What do you do if your Strategic Communications skills are outdated and need a boost?

To boost outdated strategic communications skills, prioritize continuous learning through courses, workshops, and webinars. Seek professional development opportunities and find a mentor for guidance. Gain hands-on experience and solicit feedback for improvement. Familiarize yourself with digital tools and broaden your skill set to include data analysis and storytelling. Embrace innovation and stay curious about emerging trends. Regularly evaluate progress and adjust learning plans accordingly for continuous improvement.

Well, six points from my end: - Refer to your surroundings and observe how people are creating and consuming content. - Then filter out the ones that align with your professional requirements and focus on creating similar content tailored to your target audience and the type of content they consume. - Additionally, sometimes changing the way you distribute the same content can make a huge difference, so it's not always a case of your content being outdated. - You simply need to adopt a different approach or method of distribution. - Furthermore, attend seminars, listen to experts, and engage in networking to gain a different perspective. - Most importantly, identify the changes you need to make and set a timeline to implement them.

Strategic communication is dynamic and it should be evaluated often to meet the growing organizational needs. It is important to evaluate the gaps and identify areas of improvements that would make the most impact.

In this process, include in-depth or pulse surveys, focus groups, etc. The communication space is changing rapidly, as are our audiences, with younger generations joining the workforce. That being said, remember that as communication professionals, we can no longer hide behind the "we have always done things this way" thinking. Nowadays, it's as simple as "adapt or perish."

Training programmes are always a great way to improve - it can be going back to the classroom, job shadowing, getting expert support etc. in the last 15 years communications has significantly change and it will continue to. There is always the need to learn a new technology and metrics.

You can never go wrong with training. Either on the job or before getting hired. You may not understand some of the things learnt in a particular training but trust me, at some point you will have to fall back on some of those trainings. What I have discovered however is that training is mostly beneficial to those with basic understanding of their assignment or those who are genuinely willing to learn. Having said that, training should be deliberate and continuous as the world is evolving everyday,

As a lifelong learner, finding fresh ways of communicating should be considered daily. There is always room for improvement. Finding new ways to deliver strategic messages starts with learning what works for various audiences.

Lifelong learner here, finishing up my M.A in Global Strategic Communication at the age of 39. It's never too late to go back to school, get a certificate, find a mentor, or make a career change. Although it may seem overwhelming, the only way to move up is to move on from anything holding you back. Reaching as close as LinkedIn Learning for courses is a great way to tune in to strategic communication best practices and trends and reintegrate into the modern and evolving world of communications.

1. Enroll in Communication Skills Workshops: Participate in workshops focused on enhancing strategic communication skills. Look for courses covering topics like digital communication strategies, crisis communication, or effective storytelling techniques. 2. Online Learning Platforms: Utilize online platforms offering specialized courses in strategic communications. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera offer courses tailored to improving communication in various contexts, including business and leadership.

Look for industry events, conferences, workshops, and seminars focused on strategic communications. These events often feature expert speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that can help you learn and grow in your field. Also, keep up to date with industry news, trends, and developments in strategic communications by following relevant blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts. This will help in staying informed about new tools, techniques, and opportunities in the field.

Networking is crucial for professional growth and staying on top of the latest trends in strategic communications. Engaging with peers through industry associations, digital platforms, or community gatherings opens the door to fresh ideas, innovative tools, and strategies. These interactions offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the field and foster opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration. By broadening your network, you're tapping into a vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise, which can significantly enhance your capabilities in strategic comms.

Proactively seek to learn- research, attend industry events, talk to your trusted peers and see what they are doing differently, read industry news for trends, and borrow concepts from other fields. Then, actively apply what you learn. Having a learning-first attitude and approaching each task as a learning opportunity will help you stay ahead of the curve.

I love the idea of additional training or attending workshops, but nothing increases skills like diving in to new situations. Make sure you're part of senior strategy sessions being held on where your communication talents can be put to use. Sometimes those in communication roles are left out of the highest level meetings and not brought in until it's time to execute. You may have more to offer than you think you do if you can get in early enough to listen and take part in the strategy itself.

NETWORK WITH PROFESSIONALS Connect with other professionals in the field to learn from their experiences and stay informed about industry changes. Attend networking events, join online communities, and engage with professionals on social media platforms to expand your network.

1. Role-Playing Exercises: Engage in role-playing scenarios to simulate real-world communication challenges. Practice delivering presentations, handling difficult conversations, or negotiating effectively. 2. Daily Conversations: Make a conscious effort to practice strategic communication in everyday interactions. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and active listening during discussions with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders.

