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A Formative Four Years

It’s hard for me to believe that we are already celebrating the fourth anniversary of the founding of The Reis Group.  As I thought about this milestone and about my original vision to create a health care public relations agency with the best possible work culture, I was wonderfully gratified to get the news that we were just named one of the “Best Boutique Agencies to Work For” by PRovoke, one of the leading industry trade news outlets.

To be recognized for our culture, being named one of the best in the nation in the “most voluminous and competitive” category, according to PRovoke, is very rewarding for me both professionally and personally. Having a strong, talented, supportive team has been a joy, and it gives me hope for much success in the next year and beyond.

As I looked back at the four-year mark, I found myself marveling at how much has changed in such a short time, even before our world was upended by COVID-19.

The Cloud

When we moved into our brand new Dupont Circle office in Washington, D.C. in 2016, we worked with our tech expert to put all our content into the cloud and to have everything accessible virtually. It’s been an amazing change, particularly with our increased travel schedules, to have the ability to work from anywhere and have access to all our files. And it enabled us to buy the lightest laptops available, which was fantastic news for my poor sore shoulder!

Remote Work

Long before COVID-19, we started working remotely once a week on the day of your choice. But that became too confusing; some people would take it, others wouldn’t. It got to the point where we didn’t know whether someone was in or out of the office. We had a solution: “Work From Home Fridays.” Everyone would get the benefit. Everyone would be required to use video calls as the primary form of communication. Everyone needed to have a home office set up. Wow! Did that ever pay off when the coronavirus hit!

Working from home one day a week is fun. Working from home every day is just hard. I miss my co-workers! Getting coffees together. Chatting about the weekend. Noticing a new piece of clothing or a desk decoration. Being able to tell how each of us is doing by reading our body language. Let’s face it; you really can’t do that as well on Zoom. We are on virtual calls every day together, but nothing replaces being in each other’s presence.

Health Care’s Transformation

Our firm is focused on health and health care. I’ve dedicated the last 20-plus years of my life to these issues. So much has changed so quickly in both a scary and exciting way. Disparities, telehealth, questions about insurance coverage, access to care, prevention, mental health, reimbursement issues, scope of practice, and more. Never have these challenges been more apparent or important.

Supporting Our Community

The sweeping protests around the world are sparking historic changes that have been too long coming. As an employer, I am strongly committed to equity and to having a team that reflects our community, that is open to ideas from everyone, and that supports each other’s successes. Every June, we donate to a cause that helps the community. This year, we made a donation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

My Proudest Moment

When we opened our doors four years ago, I said something that still holds true and that I keep near my heart. “To give it my best—to really make it shine—I need to work with the best people; people who share my values and my commitment to excellence. I have to work in a culture of support, in which our team members see that a major part of our work is to build each other up and help each other succeed.” I’m very grateful to know that we are doing that, and will continue…

A Passion for Pie

Next week, The Reis Group will temporarily trade PR for pastry-making when our staffers prepare their entries for the Great 2019 Pie-Off! This time-honored annual team tradition requires creativity and flair in the kitchen for us to master recipes that can stand out among a group of up to 10 pies, prepared by our highly competitive staff. On the flip side, our digestive fortitude also will be put to the test as we sacrifice our waistlines and taste each and every pie in search of this year’s winning entry.

This competition is serious stuff around our Dupont Circle office. To prepare for this year’s Pie-Off, we caught up with TRG master pie-maker, Stephanie Wight. In her seven years with the team, Steph has been recognized for her prize-winning pastry creations four times!

Q. How many of your pies have been honored in the Pie-Off?

A. I had to go back to my Instagram archive for this one. The first time I won was in 2014 with a blueberry custard pie. Then in 2015 I earned second place with a Smore’s Brownie pie. In 2016, I won with a Pear Ginger pie, and then last year I went from sweet to savory and won top prize with a Sausage, Apple and Sage pie. Important to note that all these winners were judged primarily for taste, not for appearance. I’m definitely not a visual artist when it comes to my baking.

Q. What’s your most memorable pie?

A. The Blueberry Custard became a fan favorite among my friends and family. And then the Pear Ginger was a unique combination that turned out great. I attempted artistry by braiding the crust – and it actually turned out pretty well, which was a miracle!

Q. What do you look for in a recipe to make these delicious creations?

A. I look for an element of surprise. Everyone loves traditional pies, but you need to have some kind of an edge to stand out. This year will be interesting because I’ve heard lots of buzz about savory pies, which have won the past two years (shout out to Tamara Moore’s meat pie in 2018—that was amazing!) So, this year, we might have an even mix of sweet and savory, making the selection process even more difficult!

