Theresa Bischof’s Post

This way for Better PR It’s B Corp Month, and here at PRN we're taking a moment to look back on how far we've come in our journey towards becoming a better and more sustainable business. Getting our B Corp certification wasn't just about getting a badge. It was about showing the world that we're serious about being the best PR agency we can be, not just in terms of our work, but also in terms of our values and our impact on the world. Our partnership with Furthr | B Corp™ has been a total game-changer. They've helped us put sustainable practices in place and get involved in projects that make a real difference. This journey to do good and be better has taken a lot of time and effort across the team, but it's also been really rewarding. We've learned so much - from the many ways our business can impact the economic and social well-being of the communities in which we operate, to how to both measure and understand our own environmental impact. We’ve made a lot of progress, and we're not stopping there. By the end of 2024, we're aiming to hit a B Impact Score of 100. That's a pretty ambitious goal, especially with B Corp updating its standards and tools for measuring impact this year, but we're up for the challenge. So let's celebrate B Corp Month together. Let's take some time to reflect on our impact, learn from each other, and set some bold goals for the future. Together, we can make a real difference in the world. Henry Bishop B Lab UK #BCorpMonth #Sustainability #PositiveImpact #Furthr

Does creative talent care about B Corp status? 🤔 In short, yes. People want to use PR as a force for good. The world of PR is changing and comms plays a key role in shaping the future of society and the planet. Candidates want to know how they'll help contribute towards a positive future, and how their future employer has a purpose, beyond profit. 🌍 Having a B Corp status is one (brilliant) way that agencies can align values with talent, creating something bigger - and more attractive - than the average job opportunity. Liked this clip? Tune into the full conversation with Dean Connelly and Kathryn Myers on Spotfiy👉 link in the comments. #bcorp #bcorpmonth #thiswayforward #talentattraction

Did you know that 77% of consumers are more motivated to purchase from companies committed to Corporate Social Responsibility ? 🌍 Delivering a strong #CSR strategy can be tough without the right expertise—that’s where we come in. At last week’s AKG regional roadshow, I had a chance to connect with colleagues from across the group, and it reminded me how well-positioned we are to help businesses create impactful CSR initiatives. At Jobs 22, we work with Healthfind UK, Learn Plus Us, and Intuitive Thinking Skills to support employers in making a real difference in their communities. Together, we offer comprehensive services, from employability support and skills development to health and well-being. Our work goes beyond job placements; we focus on building healthier, more resilient communities, enabling employers to contribute meaningfully while strengthening their workforce. Want to find out how we can help you deliver impactful CSR? Reach out today to book a discovery call and explore how we can help you connect with your local community and grow your business 💼🌟 #CommunityEngagement #WellBeing #SocialValue

Being a judge for PRWeek Best Places to Work was great fun, BUT, it also reminded me that particularly when it comes to DE&I, there are some simple but crucial elements: 1️⃣ MEAN IT - Don't expect policy alone to create the environment you say you are looking for - passion and commitment are fundamental 2️⃣ BACK IT UP - Words are nothing without concerted, long-term and positive action behind it. Signing up to schemes and producing policies won't cut it when it comes to meaningfully engaging everyone at your company 3️⃣ CRUSH IT - Rip up the idea that real inclusion and diversity will be achieved with a top down approach. Senior and exec sponsorship are important, but nothing without the genuine inclusion and buy in from people across the organisation. Their experience, passion and commitment is what will truly create the culture you strive for Loved being a part of a stellar panel ⚖ 💙 So endeth the lesson

Why isn’t your company doing this? Employer branding & early careers done right.. Most employers get why it’s important to hire young people. But they tend to leave their early career programmes to the last minute. Throw up a LinkedIn post. Filter some applications. Host an assessment centre and call it a day. Unilever enters the chat. Instead, they decided to launch the Unilever Future Leaders League. To give young people a chance to learn about the brand and culture and to experience real-life work situations. Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ You and your friends create a team. 2️⃣ You complete a business case - competing against teams on a local level. 3️⃣ Winners are selected by Unilever panels. 4️⃣ And travel to international offices to compete against the best from around the world. Why is this so good? - Young people without experience get a taste of real projects. - They get something that stands out on their CV. - Unilever is authentically giving back as part of their inclusion strategy. - The competition attracts the real go-getters who are now part of their talent network. Big congrats to the team who put this together. 👏🏽 Find out more about the programme in the comments below. Join my newsletter to find out about more employers getting this right. #earlycareers #talentacquisition

