Comments from K2 Global Communications

Once upon a time, I covered trade shows as a market analyst for a major consumer publication.  Shortly thereafter I flipped to the other side of the desk and ended up with a press conference on one side of the Consumer Electronics Show and a photo shoot clear across the exhibition hall.  Let’s just say that roller skates were very much on my mind by the time I finished my Mrs. Doubtfire dash back and forth across the crowded exhibit halls.

I empathize with journalists who have been given the immense task of covering trade shows, scouting for new trends, and trying to maintain relationships with industry leaders. That is why when I have a client exhibiting, I try to be a resource to media covering the show by helping them identify my clients’ product introductions long before the show, setting up interviews or, better still, pre-show interviews to save journalist’s precious time, jet-lagged exhaustion, and, especially, their shoe leather.

Here are some pointers for being a resource to media at your next trade show:

Topics: Public relations, Journalist, News story, News value, Media resources, Press coverage, Press release, Media coverage, Trade show

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, even for those of us who are regular exhibitors. Early in my career, I was at a show every fifth week, which made life quite busy for a year or two. To make it simple for all of us, here's a quick and easy calendar of activities you need to keep in mind.

Topics: Public relations, Press release, Media coverage, Media, Trade show, Staffing, Conferences, Giveaways

It’s a given that international marketing is key to long-term business success. You just need to balance the risks with the rewards. We try to look on the bright side of life, so let’s start with the rewards.

Topics: International Marketing

 

Topics: Press coverage, Media coverage, Media, Trade show, Conferences

 You’re an Israel-based cybersecurity company that has successfully proven a new solution in the local market. Now it’s time to expand. The question is where? United States, Canada, India, and Korea are all viable markets. Choosing the right international market is critical.

Topics: Collaborative marketing, International Marketing

In the “change is the only constant” department, we’re seeing B2B marketing evolve in approach, philosophy, and focus - with new opportunities and technologies promising to impact businesses for the long-run. Some of these come from the increasing sway of B2C marketing, others from emerging technology, and still others from the pandemic. Whatever their provenance, these will keep B2B marketers on their feet so they can stay ahead of the competition.

Topics: Content, Marketing, Brand, Customer communications, B2B, Marketing qualified leads (MQL), Sales qualified leads (SQL), Sales funnel, Trends, Customer journey

Today’s B2B buyers and their buyer’s journeys have changed, and that’s why integrated marketing matters - a lot.

Topics: Marketing, Brand, Customer communications, Account-based marketing, Influencer, B2B, Customer journey, Integrated marketing, Influencer marketing

At the end of the day, businesses market to people, not to faceless decision-making committees or a bunch of same-demographic consumers. Whether you’re selling to CEOs or stay-at-home dads, your marketing should speak to individual customers - think “human” instead of “the client” or “the client company” - each with his or her own tastes, interests, expectations, preferences, life, and work situations.

Topics: Content marketing, Content, Marketing, Brand, Customer communications, Audience, Messaging, Corporate communications, ABM, PESO

Companies now recognize the potential for increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and access to a broader talent pool that comes with a hybrid approach. Thus, employee communications in a hybrid work environment must support increased flexibility, while driving collaboration, innovation, and a shared company culture.

Get Our 10 Tips to Improving Internal Communications & Employer Branding

Effective communication is the linchpin that holds the workforce together. When physical proximity is no longer a given, internal communications must be used to bind the teams, align organizational goals, and sustain a cohesive company culture.

Topics: Internal communications, Employee communications, Employee engagement, Remote workforce, Hybrid workforce

Effective internal communication is a challenge - and a necessity. Assumptions about informal channels can lead to information gaps. An unclear hierarchical structure may make it hard to establish clear lines of communication. Managing messaging to remote, hybrid, and onsite employees needs to be a priority. Addressing these issues allows information to flow freely.

Leadership sets the tone for organizational communication; leading by example - prioritizing transparent and open communications - is potent. Transparent communication builds trust among team members and strengthens the sense of shared responsibility. Leaders need to provide regular updates, provide insights about their decision-making processes, and be honest about challenges and successes.

Get Our 10 Tips to Improving Internal Communications & Employer Branding

Topics: Internal communications, Employee communications, Employee engagement