Always Leave them Wanting More

Back to where it all began

It's that time of the year again when exams approach and everyone's stressed. And it's also the time when semester is ending; along with my internship. Oh, what an experience that was at Momentum Forum Events. Cannot believe it has been over 20 weeks already! Since the internship experience is coming to an end, I thought I'd reflect on what was and what there is to look forward to in the future (I'll also pepper some useful articles here and there for you to read).

Lanyards Galore 
In preparation for the Perth Pet Expo there have been a lot of arts and crafts going on in the office, the floor turning into a litter bug for double-sided sticky tape scraps and cardboard signs. The table was hidden under a blanket of lanyards, loose pieces of paper and smelly plastic sleeves. It was great to be more hands-on involved. I didn’t use my laptop once! It will be a great experience I'm sure to be a volunteer at the Expo, and to be surrounded by all sorts of animals. 

And this was only one out of three piles!

The (Intern)ship has Sailed
As the Expo nears (it’s this weekend!) so, too, does the end of the internship. It has been an interesting experience doing the placement at Momentum; an events management company that is so different from the standard event planners you all might be familiar with. Instead of running events for clients, they continue to organise their own signature events for charitable causes and always look to raise awareness. Thinking about the report that I’m writing now on Momentum and how the role of PR is defined within it, I also start to retrospectively wonder about the things I learned. Let me know what you did too, and what you did differently.

There are many ways to be a good intern, as there are also many ways to stand out as an intern. Before undertaking mine I read some articles about what others out there say is the key to doing well at your internship, and whether I had similar ideas. This article makes many credible points, but one of them stood out to me; ‘keeping tabs on your accomplishments’. Analysing your own performance is important as much as analysing the corporate environment you’re in. That’s why through writing these blogs, we are all able to reflect on our own performance and gain insights into how we see ourselves as interns, as well as how our colleagues see us. 

This is something important to remember when it's time to give presentations! Many people don't like them, and then there are those that go on TED talks and let us in on the art of great communications. We are told many tips to relax and remember to stick to the points. But for me, it all comes back to good preparation to calm the nerves. Take the time to organise your thoughts, what you want to say, why it is relevant, and determine the best flow. If you have other tips, share them below! 

I remember a lot of late days and tired but happy eyes. At the end of a productive day I would think about what I've learned that day, and what I could improve on next time. Yet after a while of this routine, along with more assignments and the usual stress of a uni student, I began to feel the burn. Burnout is something you think you don't have time for, yet this can be a real eye-opener: it forces you to prioritise. This exhausting insight can help challenge the way we think about our habits and what we consider to be a 'busy' versus 'productive' use of our time.  

Connecting the Dots

The world of PR was elusive at first; so general and broad - oh, the roads you could travel. The internship gave me valuable experience to navigate these paths and provided insight into which road I'd like to travel some day. It enabled me to be mentored by a seasoned professional and get to be part of a great team. But most of all it exposed me to 'the real world' and connect the dots between what I've learnt at uni, and the difference between applying that theory and at many times realising that theories can only get you so far before you have to get creative. 

As the time draws to a close of being an intern at Momentum, there is one key thing I want to bring up. There have been so many cases in which interns don’t treat their placement like a ‘real’ job. It’s disappointing to find this reality, because internships give you the opportunity to gain a foothold to start your career. First impressions count, but your ongoing attitude is what employers remember. And if your attitude is to look at a placement as a short-term activity without viewing the long-term possibilities holistically, then it’s time to start connecting those dots.

 

That's the interesting part about going out there and finding internships that allow you the opportunity to grow your skill set and take on new challenges. I hope you all had a wonderful time at your internships, for those who are finishing up at the end of semester too, and are looking forward to the next chapter in your PR careers! 

Wishing you all the best, 

Ewelina 

Looking through Rose-coloured Glasses

As I'm writing this, it is 1:38am on Sunday, and I just came home to hear the neighbours cranking up some loud music *lovely* Also, as I'm writing this, my feet ache once again from an exciting and crazy night spent at another signature Momentum Forum Events function: the Brian Gardner Pink Ribbon Ball. 

