May 2008

Board List

Michael Anderson
Brett Axelrod
Mark A. Cenicola
Janet L. Chubb
Bob Olson
Pamela J. Ring President
Michael G. Smith
William J. Stieren Treasurer
Patrick Wisman

Welcome to "The Workout"

Welcome to the inaugural issue of TMA Nevada's The Workout. We will strive to make this newsletter a valuable tool where TMA Nevada members can share their expertise; keep up-to-date on industry trends; meet TMA new comers, and learn something interesting and useful in the process. The Workout will be TMA Nevada member-driven through such sections as "Members' Bylined Articles" and "Members in the News."

*Breaking News

Lanis O'Steen has stepped down from his position as President of TMA Nevada. Pamela Ring, who was recently named President-Elect, has assumed the position of Chapter President.

Next Meeting

GREEN NEVADA: TURNAROUND STORIES IN CONSERVING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	June 25, 2008
Time:	5:30 pm
Location:	McCormick & Schmick's Fresh Seafood Restaurant 335 Hughes Center Drive Las Vegas NV 89169
» Read More...

President's Letter: Letter from Pamela Joy Ring to TMA Nevada Members:

Moving in the Right Direction Requires Using the Right Stuff

Dear TMA Members and Friends,

I am honored to be writing to you as the new President of our Nevada chapter. As a fellow neighbor and business professional who has lived in Las Vegas for 25 years, I have witnessed as you, the many pivotal changes to our socio-economic landscape. They have been nothing short of breath-taking if not miraculous. Nothing better describes our state and our town, Las Vegas, than truly a "work in progress."

» Read More ...

Call For By-Lined Articles

The Workout is a vehicle to showcase the expertise of TMA Nevada members. To this end, we are soliciting by-lined articles. The guidelines are simple; choose a topic that is timely and relevant to your fellow TMA members. No specific length or word count is required, but generally speaking, the article should be approximately 600 to 800 words. Plan on submitting your article within one week following the monthly TMA Nevada meeting for possible inclusion in the next month's issue. Don't be concerned if you think your journalistic skills aren't up to speed, The Workout editorial staff can help you with editing. Of course, nothing will go to print until you approve the final copy. Please send all submissions to Liz Gamble, editor, The Workout at lizgamble@ckprrm.com.

Members In The Media

Occasionally, we will run a column that highlights TMA Nevada's members' appearance in the media. If you have been quoted in an article within the local media, professional trade publications, and national media or on the web, please send a notice of the media appearance and the web link to the article to Mark Cenicola. You can contact him through the membership directory.

Information of Interest from National

Each issue of The Workout will provide links to articles and information from the TMA national office as well as other chapters.

Worldwide Reach Is a Valuable TMA Benefit
Government Contracts May Put Struggling Companies on Road to Recovery

TMA Nevada Committees

"Momentum" is the word to describe TMA Nevada Committee activities:

Membership

1. The Membership Committee is exploring avenues for recruiting and retaining members including the development of new member information packages, *welcome lunches and periodic satisfaction surveys to our members about our endeavors.

2. The Speaker/Ambassador Committee is designing a speaker's bureau toward the goal of scheduling speaking engagements for TMA Nevada members before appropriate professional and civic organizations.

3. The TMA Nevada Membership Directory has been soft launched. It will be officially rolled out at the June 25th meeting. However, you can start using the directory now by visiting http://www.tmaofnevada.com/membership-directory
If you have not logged in and updated your directory profile, please do so today and take advantage of the additional exposure courtesy of your TMA membership.

Watch for Committee Updates and for information on how you might participate.

Annual Sponsors

 
 

Event Photos

RECAP OF "How to Manage Your PR in the Face of A Turnaround"

Thank you to Lisa Rose of Dix-Eaton and Grant Armendariz with Businesswire for presenting How to "Manage Your PR in the Face of A Turnaround" during the April 2008 meeting.

The following is a brief synopsis of the presentation.

You obviously know when "crisis" has struck, but to effectively communicate you're your various stakeholders it's important to understand the "characteristics of a crisis."

• Little information
• Surprise
• Quickening pace of events
• Magnifying glass on you and the company
• No control, or little control but lots of confusion
• First impressions count even more
• Potential loss of trust and credibility

Here are few situations that result in the need to provide consistent and accurate information to your company's publics.

• Business Crises:
  • Hostile takeover
  • Senior management defection
  • Restructuring; bankruptcy
  • Labor strike
  • Company financial health
• Organization is victim:
  • Product tampering
  • Protests
  • Terrorism
  • Boycotts
  • Kidnapping
  • Extortion
  • Natural disasters
• Organization is at fault:
  • Product recalls
  • Environmental spills/leaks
  • Discrimination/harassment
  • Misappropriation of funds
  • Executive fraud/misconduct
  • Equipment failure
• Responsibility unclear:
  • Fire/explosion
  • Transportation accidents
  • Product liability

Often management's gut reaction to a crisis situation is to focus on operations while either ignoring or limiting communication with it stakeholders. "Why Communicate During a Crisis or Turnaround?"

• If you don't, someone else will.
• Key stakeholders receive information from the media and it may not be correct.
• Absent facts, rumor and speculation will fill the void.
• Communication will help to preserve the company's reputation.
• Communication will help to grow or restore the company's valuation
• Remember to develop business solutions, NOT PR solutions
• When presenting key messages, use a multi-audience focus
• For optimal success, implement a cross-functional team - legal, HR, marketing, communications, investor relations, etc.
• Always collaborate with attorneys; it's critical to success
• Communicating with stakeholders is Critical to preserving reputation.

When designing and implementing strategic communications during a crisis focus on a business solution, not a pr solution.

• Maximize value of the business - restore corporate value
• Increase shareholder value over long term
• Increase financial flexibility to fund growth
• Move closer to end customer
• Eliminate restrictions on growth as a distributor and reseller

To set the stage for success during a crisis, it's essential to:

• Develop a cross functional team
• Think short and long term with regard to communications - beyond Day One
• Be ready for anything and everything to change at a moment's notice

Proven Communication Techniques

• Tailored communications - to investors, customers, suppliers and employees - many plans and many different vehicles
• Made the business case - for the current management team and their ability to execute - "We've been here before"
• Set financial goals - if there are adverse effects on the company's financial goals, be open with communicating a redefined set of goals to be achieved within 2 years and shared them on Day One.

• Highlighted intangibles - which can make up to 50% of a company's overall market valuation.
• Use visuals - to tell the story and make it easy to understand.

Contact Information

Alicia Ches
Virtual Assistant
alicia@theofficesquad.com
702-649-3495 Office
702-435-3432 Fax