What do you do if you need guidance transitioning into Corporate Communications?

When you are a part of the Corporate Communications Team, know your team's key responsible areas. Firstly, you need to understand the company and also the industry you are working in. The vision, mission and the core values of the company, the target audience, concepts and strategies and engagement internally as well as externally. Then understand in what ways can you position your brand / communicate with the key stakeholders within and outside of the organization as and when required.

It's important that you do your research BEFORE you transition. This provides at least a basic understanding of what's required and how the discipline of Corporate Communication may vary from the path that you are currently on. I had just completed a Master of Professional Communication prior to transitioning from Journalism and that provides the research and understanding to start day one with some idea of what to expect. The next piece of advice is to listen and observe - soak up all the knowledge from your colleagues so you can be as useful to your organisation as you can be in the shortest time frame.

Start by building a strong foundation in communication skills, PR strategies, and understanding corporate dynamics. Network with professionals in the field, seek mentorship and consider enrolling in relevant courses or certifications. Gain practical experience through internships or freelance projects, and showcase your expertise through a well-crafted portfolio. Stay updated on industry trends and technologies. Finally, don't hesitate to reach out to professionals for informational interviews or advice. With perseverance, continuous learning, and networking, you can successfully transition into a rewarding career in Corporate Communications.

You need to consider attending specialized workshops or seminars that focus on communications skills and strategies. These events are not only educational but also provide a platform to connect with industry experts and peers who can offer insights and advice informally. Additionally, subscribing to industry publications and following relevant content online can keep you informed about the latest trends and best practices in the field.

Ask corpcomm experts or practitioners if you need help to transition to this field. Ask them how they started and how they moved up in their career. Learn from their failures and triumphs in all their years of experience. The right people will be willing to mentor you. It’s their way of giving back.

It would be beneficial to have someone to discuss your thoughts with. Take a break from your content and come back to it with a fresh perspective, as if you were reviewing someone else's work. Experiment with various versions that highlight different aspects of your organisation's communication goals or cater to different target audiences you need to persuade. Establishing a reliable monitoring system allows you to move away from subjective impressions and instead rely on concrete facts and figures to evaluate the impact and success of your work. Simply put, engage in conversations with your colleagues, present alternative viewpoints, and be prepared to assess and analyse. These are the key elements of your learning curve.

The field of corporate communications is an ever evolving landscape and my journey within it has taught me importance of continual learning and adaptation. Along with formal education which essentially provides a strong foundation, real-world application is what enhances skills. Look out for industry publications, webinars, focused group network forums, - to stay ahead with times. This approach will enable to bring fresh ideas to table, and be resilient towards unique challenges and opportunities faced by the org. This way, you're not only acknowledging the importance of lifelong learning but also emphasizing the value of personal experience and perspectives.

Transitioning into a new field can be both exciting and daunting, especially in the realm of Corporate Communications. If you need guidance transitioning into Corporate Communications - First, you may want to research the field and gain as much knowledge as possible about the skills and trends that are important to success. Additionally, you may want to seek out mentors or networking opportunities to gain advice and guidance from professionals in the field. It can also be helpful to take on internships or volunteer work in Corporate Communications to gain hands-on experience and build your portfolio. Finally, consider earning a degree or obtaining professional certifications in order to further your career goals.

Find companies or people on LinkedIn that have the type of experience you’re looking to get into, and then take the plunge to connect with them and ask for a few minutes to discuss their experience and ask for advice. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Most professionals enjoy the connection and having the opportunity to share their experiences. The key is to be clear in your ask so that it breaks through all the other messages and sales pitches we receive on a regular basis.

Your network is there to help. Sharing experience and benefiting from your peers' expertise is always a good idea. "Contacts only hurt the one who doesn't have any," as a former boss of mine used to say. Utilize the wealth of experience within your network to its fullest potential. That's even better than asking ChatGPT and the likes because your peers' experience offers real-life proof.

Think not only of progressing on the communication basis but also what you can bring from your previous experience. Public Relations or Strategic Communications is the most holistic function of the organization and it nurish from all other functions.

That's a cliché, isn't it? Certainly, life is a continuous learning process, especially in the field of corporate communications, where each day presents new challenges to overcome. It's hard to imagine anyone not being able to learn in such circumstances. However, for some people, it can be helpful to keep track of what is going on. Consider keeping a journal or launching a blog to efficiently track, analyse, and evaluate your development as a communicator.

Have you ever thought about creating 'CEO Tweets' for everyday situations? This playful exercise can help you flex your communication muscles and inject some humor into the daily grind. It showcases your ability to distill complex ideas into digestible, engaging content - a skill highly valued in the corporate communication realm.