Behind the scenes

T'was a Pink Night
Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the massive ballroom was lit up in pink. Before the guests were to arrive at 6:30pm, setting up tables with name cards, raffle tickets and envelopes, auction catalogues, and corporate signage was the first task our group of interns. It was great to see you all there again (you know who you are!).

From the get-go I had an inkling that the night would have it's stressful moments; as is expected from helping to run an event. The corporate signage list wasn't set out according to a previous version, and the guest list pinned to boards by the entrance weren't printed well; raffle tickets had to be counted and re-counted, and laid out on all forty-six tables, and so, too, did the auction catalogues; all neatly rearranged to accommodate everything else crowding the table. There's a lot more paperwork at an event than you'd think.

Pink Ribbon Ball 2016

As the guests arrived in the foyer, enjoying their bubbly pre-drinks and came over to the table where raffle entries and door prize sign-ups were happening, the excitement started to build together with the decibels of conversations. The rainy weather withdrew into the night, and soon everyone was filling the ballroom, anticipating the night ahead.

The Pink Ribbon Ball is an annual signature event, since Barbara founded MFE in 2002, and its support for breast cancer awareness is amazing. It's sad to realise that this illness is something that everyone in that room had a connection to; either because they experienced it, they guided someone else going through the rigorous treatment, or because you want to support others discovering the painful journey. Behind the pink lights, the sequinned dresses and the grand ballroom, we are real people gathering to support a cause that we, sadly, hear about too often. This is something our guest testimonial speaker Debbie Clarke was sharing with us last night.

Going One, Going Twice, Sold!
Behind the scenes and away from the reality check felt across the room, the live auction was coming up soon. But before the real hustle began, Jess and I got the delicious task of showcasing a 10kg life-size Cadbury chocolate bar, tempting everyone, which was really fun!

Colour me pink

And so the serious bidding began. In addition to the team which was handling the auction, us interns were made to divide and conquer, and be 'spotters': signalling anytime someone in our section raised their hand to place a bid to benefit the auctioneer. My head was swirling from one side to the other, patrolling the area if you will, trying to keep up with the pace of the auctioneer's speedy monotone of which bidding price we were at. There was also a silent auction, but it was pretty quiet on that front; I wonder if any of those silent auction paintings got sold...

Wrapping it Up
In the end, everyone was dancing and having a good time. The live band got a crowd of their own up on the stage, singing away as the smoke machine fogged the disco laser lights. The atmosphere was infectious. When all the auction catalogues, corporate signage and other bits and pieces were collected, it was time for us interns to get together and have a glass of wine. What was a nice surprise was that the kitchen had some desserts left over for us to enjoy. Chocolate cups with raspberry coulis, macaroon meringue and flower petals was truly a treat!

The A-team

Things Easier Said than Done

To gain the benefits of new experiences and the knowledge they bring,
get out of your comfort zone! 

Usually during the glorious 30 minutes designated for lunch at my internship here at Momentum Forum Events I like to go outside, sit on a bench and read some Harvard Business Review articles (*geek alert*). Usually I find them scrolling through Facebook or LinkedIn; but lately I've spent more time on the latter. 

In the Zone
The mind wanders and I wonder how what I'm reading relates to my internship experiences. There was one about how if you're not outside your comfort zone, you're won't learn anything. This is something that I'm sure we've all experienced, especially when it comes to finding work placements, jumping into new waters and doing things you weren't sure about. 

There's this theory that you shouldn't wait until you're ready to do something - do what gives you the butterflies before you think you're ready; otherwise there may be a missed opportunity you wish you would have taken. The article pointed this out also, reading, "As we grow and learn in our jobs and in our careers, we’re constantly faced with situations where we need to adapt. And without the skill and courage to take the leap, we can miss out on important opportunities for advancement."

