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Professional Development Webinar: “Managing Up: Positioning Yourself for Success with Your Supervisor” with Ken Jacobs

Heather Sliwinski Leave a comment

As a young professional, “managing up” is probably something we have all encountered in the workplace, either from our own experiences or from those around us. Working with your boss to ensure you meet, even exceed, his/her needs so that you can ultimately work your way up in the company is smart. However, where is the line between going above expectations and “brown-nosing?” While you may be familiar with both, this topic is not one on which you took a college class. In “Managing Up: Positioning Yourself for Success with Your Supervisor,” trainer and consultant Ken Jacobs will help us all get a better grip on:

·    What “managing up” is and isn’t

·    Nine tips on how to manage up more effectively

·    How managing up benefits you

·    How to make your boss the best boss for you

The webinar starts at 2 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, July 7. Interested in learning a little more about Ken Jacobs? Check out his website.

Are you on the fence about spending the money to join us? We have a solution! Chances are you have a few other young professionals in your workplace. This particular topic is something all fields of work can benefit from, so consider collaborating with them and splitting the $35 fee. It gives you a nice, educational break from the daily grind and a chance to spend some more time with the other young professionals in your office!

So, what are you waiting for? Register here!

Ken Jacobs is the principal of Jacobs Communications Consulting, which helps public relations firms grow and manage business; improve client service and enhance client relationships; as well as increase staff performance, motivation, loyalty and retention. Jacobs Communications Consulting does so via training, consulting and coaching. Prior to launching his firm, Jacobs held leadership positions at Lippe Taylor, Maloney & Fox, Marina Maher Communications, Ogilvy Adams & Rinehart and Ogilvy & Mather PR. He blogs at http://kensviews.com

Navigating Your Financial Future:Tweets from the Brown Bag

Heather Sliwinski 1 Comment

The PRSA New Professionals Section held our first brown bag teleconference “Navigating Your Financial Future” with financial advisor Jim Beverley on Thursday.  In case you missed it, Beverley covered four main topics directly affecting new professionals: student loans, credit scores, retirement savings and budgeting. PRSA New Professionals Twitter hashtag #npprsa tracked the conversation surrounding Beverley’s most valuable advice.

On student loans:

@MelindaBiegen: Tips on paying student loans from #JimBeverly– Step 1) Organize your loans, start paying the ones off w/ the highest interest rate. #npprsa

@MelindaBiegen: Step 2) Never miss a payment! If you can, try to set up automatic payment plans. Don’t be afraid to pay a little extra too! #npprsa

@MelindaBiegen: Step 3) #JimBeverly encourages recent grads to see a local Tax Advisor to educate us further and answer any financial questions. #npprsa

On retirement savings:

@prsanewpros: Save early! If you want to have $1 million at retirement and start saving at 25 = $300/mo., at 35 = $700/mo., 55 = $5,326/mo #npprsa

@DZ_Invictus: Retirement savings through company withholding plans confers pretax convenience, possible matching benefits. #npprsa

On budgeting:

@daniellerideau: Creating a budget for my future. budgeting.thenest.com #npprsa

@JoriRobinson: Good to have 3-6 months of expenses in cash in savings that is readily available in the event you lose your job. sleepability #NPPRSA

On credit scores:

@AnnaCramer1: Any number in the 700s is good, 750 + is excellent for credit score #npprsa

@prsanewpros: Improve credit score: 1. reduce debt 2. get back on track with missed payments 3. spend less! #npprsa

What’s the bottom line from Beverley’s seminar?

@AnnaCramer1: Save some money every month, pay some debt off every month and most importantly: live within your means! #npprsa

If you are interested in hearing the playback of this discussion, and did not register prior to the event, please stay tuned to our online discussion forum for a link to the recording.  This event is free for Section members.

Jim BeverleyJim Beverley, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, Financial Advisor, Partners Wealth Management

Jim Beverley has 16 years of experience as a financial advisor. Beverley offers Securities and Investment Advisory Services through NFP Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. NFP Securities, Inc. is not affiliated with Partners Wealth Management.  Beverley empowers clients by eliminating conflicts of interest, taking the time necessary to understand each client’s financial situation and educating clients on the solutions available to help accomplish their objectives.

Navigating Your Financial Future: Q&A with New Pros Brown Bag Speaker Jim Beverley

Heather Sliwinski Leave a comment

You have, or are looking forward to, one of your first jobs in public relations—and your first steady paycheck. So, how can you take steps now to ensure you are building a strong financial foundation?

