Nekib Ahmed’s Post

TOGETHER ON TOUR: MY FAVOURITE PICTURE OF THE DAY It‘s strange. Each time I come to New York, I try to stay longer than before. To avoid rushing through like a steppe wind and have the time for real quality conversations that not only stirr things up but have real impact. And yet, there is never enough time. Too many amazing people to meet, too many new ideas that are worthwhile pursuing, and too many challenges that are worthile to be looked at from more than one perspective. Today as well was filled with so many memorable impressions that my mind almost overflows. But the image of the day was actually shared with me by Donna Faircloth, the amazing Managing Director of PURPLE US. A snapshot taken during today‘s media training session. I simply love the positive energy, the smiles on their faces. A life on the agency side can be tough, to deliver excellence day by day can be demanding, and serving in PR can be particularly challenging. I know that very well from my own life on the brand side, I am conscious of the fact that I demanded 24/7 availability and fast response times from my PR partners that I used to work with during brand transformations. Literally a business of nowness. The picture reminded me how important it is not only to demand but equally to invest - and that‘s not only a town hall speech or a Christmas party (as important as they might be). But it is also investing in the training and qualification and the personal growth of our people. And whoever thinks that training and education must be dry and energy consuming exercises should take another close look at Donna‘s picture, as it says it all. If you got the right teacher, learning comes with a lot of fun and unleashes great energy (which says a lot about the issue that many schools have with their quality of teachers, but that‘s a different story). Anyway, thank you so much Donna, for sharing that wonderful picture with me, sorry that I could not make it, but I had to leave for an amazing meeting that Oliver Hicks, founder of our production and event agency North Six had set up for me, which was equally inspiring. Something that we might talk about in the not too distant future. With best wishes from New York, Christian #people #leadership #HR #growth #training #career #PR #agency #togethergroup #PURPLE

In two weeks, we'll be in Bristol doing what we do best: sharing practical PR insights with fellow #BCorp businesses on how to get great media coverage. Take a look at the agenda: 08:50 - 09:15 Welcome with a coffee and croissant (hey, it's important to get off to the right start!) 09:15 - 10:00 How to make your story stand out in even the noisiest of crowds 10:00 - 10:45 Business benefits to being a B Corp & How you can become an agent of change 10:45 - 11:00 Summing up & Q&A Is there a better way to start your working week than meeting other B Corp business leaders and hearing how to elevate your brand and get yourself in the media that your target audience reads, watches, and listens to? Full details via this link: https://lnkd.in/gN9Yn2xn

One of the most valuable gifts any young (or seasoned) professional gets in business is the direct access they have to incredible and successful people who willingly share their wisdom and experience to help others learn and grow. As it happens, over the course of my now 25+ year career I've worked for more women than men. No qualifiers necessary: these are some of the most impressive and accomplished PEOPLE in business. Full stop. There's a direct line between the lessons I learned from these amazing leaders and whatever level of success I've achieved. Here are a few who deserve to be recognized for #internationalwomensday2024: 👉 susan manning was the first person willing to take a chance on me when I graduated from college. As my manager at Publishers Clearing House she taught me about the critical importance of having an eye for detail. To be fair, I probably wasn't the best fit for the job I had at the time (marketing analysis 😱). She was equal parts patient, tough and generous. Everything you need in a leader. 👉 Katherine Heaviside is a role model for anyone in PR and everyone in business. She's the pure embodiment of success in all forms. Wicked smart, adored by her employees and the entire community, and simply one of the kindest people there is. She runs at tight ship at Epoch 5 Public Relations, a legit legendary PR firm on Long Island. I actually fought back tears the day I resigned. It was impossible to work there and not learn a ton from the woman who could write 20 books on how to be great at what you do. That's probably why E5 continues to enjoy a 15-year run as Long Island's best PR firm. 👉 Elke Martin hired this New Yorker for an Atlanta-based position at The Brandware Group, Inc. When I say I've been fortunate to work for some of the most brilliant minds in the PR world, I'm usually talking about Elke. She taught me what it meant to press harder, to ask more questions, and to think way outside the lines to get sh*t done. Every day working for Elke was an absolute clinic on strategic thinking, even for someone who was a pretty seasoned professional at the time. 👉 Stacy Morris is an absolute powerhouse. When can you learn a LOT from someone who's significantly younger than you are? When that person is Stacy. I didn't start working with Stacy until I was already more than 25 years into what I considered a pretty successful career. It would take 1000 posts to come close to spelling out how much I've learned from Stacy about doing this job effectively. She's the personification of "small but mighty," and I consider myself lucky to be able to work with her. Celebrating these awesome leaders shouldn't be limited to #internationalwomensmonth, but it's a great excuse to share the impact they've had. 🙌 #iwd #iwd24 #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensmonth #celebratewomen

