The key messages from this week’s readings were the importance of good group work when preparing for a group presentation. The benefits of sharing the workload were highlighted. Key presentation points highlighted in the readings were: What can be done to overcome nerves, preparing material, Usefulness of visual aids, the delivery

The key message can be applied to my group work through making sure we share the workload evenly between the two of us. We can use the checklists to ensure we do not forget anything that needs to be included in the presentation

The readings made me think more about PR in practice as it highlighted the more practical side of presenting a plan in front of an audience. This is a common situation in the PR workplace.

The readings related to readings I had done in previous weeks as they expanded more on the importance of good group work, but also went further to focus on presentation skills.

WEEK NINE READINGS

WEEK NINE READINGS:

The key messages from the readings were varied. One message suggested that changes within an industry environment such as the construction industry can impact greatly on community relations. There is an increased need when changes like this occur for an organisation to adopt a corporate social responsibility and good community relations as these two things impact upon the vitality of an industry. Tools for fostering good community relations were emphasised. These included simple, concise, clear and professional newsletters that send out a message. Another 'tool' mentioned which aids positive interaction with the local community is an invitation to the public to attend a residents' meeting.


The key messages can be applied to my group work. The readings suggest that local media are vital in maintaining good community relations. In our PR plan we are asked to identify key media people, we will take into account the value of utilising these media people as a form of publicity.


The readings made think more about PR roles in practices as it highlighted PR roles in fostering good community relations. For example the public services liaison is responsible for rfully informing representatives of any activities that may have the potential to impact in any negative way on the community.


The readings related to readings I had done in previous weeks as they expanded on the newsletter as source of communication. They highlighted that Newsletter help build a long term relationship between parties inexpensive and effective way of communication. It also informed of the layout style and what should be included in terms of content.

WEEK 8

WEEK 8 READINGS

I believe that the key message of the readings was the relationship between journalists and public relation practitioners and the dependency of each profession on each other. Another Key message from the readings was the advantages and disadvantages of using the internet and online press rooms as one of or only communication

The readings can be applied to my group work. The readings make clear that the preferred method contact within the public relations and journalism industries is email. When we need to contact media people for research of our PR plan we can take this on board and use email to contact.

The readings made me think more about PR and Journalism in practice as they highlighted the misunderstandings and common stereotypes and common prejudices between the journalism and the PR profession.

The readings related to readings I had done in previous weeks as it expanded on past information about the internet as a communications source.

WEEK 7

WEEK 7 READINGS

I believe the key messages in the readings were the key steps in a typical public relations plan. The key steps outlined were:
* the need to set general objectives
* define target audience
* establish current opinions through formal an field research incase a need to shift opinions and attitudes
* methods of research
* specific objectives should be result orientated with measurable outcomes. They should include at least of the two following measures: time, quantity, cost, quality
* Errors to avoid in setting objectives
* media avenues helping to achieve strategy
* Planing and reviewing the budget
* Implementation of the final plan

The messages can be applied to my group work through avoiding the errors outlined in setting objectives. This will ensure my group will have specific and measurable objectives that will help contribue to a good PR plan.

The readings made me think ore about PR in practice as the AMP Sponsorship of the Sydney Olympics case study gave a practical example of a public relations plan.

The readings related to readings I had done in previous weeks in that it used concepts that were read previously and showed how these are used and required in a public relaions plan.

Week Six Readings

WEEK SIX READINGS

I believe the key message from the week six reading was the importance of crisis control programs and policies to ensure minimum damage and effective management in times of a crisis. As well as the Crisis Management Preparation, that is what needs to be done to effectively control a crisis for example a responsible and capable crisis management team.

The messages can be applied to my group work through the readings highlighted many things that an organization can do to prepare for a potential crisis, communicate during a crisis, and rebuild relationships with publics after a crisis. My group can take these things into account when writing our PR plan for Toastmasters.

The readings made me think more about public relations in practice as they provided examples of how public relations managers can integrate new communication media into their mix of communication tactics in crisis and risk management. For example using the internet as, it offers organizations the opportunity to communicate their message without media imposed filters. It allows for feedback and gives an organization the opportunity to give their side of a crisis. The reading on Direct Relief International gave a practical example of a crisis management. The organization provides resources to health programs in areas affected by disasters. It made clear how communication structures tend to flatten in a crisis for e.g. Hurricane Katrina.

The reading related to reading I have done in previous weeks as they demonstrated key roles and functions within an organization. However related highlighted the roles and responsibilities in times of crisis such as roles of team leaders, operations and recovery sections of the organization.

