Leadership

Improve employee satisfaction and boost team morale by recognizing your employees’ work and achievements this holiday season. Here are some gift ideas that your employees will love and appreciate:

• Travel backpacks
• Wireless gadgets
• Books
• Coffee makers
• Gift baskets

Ultimately, the best gift an employee could ask for is additional paid time off (and bonuses). By rewarding them with a few days of paid time off or by sending them home early, you are showing that you care about their rest and relaxation. Through this, you are also creating a healthier work environment that will improve performance, loyalty and company commitment.

– Cyndee Woolley, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

Today, and throughout Women’s History Month, we celebrate women by shining a spotlight on inspirational leaders:

• Rea Ann Silva (Beautyblender) – revolutionized the makeup industry

• Ursula Burns (Xerox and VEON) – the first African American woman to become CEO of a Forbes 500 company

• Diane Hendricks (ABC Supply) – first on Forbes America’s 2022 Richest Self-Made Women list

• Judy Faulkner (Epic Systems) – dubbed as the most powerful woman in health care

• Sara Blakely (Spanx) – Forbes’ youngest female self-made billionaire in 2012

Read more about the stories of these successful women who have left an important mark on the business world at c2-com.com.

– Cyndee Woolley, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

The Oklahoma City Fire Department has a long history of supporting Oklahoma families even after the fires that ravaged their lives have been extinguished. In fact, they have been collecting cans for their Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) program for more than 25 years.

Bags of aluminum cans can be brought to any OKCFD location, where they will be redeemed for funds to support local families adversely impacted by fires.

Jones PR has begun collecting cans from employees and will donate as often as possible. We encourage you to join us in this effort to help make a difference.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

The CEO is the chief communicator, the face of the company and the brand leader.

Authenticity is at the heart of effective CEO communication, and it’s more important than ever for association leaders to connect with stakeholders in meaningful and authentic ways. If you write on behalf of your CEO, pay attention to how he/she speaks – their tone, sense of humor and passion. It matters. 

Frequency is another critical component of a successful thought leadership strategy. A CEO’s reputation is inextricably linked to the association. Your CEO must engage regularly on issues that matter most to members, staff and media.

– Meghan Henning, OnWrd & UpWrd, The Association 100

The 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans are from all over the state who are being honored for making a difference for the future growth of our state. New honorees are chosen each year from a list of nominations.

A traveling exhibition of portraits of the inaugural class of 2022 will be seen in requested locations around the state. It will be on view at the State Capitol of Oklahoma from January 16 to 26. A special reception will be held for business leaders on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Beginning Feb. 1, there will also be a chance to nominate candidates for the 2023 class.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Jones PR’s Mick Cornett is back in Oklahoma after several days in the Middle East. Cornett counseled with the leadership of Oman as it completes a restructure of its local government.

Oman sits strategically alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE and is a major player in the energy sector.

“Oman has a lot going for it: a beautiful coastline, mountain ranges and a growing economy,” Cornett says. “Now they are looking at how they can best deliver government services to the five million people that live there. Like Oklahoma, Oman is hoping to diversify its economy and attract a skilled workforce.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Retention rates are at an all-time low due to a post-pandemic shift in the talent landscape where over 40% of the global workforce is considering leaving their employer this year.

Inflation will likely keep prices above pre-Covid levels; however, while people seek higher wages, employers can take a total reward approach to win in the long run.

One strategy to implement for a total reward approach is to build an employee value proposition unique to your culture.

Read more to learn what your company’s total reward strategy could be and how to best navigate workforce strategy through a recession.

– Angela Harris, OneDigital, The North Carolina 100

Every business is looking for innovative ways to engage their audience, take new approaches to advocacy efforts, get more creative in earned media outreach and liven up their events with the latest trends and best practices.

We all talk about thinking outside the box, but sometimes it’s outside thinkers who can be your strongest asset. Pull in team members from across the company for your regular department meeting, hand over the brainstorm to a junior staffer who normally doesn’t have a voice or lean on a consultant.

Brining in new and diverse perspectives is the quickest path to new ideas.

– Colleen Lerro Gallagher, OnWrd & UpWrd, The Association 100

Reagan Smith, Inc. recently promoted Matt Giroux to Project Manager and Archaeology Coordinator. In his new position, Giroux’s responsibilities will include project management, cultural resource surveys, regulatory compliance, permitting and environmental surveys.

“Matt is driven, adaptive and enthusiastic about taking on complex projects – which helps ensure we’re providing our clients with quality work,” Reagan Smith CEO Monica Smith Griffin said.

Giroux received his B.S. in environmental biology and B.S. in history from Tabor College and is an active member of the Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen (OCAPL), Okie Tech Association and the Pipeliners Club of Oklahoma City.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

As businesses continue to navigate the post COVID hiring chapter, I recall the wisdom of Steve Jobs who cited the Beatles as a business model.

When examined, this analogy makes perfect sense. The Fab Four balanced one another, providing strengths to others’ weaknesses. The total was greater than the sum of its parts.

Business is no different. Success is not due to the vision and actions of a single person; rather, it is only possible with a team, each member contributing personal talents for sweeter harmony. With higher expectations from today’s workforce, businesses are challenged in building Jobs’ “Beatles” team.

– Betsie Gambel, Gambel Communications, The New Orleans 100

Guernsey announces two new architectural design hires, Russel Baker and Mike Patel.

Baker joins Guernsey’s Architecture/Engineering Group as the Director of Project Integration with more than 30 years of experience in architectural design and project management.

With more than 30 years of design experience and a focus in design implementation and project management, Patel joins Guernsey as an Architectural Designer.

Both Baker and Patel will bring a robust and innovative outlook to the Guernsey architectural team and will help solidify Guernsey’s posture in the local and regional design communities.