Q. Do you have any baking memories from childhood that have instilled this skill or passion?

A. My first Reis Group Pie-Off in 2014 was the first time I ever baked a pie! Although I do have fun memories from childhood helping my mom bake cookies and cakes. My grandma always brings pies for Thanksgiving, but for the past few years my Pie-Off winners have shared the Thanksgiving table with hers. The S’mores pie is another family favorite!

Q. What’s your Pie-Off routine?

A. First, I search Pinterest and some cooking magazines to select a pie…. then, I make sure to plan lots of free time on the Sunday before the contest to bake. Since I’m not the most experienced baker, I read through recipes during the selection process to make sure they aren’t too complex. I also have always gone with either store-bought crust, or crusts that are easier to make like graham cracker crust or even better—Nilla wafer crust! If I’m going with a fruit pie, I make sure to buy ingredients in advance, to get the optimal degree of ripeness.

Q. Do you have any Pie-Off advisors?

A. Well, my boyfriend, Mick, otherwise known as Chef Micky B, is a very good cook. His stepfather is a long-time chef in South Florida, so Mick grew up learning from the best. However, he doesn’t know much about baking, so the baking tips from my mom have been the only cooking lessons I’ve been able to share with him. He will definitely be involved in the selection process for my pie and he’ll be around for any emergencies while baking.

So, I’m getting ready for a great time next week with my creative colleagues—and then I’ll be heading to the gym to work it off—and then start thinking about my 2020 recipe!

>>Learn more about Stephanie and drop her a hello here.

Two of The Reis Group’s Senior Leaders Talk about Life at the Agency

The Reis Group recently announced the promotion of two of its senior leaders, Lauren Musiol and Tamara Moore, to Senior Vice Presidents. Together they bring a combined 26 years of experience working on the team.

In the Q&A below, Lauren and Tamara answer five questions about their careers, team, and what they need to be their best.

Q: What interests you most about Health care PR?

Lauren: Health and health care are such an important part of everyone’s lives. Getting to work on issues and topics that directly impact people’s health and wellbeing makes my job interesting and rewarding.

Tamara: I totally agree! I am also fascinated by the issues we get to work on. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a boring day in the office between promoting scientific studies to following the latest policy debate – there is so much depth and diversity to what we do that keeps the work interesting.

Q: Millennials aren’t known for their job loyalty, especially in industries like PR. What has made you stay with Sharon for the past 13 years?

Tamara: We have pretty low turnover, so this type of longevity is a part of our culture. I often hear from friends and colleagues outside of TRG how strange they think it is that I’ve worked with the same team for more than a decade, but Sharon and Lauren have been two of my closest colleagues in this time, so it hasn’t felt strange that we’ve stuck together.

Lauren: Our team really is a close-knit group. Also, as a boss and a mentor, Sharon encourages us to continuously grow and evolve. This constant support provides opportunities to challenge ourselves and one another to stay on top of growing trends in the industry while mastering the tried and true skills that are necessary to be a successful PR professional.

Q: You manage some of TRG’s major clients, such as Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Nemours Children’s Health System. How do you successfully manage and deliver success with so many competing priorities?

Lauren: The key for me is organization and being able to determine what needs to be done now while looking ahead at the bigger picture. A big part of being able to do that is being part of a strong team that supports each other to ensure we are delivering the best service and most innovative ideas to our clients.

Tamara: Lauren is an absolute organizational goddess! Personally, I have about five to-do lists scattered across scrap paper. In all honesty, though, there is a certain focus and drive to overcome challenges and deliver success. We also have an amazing team that comes together to balance each other’s work loads and complement one another’s expertise.

Q: What makes you the best version of yourself? Or What are your passions?

Tamara: I am the best version of myself when I’m able to achieve my version of balance. This includes quality time with my family, working through deliverables for clients and feeling that sense of accomplishment, as well as taking care of myself by staying active and sleeping well. There is also a healthy amount of coffee that goes into this equation.

Lauren: I am very passionate about being active, so getting outside for a run or going to a class at the gym helps keep me calm and grounded, as well as helps me manage the stress of such a fast-paced industry.

Q: What advice do you live by?

Lauren: My motto is “wherever you are, be all there.” Too often we are focused on the next thing – whether that be checking the next item off our to-do list or answering that next email. It’s really important to fully engaged and bring your full attention to what you’re doing, whether it’s writing a high-level strategy memo or meeting with your team.

