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Creating an Inclusive Workplace

As the director of human resources, it’s my job to ensure that our workplace culture is open, inclusive, welcoming, and safe. As a boutique health care PR agency, every new hire brings new energy and perspectives to the team and influences the team dynamic. With several new hires joining this summer, I sought to beef up our training programs.

Our culture focuses on leading from a strengths perspective and building each other up, However, to do that, we must continue to challenge our assumptions and beliefs to ensure our words and actions are having the intended effect. SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, defines unconscious biases as “occurring when individuals make judgements about people based on gender, race, or other prohibited factors without realizing they are doing it.”

The first step to changing your behavior is becoming aware of these implicit biases that we hold. Awareness alone won’t lead to behavior change, but it is a vital first step that must be followed up with action.

To build awareness and engagement of implicit bias and its impact, I chose an online training program from the Clear Law Institute called “Unconscious Bias, Diversity, and Inclusion Training.” We had the entire team take the online training and then held an informal discussion about the content. I was pleased with the positive feedback and some of the learnings that several team members shared:

  • “I think the biggest thing for me was realizing that even though you may try to be as open-minded and “unbiased” as possible, we all have these inescapable biases that are ingrained in us by society. It’s important to acknowledge that we do have those biases and find ways to identify and correct them.”
  • “I didn’t realize that by requiring a college degree for an entry level position, we might be missing individuals with valuable work experience, as well as people who are older who may excel at the tasks needed for that particular role.”
  • “Besides the fact that we can experience these biases without even realizing it, I think another key learning is that these biases can take many different forms and affect our relationships in various ways, meaning that there is not just one bias or stereotype to fight against or one way to fight it.”

This is a conversation that we will continue to have to make our workplace the best it can be. Next up will be trainings focused on harassment.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE…

The Reis Group marks its sixth anniversary this month and there is a lot to celebrate. We were named a finalist for the Top Boutique Agencies for 2022 by PRWeek and we also made the list of best agencies for PR Daily. In addition, our energetic and skilled team is growing. Our health care clients are working hard on pressing issues and our hybrid work schedule is striking the right balance.

Teams and Zoom are the norm and fill my days. Several people are often dressed in athleisure wear, which now appears to be the new “business casual.” Others are back to their more formal attire, but wearing sneakers, which I personally have fully converted to doing. Our new litmus test for any type of meeting is whether we should make the effort to travel to another place, or just do it virtually?

My backpack has become my desk. Actually, it really is now my portable office. It’s heavier and fuller than before but has everything I need to work from anywhere for an extended period of time. It even includes snacks and several days of vitamins. This is coming from a person who believes in traveling really light.

While I am not sure what our workspace will look like moving forward, I am quite certain about our client work, which has been constant, challenging, and rewarding since we were established in 2016. Our core capabilities remain firmly grounded in thought leadership, reputation, earned media, science promotion, social media, environmental scans, and more. And health care remains arguably the most urgent issue facing our nation, as the field is widening its focus on well-being, health equity, and health justice, and more.

More specifically, I am particularly excited about our new annual performance “reflection,” which has replaced a conventional review. Two years ago, we revamped the process to focus on the “Wheel of Work” along with concepts from Harvard Business Review articles on employee engagement. We make a concerted effort to provide constructive feedback on an ongoing basis with every assignment and every project. It has become our way of life to ensure that we are seeing, hearing, and valuing each other’s strengths. This year’s Annual Reflection offers an opportunity for each of us to think about big issues and life issues such as purpose and connection.

I am writing this anniversary blog as I ride the Acela from Washington, D.C. to New York for an in-person meeting. It is my second one in several months and it feels so different. The train is full. Some people are wearing their masks. Many are not. Others are busy typing away on their laptops. A few are talking loudly on conference calls. Everyone is looking a little stressed. Wait a minute, except for the masking, not that much has changed after all!

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:

How to Stay Informed and Ahead of the Political Game

The dizzying pace of change in the Washington health policy climate under a new administration presents unpredictable challenges for those of us working in health care communications. Rapid-paced executive orders and seemingly contradictory announcements can create a chaotic information environment.

But as communicators, we can’t let this hold us back from doing what we do best. We must be prepared for anything that could impact our clients. And that’s why, even if we don’t work specifically in public affairs, it is important to stay on top of the swirl of news coming not only from the White House, but from the Hill as well. I’ve outlined here a few tactics that have been helpful for me in navigating the political landscape:

Closely Follow the Issues that Matter to Your Clients

In public relations, we are surrounded by news, whether it’s CNN playing in our offices eight hours a day or regularly monitoring The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other sites. However, it’s important to make sure that you prioritize the topics and issues that your clients care about. For hospital or health system clients, for example, start your day scanning health care outlets and sign up for email subscriptions from sites like STAT or Kaiser Health News. This way, you’ll always be on top of the most important health care news of the day and will be prepared if there is any breaking news that could impact your client.