To learn more about Guernsey and its architecture services, visit www.guernsey.us.

– Aubrey Craig, Jones PR

June 19,1865, marked the first ever Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. This year we celebrate 157 years, making this the longest running African American holiday.

The Emancipation Proclamation was the changing day for black Americans but it was not until two years later that freedom rang. On this two-year mark, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that all enslaved people were freed. This moment was celebrated with prayer, song and new clothing to symbolize newfound freedom.

Today, Juneteeth celebrates African American freedom and emphasizes growth, achievement and education.

On June 17, 2021, it became a federal holiday.

– Aubrey Craig, Jones PR

Whether you’re a new manager, an experienced leader or a team player, there is always room to improve team communication. Here are some strategies to become a better communicator:

• Listen to understand, not to respond. If you’re thinking about what to say next, you’re not focused on what’s being said now.

• If you want buy-in from your teammates, encourage two-way feedback to create dialogue rather than directions.

• Add deadlines to requests. It removes the ambiguity around when something should get done.

• Learn how your teammates prefer communication. Some people love emails, others prefer face-to-face interaction, some even prefer handwritten notes.

– Taylor Lawrence, Jones PR

It is National Administrative Professionals Week, a time that we celebrate the unsung heroes that keep our businesses running! From managing our calendars, to human resources and accounting, our administrative professionals are a critical resource in caring for our customers.

And, while a genuine “Thank You!” is appreciated year round, today you can show how much you care with a small token.

Need a last-minute gift idea?

• Have flowers and a thank you card delivered.

• Send  Norman Love Chocolates or other edible treats.

• Take them out to lunch or send an Uber gift card if they are still working remotely.

– Cyndee Woolley, The Southwest Florida 100

A personal website is a great way to make an impressive first impression online.

Think of it like a digital resume; you can share your most recent projects, certificates you’ve earned and your education, thoughts and ideas. You can show off all your best work and even host your own blog to highlight your writing and research abilities.

With a personal website, you can be in control of your own personal brand. Hiring managers, networking connections and potential clients will get a sense of who you are, what you know, the things you are proudest of and your unique perspective.

– Taylor Lawrence, Jones PR

Striking up a conversation with a stranger doesn’t come easy for many. Whether at a conference or a happy hour, here are some networking conversation starters to make a great first impression:

• Start with a compliment.

• Get personal by asking about interests.

• Ask open-ended questions to get the conversation going.

• What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

• What do you love most about your line of work?

Whether you’re new to your career or have years of experience, networking takes regular practice. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll meet someone new and learn a thing or two.

– Jack Phillips, Jones PR

Work is stressful when your manager doesn’t trust you enough to do the job and is over-involved in your work. Servant leaders are those who develop mutual trust between leaders’ and employees’ skills and knowledge.

According to Doug Meyer-Cuno, the author of “The Recipe For Empowered Leadership: 25 Ingredients For Creating Value and Empowering Others,” following these tips will help you transform from a micromanager to a servant leader:

• Follow the 3 “I’s” – invest, inspire, ignite

• Create core culture values

• Create alignment

• Delegate more responsibilities

• Live in gratitude

Empowering your team through passion and enthusiasm leads to a healthier work environment.

– Jack Phillips, Jones PR

It’s typical for New Year’s resolutions to fizzle out by the end of January. Reflect on what three steps you need to take to move the meter, then set a time on your calendar to reflect on where you are on those goals.

What types of goals should you set?

• Tangible goals make it to where you can see the results.

• Accountability-based goals ensure you are working with others toward a common goal.

• Stretch goals can be a “stretch,” or challenging, to achieve, but you know what they could mean for your business or team.

Here is to another year!

– Taylor Ketchum, APR, Jones PR

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Brandon Fischer, from Edmond, is partaking in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021 series aboard USS Tulsa.

In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

– Jeanine Bertou, Jones PR

Natural content creators
Other generations haven’t had time to catch up on changes in the digital world. Instead, allow Gen Z to create TikToks or Instagram Reels (so long as it fits your target audience) to ensure your company doesn’t start collecting dust on social media.

Diversity-driven
Gen Z has been exposed to a more ethnically diverse landscape making them less fazed by differences in race, sexual orientation or religion. With diversity as their norm, Gen Z will bring additional perspectives to support you and your clients.

The third skill and full article can be found on Jones PR’s blog.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) is leading the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide to reduce and eliminate suicide for Oklahoma’s service members, veterans and their families and to implement statewide efforts to fight for those who so willingly fought for us.

ODVA works to build community partnerships and collaborations, create direct access to care and resources, identify gaps in our communities and implement statewide efforts in preventing suicide. Through these efforts, ODVA hopes to streamline care and resources for service members across the state.

Wanting to learn more or looking for resources? Visit the ODVA Governor’s Challenge website.

– Jack Phillips, Jones PR

Astronaut Wally Funk, alongside Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the Ninety-Nines, celebrated the annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day on Nov. 5.

The event provides an opportunity to learn how to advocate for young girls and women to pursue aviation.

Funk was the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, the first female civilian flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and the first female Federal Aviation Agency inspector, as well as one of the Mercury 13.

Funk became the oldest woman to go to space in 2021 as part of Blue Origin’s New Shepard mission.

– Ashley Glass, Jones PR

Your college degree earned you a foundation of professional credentials, but it’s important to continue learning and keep your brain sharp. In fact, it’s nearly essential to develop new skill sets throughout your career so you can continue to grow as a professional and increase your value as an employee.

Dive into your professional development by investing in yourself and your growth with these tools:

Skillshare
From InDesign and photography to cooking and writing, Skillshare offers a variety of online courses for you to explore.

LinkedIn Learning
Learn business, creative and tech skills to achieve your personal and professional goals.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR