I know that's an unusual name. 

But what CommsOffensive325 seeks to do is unusual as well.  For the most part, internal communications professionals often find ourselves on the defensive, having to defend budgets, tactics and approaches from pennywise clients, project managers who think they are internal communication experts, or thick-headed communicators from other disciplines who think internal communication is simply another form of marcomms or public relations.

CommsOffensive325 is about empowering internal communicators to go on the offensive, to seize some ground, to challenge some of the conventional wisdom held by clients and others we work with, and to strengthen the case we have to make to allow us to pursue internal communications in a way that is serious, strategic and effective.  By providing tools, arguments and evidence that supports effective approaches to internal communications, and providing a platform where internal communicators can share openly about the challenges involved in persuading and working with clients and managers who are not our peers, we will strengthen the internal communications profession.

CommsOffensive325: The Basics--Q&A

1.         Who is CommsOffensive325 for?

The main goal of CommsOffensive325 is to create an open and honest conversation about effective internal communication strategy and tactics, and, most importantly, to provide participants with facts and arguments that will help them do their jobs in a way that successfully addresses the resistance that comes from clients and superiors who are not internal communication professionals themselves.

2.         Why is this an issue?

Internal communicators are an unusual breed in that they rarely work closely with people of like or greater expertise in our field.  Often, an internal communications pro is the only internal comms person in the entire organization or team in which they work.  Brought in as experts, they often find their expertise challenged or second-guessed by those they work for.  And, since some of the best internal communications thinking is counter-intuitive, being able to draw on the arguments and the evidence produced by other internal communication pros will help practitioners sell the right ideas and avoid being stuck implementing the wrong ideas.

3.         What does the "325" mean?

The number 325 means that a new topic article will be published on the 3rd and 25th of each month. 

4.         What happens between the 3rd and 25th?

If there are comments and discussions, they'll continue.  If no one has anything more to say, the next edition with a brand new topic will appear as scheduled.

5.                  Who is behind CommsOffensive325

Michael Klein is the driving force behind CommsOffensive325. 

An internal communications pro since relaunching a membership newsletter for the National Jewish Democratic Council in the US in 1994, Michael conducted an in-depth MBA thesis project at London Business School which analyzed trends in internal communication in top UK companies in 1998. Michael has since gone on to lead major internal communication activities with easyJet Airlines, Cable & Wireless, and ntl (now Virgin Media), and has driven internal communication strategy and research projects with Vodafone, Barclays Bank, Rhodia, and a major regulatory agency of the U.S. Government, where Michael is currently based on a full-time IT change communication project. 

Prior to moving into internal communication, Michael managed political campaigns throughout the US from 1987-1996, and the application and deployment of the research, targeting, and network-building approaches that are commonly used in politics is core to Michael’s approach to internal comms.  A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and London Business School, Michael is based in Washington, but retains a fierce loyalty to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Ajax AFC, and the Chicago Bears. 

On a volunteer basis, Michael conducted the Member Survey for Ned Lundquist's Job of the Week (www.nedsjotw.com) in 2006, and has been an active member of the team supporting the 2007 launch of JOTW on the Web.

6.       Can I join CommsOffensive325?

The more the merrier.  The best way is by sending me an e-mail at mklein818@yahoo.com, and we can discuss whether you want to contribute a topic, or if you would like to take a more active role in growing the CommsOffensive325 community and sharing the message with fellow internal communicators.  In addition, you can also "link in" with me on LinkedIn, and by all means contribute your own thoughts, comments, and suggested links.

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