Subscribe to Political Email Blasts

Subscribing to specific issue-oriented email blasts is a great way to stay informed of industry news, but now that we have a new administration and new majorities in Congress, it is important to touch all bases. One of the best ways to do this is to subscribe to POLITICO or The Hill newsletters and email blasts. These allow you to choose which topics are most important. They provide a narrow lens so that you can cut through the noise and focus on what matters to your clients, such as policy developments in areas including energy, cybersecurity, finance, and education.

Draft a Weekly Policy News Round-up

Another way to help your clients stay informed of relevant issues is to write a weekly round-up of specific industry news, with a focus on congressional actions or influence. Even if there isn’t a piece of legislation up for a vote that week, Congress holds hearings and briefings on many issues, or makes statements about plans for legislation. No matter what, there’s bound to be a good amount of relevant political news for your clients every week. It can be very helpful to gather all of that into one source for your clients. When I’ve done this in the past, our clients valued it. In fact, our weekly listserv newsletter grew to over 200 people and we were consistently reminded of how much our clients relied on it.

Follow Congressional Leaders on Twitter

More and more, senators and representatives are using Twitter to communicate with the public. Following legislators from committees that are pertinent to your clients could help you receive important policy updates as soon as they happen, which will allow you and your clients to respond sooner rather than later.

Taking these actions will help you stay ahead of the political chaos and make you all the more valuable to your clients.

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.

Four Tips for Successful Leaders

Focus. Confidence. Integrity. Passion. These are key qualities of effective leaders, as outlined in a highly useful presentation at a recent Public Relations Society of America luncheon in Charlotte, N.C.

Establishing yourself as a leader is vital to building your role on your team, and advancing your career to the next level. It’s something that I am personally working on as I continue on my career path and set goals for the future.

The speaker at the event spoke about using strategic communications to more effectively position yourself as a leader in the workplace, and four key points really resonated with me:

Be credible.

To be a strong leader, you must be credible. And the single most important factor that impacts your credibility is being “present.” (Put down that iPhone when you are supposed to be paying attention!) If you are constantly checking your phone or email, or seem distracted, you will diminish your credibility and lose respect from your colleagues both up and down the ladder.

Remember that you are always “on stage.”

When you are in a leadership position, everything you do gets noticed and sends a message. And if you are trying to build your position as a leader at your company, the way you present yourself, your preparation for meetings, and the quality of your work will all set the tone for how you are viewed by your colleagues. Always remember to be professional and think about how you want to be perceived. It will help you better establish your ability to lead – whether it be leading a project, leading an account, or leading a team of colleagues.

Style matters.

Leadership is 100% substance, meaning that you must know what you are doing and must have the experience to back it up—but it’s also 100% style, meaning that you must present yourself in a manner that makes people want to work with you. Most people either fall into “powerful” or “attractive” styles. “Powerful” people are assertive, direct and focused on getting the job done. “Attractive” people are personable, cooperative and supportive. Being too much of one style or the other can hurt your ability to be a good leader. It’s important for a leader to be “powerful” enough to be heard, yet “attractive” enough to be followed.

Don’t underestimate non-verbal communication.

Non-verbal cues can be just as important as how you express yourself verbally. For example, if you work in an environment where the dress code is important, you must play by the rules and dress the part, or you will lose credibility among your colleagues. Additionally, your mannerisms and speech patterns can make a big difference in how you are perceived, so if you tend to use your hands in a distracting manner or talk in a way that lowers your credibility, you could be hindering yourself from advancing to the next level.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to establishing yourself as a leader, but these four tips may be worth remembering as you approach your next meeting or client call, or as you evaluate your everyday interactions with colleagues.

Charting a New Course

My entire team and I are charting a new course and launching a new public relations agency that fosters creativity and growth while balancing fun and flexibility. We come to work every day driven by our passion for working on meaningful issues and making a difference.

Opening The Reis Group has been met with excitement and enthusiasm from our clients and friends. We are incredibly grateful and uplifted by the response. Thank you!

The change has infused us with a renewed energy, too. You can now find us at our freshly renovated offices in the heart of Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.

Our work ethic and dedication to our clients remains paramount. We are committed to delivering high-quality products with measurable results and exceptional client service – every time. With a steadfast focus on health, healthcare, science, and social issues, we won’t stop until we achieve the desired results.

Come join us on our new adventure.

Photo © Glyn Lowe Photoworks