Jean Kondo

I love quarterly planning. It's so easy to get caught in the daily minutiae of tasks that having time on the calendar to pick your head up, celebrate, and reflect is a gift. I talked to Julia McClellan about making space for reflection in quarterly planning, and some questions we ask ourselves to make sure we're growing our programs in the right direction (one that is aligned with where your company is going and where you want to go). And if you want more, here's a quarterly planning process and template that uses these questions to build team alignment and camaraderie: https://lnkd.in/gFNe4gWD

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As eloquently put by Eleanor Hawkins in Axios Communicators, there's a recalibration happening as executives navigate how and when to address socio-political issues in the era of Trump 2.0. For corporate communicators, decisions about if, and how, to respond are going to be taking up a lot more of our time over the next four years, if past experience is any indication. Check out the full article at https://lnkd.in/eZCnfVNQ

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Small and medium-sized business (SMB) lending has undergone a transformation in recent years, thanks in large part to advancements in technology. 

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Check out the replay of the webinar Duncan Chapple, Robin Schaffer and I did on the “Value of Analyst Relations.” Great insights! #analysts #analystrelations #briefings #inquiries #sales

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An important reminder to asset managers: your brand, digital presence, and integrated communications matter to your customers. 💻 "More than a quarter of advisors who had a positive experience using an asset manager's digital capabilities said they decided to work with the firm because it was easy to do business with them." 📱 "Advisors want a mix of digital services, rather than a single channel. These include apps, calls, videos, emails, in-person visits and websites."

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🚀 Reality Check for Leaders: Aligning Communication with Action 🚀 Arlington-based Axios HQ's latest report is a wake-up call for company leaders everywhere. According to their findings, there's a significant gap between leaders' perceptions and employees' realities when it comes to communication and alignment with business goals. The report reveals that while 44% of leaders believe their staff are aligned with business goals, only 14% of employees agree. Similarly, 85% of leaders think internal communications are effective, but only 45% of employees find them helpful and relevant. As we navigate the evolving landscape of work, effective communication remains a cornerstone of success. Let's take this report as a call to action to bridge the alignment gap and create workplaces where communication fosters engagement, productivity, and success. #Communication #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #internalcommunications https://lnkd.in/gb6h-Fse

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Check out this recent list of companies with a high return on #leadership score, which captures and measures corporate leadership. The list ranks the 100 largest companies in the Fortune 500 that excel in financial results, external impact, and employee experience—identifying the best of the best.

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Celebrating Juneteenth with Action Juneteenth reminds us of the crucial need to address racial and economic justice. At Cadence, we’ve partnered with RBC to launch a $50M Racial Equity Fund, helping Black and Latinx families start businesses and buy homes. We encourage other companies to join us in this important initiative. Together, we can bridge both the wealth and information gaps. Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/us4h50Smx3p #RacialEquity #Juneteenth #EconomicJustice

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My early takeaway from PRSA Oregon #CommCon2024 is that the public is facing a real trust issue when it comes to innovations like AI and other emerging tech (and in general). Which raises the question: how do we address the trust crisis in a way that is both authentic and effective? #communications #publicrelations

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There’s a big difference between “catchy” and “clickbait”… Appreciate Frank X. Shaw’s reminder of the important role communicators play in cultivating trust between people and organizations. And this, particularly in a moment when trust overall is in decline. I always look forward to the Edelman Trust Barometer, which earlier this year revealed the decline of trust in institutions responsible for steering us through innovation and change: https://lnkd.in/gGtUwSy3

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"Agentic" may very well be the word of the year in communications and leadership... and it has also been valuable when talking about AI's growing ability to make decisions that can be very helpful to humans in the workforce. I have a whole other post I have been noodling about why being "agentic" is in hot demand across industries and professions, but WHOOP! THERE IT IS in this CX Today article by Charlie Mitchell about Verint's newest product announcement (who, by the way, is not the same Charlie Mitchell I went to Winter Dance with way back in college). In case you want to know how to use it a sentence, Charlie says: "Such innovation highlights how Verint has proven steps ahead of the agentic AI trend, currently lauded by the likes of Microsoft, Salesforce, and SAP." Shout out again to 👉 agentic 👈 leaders Joshua Feast Mark Theall Jaime Meritt and David Singer for bringing to life our new Verint CX/EX Scoring Bot for our 10,000 customers at leading brands around the world!

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Three key points on effective “Change Management” that stood out during today’s session hosted by Maril Gagen MacDonald and Greg Voeller, CCMP™. ✅ 70% of company transformations fail due to culture being separated from strategy, and the lack of clarity in how people will be impacted. ✅ It is critical to prepare leaders to be frequently visible, engage and effectively communicate the business rationale for the expected changes. ✅ Culure is never static. Be aware of the connectivity of roles across the enterprise, and how to align corporate goals with what the workforce needs to achieve or overcome. #changemanagement #employeeengagement

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Did you know 67% of executives prioritize company culture over their strategy or operating model? That’s because a strong culture leads to higher profitability, better retention, and improved customer service. Here’s a good primer on culture and ways to take action. Two of my favorite steps listed are to communicate your culture clearly and consistently and to lead by example. https://lnkd.in/gRBUhhty

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The October monthly episode of our For Immediate Release podcast explores critical communication trends. Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I discuss six compelling topics, including Reddit's potential for crisis comms, the state of blogging in 2024, ethical concerns in celebrity news coverage, workplace connection challenges, and AI's impact across industries. In a blog post, I've set out some key takeaways that present opportunities for communicators, including leveraging Reddit for stakeholder engagement and preparing to guide organisations through AI adoption. Read more and listen now for valuable perspectives and insights on navigating today's complex communication landscape. https://lnkd.in/e5_CcMR2

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At Cadence, we believe that fostering racial equity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart. That's why we partnered with RBC Global Asset Management to launch the Cadence Racial Equity Fund, an initiative focused on bridging racial wealth and information gaps through strategic investments. This fund is making a difference, from supporting education to empowering entrepreneurs. Just ask Dr. Kendyl Tarver, a visionary who brought her dream of Kreative Learning Academy to life with support from this initiative. Real-world impact like this inspires us to keep pushing for systemic change. Racial equity matters for everyone—it drives social progress and business innovation. Learn more about how this fund creates opportunities and how you can be part of something bigger. Together, we can build a more equitable future. Read KT Moore's perspective here: https://ow.ly/3g4650UlfIo

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Our Finance pro Pam McIntyre on how AI helps Finance look around the corners and advise the business in real time. Listen now 👇💡

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