May 2020 - Message from our President
Kia ora,
It may be trite to say the world is now different, but maybe that’s the appropriate word to use until we know exactly how our world is different. What we do know is that, when we emerge from our current bubbles, it will take time to get a clear view of our new world. After all, looking through the lens of a bubble creates a warped sense of reality.
I remember the hard times of the Great Recession and how, when I worked in the United States, the struggle for survival (and good quarterly results) created a myopic view of the world. It is in that short-sighted way that now is like the Great Recession: we can’t yet see what’s to come.
But, if we allow ourselves to take the long view, maybe this time can be different?
A shared vision
We have, in Aotearoa, traded immediate profit for the health and safety of our whānau, friends, and communities. That decision doesn’t come without cost, for certain— the price will be measured, for some, in jobs or opportunities lost. So, in the face of challenging times, how do we motivate people to work toward a shared vision for the future? After all, today’s stories of people fighting for survival are compelling; it takes a great communicator to be heard when telling the stories of people not sickened and lives not lost. (Again, kudos to the COVID-19 communications team for doing exactly that.)
I think part of a government’s role it to help inspire its people to work toward a shared vision of the future, even in the hard times— but what sits on that horizon? Will it be a grand vision of change and progress? Or will it be a be a picture of conservatism that moves us toward a world we once knew? That will be the question when the Honourable Grant Robertson presents our nation’s budget, on 14 May.
Going digital
Luckily, we’ll have Newsroom’s Bernard Hickey at our annual Budget Day event to help us unpack this year’s budget. This year our live webinar is sponsored exclusively by Momentum. You can register to join us for free this year, thanks to their support.
IABC Wellington is making its webinars free for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown. (Events will always be free for members, but we will return to charging non-members in future.) We will also look at bringing our professional development courses online, should it be required.
Here for you
The International Association of Business Communicators is a global community and we thank you for making it the strong, diverse, and dynamic group that it is. It is always easier to make our way through a challenging time together—and IABC Wellington will continue to be here for you.
We know the current environment creates financial challenges for some, so IABC are currently offering 50% off international dues for professional memberships. The Wellington board has also made it possible to collect dues and invoice for memberships in New Zealand dollars. We want to do as much as we can to help you maintain your network, knowledge, and professional opportunities, so if there’s anything else you may need, please let us know.
If you have any other questions about becoming part of our community, please contact me at your convenience.
I hope to see you all online on 14 May and I hope to see our members in person for a special mixer planned for post-lockdown. (More details to come!)
Nāku noa, nā,
Chris
It may be trite to say the world is now different, but maybe that’s the appropriate word to use until we know exactly how our world is different. What we do know is that, when we emerge from our current bubbles, it will take time to get a clear view of our new world. After all, looking through the lens of a bubble creates a warped sense of reality.
I remember the hard times of the Great Recession and how, when I worked in the United States, the struggle for survival (and good quarterly results) created a myopic view of the world. It is in that short-sighted way that now is like the Great Recession: we can’t yet see what’s to come.
But, if we allow ourselves to take the long view, maybe this time can be different?
A shared vision
We have, in Aotearoa, traded immediate profit for the health and safety of our whānau, friends, and communities. That decision doesn’t come without cost, for certain— the price will be measured, for some, in jobs or opportunities lost. So, in the face of challenging times, how do we motivate people to work toward a shared vision for the future? After all, today’s stories of people fighting for survival are compelling; it takes a great communicator to be heard when telling the stories of people not sickened and lives not lost. (Again, kudos to the COVID-19 communications team for doing exactly that.)
I think part of a government’s role it to help inspire its people to work toward a shared vision of the future, even in the hard times— but what sits on that horizon? Will it be a grand vision of change and progress? Or will it be a be a picture of conservatism that moves us toward a world we once knew? That will be the question when the Honourable Grant Robertson presents our nation’s budget, on 14 May.
Going digital
Luckily, we’ll have Newsroom’s Bernard Hickey at our annual Budget Day event to help us unpack this year’s budget. This year our live webinar is sponsored exclusively by Momentum. You can register to join us for free this year, thanks to their support.
IABC Wellington is making its webinars free for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown. (Events will always be free for members, but we will return to charging non-members in future.) We will also look at bringing our professional development courses online, should it be required.
Here for you
The International Association of Business Communicators is a global community and we thank you for making it the strong, diverse, and dynamic group that it is. It is always easier to make our way through a challenging time together—and IABC Wellington will continue to be here for you.
We know the current environment creates financial challenges for some, so IABC are currently offering 50% off international dues for professional memberships. The Wellington board has also made it possible to collect dues and invoice for memberships in New Zealand dollars. We want to do as much as we can to help you maintain your network, knowledge, and professional opportunities, so if there’s anything else you may need, please let us know.
If you have any other questions about becoming part of our community, please contact me at your convenience.
I hope to see you all online on 14 May and I hope to see our members in person for a special mixer planned for post-lockdown. (More details to come!)
Nāku noa, nā,
Chris