-Practice. -Self-assessment. -Post-Mortem. These are just some ways of analyzing your processes to ensure you’re getting the desired results or living up to expectations. These evaluation skills are important to guarantee that neither you nor your team members are living in the past. Constant practice breeds perfection and can be a tool to identify errors early enough. It can also be a moral and confidence booster for the team. So, before making that presentation or that speech, make sure you have practiced extensively. If you don’t sound convincing to yourself, chances are your audience may just feel that way about your presentation too.

PRACTICE AND GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE Apply your newly acquired knowledge by taking on challenging projects that allow you to practice your strategic communications skills. Offer to help with communications initiatives at work or volunteer for non-profit organizations to gain practical experience.

De plus, je profite de chaque opportunité de mettre en pratique mes compétences en communication stratégique dans mes projets de commissariat d'exposition, de recherche ou de médiation culturelle. Chaque expérience me permet d'apprendre, de m'adapter et de perfectionner mes compétences pour mieux servir les organisations culturelles et institutions diplomatiques avec lesquelles je collabore.

Marketing is always a dynamic process. Specially with new target audience and technologies. Reflect, as an individual , as a consumer, as an advertiser and as a student yourself. Also, follow magazines, websites, join groups and be part of conversations to know where you stand and what you can compare.

1. Self-Assessment: Regularly evaluate your current strategic communication skills. Identify areas that need improvement and set specific goals for enhancement based on self-reflection. 2. Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or trusted individuals to gain valuable insights into your communication style and effectiveness. Use this feedback to adapt and refine your approach.

CONTINUOUSLY LEARN AND ADAPT Strategic communications is a dynamic field, so continuous learning and adaptation are essential. Stay curious, stay informed, and keep seeking opportunities to enhance your skills. Remember, improving your strategic communications skills is an ongoing process, so be patient with yourself and consistently work towards improvement.

Have a virtual team of people you admire and would like to emulate them in some ways, definetly not in all the ways. Look at what soft skills, technical or functional skills they have and then reflect on what you don't. Look at their personality, style, leadership qualities then reflect again. Regular and consistent reflection like this will also help you direct efforts in the right direction.

In today's fast-paced world, adaptability plays a crucial role in succeeding in strategic communications. It is essential to stay up-to-date with emerging trends, technologies, and audience preferences. Continuously evaluate and refine your communication strategies based on feedback and performance metrics. Be open to experimentation and willing to change your approach to achieve your communication goals.

Isn't this the essence of Darwin's Theory? Adapt or perish – the cornerstone of evolution. In our rapidly changing world, AI can replace many jobs, but those who master AI become even more essential. The key is not just to adapt but to choose wisely what to adapt to. Technology can be a double-edged sword; mastering it is essential to harness its potential.On days when you feel you're slowing down, grab a coffee and pick up the pace in a fun way! There's a fine line between growth and stress. Pushing yourself just enough can be motivating, but overdoing it can lead to overwhelming stress.

Attend webinars, workshops, and enroll for online short courses to keep abreast of the latest communication skills needed in a world of rapid change. Mckinsey & Company teaches and expounds more on having a mindset of continuous adaptability. Adaptability certainly makes you navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and achieve success in both your personal and professional endeavors!

1. Stay Updated: Regularly consume industry publications, attend workshops, and engage in online courses to stay abreast of evolving communication trends and tools. 2. Embrace Innovation: Incorporate innovative communication approaches, such as leveraging social media platforms or employing data-driven strategies, to enhance engagement and effectiveness.

STAY UPDATED WITH TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES Familiarize yourself with the latest tools and technologies relevant to strategic communications, including social media management platforms, data analytics tools, and content management systems. These can help you streamline your work and stay competitive.

Seek to work in a different field every few years. A change in the issues, challenges, and contexts to which you apply your skills will help you stay professionally up-to date, refreshed and renewed.

To remain competitive and innovative in strategic communication, it’s crucial to systematically update your skills and adopt novel approaches. Engage in continuous learning by reading industry publications, participating in workshops, and enrolling in online courses that spotlight the latest trends and tools. Embrace innovative practices by leveraging the extensive reach and engagement potential of social media platforms, and by utilizing data-driven strategies to inform your communication efforts. This holistic approach ensures you’re not just keeping pace with the evolving landscape but actively using innovation to enhance your communication effectiveness.

- prioritise time and space to think - schedule development time on your calendar - get involved in a community of like-minded peers who can keep you accountable