Work the Net
One such experience which can bring us out of our comfort zone, is moving to a different city to start a new job. I've talked to many of you, and read your detailed blogs, who have done the PR internship overseas; which I find amazing! Part of getting to know a new city is getting to know its locals and industry professionals you'll be working with. 

Networking events are a great way to stock up your fresh business cards and make new contacts. Another HBR report in my 'article library' talks about this: "If you’ve just uprooted yourself to move to a new city, where do you begin?" It offers some tips and advice so check it out!

Today we think of networking events as a pretty standard thing to get involved in. But 23 years ago it wasn't all that common, with people being unsure of what this term meant. All of us doing our internships, I'm sure, have been to a variety of networking events (if not, then I'd worry!). 

Everyone has different experiences when it comes to meeting new people at either industry-specific functions or multi-sector gatherings, or in exclusive or larger crowds. Yet one thing we can agree on is something that this recent article talks about: "Diverse networks enable the opportunity to interact with people in different departments, organisations, industries, and countries. They're valuable because they provide access to new information, whereas your existing co-workers tend to have similar insights to yours." 

Theory in Practice 
Interning at an events management company networking becomes critically important. What the team I'm a part of are doing involves getting people to attend events in support of a worthy cause. Creating, running and managing such events brings people from all walks of life together in one room; creating the chance to meet them and get to know their stories and expertise. They're networking opportunities in disguise. 

I'm someone who was always predominantly shy, and found it hard to get out of my shell to let the wider and brighter world in. One of my first jobs was working as a waitress in a busy restaurant. At first I was nervous and over-thinking too many things, but as time went by and I focused on what I had to do and began to enjoy it more and more, the nerves went away and my people skills improved massively. Now I work in offices all over Perth, and although interactions with people are still constant, the nature of how I have to deal with people is different. 

Although I still get nervous about dealing with people I don't know, and hoping to manage their expectations, I remind myself that taking that step outside my comfort zone is what will bring new experiences and opportunities; the ability to learn and grow. 

Let me know what you think about your networking experiences and how you get out of your comfort zone!

Things Nobody Tells You

Hello fellow bloggers!

Since the last couple of blogs, I realised that it's been quiet here at Momentum Forum Events. Maybe because there are more admin tasks to complete before our next event, rather doing the type of work you’d expect to be doing in a consultancy, or because Barbara has gone to Europe on a treasure hunt, yet it got me thinking; is there more to it?

Doing another internship outside of uni at a boutique consultancy is giving me more depth of knowledge in terms of what PR encompasses; and there’s always a lot to learn. This seems like an open-ended question, and I don’t know about you all, but do you have some days which don’t seem very eventful and make you feel like you’re not really learning much?
Whichever way it’s going, here are some things I’ve picked up along the way; and things that nobody tells you... 

Who’s Calling?
Dealing with clients and potential exhibitors for events over the phone requires some self-assurance and a call strategy. No-one tells you how to get either. You either naturally have this gift or you fake it until you make it. Another thing you might notice is how easy it is being ‘blown off’ on the phone, so getting your message across in the most effective way is very important. One of the things I’ve learnt is not to say ‘just’ when you’re explaining from where you’re calling from. I know this one can seem like a tough habit to break; so many of us just like to use that word so much! 

Monkey See, Monkey Do
There are many programs which can create just the right content for distribution, such as newsletters for example. Mail Chimp is the one that we use here at Momentum, and although it is relatively easy and straightforward to operate, patience will be your friend when playing around with resizing the sponsors’ logos to make them all fit nicely together. It’s one of those fiddly tasks that you could spend ages on. 

One of my co-workers, who is great to learn from and work with, gave me a tutorial on how to wrangle the Mail Chimp, and then I had a go on my own for a little bit. You learn by observations, but you also learn by doing things yourself; and to be honest, I think you learn much better and effectively when you apply your knowledge and build on it through trial and error. That’s why I thought I would be creating this newsletter and take the time to do it on my own. Sure, having templates makes it easier to visualise where certain elements should be positioned, yet the creative side of doing such things, is what keeps this experience interesting.

