sale as you are to get a great deal. Take advantage of the opportunities to scope out all your options and get the most bang for your buck.

Tricks of the Trade. What better way to hear what’s working and what’s not than from those who have already tried it? Conference sessions and roundtable discussions can help you save the time and expense of having to work out new project kinks by getting first-hand information on how to move forward as effectively as possible.

Remember: Show sessions have tools to improve business processes and create efficiencies that can save more than their fair share of valuable dollars in the long-run.

So yes, trade shows are still worth the expense. Does that mean you’re stuck shelling out thousands of dollars for a three-day stay in Las Vegas? No! There are always options for even the strictest of budgets.

• It’s not an “all or nothing” game Go to one show, maybe two, not 12. Research your options and check out each event’s show offerings, sessions and track record for return attendees.
  
  


• Go to the source Contact show organizers and see what they’re doing to get qualified buyers and exhibitors to you, even if it means sacrificing higher attendance numbers. Having 1,200 people on the exhibit floor doesn’t matter if only 200 are interested in making a business deal.
  
  


• Watch deadlines All conferences offer early registration discounts, keep these dates on your radar and make sure you are signed up in advance. Your savings can be used for other marketing / sales initiatives or to cover the expense of sending another staffer to the show.
  
  


• Professional membership Many professional organizations offer members discounts to industry events. Look into member rates or see how the cost of membership compares to ongoing trade show savings opportunities.
  
  


• Speakers / sponsorships Speaker and sponsor perks often include free show passes. Checkout sponsorship and speaking opportunities, which generally range from individual presentations to group panel discussions. Also, time and monetary comparisons with your current schedule and costs.
  
  


• Booth packages Shipping costs always catch people off guard. Look into renting booth packages on site. The savings from not having to customize a booth and ship it to the show will be worth the extra planning.
  
  


• Complimentary / Floor passes Many shows offer complimentary or floor passes that limit your show access. You may miss out on speakers and sessions, but if your primary goal is to find a vendor or make a sale, getting onto the exhibit floor is clearly the priority.
  

A Little Soap and Water Can Help Fresh Ideas Flow

by Kiska Workman, Vollmer Public Relations

Some of my best ideas come to me in, you guessed it, the shower. You, too? But just why is that?

Well, maybe it’s simply because, for a few minutes at least, we allow our minds to be free from stress and the to-do list that never seems to melt away. It could just be that we don’t have to try so hard to think strategically for our company, clients or department. Maybe we’re not recognizing the beginnings of great ideas at unexpected times.

We should absolutely make a conscious effort not to let those shower ideas go down the drain. Here are a few thoughts on making the most of quiet-moment musings:

Write it down. The beginnings of that great idea can evaporate the minute we turn off the water and step back into our daily routine. Writing it down can imprint the idea and remind us later that it’s there.

Don’t discard it because it’s incomplete. We can be pretty sure that Edison didn’t come up with the entire plan for the light bulb after just one shower. So let that idea splash around in the brain for a while. It just might be the start of something momentous.

Listen to your thoughts at other quiet times – Maybe your best ideas come at the gym or when you’re mowing the lawn or just taking your recyclables to the curb. Remind yourself to get in tune with the seemingly random thoughts that pop into your head when you may not even realize you’re thinking.

So, tomorrow morning when you’re getting ready for your day, be open to the big ideas that may be showering down all around you and let them soak in for a while – who knows where it might lead!

What a way to start the day!

Many Happy Returns: How Companies Measure Their Social Media

by Mauren Kunz, Vollmer Public Relations

So you’ve decided to venture into the social media realm, but how do you know if it’s making a difference and reaching your audience? We talked to some companies leading the way in social media to find out how their outreach through up-and-coming avenues is making an impact in a real way – the bottom line.

The General Motors family of brands was among the first to adopt social media when it launched its FastLane blog in January 2005. GM now utilizes a series of blogs, along with Twitter, Facebook and other tools, to spread its good news and educate its audiences, even throughout the bankruptcy process.

Rather than assigning social media aspects a numerical value for measurement, GM takes a different approach – measuring quality over quantity. That includes anything from first-class conversations to comments from people that say their outlook on the company was changed by a GM social media intervention. GM also utilizes a paid program to track page views and clicks on the various GM blogs, and even piloted a software program that measures the tone of GM-related blog posts to identify which are most influential.

“The piloted software streamlined the process of responding to posts, which we try to do on a regular basis,” says Adam Denison, assistant manager, Chevrolet Communications. “That allowed us the opportunity to be involved in the dialogue from the beginning. When it comes to measurement, we look more at how the conversation is changing as a result of our efforts, and we see it working.”

Southwest Airlines, another social media veteran, first jumped onto Twitter in June 2007, shortly after the 140-character site launched. Known for its non-traditional attitude to flying, the low-fare air carrier uses a combination approach to measure its outreach efforts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

“We measure many of our social media channels similarly to how we measure PR,” says Christi Day, emerging media specialist, Southwest Airlines. “There are a ton of free tools that can help us gauge followers on all three outlets, but we also subscribe to paid analytical tools that help capture the entirety of the conversation.”

A combination approach seems to be working for the company, which now boasts more than 115,000 Twitter followers, more than three times the number it had on June 1, 2009.

“We’ve found that the best way to measure is to be in the tools every day, using them to build relationships with the audience,” says Day.

No matter what your company values, there are tools to measure your outreach efforts and ensure you’re contributing to the bottom line. Turn to the experts at Vollmer, and let us help you determine what makes the most sense for your business!

Vollmer Public Relations Shines at PRSA Excalibur Awards

Gold Excalibur for Issues Management:
Halls Bayou Federal Feasibility Study Public Involvement Plan
Tricia Bentley and Helen Vollmer

Gold Excalibur for News Release:
Beer Can House Opening
Katie Bulter, Lori Martin, Helen Vollmer and Allen Caudle

Silver Excalibur for Non-profit PR Campaign:
DePelchin Children’s Center Teen Pregnancy Prevention – Baby Think It Over
Tricia Bently

Silver Excalibur for Education Campaign or Outreach:
H-GAC My Solution Is…
Carolyn Mayo, Lori Martin, Katie Butler, and India Chumney-Hancock

Silver Excalibur for e-newsletter/e-zine:
East Harris County Manufacturers Association Newsletter
Kiska Workman and Mauren Kunz

Silver Excalibur for Op-ed:
Universal American: Access to Care for Seniors a Response to HR 6331
India Chumney-Hancock

PRSA Excalibur Awards

The Vollmer Family Grows

Congratulations to Vollmer CFO Duane Geyer and his family on their latest addition. Way to go grandpa!