30 years in comms, five years of independence, four en-route thoughts Today is pretty big - the birthday of our wonderful, newly-minted graduate Hannah Cartwright and that of my late mother. But it also marks 30 years since my very first day in comms - as an unpaid PA intern in Edinburgh - and five years since we opened the doors of Rod Cartwright Consulting. And I'm only just getting started! It's been quite a ride, taking in UK, European and global roles at agencies including GCI Health (then GCI), Hill & Knowlton, Ketchum and Text100, constant volunteer work for PRCA, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, European Association of Communication Directors (EACD) and Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, and five years of independent practice. So what would I advise that fresh-faced wee soul to consider, as he embarks on the unknown path ahead. Four umbillically-linked thoughts struck me: 💡 Ability (and its application): It certainly doesn't hurt to have a bit of raw talent. But talent without hard work, application and constant, conscious evolution only goes so far. 😃 Decency (borne of integrity): Truistic, perhaps, but treating people with respect - regardless of their role or position - has to be a bedrock of your being. That starts and ends with knowing what you stand for, believe and value. ❤️ Generosity (with no expectation of return): You make a living from what you get, but a life from what you give (they say). Fridge magnet-worthy or otherwise, it's also utterly true. You'll realise that a career is actually a lifelong baton-pass. 🕵🏼 Curiosity (driven by humility): At 24, you probably think you know it all! Over the decades you'll hopefully realise that you'll never know as much as what you don't know. All the more reason to be perpetually curious and actively set out to learn one new thing from someone every single day. But there's a final missing ingredient: the people. So alongside my sincere gratitude to every single client - past and present - who's made the journey possible, a from-the-heart thank you to the following: for the job, the role, the inspiration, the friendship, the collaboration, the fun, the learning and the light, at the moments that truly mattered across the years. You (hopefully!) know why. Alison Cairns Andrew Dunlop Dwight Demorais Adrian Wheeler Rhodri Harries James Barbour David Gallagher Avril Lee Sarah Barrett Dale Bornstein Greg Dauphin John Bailey John Bradbury Simeon Mellalieu Matthew Wall Aedhmar Hynes Sam Theobald Cecile Missildine (Roux) Lee Nugent Kate Hartley Tamara Littleton Souha Khairallah Emma Ewing Stuart Bruce Louise W. Chris Tucker Katherine Sykes FCIPR Chart.PR Finally - and most importantly by far - without my wife, partner-in-crime, muse and cornerstone, Elaine C., not one jot of the last three decades would have been possible, meaningful or valuable. Thank you doesn't even come close, EMC 🙏 . #pr #publicrelations #career #cpd #leadership #business

💡 Potential and what to do with it… It’s so easy to spot in other people, isn’t it? And the frustration sometimes with people who have it but don’t want to really use it. But then there’s also young people with it who just need an opportunity 🤷♀️ One of the best things about what I do is the chance to meet and work with lots of different people. A few weeks ago I found myself in Bolton working with a team of people as part of a Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge, where essentially over the course of a week you immerse yourself in that council in such a way that you can hopefully reflect back to them where they are, both as opportunities and challenges. The team carrying the work out often don’t know each other before you arrive on site, so you have limited time to build a strong understanding of each other and where your strengths lie as a group. You learn a lot about each other - and yourself - in these scenarios, and as local government is often quite a small world, the connections between people and places become part of the discussion either in drawing comparisons or general chitchat round the table at dinner. It’s a great opportunity to get advice, understand more or just build networks, whether you’re an elected member, senior officer, or someone starting out in the sector. And in reverse, in Bolton we heard a lot about what it is like to start out in the sector from one of the team, who began their career as part of what was the National Graduate Development Programme for local government. Local government is a great career opportunity, but it’s perhaps not the one that jumps off the shelf at you when alongside sexier alternatives. Changing the graduate recruitment programme’s name to Impact should help, along with the new collateral alongside it. Having worked with some great alumni of the programme, I know first hand how it’s helping shape the potential of the next local government leaders, people like Florence Drew, Harry Parker, Katharine (Katie) Goodger and Jacqui Smale, plus many others. Impact launched its new look just a few weeks ago and it’s open now for applications from local councils looking to take enthusiastic graduates ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/e2jS7vHR #localgov #leadership #potential

Check out the introductory video I created for Youth Transforming Narratives and learn more about our work! 🎥🌟