The Iceberg Effect
You get days that are quiet and then you get days that productively busy; and at first I didn’t know what to make of those days that seemed to go by quickly yet, when I thought back on what I achieved during the day, I realised that there was no decisive goal to be reached or deadline to meet. Maybe it’s just the calm before the storm. At times things are not as exciting as they may seem, interning at an events management business, because the funny reality is that everything happens before the big day; all the preparation to make an event what it is on the day that others don't get to see from the outside. I like to call this the iceberg effect: 

You're Not a Robot

Working in an office environment there will always be lots of work to do. Sometime's you're lucky if you remember to take your lunch, even if you eat at the desk (you can say it's more efficient that way). Here in the office, however, the mind drifts and wanders, until you notice once again that there are no windows here. Since my first days at Momentum, I've been blessed with people who annoyingly remind me to go outside and take a break; "you're not a robot". In previous jobs I've been allowing myself to miss the fresh air and sunshine, but now decided to take the advice of seasoned pros; take a break. 

I think that maybe other interns would know this feeling too; not wanting to take too many breaks away from the desk as not to seem disinterested with the work that's to be done. We all really want to make the best out of these experiences and show that we are capable to handle all types of responsibilities. Let me know if you're also a self-admitted 'busy bee'!

 

Lunch-time landscapes

Creating New Momentum

Beginning any internship is nerve-wracking and exciting; and this was no exception with my first day with Momentum Forum Events.

It was a late afternoon at the Pan Pacific hotel, when I met with other Curtin interns to help set up the ballroom for the event of the night, the Men in Black Ball. 

This fantastic charity event is an annual dance-fest full of delicious food, good music and entertaining highlights thought the night with unforgettable guests (like Carmelo Pizzino from Dancing with the Stars and Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei, but I don’t want to name-drop).

The Men in Black Ball Flyer

The Men in Black Ball came about to raise awareness of men’s mental health and well-being. I found it amazing seeing this one idea, after many months of planning and organising, manifested itself that night. I didn’t really understand what it took to organise such an extravagant night, as I was there when it all came together; that’s why I’m looking forward to the next events (such as the Pink Ribbon Ball and the Silver Prints Perth Pet Expo) and being there from the beginning.

As I walked around collecting the raffle tickets from the elegantly set tables, feet aching from the discomforting and foreign feeling of wearing heels for too long, I found myself thinking that this is surreal; the thought of being a part of creating and putting something like this together throughout the internship.

Coming back home I knew that in the following weeks, working in the office, I wouldn’t be able to anticipate what each day would bring. To have the opportunity to be surrounding by so many different people and the variety of tasks that will become my responsibility is refreshing; beginning something new often is.

Admin Duties 

The Intern Desk

Administrative tasks are part of any job. A small office space houses some amazing work ethic, forward-thinking ideas, and hands-on things to accomplish. Barbara McNaught is the founder of Momentum, and is both relatable and inspiring. She really shows that you can take an idea and make it happen. To have a mentor like that is really humbling. She is also from Poland, so whenever we are alone in the office we often speak Polish, which makes me feel lucky to have someone else to talk with who knows this language.

Lately, I have been working a lot with spreadsheets; getting contact lists in order from the Men in Black Ball, and crafting emails to send out to potential exhibitors at one of the next events; the Perth Pet Expo. There is a specific colour code for the spreadsheets I use, which can get confusing if you don’t keep track of which person you emailed, which email bounced back, whose contact information was incorrect, who didn’t update a certain colour, and who was already emailed yet not marked as emailed and have doubled-up. No wonder spreadsheets have a bad reputation.

The Social Side of Media and a Piece of Advice 
Social media and its analytics have fascinated me since last year’s Transmedia Storytelling unit. Getting the chance to do a few social media posts and seeing how the number of people exposed to the links, posts and updates grows is really insightful. With Momentum, I observed from the start that every post on Facebook or every Tweet has a meaning behind it, and that it’s all about having a clear message you want to share with your target audience. Without ideas worth talking about, why use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram to strengthen your presence?

At another desk, working on spreadsheets,
social media posts and emails

Someone gave me some advice worth remembering when it came to doing the internship at Momentum, which I constantly remind myself of; take notes of anything and everything because every little detail counts. Deciding to take this advice, I now actively take notes of anything that I can write later in these blog posts or the final report. I found that having this sort of mentality helps in picking out key information or even skills that formulate themselves from doing various tasks; whether they be ‘desk-and-char’ based or completely hands-on.  

Coming into the compact office every week, I never know what I’ll be doing. From one side I find it unnerving (how am I supposed to prepare for the day??), but from the other side I see it as another learning curve. If I am able to learn something I didn’t know how to do before, then that’s the key thing I want to get out of this work experience.

I hope everyone reading this is also enjoying their internships all over Perth as well as overseas, taking the PR world by storm! 

- Ewelina

Public Relations in Everything!

The Public Relations Internship Unit is drawing to a close.....and so is my internship at the Department of State Development!

I have spent twenty working days back in the world of "public relations" and in and out of the world of "project management", and I've learned a few things in that time! Some of these lessons have been reminders - as I learned them first through my Public Relations major at Curtin....some of these are new, from using public relations 'on the job' so to speak. The internship has been invaluable for that - proving that not all lessons at university are directly applicable, but no lesson is useless!

So what are some of my 'take away's' from the time I have spent as a Communications and Media intern?

1. You are never too old or too experienced to learn

You've likely heard it before - you are never too old to learn new tricks - but the internship reiterated this message to me first-hand. I consider myself to be a good writer - I'm more than familiar with writing Ministerials and memoranda and Cabinet Submissions....so I believed I had Government writing in the bag! I learned very quickly that there are so many different styles of writing, even within Government, that there are plenty of opportunities to continue learning how to write! Writing for the Prospect Magazine, for the Department's internet and intranet and drafting the Premier's media statement taught me that! I had to be told at times that the writing style wasn't right for the document, or the language was too formal, too informal, or simply that the 'public relations' wasn't in it.  So, whilst I am an experienced Project Manager, I'm not that experienced after all....

2. Plan BIG, even for a small job

Sometimes we've given what seems like a small job....dare we say 'simple'?? Whether we admit it or not, we make assumptions about how long it will take us, what we'll need to do to get it done, and how much energy we need to put into PLANNING it. I know that I'm guilty of it! And it is what makes a good Project Manager.....but I have learned through the internship that in public relations, planning should always be BIG.  That is, planning should be at the forefront of your mind in any task - big or small.  This message was driven home to me in a few of my 'small' tasks.  Take for example, the Premier's media statement.  It's a media statement, right? How hard could that be? How long could that possibly take? Turned out though that there were a few scenarios to plan for.  Would he be going on all proposed visits? Had all third parties RSVP'd? What was so special about that particular company or that particular person? Would all information be up to date as of his flying date? What started out as a 'simple' media statement, actually turned into a large planning exercise.  So, make sure you plan! Find out what the process usually  is, find out exactly when documents are usually signed, sealed and delivered, who needs to approve the material?, what will you do if you cannot deliver what was first expected? Planning can take care of most issues you will encounter - in project management, and in public relations. 

3. Use what you already know

No matter what stage you're up to in your career - intern, entry-level, Manager, Director, CEO - you know SOMETHING.  In undertaking my internship, that was a given in some respects.  I have been with the Department for 5 years now, it's only natural I would know a thing or two about the business we're in.  However, I think it's wise to remember wherever you go - no matter what company or business you find yourself in - you know SOMETHING that no one else knows.  Use it! Don't flaunt it.  Don't abuse it. And don't use it to gain power.  But definitely use it!  There is a risk that being an intern makes you feel subordinate, and sometimes a little useless.  There were definitely times that I felt that way.  However there were other times when I knew details and facts that came in especially handy in completing the task at hand.  It's very possible that I taught something along the way.  So, use your knowledge to share something, add value to something, and make something better than it would have been without you!

