A few weeks ago, I wrote of a study from the UK on the debate as to where the communications function is best situated within a business. A notable addition to the debate also comes from the UK’s the Internal Communications Alliance. In an article on their site, they describe the situation as the “insoluble conundrum”. Nicely put. The article is not dated, so I am unsure as to whether this is a lead or lag thread of the discussion, but worth a look: http://www.cipr.co.uk/groups/special/ica/events/stories_main.htm#insoluble
Also worth a look in the same context is the controversial Fast Company article from last year on why business hates HR:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/97/open_hr.html
This is as useful to communicators if for every mention of the HR function we substitute the communication function (well, almost every mention). What it does do is provide a clear view of the challenges faced by the organisational software functions – culture, human resources, communications.

Brought to you by IABC Australia NSW Chapter and Impact Employee Communications
TJ Larkin, one of the world’s most renowned communicators, authors and conference speakers, is making a quick trip to Sydney and has agreed to speak to IABC members and guests on change communication. This is an opportunity not to be missed! You’ll hear from Dr Larkin about:

· Why big changes have such a high failure rate
· Communicate early: how to manage fear, secrecy and manage rumours during times of uncertainty
· Face to face vs web vs print: what each channel does best
· Communicate possible outcomes: merge internal and external messages
· Why old communication solutions don’t work anymore – and how to replace them with new delivery methods
· Best practice examples from companies that get it right (and learn from those that get it wrong!)
TJ Larkin has been a keynote speaker at numerous IABC Conferences, most recently in Vancouver in June 2006. This is an opportunity for communicators from all business sectors to hear his thought-provoking views on internal communication. His presentations are renowned for being insightful, stimulating and entertaining.

Date: Wednesday, 23 August 2006Time: 5.30 for 6.00pm start Venue: Level 25, Tower 2 Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney Cost: IABC Members: $45, PRIA Members: $55, Non-Members: $65. Hot & cold canapes, wine and juice included Event Sponsor: Impact Employee Communications www.impact.com.au

Links
http://www.iabcnsw.com/default.asp?action=article&ID=146

A recent report from CiB in the UK cites 87% of communication managers as believing that the should not be part of Human Resource functions.
http://www.cib.uk.com/artman/publish/article_665.shtml

This is an interesting result and a contentious debate from where I sit. As a communicator who has had reporting lines via public affairs, human resources, shared services, corporate communications and marketing, I can sayt that while the experience can be variable according to placement, the skill and relationship building ability of the communicator is paramount regardless of reporting line.

As for the argument that employee communication should be a direct report to the CEO, there are reasonable cases for both sides. From a span of control perspective, if the CEO’s direct reports were only those roles that required a strong relationship, close partnership and that could impact their results, it would be a very large executive team. While a head of corporate communication with responsibility for internal, external and stakeholder relations may need to be a report to the CEO, the argument is less strong for the role of internal communication. What is undisputed is the need for direct access to the CEO in order to understand their priorities, preferences and peculiarities. Also undisputed is the need for communication (both internal and external) to have a seat at the strategic decision-making table.

The reality is that employee communication is a specialist advisor function. It does not do the industry any favours to have the old petulant argument that we need to be a direct report – we need to be able to create the partnerships to achieve regardless of structure.

This is also explored at the IABC Employee Communication Blog
http://commons.iabc.com/employee/2006/03/12/should-employee-communications-report-to-hr/

Links

Human Capital Institute Blogosphere – Discussions on the roles of leaders
http://www.humancapitalinstitute.org/hci/blogs.guid

On 20 July, the IABC NSW Chapter held its annual general meeting. The following is a copy of a message sent from the immediate past president Barbara Palframan Smith regarding the meeting and election of new board members:

Dear Members,

We held a successful AGM on 20 July and for those of you who couldn’t attend, I attach my President’s Report and the Profit and Loss Statement. Some of the highlights I reported on were:
· Record attendances at our events and teleseminars;
· Membership growth – we remain the largest Chapter in the Asia Pacific Region.
· Finances in a healthy state – brought back from a loss to a profit position.

I would like to thank the Board who worked with me for nearly two years to make this happen – Simon Covill, Nicole Tankard, Peter Salt, Janet Nagly and Louise Denver. I would also like to announce your new Board for the year ahead:

Simon Covill (President)
Barbara Palframan Smith (Immediate Past President)
Nicole Tankard
Peter Salt
Jonathan Champ
Neville Anitelea
Paul Murton
Nic Allum
Marie Kelly.

We received 5 nominations for four new Board positions and voted to accept all of them. I wish the new Board much success and hope that you will join me in congratulating Simon on becoming President of the Chapter. To all the Chapter members who supported me during my term, I say a big “thank you” – and hope to see you again at the exciting events that we have planned for you in the months ahead.

Regards
Barbara Palframan Smith

I am proud to say I have been elected as one of 5 incoming board members. IABC provides an exceptional service for communicators, and I will do my best to serve our local chapter.

Links
www.iabcnsw.com