NAVIGATING CAREER PREPARATION AS EQUITY DESERVING GROUPS Reflecting on last Wednesday's remarkable experience, I had the esteemed privilege of participating as one of four panelists at a collaborative event between Humber and Seneca. Our focus centered on 'Navigating Career Preparation and Workplace Challenges as Individuals from Equity Deserving Groups.' It was an incredible opportunity to engage in profound discussions, delving into the core principles of equitable and inclusive workplaces. Throughout our dialogue, we explored various facets of what it truly means to foster equity and inclusion in professional settings. From embracing diversity and implementing robust diversity training to establishing clear policies and actions that reflect organizational commitment. One notable aspect was the discussion on providing equitable opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities by offering a seat at the table and empowering them to thrive through dedicated resources and training programs. Our conversation also delved into the intricacies of navigating professional spaces while honoring our identities and lived experiences. We discussed the concept of 'code-switching'—”adapting one's communication style or behavior to fit into different environments”—and the importance of embracing authenticity. I shared a personal anecdote about embracing my Jamaican identity, including my accent, and the profound impact it had when a coworker encouraged me to be unapologetically myself. Takeaways For students entering workforce ✅️Authenticity is key; there's only one you. Bring your true self to work and your organization. A supportive organization will value your genuineness. ✅️Remember, during an interview, you're not the only one being evaluated; you're also assessing if the company aligns with your values and goals. ✅️Consider how the company supports employees from diverse backgrounds: look at their programs, training, and more. ✅️Seek out mentors and ensure diversity among them. ✅️Expand your network both upwards and across. ✅️Utilize LinkedIn as an untapped resource. ✅️Make self-care a priority. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Humber Career and Advising Services and their amazing staff; Nafeeza Kadir and Michelle Marfo and to Seneca. Thank you Kimberly Daniels for moderating, I always say you are an exceptional moderator and please teach me your ways. Thank you to my fellow panelists, (Ernest Barnie, Stefan Thomas, and Ashvini Sriharan) and your contributions to such an enriching and engaging conversation. #EquityInclusion #DiversityMatters #AuthenticityAtWork #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerNavigation #InclusiveWorkplaces #MentorshipMatters #LinkedInNetworking #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #GratefulForOpportunities #PanelDiscussion #HumberSenecaCollaboration #EmpowermentThroughWork #AuthenticityIsKey #EquityDeservingGroups #WorkplaceEquality #EnrichingConversations

By now, many of you will have seen the news that our parent company @WPP has combined BCW Global and Hill & Knowlton to form a new agency called Burson. This is a significant moment of transformation for our companies, one that fundamentally changes the landscape for our clients and creates new opportunities for our people. Clients today are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile environment, making strategic communications with all key stakeholders more critical than ever. Our two agencies share similar ambitions, complementary strengths and many clients. By coming together as Burson, we will draw upon the rich heritages of both to build an agency that sets the standard for the most strategic, technology-driven communications offer in the industry, focused on building and protecting reputation. It’s also a personally meaningful moment for me as CEO of Burson. A throughline of my LinkedIn posts since joining BCW last summer is that I feel that I’m standing on the shoulders of a true industry icon. I only met Harold Burson once, but he made an indelible impression on me. Harold’s rigorous commitment to excellence; his knack for providing sound, strategic counsel; his kindness and decency, to name but a few qualities, have compelled people from around the world to raise their hands to proudly proclaim themselves a #BursonPerson. I saw this firsthand when we rolled out our family tree last fall with PRWeek, and again when our APAC region celebrated 50 years with a webinar attended by more than 1,500 (!) people. Humbling. For Harold, the goal wasn’t to be the biggest, but the best. The best counselors to clients. The best training ground for those new to the profession. He set out to make his firm the gold standard, the one you call when you need counsel. And when you’re the best, all good things stem from there – more clients, more growth, more teammates. Much of this is also true for our colleagues at Hill & Knowlton. As Chairman and CEO, my partner AnnaMaria DeSalva has stood on the shoulders of two trailblazers who created an agency that, like Burson, became synonymous with excellence in public relations. While they were always competitors, John Hill and Harold Burson also became friends, a fact that now inspires our next chapter .Hill & Knowlton will continue to operate as a strategic operating within Burson, building upon its rich heritage. As AnnaMaria has said, what Hill & Knowlton is known for - strategic communication, elevated by creativity - is a primary force for sustainable value creation. As we bring together these pioneering agencies that set the course for the industry we know today, it is my honor to lead Burson in partnership with AnnaMaria. We’re re-setting that gold standard. Onward, together. 🫶🏻🫶🏻