Tamara: I love that! For years, this Albert Einstein quote has stuck with me, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” In so much of what we do we are simplifying and translating, but without a deep understanding of the issues there is no way we’d be successful.

Growth Spurt. Excitement at Age 3

When we started our adventure three years ago, we felt the thrill of the new: a new name, new logo, new offices, new furniture, new benefits, new opportunities. And even new coffee shops and fresh new lunch options in our spiffy new Dupont Circle home.

As we celebrate our third anniversary today, we are filled with a surge of energy, a sense of momentum, and great excitement about how far we have come and how much further we want to go, together. Kind of like a growth spurt of an excited 3-year old.

We recently were honored to be named one of the best new agencies of the year by PRSA’s National Capital Chapter, and PR News recognized The Reis Group as one of the best places to work. In fact, in our three years in business, we have won 9 industry awards, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Our clients are leaders in advancing some of the country’s most pressing health and social causes. Many are focusing on new ventures in exploring health, well-being, complementary medicine, and the social determinants of health. Science promotion is more exciting than ever, as we move closer to finding a way to prevent devastating diseases ranging from childhood cancers to Alzheimer’s. Other clients are researching the hidden drivers of health care costs and educating the public. We continue to be in awe of our client partners who are incredibly smart, talented, and committed to making the world a better place.

As we enter our fourth year, we are growing in our personal lives, too. Tamara Moore, vice president, just this week gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Our colleague Kathleen Petty, account supervisor, is expecting her first child later this year. And my own baby just graduated from high school and is heading off this fall to college!

To our current clients, partners, and friends, we are grateful for you. You are the heart and soul of our success. We deeply value your support.

To my amazing colleagues, I am honored to be with you on this continuing adventure.

Thank you.

Sharon

The Bicycle Connection: Focus on the Top

I ride my bike to work as often as the weather, my schedule and daylight will allow. After Daylight Savings Time this spring, I found my first opportunity since Thanksgiving to ride the 10 miles from my home in Virginia to The Reis Group’s office in Washington’s Dupont Circle. The ride home is particularly challenging. It includes some intensely difficult climbs, especially two consecutive hills known by local commuters as “The Twin Sisters.” In the years I’ve been riding in this area, The Sisters have been my big test. On some of my worst days, joggers have passed me by as I shifted to my lowest gear and labored toward the top. On my very worst days, I stop at the first lamppost halfway up the first and hardest of The Sisters and trudge my bike up the hill.

Heading home on my first bike commute this spring, as I approached that first hill, I couldn’t take my eyes off a huge puddle near the bottom. If no bikes were coming the other way, I could go around the puddle to the left where the water was lowest. Or I could ride right through it, and certainly spray water and mud up my back and all over the newly cleaned bike. When I reached the puddle, I made it through just fine at a spot where the water was low, but then I immediately had to stop, without the momentum or strength to go any further. I got off the bike and pushed it up the hill. Got back on at the top, and completed my ride feeling dejected.

It hadn’t been that long since I had been bike commuting at least two or three days a week. In the fall, I had even felt great on a week-long bike ride across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Over the winter, I had lost a few pounds and done yoga and mountain climbers in my living room to keep up my core strength and endurance. Now, on my first ride of the spring, I couldn’t even make it to the lamppost. I felt even more tired the rest of the way home. I calculated that if I rode at least twice a week through April, maybe I could get back on my game by the end of April or early May.

A week after that first discouraging commute, my schedule, weather and daylight cooperated again, and I got another chance. As I approached The Twin Sisters, there was still water on the trail. I decided this time not to focus on the water or getting past it. I decided not to worry about the darn lamppost either. My focus was fixed squarely on the top of the first Sister. This time, I made it. No problem. And then the second hill: No problem!

The rest of my trip home, feeling elated and strong, I thought about how this experience reminded me that staying focused on the primary objective—making the top of the hill without getting distracted by tactics—is critical in our communications work. Communications planning must begin with a clear vision of our goals that we remain focused on through any project. It’s easy to get wrapped up and diverted by the details, focusing first on the particulars of the press releases, social media and other tactics that are critical to our work. But to reach our primary objectives and remain energized and focused, we have to keep our eyes on the big picture communications strategy: What are our client’s goals? Who is their audience? What is important to them? Where do we want to end up?

Whatever we encounter along the way, we must always bring our energy and our focus back to the top of the hill.

Passion Points: What Drives You?