Join New Professionals Section members for a free brown bag teleconference “Navigating Your Financial Future” on Thursday, April 21, hosted by financial advisor Jim Beverley.  Beverley is a financial advisor with Partners Wealth Management with more than 15 years of financial planning experience.

PRSA New Professionals Blog Co-Chair Heather Sliwinski spoke with Beverley to get a preview of some of the topics he will be covering on Thursday.

Heather Sliwinski:  In regards to their finances, what are the biggest challenges facing new professionals in today’s economy? 

Jim Beverley: These days I hear quite a bit about paying off student loans as a significant challenge to new professionals.  The cost of education required for getting a job and the recent investment landscape has made debt-free education a rare situation. 

HS: Another crop of seniors is graduating this spring.  What is a tip you have for those who are about to face their student loans? 

JB: Shop for the best available repayment strategy, pay every time on time and if you can pay more, do so.   Getting beyond these loans will help you get to saving money earlier in your life.  It also helps you build your credit for when you are ready to buy a home or car.

HS: Do young professionals often seek out your council? If not, why do you think that is the case? 

JB: Young professionals do not typically seek my council.  In most cases, I have the feeling they would rather spend their money on buying fun things for their life.  Cars, electronics, clothes and eating out seem to get the priority over paying for financial advice.  On the one hand, I understand that motivation, and yet if they would spend their first dollars saving for their own future, they would soon be able to afford all the clothes, dinners, cars and electronics they desire. 

HS: In your 16 years of experience, surely many of your clients have told you about financial regrets. What is the most common regret, and what can new professionals do early in their careers to prevent it? 

JB: By far the most common regret my clients share with me is that they did not start saving early enough, and when they started, they wish they had saved more of their income.  While there are many regrets, it is amazing to me how often I hear this response.

HS: If you could give just one piece of financial advice to recent graduates, what would it be?

JB:  Whatever your income is, live as if you earned 10 percent to 20 percent less than that, and get in the habit of saving money from your first paycheck.  Do not get into the mindset of, “as soon as I get x, then I’ll start saving”.  Save some of EVERY paycheck you get, and do it right away. 

So how do we start saving?  Find out by registering for the brown bag today!  Among the general topics, Beverley will discuss:

  • A sample budget based on an average entry-level public relations professional’s salary
  • Managing your credit, including what affects your credit score (and how it affects what you can do with your money)
  • An overview of available student loans, and tips to make the repayment process as painless as possible
  • Planning for retirement (clearly, you are not too young)

Jim BeverleyJim Beverley, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, has 16 years of experience as a financial advisor. Beverley offers Securities and Investment Advisory Services through NFP Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. NFP Securities, Inc. is not affiliated with Partners Wealth Management.  Beverley empowers clients by eliminating conflicts of interest, taking the time necessary to understand each client’s financial situation and educating clients on the solutions available to help accomplish their objectives.

professional development… Here’s What’s for Us at PRSA International Conference by Janet Krenn

New Professionals PR Blog Leave a comment

Two words: development and networking. This is what we as New Pros stand to gain by participating in International Conference this October 16-19 in Washington D.C. And if you register by next Friday (August 27) you can get this at the saver rate, i.e. $200 less.

(Now, I’ll be honest with you, you might find this to be too expensive to pay out of pocket, but other New Pros have attended conference in the past by asking their boss to foot the bill. If you’re interested in telling others how you convinced your boss to send you to IC or you have questions for those that did, join the discussion on our eGroup page.)

OK,  so you’re going to International Conference. Now what? In addition to the other cool sessions, the New Pros Section is sponsoring a session and two networking events.

  • New Professionals Section Workshop
    “Myth or Reality: ‘Agency Experience Preferred'”
    Tuesday, Oct. 19, 8–9:15 a.m.
    What are employers really asking for when they require “agency experience”? Is an agency position truly the best public relations experience? Learn about the pros and cons of agency and non-agency experience from Sarah Siewert, account executive, KemperLesnik; Heather R. Huhman, founder and president, Come Recommended; and Lara Kretler, vice president and social media lead, Fahlgren Mortine Public Relations. Receive advice on how to choose the path that best suits your skills, and learn how to make your own experiences marketable to all employers.
  • New Professionals, Technology and IPA Sections Networking Dinner
    Monday, Oct. 18, 6:30–9 p.m., Lauriol Plaza
    Graceful architecture and sophisticated service set a stylish tone for some of the best Tex-Mex in Washington, D.C. Lauriol Plaza offers good conversation, a strong margarita and the finest offerings from the mesquite-fired grill to IPA, Technology Section and New Professionals Section members.
  • Sections Soirée
    Monday, Oct. 18, 9–11:30 p.m.
    Stop by the Sections Soirée to network with colleagues from all 16 Professional Interest Sections, and share tips about the latest industry trends. Also, don’t miss a chance to win some great prizes.

