Engaging the Generations slides:

How to bridge the generational communications gap - taped presentation

On Oct 27, 2008, Kathi Irvine, Principal of KLI Associates shared her research and insights into the generations in the workplace and why we often see clashes of generational differences. An engaging and energetic speaker, Kathi shared how generations (traditionalists, boomers, gen Xers and millienials) are shaped by events and their environment and how that influences how we think, communicate and react. Kathi engaged HTCE attendees in insightful conversations and people left with a deeper understanding of how to communicate with each generation. In addition to Kathi’s slides and resources, the event was also taped by Bruce Sharpe of Singular Software. Definitely worth the watch!

CALL FOR SPEAKERS/PRESENTATIONS – HTCE 2009 SEASON
 
The HTCE Executive Committee will meet in the coming weeks to discuss speakers and presentations for next year’s HTCE program. If you have a topic idea, know of a speaker or would like to be a speaker, read and complete the following form and submit to info@htce.org Feel free to pass this email on. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 4th.

ABOUT SPEAKING TO THE HIGH TECH COMMUNICATORS EXCHANGE

The High Tech Communicators Exchange (HTCE) is an informal group that comprises primarily marketing, communications and PR professionals working in the high-tech and biotech fields. Experience ranges from junior to senior and everything in between. We have over 500 subscribers.

Our event formats vary and include panels, round table sessions, keynote speakers and case study sessions. We typical get between 40 and 55 people attending our events.

We’re curious. We look for topics that provide both practical and how to information that we can apply to our places of work. Being in the technology area,  we also like to know what is on the horizon that is likely to impact the way we market and communicate. For example last year we had a few sessions on how social media plays a role in marketing and communicating. We’re also interested in hearing how communications has played a role in major deals, acquisitions, mergers etc. And we like to learn about new initiatives, programs and strategies that are making organizations successful.

One of our values is life long learning and the free exchange of information. We are a not for profit group, so we do not pay speaker fees. We also do not provide a platform for sales pitches. We do believe talking to our group is good exposure and helps to build your profile. We trust that is a reasonable exchange for your time. 

Speaker Name:

Topic:
Summary of proposed presentation (50 – 100 words)

Contact info (email and phone)

 “Journalism is changing right alongside the technology that brings it to us, and a
whole new style of reporting has emerged.” 

 Orato’s editor-in-chief Paul Sullivan

Citizen journalism is changing the news – right from who makes the decisions (on what is news), who controls the media and general public involvement in news creation and participation. The gatekeepers may be changing, and this inclusion will, and frankly already has, had an impact on traditional news media. As marketers, communicators and PR professionals who rely on the media to get our messages to our audiences, understanding this shifting landscape will be key to how we shape our strategies. Join us for the next HTCE session on September 29th when Paul Sullivan, a veteran Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Orato.com will speak to this whole new style of reporting. Orato.com is a Canada-based news site and pioneer in grassroots citizen journalism through first-person reports of global news and lifestyle stories.

About our speaker: Mr. Sullivan has over 30 years experience in journalism. Formerly, Mr. Sullivan was Western Editor of The Globe and Mail, Canada’s National Newspaper. He was also Managing Editor of The Vancouver Sun, Editor-in-Chief of the Winnipeg Sun, host of CBC Radio’s Vancouver morning show and Senior News Editor at The Journal, the highly-rated CBC-TV news program. Most recently, he successfully established Sullivan Media, a communications consultancy with corporate and non-profit clients.

HTCE Video Presentation:

A big thank you to Dale McGladdery, an active member of the local social media community and co-manger of the local Drupal users group, who volunteered to tape this session and make it available through blip.tv.

Members both experienced and multi-faceted survey shows

Happy New Year. I wish you all a prosperous and engaging 2006.

Thanks to all of you who participated in our survey last month. Not only did we have an excellent response rate, over 22%, we also learned more about who comprises the HTCE and we garnered some great ideas.

Over 72% of respondents have been members for more than two years, 47.5% are full time employees, while 40% are self employed. We are an experienced group of professionals. The majority of us, over 44%, have more than 10 years experience with 25% with 5 - 10 years and 19% with 2-5 years. Students make up 1.2% of our population.

It appears many of us wear more than one hat. Sixty-four percent have expertise in marketing communications, 50% in corporate communications, 35% media relations, 24% special events and 20% technical writing. Some do it all!

Case studies were rated the highest for event value, while networking received the lowest average rating. We’re not sure if that reflects that people don’t like to network or that our events don’t encourage networking. Either way - in keeping with our mandate to get to know each other, we’ll endeavour to deliver cool, novel, valuable "must attend" social events.

We received some excellent suggestions for topics and speakers for 2006 and while we can’t deliver them all, we’ll focus on topics that differentiate the HTCE and will avoid duplicating what other groups may deliver. That said, we’ll look for common areas of interest with other groups to deliver joint events.

We floated the thought of membership fees to enhance professional development and 74% said they would pay a nominal fee. While it’s important to value investing in our own professional development, we’ve decided not to go this route in 2006. Instead, we’ll increase door rates by $5.00 and will look for other ways to generate revenue to support bigger programs and high profile speakers.

Location, location, location - 58% preferred downtown venues for events. We benefited greatly from hosting some events in Burnaby as the space was graciously donated. We’ll likely switch to downtown venues and although we’ll look for some paid space, we’re also interested in hearing from organizations who can accommodate up to 70 - 80 people for free! Let us know if you have any ideas.

The one great quality that defines the HTCE is that it’s run by volunteers and there’s never a shortage. The trend continues as more than 30 people have signed up to volunteer in some capacity for 2006. Rest assured, we’ll be in contact with you!

On that note, I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered in 2005 and in particular to recognize our outgoing executive committee members - Farzana Logan, Ann Charlton and Carly Thorson. We will be announcing our new executive committee later this month as well as our January event and calendar for the year.

Catherine Ducharme
HTCE Founder and President

Download Survey to Guide Planning for 2006