Health care PR, particularly in these politically turbulent and uncertain times, has become a 24/7 business. You’re expected to be supernaturally connected to your smartphone, your email, and all the key websites of the instantaneously changing news cycle. Not only is this unrealistic; it’s unwise, and even unhealthy. Research shows that a myopic and hyper-vigilant focus on work actually can lead to diminished productivity and reduced creativity. At The Reis Group, we encourage every team member to strive for balance: Embrace your passion. Get out of the office. Get to know something about each other beyond their coffee order.

As a working mom, my passion is my family. My favorite time of day is any minute the four of us are together – whether we’re acting out some wild scenario that my four-year-old has dreamed up, finding (or making) puddles to jump in, or having a dance party. This family time truly allows me to recharge, refocus, and get a better grasp on what’s really important to me.

The conveniences of a modern, progressive office with flex schedules, tele-work and relaxed summer hours allow our team to embrace our professional and personal passions in equal measure.

These passion-points are a source of creative energy. They’re what drive us to keep going at the end of a hard day. They excite us, spurring our most imaginative moments. And give us sharper focus, keeping our attention through long meetings.

These personal preferences and individual passions – whether it’s coffee, fitness, travel, photography, storytelling, wellbeing, psychology or politics – allow each of us to be more. Our team chemistry is the heart and soul of The Reis Group. It is our thinking, knowledge, energy and creativity that endear us to – and inspire loyalty from – our clients, set us apart from other firms, and create a fun and supportive culture.

We do more than “show up.” We push ourselves beyond what’s expected to be at the top of our game. This collective inner drive connects each individual with our broader culture.

We work hard. We play hard. For our clients, and for ourselves.

Take a look at our passion points:

Marking Our One-Year Anniversary

I am both thrilled and humbled as The Reis Group marks its one-year anniversary of charting a new course in pursuit of the highest level of communications expertise in health, health care, science, and social issues. The energy of our team, our new office, our clients and their issues, our partners and their support, have made the past 12 months invigorating and incredibly successful. And our momentum is growing. We’ve added several new clients, we’re expanding our capabilities, and building our strengths.

And people are noticing. The Reis Group was just named a finalist for Best New Agency of the Year in North America for 2017 by The Holmes Report. I was recognized as one of the top Women of the Year by Washington Women in Public Relations. My colleague Tamara Moore received the honor of PR Professional of the Year from PR Daily, and our campaigns have received accolades in the PR industry.

It’s always a little scary leaving one company for another. Yet this new adventure has inspired and motivated me and our team. We are creating a culture of respect and recognition, combined with flexibility and fun. We are on the right path and feeling optimistic about the future.

We value and appreciate all your support. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

 

The Art of Working Remotely

According to GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, 50% of the U.S. workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least partial telework, and approximately 20-25% of the workforce teleworks with some frequency. This is a more than 100% increase since 2005, and represents a major shift in workplace dynamics.

Every industry is different, but in the world of health care public relations, our regular work day is constantly changing and allowing for greater flexibility. As someone who has been working remotely full-time for the last five years, I’ve identified several tips for ensuring a successful work-from-home experience.

  • Be prepared–and then prepare some more. When you work remotely – whether full-time or one day a week – you need to ensure that all calls and meetings, both internal and external, run smoothly and successfully. This requires some extra preparation on your part. From making sure that you and your colleagues have all the necessary materials that will be discussed to ensuring the technology you are using works correctly (Ahem… make sure your phone charger is always handy), it is your responsibility to make sure the experience is as seamless as possible.
  • Make sure you have the proper equipment. Working from home should be an extension of your regular workday, just without the commute or the water cooler chatter. So it is vital to that you have all the proper equipment, from computer to phone to software. You must be able to access all documents just as you would if you were in the office, so that it’s always “business as usual” regardless of your physical location. The ability to quickly and easily share screens with my colleagues has been extremely helpful to me, as I have navigated the work-from-home landscape.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of the telephone. Picking up the phone and talking to your colleagues is a huge part of successfully working remotely. While so much of what we do can be communicated via email, there is inherent value to actually talking with your colleagues, building relationships, and clearing up any miscommunication that may occur via email.
  • Minimize distractions. Make sure you have a thoughtfully designated space for your work area. Whether it be an entire office in your house, a desk in a spare bedroom, or a back corner table at a local coffee shop, it’s important to designate the best space for work to ensure productivity. You know your work style best, so make sure you choose a spot that’s compatible with your needs, and with whatever’s on your plate for that day. For example, if you know you are giving an important presentation over the phone, the local coffee shop may not be the best location, as the background may be distracting and can seem unprofessional.