Why are townhalls so important in an organization’s communication strategy? It's simple: they cut through the noise. My colleagues in Internal Communications can attest to their value: Townhalls are where uncertainties are quelled, milestones are celebrated, and a sense of unity is realized. Far from ordinary meetings, they are dynamic forums where ideas are exchanged and the collective pulse of the organization is felt. During my tenure at Gartner, amid the transformative merger with CEB, our leaders adeptly navigated us through change. They communicated each phase with such clarity and conviction that it reinforced our collective confidence. The townhalls were particularly well-crafted, providing a clear vision of how we would emerge stronger as a unified organization. Now, at EY, I have seen that same spirit of openness. Whether I am in the audience, soaking in the collective wisdom, or behind the scenes, helping to set the stage, each Townhall feels like a chapter in our ongoing story. But let me tell you about a special chapter: the Content COE's inaugural townhall. Picture this—a mosaic of faces, each one a storyteller, each one an architect of our shared mission. Successes were shared, not just the headline grabbers, but the quiet victories that often go unsung. It's a strong reminder of why we gather like this – you not only get to showcase what you do, or what your purpose is, but you also get to be the audience of all of it. That's the essence of a townhall. It's where we see the full panorama of our ecosystem—vivid, vibrant, and alive with possibility. It's where every voice finds a home, and every story adds depth to our collective journey. And that, my friends, is something truly extraordinary. #TownhallTalks #CorporateCommunications #OurStories Sreekesh S.V Sameena Siddiqi Geetanjali Mukherjee Oscar Lawrence Shenoy Karun, MBA Bhaswati Mukhopadhyay Midhun Murali Anasua Mitra Jyotsna Sarkar Ganguly Carlo Venson Peña, MDS Preet Kanwal Kaur Abhineet C. Rajani Kumar Netra Agarwal Saranya Krishnamoorthy

✌️Are you aware of a rising star under the age of 25 making waves in the field of communications? This award celebrates individuals who have not only excelled in their chosen profession but have also made a significant impact through their leadership, initiative, and innovative thinking. Nominees for the Gen-Z Super Star Award demonstrate exceptional abilities and presence, contributing to projects, launches, activities, or programs that leave a lasting impression. They inspire, motivate, and uplift their colleagues, creating a positive and inclusive environment wherever they go. To craft a winning nomination, consider the following: 🌟 Share their story: Describe the outstanding work they’ve done and the impact it has had. Highlight specific projects, campaigns, or stories that showcase their exceptional abilities and energy. 🌟 Show their magic: Explain how they inspire and uplift others. Share anecdotes or examples of how they create a positive and inclusive environment, motivating their colleagues to excel. 🌟 Embrace their unique qualities: Discuss how they embody the qualities of a true Gen-Z superstar. Are they courageous in tackling challenges? Do they bring creativity, clarity, and innovation to their communication? Highlight their kindness, creativity, leadership, or sense of humour. 🌟 Paint a vivid picture: Provide examples, photos, metrics, and testimonials to illustrate their impact. Show with stories and visuals how their contributions have made a difference and why they stand out from the crowd. Let’s celebrate the bright young minds shaping the future of communications with their talent, passion, and innovative spirit. 🚀 Get your nomination in before Monday 17th June 09:00. https://lnkd.in/g6VpgPHr #commsHERO #marketingawards

