hi all
Discussion on ‘attitude’
Few days back, I wrote an article on “Attitude is the stumbling block for PR professionals’ in prpoint and Indian PR Forum groups, in support of the discussion generated by Vikram Kharvi, Moderator of Indian PR Forum. My article is available in the following link.
This generated a lot of response from the members in both prpoint and Indian PR Forum groups. Many members, including the new gen professionals, agreed with me on the attitudinal challenges. Some of them brought out nicely the reasons behind such situation. It was an interesting and useful discussion.
Sum-up of the views
This ‘attitude’ discussion generated a lot of interest among all the members. Many of them were following closely the responses in both the groups. Some of the senior level and junior level professionals contacted me over phone and also over mail personally to share their views. They also brought some insight on this.
From all the discussions in the group and private conversations, I could sum up the feedback as follows:
1. New gen professionals are yet to understand the seriousness and importance of the need for updating the knowledge, in the growing competition.
2. When the juniors approach the seniors for some guidance, the seniors do not give them adequate attention and knowledge support. Since the so called ‘seniors’ are also youngsters, they too lack knowledge and they do not take initiative to update their own knowledge.
3. At the entry level, new professionals join the industry, straight from the college. The need of the profession and the academic input do not match. The young people are put straight to the job to handle the customers. Even the enthusiastic youngsters get demotivated. They suggest some refresher training programme on fundamentals like writing of press releases, media relations, handling of customers are to be given.
4. There are not much opportunities available for interaction with industry seniors.
5. Industry PR bodies are not taking adequate initiative to focus on the micro level knowledge improvement. They focus only on Annual Conferences which involve cock-tail and awards. They are not functioning like international bodies like PRSA, CIPR, IABC.
A light at the end of the tunnel
Last month, I was invited by Mr Madan, Mg. Director of Adfactors PR to visit his new facilities at Mumbai and to address his colleagues. Adfactors PR have now moved to a huge and spacious new hi-tech facilities. At that time, Mr Madan came out that his new Conference hall (Lower Parel West in Mumbai) could be used by the industry professionals for meetings and seminars. I had the great honour of being the first person to deliver a talk to the professionals in that hall.
After this ‘attitude’ discussion, I once again talked to Mr Madan to re-confirm whether he could offer his well equipped Conference hall for the industry professionals. He confirmed this and asked me to announce also.
This Conference hall can accommodate around 70 persons. I also called up now Mr Vikram Kharvi, whether he could take up the initiative at Mumbai to organise interaction sessions every month or every fortnight at a convenient time.
Many talented and experienced professionals are available in Mumbai. Mr Vikram Kharvi can be supported by three or four members. They can plan interaction sessions with experts. All the communication professionals can participate. MrVikram can coordinate with Mr Madan’s office for booking the conference hall.
Volunteers invited
If 3 or 4 members support and take up the responsibility, then we can start the journey hunting for knowledge. Those who are interested to be the part of this organising team can kindly contact Mr Vikram Kharvi over mobile 9930143550.
There is no expenditure involved. Since many members felt that opportunities are not available, we thought of finding a solution, so that the members can get the benefit at no cost.
Probably this will be the first new joint initiative by two major online groups prpoint group and Indian PR Forum Group to synergise the positive energy. From Chennai, I will extend my remote support to this initiative.
If some other Corporates or Agencies offer similar venue support in other centres, we can start a similar initiative in other centres too.
Let us make a good beginning and review after 3 or 4 months.
Srinivasan
Indian PR Forum 