8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
MORNING POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP C

Continental breakfast will be provided at 8:00 a.m.
for the morning workshop attendees.

Managing Your Internal Brand During Challenging Times: Communicating Through Mergers, Acquisitions, Layoffs and Economic Downturns

Many communicators are faced with the daunting task of communicating through challenging times. These challenging times can be brought on by a merger or an acquisition, culture integration, layoffs and downsizings, financial hardships, and senior leadership changes. And with the economy currently struggling in many parts of the nation and throughout a number of business sectors, many communicators are looking for answers about how to proceed.

In this interactive workshop, participants will hear case studies and real-life examples of communication techniques used during challenging times. Included in the discussion will be a review of two mergers or acquisitions, a downsizing at a manufacturing facility, and a benefits campaign launch designed to control spiraling healthcare costs.

• How to develop a crisis mindset to anticipate and plan for unforeseen challenges
• Why the person with the plan is the person who wins
• What to do and say to keep senior leaders and employees calm
• Who to partner with as part of the communication process
• When to talk and when to listen and how to understand the difference

WORKSHOP LEADER: Jason Anthoine is Head Honcho at The Cohesion Group, a workplace communications firm that develops employee communications strategies and tactics that help organizations to communicate more effectively with their workforces. Accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and a frequent speaker on this topic, Jason has more than 19 years experience in workplace communications, focusing his entire career on this specialty.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Break / Lunch On Your Own

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
AFTERNOON POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP D

How To Enhance And Improve Your Internal Branding Efforts Using Blogs And Other Web 2.0 Technologies

Recent innovations in online technology – such as blogging and podcasting – offer new opportunities to make your internal communications more interactive and increase their utilization. You can create conversations, share information more quickly, get feedback, build trust and even use internal blogs as an early warning system for employee grievances.

In this interactive workshop you will learn how companies on the cutting edge of adapting Web 2.0 technologies are using social media tools internally to grow their businesses and build their brand.

• Build your brand inside your organization using Web 2.0
• Protect yourself, your company and your internal bloggers with HR strategies
• Use social media tools to start the conversations within your organization that help employees internalize your brand
• Rollout an internal blog successfully
• Manage comments effectively