THE GOODS MARCH EDITION
Artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated the news this month, with constant new developments to keep us talking. In this month’s edition of The Goods, we dive into what this might mean for you. Additionally, we cover the benefits of investing in thought leadership, how PR professionals can help rebuild trust in the media, and what employees think can be done to improve DEI in the workplace.
We also recap this month’s The Goods Webinar and preview next month’s conversation covering key findings from the GSG’s latest Business and Politics report.
The Goods is a newsletter for social impact communicators that helps you keep track of the latest updates, trends, industry best practices, and much more. This content is compiled and curated monthly by Jade Floyd and the team at Global Strategy Group.
INSPIRATION FOR THE MONTH
This month has brought to light the potential that generative AI brings, including for the communications industry. The adoption of AI in the industry can help improve customer service and engagement, automate repetitive tasks, and provide personalized experiences. It also helps professionals analyze customer data to provide insights into customer behavior, preferences, and needs.
However, some fear that it may lead to job loss or biased content. To mitigate these concerns businesses should be transparent about their use of AI and ensure that their AI systems are unbiased and ethical. (Forbes)
Quick Hit: Impact companies, which prioritize social or environmental goals alongside profitability, can benefit greatly from investing in thought leadership efforts.
Your Takeaway: Thought leadership can help you differentiate yourself from your competitors and build trust with your customers. By sharing your expertise and insights, you demonstrate your commitment to your mission and values. However, it’s not easy — this requires a consistent effort to build relationships with key stakeholders, create high-quality content, and engage in conversations with others in the industry. (PR News)
Quick Hit: Trust in the media continues to erode. PR professionals can play a role in rebuilding trust by helping to promote transparency, accuracy, and ethical standards in media reporting.
Your Takeaway: As a PR professional, you can work with journalists and media outlets by:
- Providing access to information and sources,
- Fact-checking content and encouraging accountability for errors or inaccuracies,
- Providing context and background information on news stories, and
- Engaging in public education campaigns to promote media literacy.
At the same time, you must be careful to avoid the appearance of trying to control or manipulate the media. (PR Daily)
Quick Hit: Most executives say sustainability and social responsibility are priorities for their organization and are now viewed as sources of competitive advantage with consumers and employees alike.
Your Takeaway: Be transparent and honest about your company’s ESG goals, progress, and challenges, and use consistent messaging across all communications channels to avoid confusion and mixed messaging. Use accurate and relevant data to support claims about your ESG efforts, and engage stakeholders into your ESG reporting and strategy. (Forbes)
Quick Hit: It’s critical to be transparent, accountable, and authentic when communicating about ESG issues because of the role that ESG plays in building a strong brand reputation with stakeholders.
Your Takeaway: Align your ESG goals with the company’s core business strategy and values, and prioritize ESG issues based on their relevance to your company and its stakeholders. Set measurable ESG goals and targets to track and communicate progress regularly through a variety of channels, including traditional media, social media, and corporate websites. (Ragan)
Quick Hit: Over the past few years, there has been increased focus on DEI initiatives and building cultures of belonging in the workplace, but many employees do not think these efforts are as effective as they should be.
Your Takeaway: Some ways your organization can bolster its DEI efforts include:
- Uncovering your diversity blind spots and communicating DEI efforts with employees regularly, including communicating clearly about how your workplace handles discrimination.
- Conducting a fairness audit and track progress to increase fairness in the hiring and promotion processes.
- Developing strategies to help employees develop their diverse and unique strengths.
Ultimately, your organization needs to initiate dialogue with employees about their true experiences to gather meaningful feedback and implement change. (Harvard Business Review)
Quick Hit: A lack of inclusivity creates a toxic culture in the workplace, leading to negative consequences for all stakeholders involved. Lack of communication, trust, and collaboration among employees also leads to high rates of employee turnover and difficulty attracting and retaining diverse talent.
Your Takeaway: If there is a lack of inclusivity, acknowledge the issue and take steps to address it, like DEI task forces and implicit bias training. Be flexible with your opinions and acknowledge your own limitations and tendencies. Leadership plays an important part in creating a more inclusive workplace, and your leaders should model inclusive behavior, communicate their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and hold themselves accountable for creating a more inclusive workplace. (Entrepreneur)
Business and Politics webinar
Join us on Friday, April 14 at 12pm ET for a webinar featuring GSG’s Jade Floyd and Matt Canter, who will dive into findings from GSG’s newly released Business and Politics Report. The tenth annual report, entitled The Shifting Politics of Doing Good in America, examines the political landscape around recent attacks on companies engaging in environmental social governance (ESG) initiatives.
ICYMI: The Goods webinar
Earlier this month, GSG Senior Vice President Jade Floyd hosted a webinar with communications leaders who discussed how nonprofits and foundations can build more effective communications strategies. Daphne Moore, Communications Director of the Walton Family Foundation, and Pamela Taylor, Senior Vice President at Share Our Strength, talked about understanding the most effective channels for your audience and tying content planning to strategic programmatic goals.
Passcode to access recording: Zc9x9^zT
The Inside Scoop with GSG
This month, GSG hosted the inaugural edition of “The Inside Scoop with GSG”. The event featured MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber and was moderated by GSG Partner Justin Lapatine. The discussion covered various topics like the importance of equity-centered transit outcomes and the impact of the pandemic on New York’s public transportation. Lieber highlighted that the MTA is placing focus on new initiatives for greater equity and efficiency, like the use of OMNY and the expansion of the Fair Fares program.
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