Jump-start your conference experience by attending these interactive and practical workshops. These information-packed sessions are a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees while taking a hands-on, common-sense approach to better understanding how social media and new technologies can fit into your organization’s intranet.  These workshops are designed to enhance your understanding of the informative, case study presentations throughout the entire conference.

*** Your Choice of FOUR Workshops ***
Attend them all for Maximum Value and Learning!

How To Measure The Role Electronic Communications Play In Your Overall Employee Communication Programs And Evaluate Intranet Usability

The good thing about measuring electronic communications is that, to some extent, they measure themselves—visitors, page views and click-throughs. Unfortunately those sometimes-confusing metrics are often misinterpreted. This workshop will help you navigate your way through the metrics in usage reports and help you put them in context. It will also show examples of how to evaluate intranet usability. This workshop will show you not only ways to measure how your employees are using electronic channels (measuring activity), but also how to calculate their role in the success of the overall campaigns they are a part of (measuring outcomes, including ROI).

By the end of this workshop, you will have a working knowledge of how to:

• Interpret online usage statistics to find the underlying stories
• Apply usability testing techniques to fine-tune your intranet content and navigation
• Use focus groups and surveys to evaluate how electronic channels fit in with traditional channels in delivering business results
• Calculate the ROI of a re-launched intranet

WORKSHOP LEADER: Angela Sinickas is President of Sinickas Communications, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve business results through focused research and practical solutions. An award-winning organizational communicator since 1974, she has been measuring the effectiveness of communication since 1981. She wrote the manual "How to Measure Your Communication Programs" and has developed a range of Communication Audit Starter Kits on CD-ROM for communicators to conduct their own measurements, as well as 40, one-hour audio CDs on planning and measuring communication (www.sinicom.com). @sinickasa

Rave Reviews From Past Sinickas Communications Sessions:

"She was the best presenter of the whole conference. Very, very good
information and covered depth of subject."

"Very good. There was a great deal of information provided that can be
used immediately in my workplace."

"Fantastic—this will change my approach to planning and measuring immediately!"

"Very enthusiastic presenter. She made the issues clear and easy to grasp.
Measuring results seems possible!"

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon break/lunch on your own

Intranet 2.0: How To Integrate The Latest Social Media Tools And Technologies To Foster Better Collaboration, Engagement And Measurable Results

The social media phenomenon has gathered a significant amount of momentum over the last few years. Just about everyone wants to rollout social media, but not everyone understands how to do so most effectively and how it can significantly enhance the internal communications within an organization.

Does the brave new world of social media and Web 2.0 excite as well as concern you and your organization? Given the runaway popularity of Twitter, Mashups, Facebook, blogs, and many other web-based forms of communications and networking, perhaps you have been wondering about the possibilities and the risks for your organization?

Join this interactive workshop and learn proven ways of identifying the right technologies, or social media platforms, like Yammer, Google docs, Jive, Igloo, and Newsgator to achieve your organization’s strategic objectives. In addition, you will:

• Learn how 1400+ organizations from all around the world are using Intranet 2.0 tools. A Social Intranet Study (sponsored by IABC Research Foundation) will be shared and will give you an exclusive look into how and to what extent organizations of all sizes are using social media on their intranet. The global perspective of the survey, will allow you to develop a new understanding and appreciation for intranet 2.0 tools that is difficult to attain elsewhere.
• Review case study examples of blogs, wikis and other social media tools from IBM, Cisco, Sony, Siemens, and others
• Gain knowledge from lessons learned and get key recommendations for undertaking an Intranet 2.0 and internal branding initiative
• Dispel the confusion and discover the exciting promises as well as the challenges of using Web 2.0 tools

WORKSHOP LEADER: Carmine Porco, General Manager & Vice President of Prescient Digital Media, has over 18 years of experience in the areas of Internet consulting, IT management, and software development. His strengths include employee self-service, content management, e-learning, customer care and Internet commerce primarily in the financial, government, health, energy and retail sectors. Carmine runs the Toronto practice and operations and provides strategic counsel to numerous clients across North America including California Association of Realtors, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Royal Bank (RBC Financial Group), Greater Vancouver Regional District, Tourism PEI, Ontario Realty Corporation and others. @carmineporco

How To Develop Engaging Content For Your Intranet: Overcoming Common Obstacles And Practical Solutions

You have access to a great internal distribution tool: your intranet.  How do you go about creating compelling content that engages employees while dealing with the issues inherent in an internally controlled distribution channel?

In this workshop, you will be guided through critical concepts that serve as the foundation for developing a content strategy.  You’ll learn practical approaches and tips to creating content that engages with your audiences, allowing you to not only share your message, but more importantly, to create a personal connection that opens the door to ongoing interaction.

Through several case study examples, you’ll experience common obstacles faced when utilizing an intranet for video content distribution and learn first-hand how these obstacles not only can be overcome, but in some cases, recast as opportunities.

In this compelling, hands-on workshop, you will be shown:

• Key items to consider when creating a content strategy
• Best practices for developing content
• How best to deal with the challenges and benefits presented by inward vs. outward facing distribution
• How to address expectations regarding engaging with and sharing content and “viral views”
• Ways to develop effective video content for multiple distribution channels
• How to apply these approaches to your specific content needs

WORKSHOP LEADER:  Denise McKee is COO at AboutFace Media Inc.  AboutFace creates short-form, story-driven documentaries for online and social media marketing projects.  Their directors are award-winning independent filmmakers whose work has been screened at Sundance, South by Southwest and the Tribeca Film Festival among others.  Clients include Sears, Kmart, Wilson, CNH, 3M, Trek, Staples, Florida Tourism, Quad Graphics and Can-Am.

Denise speaks at events across the country on the topics of social media video content development and strategy, and has presented alongside companies including Youtube, Microsoft, Nike, IBM, and Ford. @AboutFaceMedia

Rave Reviews From Past AboutFace Media Sessions:

"I love the group interaction—it forces conversation that makes me think outside the box. I’m taking back some great commentary and “arguments” to our senior leaders."

"This was so good. Great information, great collaborating, and I have tools to take home."

"Denise was great!! :) Absolutely useful! I know what my homework is now. Thanks!"

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon break/lunch on your own

Developing A SharePoint Governance Plan: How To Gain Control And Achieve Your Business Goals

Based on the model of SharePoint Governance developed by Microsoft, in this topical workshop, you will learn and establish the structure of your own SharePoint Governance Plan. Governance is defined by Microsoft as the set of policies, roles, responsibilities, and processes that guide, direct, and control how an organization's business divisions and IT teams cooperate to achieve business goals.

Every organization should have an effective governance plan in place for SharePoint, and to not have one is borderline reckless.  That said, almost one quarter of organizations have no governance plan whatsoever (AIIM SharePoint Industry Watch, 2011). Your organization no longer needs to be among that one quarter!

Attend this workshop and discover how your organization can implement a winning governance plan, including:

• What the scope of your governance plan should be and who should be driving governance in your organization
• A complete model for governance implementation
• A typical structure of a governance plan, what each area should include and how to assess your organization’s individual needs

Please bring a laptop with Microsoft Word with you to this session.

WORKSHOP LEADER: Nick Inglis is a go to speaker on topics related to technology and marketing. He is the SharePoint Program Manager, Global Education Services at AIIM