4. Leadership is found everywhere

Leadership and management are NOT the same thing - again, you've probably heard this before.  It never hurts to be reminded that leadership is unique, but it is found everywhere.  Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Perhaps, but bear with me.  When I started my internship, Natalie, Rick and Rebecca were just other employees at the Department.  I have never bothered to find out a great deal about what they did, how they did it and under what pressure.  Substantively, their positions are not very high - in fact, not as high as mine in my substantive role - but having spent time working as part of their team, I am reminded that leadership is about sharing knowledge, achieving what you can with whatever resources you have, whilst inspiring others to do the same.  Natalie, Rick and Rebecca are leaders in their field.  They reminded me that there are several ways to get things done - and none involve bossiness! They work under an enormous amount of pressure and the stakes are high in their role, but they do it with respect and strength.  And THAT'S leadership. 

5. Public relations is in everything

It is tempting to hive public relations off to a separate department in the company or business, to be used when desired, and kept out of sight when not.  Project Managers can experience a love/hate relationship with public relations.  As a Project Manager, I often loathe the 'jazz' in project updates.  I like to be realistic, not raise expectations unnecessarily, and stick to the facts only.  Sure, I deal a lot with 'strategic' project thinking - and it definitely has its role - but I cringe at times at some of the language used around particular projects.  Having had my time in the Communications and Media Unit, I have been reminded that public relations is in EVERYTHING.  And so it should be.  How can we possibly hope to present a message in a united manner without public relations? How do we sell a product or service - no matter whether we are in private business or the public one - without public relations? We can't. It's very possible that I had refrained from labelling any of the creativity, inspiration or messaging in my work for what it is, but having been reminded of what hard work is involved in the field, I must admit that public relations is in EVERYTHING - including my substantive role! 

I'm very grateful that I got to experience the intership.  It has finished off my public relations study in a practical, hands on and reflective way that I didn't believe possible before it commenced.  

Just goes to show.....you are never too old to learn or to be reminded of a useful lesson! 

I hope you all enjoyed your internshps as much - and that you learned as much. 

It's Risky

It’s finally here! My fourth and final blog post! The end of my internship has come up so quickly, and no doubt the end of semester will be soon to follow. Exams will be here before we know it, and for those of us in our last semester it will be graduation and then the great unknown! Sounds a bit risky, doesn’t it?

Well lucky its nothing our degree hasn’t prepared us for – particularly since PR is so big on risk management plans (OK that was an even worse joke than my newsfeed worthy one a few weeks ago - I think I’m just going to quit making jokes).

On a serious note however, today I prepared my first risk management plan. I’m not going to lie, these things are a lot more fun than they sound – particularly when being told to plan with the mindset that anything that could possibly go wrong must be included. Today I am planning for the Admedus launch. Admedus is a health care group that develops innovative medicine (think regenerative cell technology and things like that). Admedus is just launching in Perth, and have enlisted Networking WA to help plan and run their launch. The launch will be taking placing at the medical centre itself, however not inside the building but in a marquee in the car park due to the nature of the chemicals and materials inside the building itself (yikes can you imagine the plan I would have had to prepare if the launch was taking place inside the lab?!). Essentially, I had to fill in details about the location of the launch and then brainstorm potential issues and solutions i.e.

Risk: car goes the wrong way and drives into the marquee

Solution: ensure we have ample signs and barricades at the site to prevent cars getting remotely close to the marquee

Not too bad right? Definitely beats data basing to say the least.

Hopefully you’ve all enjoyed your internships as much as I did, and gained some insight into various parts of a PR practitioners job. Good luck with your reports!

Naomi