How can you adapt to changing communication technologies in your career?

I believe, keeping a balance is important, only technology adaptation will not solve the purpose but you need to understand the subject first and then make your preferences. Not only making reel or creating shorts will communicate your purpose completely, but yes they do have impact. 1. Research for the subject. 2. Identify your audience and segregate them. 3. Target the audience using different way of communicating one common purpose. 4. Take feedbacks, record them and measure the impact. 5. Improvise and embed into further strategies. 6. Usage of generative AI shall be only used for references but not in copied way since they don’t seem natural while you read them. 7. Tools like Grammarly is really helpful.

I believe that more than asking ourselves we should ask and have honest feedback from managers, colleagues we trust. Our self-perception may be very biased.

Continuous learning is paramount, involving regular upskilling through courses & workshops. Embracing new tools & platforms is crucial to leverage emerging technologies effectively. Networking & collaboration with peers enable knowledge sharing and best practice exchange. Recognizing the strengths & limitations of different communication channels and optimizing content for mobile devices is essential. A strong focus on data security & privacy is crucial, as is adaptability to adjust strategies as needed. Understanding the preferences & gathering feedback for continuous improvement are vital. Future-proofing one's approach by anticipating upcoming trends & integrating new technologies is key to career success in an ever-changing landscape.

No one wants to become obsolete. There is value in fidelity to tried and true methods, but its important to stay up to date with trends in technology if you are selling your services as a day to day do'er as a opposed to a high level strategist. The fastest way to become obsolete is to be them"boomer" who needs their emails printed or puts handwritten edits ...

Go where people tell you not to go. In my years of experience in communication and media I’ve witnessed a lot of reluctance towards new communication channels yet I fought for using them from the very beginning. Some might fit your audience, others might not. Either way, you have to be there before your audience asks it. Search for professionals that know the latest trend in comma platforms and channel and try. And try again. If you expect people to ask you for things you loose important points in your audience’s confidence in your skills.

Great insights, but let's not lose sight of the elephant in the room—technology might be the tool, but communication is all about storytelling. Sure, you can master every messaging app under the sun, but if you can't craft a compelling narrative, what's the point? Are we just mindlessly adapting to new tech without upskilling the basics? To truly resonate, let's not forget the age-old art of captivating our audience through a compelling story.

I agree that just asking my colleagues what’s new that they’re using or what they see others using has been a great way to gain currency. I treat their answers like a five minute mini-class for me. And sometimes the most insightful responses I hear are not actually about new platforms or tools but new ways that people have come up with to use the existing ones. As I heard a tech founder say at the Atlantic Ideas Festival a few years ago, “It’s not the new piece of tech itself that’s important, it’s how people are going to use it.” There are also lots of tech firms offering free online demo videos or webinars. They’re doing it for sales purposes, but I’ve been able to glean some helpful insights from some of the better ones.

Adapting to evolving communication technologies is vital for career success. Maintain a growth mindset, stay open to new tools and methods, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Continuous learning through industry news, blogs, and webinars is essential. Gain hands-on experience, seek guidance from mentors, and connect with peers in professional networks to stay informed and adaptable in an ever-changing digital landscape.

One thing I can add from my experience is - to be up to date, you ALWAYS have to learn something new. Obviously, it's impossible, but don't "be comfortable" with what you know for long periods of time. Technology is evolving fast, communication trends are changing fast, so a year of now changing things up is a lot. Basically - don't get comfortable.

An essential part of being a strategic communications advisor includes the ability to always be ahead of the game - also when it comes to communication technologies - now especially AI as we speak. In order to be the best advisor, you have to be up to date with the newest trends and technologies.

I always try to learn via online courses or from people I consider more skilled than me. Communications is one of those field evolving constantly and it is important to keep updated.

Love the emphasis on practice! Approaching new communication tech is like learning a foreign language. You can't just read the manual and expect fluency. Mistakes? Bring 'em on! In fact, mistakes are your best tutor. So what if you butcher a sentence or misspell a word? The key is the gutsy move of hitting 'send,' 'publish,' or 'share.' Don't let the fear of failure make you mute.

