Marketing & Communications Briefs

internal communication professionals need to do a better job of demonstrating their value to senior leadership. To be considered trusted advisers and counselors by executives and senior leaders, internal communication professionals should, among other things, assess and measure their value, bring unique insights, and better understand the financial metrics used by business leaders.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen by some as a magic solution to every business problem, by others as ineffective. IBM’s computer Watson may have won “Jeopardy!” (magic!) but Watson made some ridiculous errors (ineffective!). The IBM computer didn’t understand puns or irony. Humans do. AI is neither magic nor ineffective; it’s a technology that can augment human judgment not replace it. Understanding the strengths and limits of AI helps companies to implement it wisely.

Collaboration between humans and machines can make our online communities much more vibrant and relevant. Companies looking to understand and engage with customers through online communities need to consider how artificial intelligence and human collaboration can be used together to augment understanding of data and advance know-how.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help to address significant societal challenges, including those identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For organizations that seek to use such technology for social good, an understanding of the existing use cases and potential for social impact should be considered within the context of a heightened regulatory framework that might stifle successes.

As strategic consultants to senior leaders, communicators play a critical role in driving outcomes, which makes it important for communications teams to develop robust employee development plans that suit the needs of the organization. Mayo Clinic begins with identifying accountabilities, establishes required competencies at each level, and tracks career progression tailored to individual employees’ own goals.

How do you make life insurance fun and engaging for consumers? Brooks Tingle, President and CEO of John Hancock Insurance, spoke at the recent Customer Experience Conference on how John Hancock uses technology and consumer insights to enhance and innovate the customer experience in life insurance.

An organization’s culture of innovation can be a robust predictor of financial performance, which highlights the importance to companies of measuring intangible assets. With intangible assets growing exponentially as a component of enterprise value, it is unproductive to allow them to go unmanaged.

Until there is a strong line of sight between internal communication and business results, internal communication will continue to be seen primarily as a support function, not a management function. The internal and external communication functions may be converging, but both disciplines appear to remain distinct for now. However, tighter alignment between internal and external functions will improve reputation and brand.

Too many events and experiential marketing campaigns are conducted without measurement designed into them and funded from the beginning, leading to misunderstanding of results. Budget for measurement doesn't have to be expensive, but it does need to be included, because leadership will also want to know the cost effectiveness of your results.

As artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged in the last three decades, the effect on employment has not matched the public's fears. AI will be one of the transformative technologies of the next decade, but it will not be the only technology transforming our world. Predicting AI’s effects in a vacuum won’t get us anywhere. Companies and their employees need to make sure they can execute on the opportunities presented by AI and other technologies. That’s how to avoid obsolescence.