WEEK FIVE READINGS:

I believe the key messages from this week’s readings were the importance of successful internal and community public relations. The values truth, honest and communication need to be embraced with internal stakeholders and members of the community. Staff morale and good will needs to be established through internal public relations in order to achieve job satisfaction and productivity. Good internal public relations ensure staff are kept happy, loyal, safe and informed. Successful community PR needs to be maintained in order to achieve a good image for the organisation as well as helping to achieve the financial bottom line of the business.

The messages can be applied to my group work as my group can adopt a flat organisation structure within our group. This will allow for the communication of ideas and problems with all members of the group. We will also keep the triple bottom line as an important focus of our plan to ensure we are keeping a social focus and not damaging our organisations reputation. The private hospital adding value case study and the 2030 case study provided an example of a PR plan with a community focus, our group will be able to use this as an example and model for our own PR plan. It will help with layout as well strategies and evaluation.

The readings made me think more about public relations in practice as they gave practical examples of how to achieve good internal and community public relations. Internal for example: notice boards, memos, awards, events and face to face community. Community for example: consultations, scanning the environment, collaboration with community groups and negotiation.

The reading related to reading I have done in previous weeks as they expanded on important public relations. They moved away from a business to business type focus and included the internal and community public relation.

WEEK 4

WEEK 4 READINGS: 12 / 03/2007

I believe the key messages from this week’s readings were that dealing with the media is a crucial role that must be undertaken by a PR practitioner and how it plays a key role in various aspects of the public relations industry for example publicity. The readings highlighted the reliance of the media on the public relations industry as well as the need for media by the public relations industry. The readings made clear how the media can be used by organisations in the reporting of activities, raising public awareness, influencing public opinion and gaining support for interests or causes. Another key message explored was the need for news to be aligned with media values and newsworthiness and the difficulties encountered by non for profit organizations in receiving positive news.


The key points in the reading can be applied to my group work as it helped give me ideas on how to use the media to enhance the position of an organization. My group can also take on board the choice of media type to suit the target audience of our organisation for example our groups organization is the wine, we may choose a wine lifestyle magazine to reach our audience. The ability to work to deadlines was also discussed; my group will need to take this on board as we will be working to meet deadlines, such as the due date of our PR plan.

The readings made me think more about public relations theory/practice as it highlighted the type of media work that public relations practitioners take on. For example media releases written in the inverted pyramid style and the organization of press conferences.

The readings related to the other reading I’ve done in previous weeks as they further explained the role of the public relations practitioner in the workforce. They made clear the key roles and activities that PR practitioners undertake.

WEEK THREE READINGS: 2/03/07 I believe the key messages from this week’s readings were the importance of good research throughout an entire Public Relations plan and how this research is applied to the PR process. I also thought the ethical considerations in research (although not in depthly) mention was a key message to take out of the readings. It highlighted the importance of academic honesty, the need to avoid plagiarism and to acknowledge sources to create an original piece. The key points in the reading can be applied to my group work by following the online tutorials guide to evaluating sources. This will ensure that my group has valid, credible, authoritive and useful information from academic sources. The numerous methods of research discussed have given me a wider knowledge of methods my group could use to research our company rather than just primary sources such as online journal articles. The readings made me think more about public relations theory/practice in that they made me aware of the qualities needed by a PR manager in the real workforce. These qualities were strategic thinking, problem solving and sound judgement. The readings related to the other reading I’ve done in previous weeks. Although I am new to communications this year, my previous course also focused on the importance of honest research, so this weeks reading refreshed my memory on academic honesty, but also expanded upon research methods that can be employed.

WEEK TWO READINGS: 24 / 02/07

I believe the key messages from this week’s readings were the importance of successful and strategic public relations plans as well as the need for the expertise of the strategic manager in order to lead to communication excellence. The steps, organization and essential elements of a public reltions strategy as well as the problem based learning method were also key messages.

The key points in the readings could be applied to my group’s work as they helped increased my awareness of the value and importance of group work, not only within university, but more importantly in the workforce. The readings provided ideas and suggestions for each stage of group work cab be put into practice for the upcoming task. The readings showed that group work like the one we will undertake in CMNS2090 can be useflul for idea sharing and pooled information. The do’s and dont's list( such as the assigning of maintainance roles within the group) helped to give me ideas on how my group can be successful and manage conflict when it arises.

The readings made me think more about public relations theory/practice in that they used case studies that made the link of putting PR theory into practice in the workforce. This helped make concrete and reinforce the key messages.

The readings related to the other reading I’ve done in previous weeks in that they refreshed my memory on key public relations concepts, and expanded on some important themes such as the public relations strategy plan.

Hi everyone,

this is blogg will contain weekly updates relating the the required readings for Public Relations Issues and Strategies.

Enjoy, Taegan