The first step I learn how to use new communication technology is through exploring how competitor `brands are using it and the audience/customer engagement rewards they got. Then I read the guidelines that the communication technology provides to understand the opportunities and limits. Then I want to dive into the practical learning through hiring someone who is excelled in that specific skill, webinars and articles. But the major component of learning comes when I start utilizing the new communication technology. I enjoy learning through doing it-than taking much time in preparations and aspiring to have perfect start. The main point is how will I progress-how much fast I can learn and achieve my aim after diving into the new technology.

‘Practice makes perfect’, combined with ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’, is a winning equation for institutionalising new technologies on an individual level.

I feel that more than the technology we should consider the audience when communicating . Our target audience may be the same in each different channel we utilise for communication. I do also believe that Corporate communications is slightly different than our personal branding, for example, because we should always care to communicate a message with the right brand voice.

Absolutely, adaptability is key, but let's not forget the sage advice of Gary Vaynerchuk: "Authenticity is the game." While it's great to adjust your tone for different platforms, the most important thing is to never lose YOUR voice in the noise of formats and styles. You can switch from a tuxedo to jeans, but if you change your essence, you risk turning into a chameleon that no one recognizes.

OK, Boomer! (or Gen X, or Elder Millennial) ... If that has been said to you then its time to consider adapting your style to today's norms and expectations. Your mom's goofy texts or the way she posts on Facebook is a meme that you don't want to be directed at you. You can be "age appropriate" or reflect appropriate seniority without coming across as either stiff and overly formal or "trying too hard".

Agility and a willingness to experiment have been my driving forces when it comes to adapting to changing communication technologies. I embrace new tools and platforms quickly, with a focus on testing, learn and consequently increasing efficiencies. This adaptability allows me to stay at the forefront of communication trends and continuously refine my strategies, ensuring I engage effectively with evolving audiences.

Maintaining a consistent, on-brand tone of voice is pivotal when forming a cohesive media strategy (including, but not limited to, social media). Analyse your target audiences across media channels to identify which demographic you are talking to. Maintain an overall style guide for your company and allow for some deviation if your audience(s) demand this. Keep your eye on the prize - the goal is to attract and win clients by targeting across a range of marketing channels. Having a consistent message and a recognisable tone of voice can be pivotal.

Setting meaningful and actionable KPIs is critical for pointing a tactic or campaign towards success. Frequent measurement and reporting on those metrics allows teams to quickly see if a campaign is blowing off course and be nimble about getting back on track. The amount of data provided by modern communications platforms forces us to be honest and transparent about what's working and what's not. Even though it can lead to some hard conversations, communicators should embrace that reality and let no data go to waste!

Play with the new tools. ChatGPT seems threatening until you try it and learn to work with it. You don't need to jump onto the bandwagon of every new social media application that hits the market, but you should at least know what they are. Frankly, this is where strong relationships with younger colleagues comes in handy. They can make you look very smart if you are willing to listen and learn from them.

The way we communicate and the channels we use are always evolving, so as communicators, we must keep up with the latest trends, tools and campaigns. A good way to keep on top of things is to set aside an hour or two each week in your schedule to read industry news, browse through thought leaders' profiles, and get curious about new campaigns that are resonating with your audiences and understand the whys and hows.

You should also keep in mind your organization's appetite and budget for change. Investing time and resources into a new social media platform can pay off, but it is also a risk. If that platform's demographics turn out to be different than anticipated, or if its reach isn't as great as promised, then your resources could have been better deployed with sharpening your messages on existing platforms. Be wary of the bleeding edge of technology. While you don't want to fall behind the curve, you also don't want to be so far ahead of the times that you're out there on your own. It's of course a difficult balance, which is where you can leverage your past experience and communication expertise to make informed recommendations and decisions.

Let's not condemn everything new, let's learn to use it healthily, both as users and contributors. Like chatGPT, we were afraid of it at first and when we tried it, it saved us a lot of time. Discussing topics with AI is like brainstorming with colleagues. It can be an intermediate article for new ideas.

Adapting to changing communication technologies is pivotal for professional growth. Embrace lifelong learning and understand that as technologies shift, your knowledge must too. Regularly engage in training sessions, workshops, and subscribe to industry updates to stay informed about the latest tools. Actively network with peers to exchange insights on emerging platforms. Before integrating a new tool into your professional repertoire, experiment personally to grasp its nuances. Encourage feedback when introducing new technologies, ensuring a collective adaptability. Always prioritize digital etiquette and security. As new channels emerge, remember that technology should enhance, not replace, genuine interpersonal interactions.