If you can make it, International Conference is a great way to learn more about the profession and start networking with seasoned pros in your and other industries. Hope you can make it!

—

JANET A. KRENN is your 2010 Chair of the New pros of PRSA.

  • New Professionals Section Workshop
    “Myth or Reality: ‘Agency Experience Preferred'”
    Tuesday, Oct. 19, 8–9:15 a.m.
    What are employers really asking for when they require “agency experience”? Is an agency position truly the best public relations experience? Learn about the pros and cons of agency and non-agency experience from Sarah Siewert, account executive, KemperLesnik; Heather R. Huhman, founder and president, Come Recommended; and Lara Kretler, vice president and social media lead, Fahlgren Mortine Public Relations. Receive advice on how to choose the path that best suits your skills, and learn how to make your own experiences marketable to all employers.
  • New Professionals, Technology and IPA Sections Networking Dinner
    Monday, Oct. 18, 6:30–9 p.m., Lauriol Plaza
    Graceful architecture and sophisticated service set a stylish tone for some of the best Tex-Mex in Washington, D.C. Lauriol Plaza offers good conversation, a strong margarita and the finest offerings from the mesquite-fired grill to IPA, Technology Section and New Professionals Section members.
  • Sections Soirée
    Monday, Oct. 18, 9–11:30 p.m.
    Stop by the Sections Soirée to network with colleagues from all 16 Professional Interest Sections, and share tips about the latest industry trends. Also, don’t miss a chance to win some great prizes.


professional development teleconference…Master’s Degree vs. APR (April 30, 2010)

awilmes 1 Comment

As PR professionals find it harder and harder to gain employment in these tough times, many are asking themselves if going back to school for a master’s degree will make them more competitive or would APR accreditation be the better option. To help us answer this question, we’ve invited Laura Reilly, APR, to talk about her passion for learning during this month’s Brown Bag teleconference on April 30.

Laura is currently the director of communications for the Georgia School Boards Association.  Laura is active with the Public Relations Society of America and is involved in the accreditation process with PRSA. In addition, Laura has earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in advertising and a Master of Journalism degree.

We spoke with Laura about some of her education decisions and asked her to share the experiences she’s gained from them.

1. How has obtaining a master’s degree benefited your career?

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising/Design and a Master of Journalism. The two disciplines have merged nicely during my career and assist greatly in all marketing and communications efforts.

2. How has obtaining APR accreditation benefited your career?

The song, “The Climb,” describes it nicely: It’s not about what’s on the other side, it’s about the climb. Earning and maintaining an APR can be a career-long experience. I learned a tremendous amount about public relations through the process and I continue to benefit greatly through my involvement as an APR panelist and the maintenance process.

3. What lessons have you learned during your career and how did you gain this knowledge?

I’ve learned many, but one that resonates continually is that we have to listen first in order to be heard. That applies to the practice of public relations in that we must do research first before committing to a plan of action. I used to be much more subtle in suggesting this to my bosses, etc., but today I’m very assertive about this belief. Engaging stakeholders in the process can be scary, but it is always worthwhile. I learned this first through graduate school and the APR process, and then by watching the negative consequences when this is not done.

4. Why did you decide to further your education?

As an advertising design specialist, I watched others in the agency business formulate entire communications and marketing strategies. I wanted to be at that level of the decision making process.

5. Why did you decided to get accredited in PR?

It is always important to continue learning. I engaged in the APR process after I had five years experience and it was perfect timing. Going through the process helped me recognize that we’re never through learning from others. I don’t care who you are and how long you’ve been doing this work, if you open yourself up to it you can continually experience new aspects of our profession.

Laura Reilly, APR will be instructing our New Pros of PRSA Brown Bag teleconference, “Master’s Degree vs. APR” on April 30, 2010 at 2pm EST. To register, click here.