Do you have telework benefits at your company? What are your tips for success?

Also, consider taking this quiz to see if working remotely is a good fit for you.

Invest in Women. Reap the Rewards.

Investing in women is not only smart, it’s vital to success. Professional organizations are critical for supporting and mentoring women, which is why I am thrilled to join the talented, skilled, and motivated group of women on the Washington Women in Public Relations 2017 Board of Directors.

But I want to let you in on a secret: It’s going to be tough. Daily responsibilities can be draining, social calendars can be overwhelming, and life can serve up some really sour lemonade at times.

I’m up for the challenge.

Women need the support of other women now more than ever. And on every step of the career ladder, we must remain engaged in mentoring and must work to generate opportunities for others who might otherwise be overlooked or not know where to turn. Too often, we don’t seek out resources or support, and not only is that hurting our careers, it’s impacting our lives on a much deeper, personal level. Research shows that investing in women yields tremendous results – businesses perform better, are more successful, and have increased profitability. Let’s keep driving those results.

This year, I’ve set a challenge for myself – and managed to recruit a few colleagues along the way – to step away from our desks, outside of our comfort zones, and into a new routine. Whether it is through leadership development, professional skills building, mentorship, or industry networking, we have countless opportunities to tap into our potential for serious, boundless growth.

Join us, won’t you? It is WWPR’s mission to cultivate and inspire female communicators to reach their full potential in the D.C. market and beyond. The beauty of this approach is that we’re all in it together. If you don’t have much time, start small. Give support and get support. Be a mentor. Seek advice. Keep learning.

A rising tide lifts all boats. Women, grab your paddles!Tweet: A rising tide lifts all boats. Women, grab your paddles! https://ctt.ec/9bftd+

Introducing…You

Introducing yourself in a meeting seems easy enough. Then why do so many people fail to make the most of it, and sometimes even leave a bad impression? Some people talk incessantly about all their experience and accomplishments in what ends up putting off rather than impressing their listeners. Others give only the bare minimum, stating their name and organization so quickly or meekly that if you don’t pay close attention, you just might miss it.

The way you go about introducing yourself is essential for establishing not only your expertise and credibility, but also your all-important likeability.

I am a stickler for short introductions that convey just the needed information, but I wasn’t always that way. Early in my career, I took part in an important presentation that had the potential to be really, really successful, but ended up being very, very bad. Terribly disappointed, I was determined to learn from it.

It was one of my first new-business presentations at a new agency. Our team had drafted a very strong proposal, made it to the finals, and were competing against one other firm. We were given 45 minutes to present our recommendations, and we brought a five-person team. Three of my senior colleagues spent a solid 20 minutes introducing themselves. This was not part of the plan, but their nervous energy got the best of them. And, since the first person gave their entire work history, the second person felt compelled to follow suit. These inflated introductions left very little time to present the meat of the proposal, and it gave exactly the wrong impression. The team came off as arrogant and boastful, talking all about themselves, rather than conveying competence and capability, focusing on client needs. Long story short, we lost the business. In fact, the potential client told us that while we had the best proposal, by far, the presentation just did not support it. That defeat left a huge impression on me.

Below are a few tips to consider next time you need to introduce yourself.

  • Short and sweet is best. An introduction doesn’t need to last more than one minute, and depending on the circumstances, getting it done in 30 seconds might be even better. Start, but don’t end, with the obvious: name, title and organization.
  • Focus on your role. This is where people often get lost. After introducing yourself, immediately pivot to your role in the meeting. Are you leading, taking notes, facilitating a section, or learning as much as you can about an organization or issue?
  • Highlight your specific area of expertise. You may be an expert in many things, but the people in the room want to know why you’ve been asked to attend this specific meeting, and how you are going to contribute to this specific discussion. In other words, what do you bring to the table that others around the room will value? This could include a case study or an example of your prior work, but it should be brief and focused.
  • Share your excitement. If you are happy to be at the meeting, then say so. Tell them what you hope to get out of taking part in the discussion, and say it in one sentence; no more.
  • Find the sweet spot. Take a few minutes to rehearse and get it right. This is something you will do over and over in your career. Spend some time to fine-tune, tailor, and get it right.

Your introduction is usually the first impression people will have of you. Make them want to talk to you and learn more about you and your expertise. Maybe they’ll even like you–and hire you.