Life as a Communications Hybrid

I've had a few new industry articles published this week, including the premiere of my "Executive Style" column for WashingtonExec magazine.  Please take a read at the links below when you have a moment.
 
Am I blogger?  A social media power user?  A journalist?  Some sort of hybrid?

Ultimately, it doesn't matter much.  Focus on producing content that engages, educates and entertains, and then utilize a mix of channels of communication to reach your most important audiences. 

ExecutiveStyle:  How Charitable and Community Participation Connects with Business

WashingtonExec Magazine (August 2011)

By Marc Hausman, Strategic Communications Group

Many C-level executives consider their participation in charitable and community groups as important to the success of their company as any executive responsibility.  Whether it’s a board position, fundraising or event coordination, the active support of a well chosen not-for-profit enhances their own professional reputation, as well as the visibility of their company. 

Although these activities may comprise a compelling business ROI, the motivation for community and charitable giving has to be genuine and, in most instances, personal.  That’s certainly true for Iron Bow Technologies’ CEO Rene LaVigne. 

Howto Wall Out the Competition

Washington Business Journal (August 2011)

By Marc Hausman, Strategic Communications Group

It is important to incorporate barriers to entry in your business strategy, and then articulate those barriers to the market through traditional and emerging channels of communication.  Fail to do so and you’ll possibly sacrifice sales, profitability, and corporate or product valuation.  Here are a few best practices worth considering.

From Blogger to Columnist: New and Timely Articles

I continue to do a fair amount of writing for business publications and industry-oriented online communities about social media, public relations, marketing communications and corporate strategy.

In fact, I'll soon be adding to my resume another columnist position for a relatively new and exciting publisher that is focused on serving the information needs of top-line executives in the Washington, DC business community.  The topic:  issues, best practices and trends related to personal branding in a professional environment.

Here are links to two of my recently published columns: 

How to Market Jargon Free to the Federal Customer

Washington Business Journal 

If you find 15 minutes with your company’s marketing and sales collateral leaves you pining for a dose of Novocain, imagine the reaction from your customers and prospects. That’s right…they won’t read it.  This presents an opportunity for the company bold enough to embrace a more customer-friendly approach to communications. All this takes is adherence to what I like to refer to as the three “Es” of marketing and sales content creation – engage, educate and entertain.

Views fromthe Executive Suite:  How One Global Leader Thinks Smartly, Evolves in a Changing Market

GovWin

For more than 90 years, Pitney Bowes has dominated the mail business through a broad portfolio of metering, addressing and pre-sorting hardware and software solutions. Yet, as the preferred means of communication shift towards digital channels and social networks, the company has had to rapidly evolve its business.

Helping lead this evolution is Pitney Bowes Government Solutions (PBGS), the company’s Lanham, Maryland-based public sector business line.  PBGS president Jon Love sat down with GovWin to discuss his career, how he’s positioning the company in the government markets and how PBGS is partnering with GovWin members.