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Once again, I've been asked by Ragan to help plan next year's Corporate Communications Conference. And once again, I turn to the best practitioners in the field (that would be you guys) for help.
I'm not a big fan of bringing in a lot of consultants to speak . . . even though I am a consultant. Yes, they are very good speakers (most of them, anyway). And yes, you have to have a couple of them at the conference, because they often have a pretty good idea about industry trends and such.
But I'm much bigger fan of the practitioner/speaker. I like to line up people who actually do the work. My personal theory is that people don't go to conferences (at least Ragan conferences) to get big-picture views of industry trends.
I think people go to get practical ideas. And to network with people who do similar kinds of work. And that means practitioners.
And that means you guys.
So please consider this an official Call For Speakers to the Ragan Corporate Communications Conference. If you have something great to share—an idea, a campaign, a case study, a superior vehicle—please reach out to me.
It's a great chance to get some exposure for yourself and your company . . . and you get to attend the entire conference for free. And this year, it's going to be in Chicago . . . my home town. I know all the great bars and restaurants and blues and jazz clubs. I'm a member at all the museums. You WILL have fun.
Officially, I'm in charge of two tracks at the conference: One on managing your communication team and your career; and one on technology. If you have any ideas in those two areas, please e-mail me. And if you have any ideas that don't fall into those categories, e-mail me anyway, and I'll pass your name along to my Ragan colleagues.
Thanks!
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Feels like Total Recall. Er, Philip K Dick?
Actually, with Steve's example it's a bit scary --- standing at the urinal...
Comments (3)
Steve,
While I agree that many consultants only see the big picture and trends, paying less attention to the details and tactics, I just have to say not all consultants are created equal.
I consider myself a "practicing consultant" for lack of a better term because the work I do with clients is very much focused on "getting things done." The value I believe I bring is the ability to take care of the tactical things while keeping an eye on the overall strategy as well. Also, when I learn great tools and techniques and processes from one client, I can apply that learning to my work with other clients, so everybody shares in the learning.
Our friend David Murray doesn't like when I talk about him when he's not here, but I recently had a similar conversation with him in response to his recent RR column that blasted consultants who spoke at the IABC Conference. Hey, I've sat through too many of those presentations, too, but let's not paint consultants with too broad a brush. I feel very much in touch with the real world since my clients live and work there.
Posted by Robert J Holland, ABC | August 10, 2005 11:55 AM
Posted on August 10, 2005 11:55
Robert:
You know, in retrospect, I would take everything back that I just wrote. Seriously. Because you're exactly right . . . . you can't paint all of US the same way. And I'm part of the US, obviously.
With every client I have, I start by saying, "Hey, listen, I'm not your typical consultant . . . I'm not going to borrow your watch and tell you what time it is . . . I want to get things done . . . I'm not a "come in and shit and leave" guy, pardon the expression.
And I'm not. And I know you're not. And I know of dozens of other consultants who are not. So . . . sorry about how that comment was perceived.
I didn't mean to bad mouth consultants as much as I meant to let practitioners know that their stories MATTER. That those real-life case studies are every bit as good as the more polished, high-powered light shows that people from Watson or Mercer can bring in.
The world needs both groups . . . consultants who have been around a bit and can spread good knowledge, and practitioners who stay put and get shit done where they are at.
And I need both at the CCC.
But thanks for slapping me into my place.
Steve C.
P.S. Let's not be afraid to talk about David Murray when he's not here. It's the only time we can ever get a word in.
Posted by steve c. | August 11, 2005 10:45 AM
Posted on August 11, 2005 10:45
Cathy:
Robert is exactly right. Being fun to drink with is a wonderful quality, and should not be taken lightly. I will take your proposal under serious consideration.
Steve C.
Posted by steve c. | August 16, 2005 11:50 AM
Posted on August 16, 2005 11:50