Have you seen #PRWeek's best places to work? See these leading workplaces that are invested in their employees success, personal growth and learning opportunities. Subscribe now to see the full list: https://brnw.ch/21wHpB3 #PRIndustry; #PRWeekAwards #BestPlacesToWork; #PR; #publicrelations; #marketing; #communication; #reputationmanagement; #brandmanagement; #crisiscommunication; #mediarelations; #influencermarketing; #socialmediamarketing; #contentmarketing; #digitalmarketing; #marketingstrategy; #prweek

Honoured to receive the PRWeek UK 30 under 30 Newcomers Award. Massive thank you to Chris Grummett for nominating me and to PRWeek UK for recognising my accomplishments.   I’ve had the chance to work with v special people who give me advice, challenge and encourage me in equal measure. Thanks to them, I know what liking a job can feel like. And that's a real privilege.   Through my work at the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), I’ve helped effect Government policy change to benefit working parents, advised CEOs + DGs and built meaningful relationships along the way.   But I’m not oblivious to the pitfalls of working in high-pressure situations. No matter what your job is, high stress can have a detrimental impact on how you feel about your career, how you feel about yourself. And job unhappiness seems to crop up everywhere you look. The antidote? Starts with unlocking the powerful combo of finding a sense of purpose in your work, and properly looking after your wellbeing.   The latter we’ll hear a lot about this #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, but it’s something that matters every day. Both elements are important to feeling fulfilled at work and beyond. Employers can play a big part in helping people hack that.   Always keen to talk PR, policy, health and happiness at work – DMs open.

We don't just push our clients out of their comfort zone, but our team members too! Our Copy Manager, Shannon, attended this year's SXSW conference, where she walked away with key insights that she can apply to her work. Her food for thought... 1. Culture - internal and external brand authenticity is so important in building and living out an intentional culture. 2. Advertising for Impact - you'll be far quicker to delight when the work you're doing aligns with your company values. 3. Curiosity - anyone can crack the code by being inquisitive and embracing, "what if I wasn't afraid?" "These are sentiments that will stay with me and influence my work moving forward. I so appreciate Think Shift seeing the value in sending me! I finally get to cross this conference off of my bucket list!" Looking to get out of your comfort zone? Let's get to work! https://lnkd.in/exj9zDjM

To my fellow colleagues in the PR space here is how you can stay Energized as End-of-Year Fatigue Sets In. As we approach the end of the year, the fatigue can start to weigh heavily on us, especially in the fast-paced world of PR consulting. However, maintaining top-notch client service remains crucial as we wrap up the year. Here are a few tips to keep delivering excellence: 1. Prioritize and Plan: Review your to-do list and prioritize tasks. Focus on what absolutely needs to be done before year-end to streamline your workload. 2. Communicate Proactively: Keep your clients informed about progress and any potential delays. Transparent communication builds trust and manages expectations always. Rather over-communicate than not communicate at all. 3. Set Boundaries: It’s important to set realistic boundaries to avoid burnout. Allocate time for breaks and recharge to maintain energy levels. 4. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Recognition keeps morale high and motivates the team. This is something that we as PR professionals don't do often....celebrate celebrate. 5. Woza December- Reflect and Reset: Use this time to reflect on the year’s successes and areas for improvement. Setting intentions for the new year can provide a motivational boost. Let's ensure that we end the year on a high note, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the new year. Let's continue to provide exceptional service and make the last stretch of the year count! #PRConsulting #ACG #ClientService #YearEndSuccess #WeknowAfrica

While I love what I do for a living, sometimes you have days where you feel the love much more than others. I had one of those very recently, when I caught up with an old client who reminded me of the impact I can deliver though my work. The client leads on employer brand at a global organisation. I designed and ran the insight generation process for the company, working across a combination of their priority geographies and role types. I then developed their EVP. The client took my insight and recommendations about what the brand could be, identified individuals whose stories she felt would really bring it to life, and used it all to update the company’s careers site. When we caught up recently, she was able to report a 20% uplift in traffic (higher than the corporate site enjoyed over the same period). She was also able to cite an increase in engagement from a diversity of audiences – one of the organisation’s key objectives. That chat reminded me of exactly why I do what I do – to deliver outputs that clients can use to create connections with the people they want to engage, attract and retain. If your organisation would like to see similar results, I’d be delighted to chat about how I might help. So do get in touch!   #EVP #employerbrand #insight #talentattraction #engagement