The Square Conference 2009

Do you love events and want to build your events portfolio experience? The Square Conference team is looking for Public Relations Management students to assist at this year 11th Annual CPUT Conference.

The 2009 conference builds on the success of last year’s conference on Technology. The theme for this year, On Technology, will include practical workshops and interactive technology exhibitions exploring online and mobile technology.

If you are an enthusiastic, professional and hard working PRM student, we would love to hear from you. The conference offers you the opportunity to gain experience and skills in the following:

• Hosting VIP guests and speakers
• Assisting with audiovisual and technical set up
• Event décor
• Welcoming and registering guests
• Assisting with conference communication and publicity

Volunteers will have the opportunity to attend the conference free of charge and will be issued with a contribution certificate and short letter of reference.

If you with you have what it takes to help make this years conference the best yet, email Jade Snyman, Conference Coordinator, at snymanja@cput.ac.za and include your CV accompanied by a short motivational letter as soon as possible. Short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

For more information visit http://www.squareconference.wordpress.com/

Research Made Easy

By Michelle Ramsay, 2nd year PR student

Conducting research can be a challenge. Trying to convince people to give you their time can be difficult if you do not approach them correctly.

Public Relations Management (PRM) students had the opportunity to assist with a business feasibility survey in Franschhoek. As part of the STREAMLINE student volunteer group, we had to target a specific market, which we had to base on appearance, a difficult task because we have always been taught to ‘never judge people based on appearance’.

Carrie Christien, B Tech PRM student, Simoné Swanepoel, recent graduate (B Tech PRM 2008) and I, a second year PRM student, conducted research along with Monique Boucher, the research co-ordinator from STREAMLINE, the PR agency within the PRM department. Reporting back on the feedback we received revealed mixed responses with some having found that people were not interested while others said, “I found it quite easy!”

Above: Michelle Ramsay surveying local Franschhoek resident

So what is the secret to persuading people to answer your survey? Here are a few tips on how to make your research easier:

Environment
The environment that you do your research in plays a huge role. If it is very hot, people may not want to stop as they hurry to get out of the heat. It is important to pay attention to their behaviour, if they look like they are in a hurry, rather do not approach them and avoid wasting your time and theirs.

Make Eye Contact
“When I approach people I take off my sunglasses and look them in the eye. This is a common courtesy and helps to establish trust, two very important aspects when you are asking people for their time and opinions,” said Boucher.

Body Language
Watch your body language. If you are holding a clipboard, make sure you are holding it and not hiding behind it! Keep an open body language when approaching and speaking to an interviewee.

What You Say
Briefly explain that you are not selling anything. Speak clearly and confidently, without rushing through your words, and communicate what you are doing and why.

You could start by saying, “Excuse me, can I have one minute of your time to ask a few questions?” Make sure that it will only be one minute. If it takes five minutes, people will become annoyed.
“I asked people if I could pick their brains for a minute,” said Christien, who returned to CPUT to complete her degree after working abroad as an events coordinator. People are flattered when you ask for their opinion and this was just the approach she used.

Smile Power
Most importantly, smile, smile and smile some more! A smile often ensures that people react favourably, mirroring the courtesy that you have shown them. It immediately makes them less hesitant to help you.

Following these tips will help get you started with your research, whether for a client or for an assignment. You may find your own ways to approach people successfully and hopefully you will find perception surveys as fun and interesting as the STREAMLINE team of volunteers did.

Above: Carrie Christien surveying a visitor to Franschhoek

Gain PR Experience before You Graduate

STREAMLINE, the new PR agency within the department of Public Relations Management, invites current PR students to gain valuable practical experience as PR assistants.

It is this simple… we need the extra hands to help with various communication campaigns and research, and you want to boost your CV with top-notch experience. This is an opportunity is for hard-working PR students who want to improve their skills and graduate with as much experience as possible.

STREAMLINE will be looking for:
Full-time PR students eager to improve their skills, learn, work hard and have fun while they are at it!

• PR students who are able to commit a reasonable amount of their free time to STREAMLINE projects
• PR students who are able balance their time between gaining experience and excelling at their studies
• You do not need to be perfect but you do need to have a great attitude.

STREAMLINE Offers Successful Applicants:

• Assistance with PR skills development
• Recognition on the STREAMLINE and PR Chatbox site
• References and recommendations for your professional portfolio
• Mentorship
• Opportunity to work with a great team

Please note that STREAMLINE offers volunteer positions, aimed of providing PR students and clients alike, a great experience. No numeration is promised.

How to Apply:

Send STREAMLINE the following:

• CV
• Short cover letter including experience you would like to gain what skills you would like to improve
• Your academic results (download these from the CPUT website as explained in PR Chatbox)

Email this to Monique Boucher at boucherm@cput.ac.za.

Accounting for Public Relations

Lauren Dyers, PR intern in the PRM department, spoke to Michelle Barnes, Accounting for PR lecturer, to find out more about this new dynamic first year subject.

“Accounting is a valuable and beneficial subject to have as every business person needs to understand how a business operates,” said Barnes. She pointed out that accounting is important not only for PR, but in all aspects of establishing a successful career.

First years will be introduced the all the basics of accounting, giving them a broad overview into the world of finance.
“Accounting equips students with a variety of skills that will play a role in their future occupations as successful employees,” said Barnes.

The Public Relations Management department is proud to be able to offer students subjects that will best equip them to meet the needs of industry including budgetary control, something PR agencies require graduates to be able to implement.

Please note that Accounting for PR will start from next week, February, 9.

Public speaking 101: How to be a brilliant public speaker

By Kirby Venlet, PR 2nd year student

The 1st year Public Relations Management students’ speech competition took place on Friday, October, 24.

“Public speaking is like sleeping with the queen, it’s a great privilege to do, but no one is willing to do it,” joked Tom Dawson-Squibb, educational guest speaker who shared his expertise on how to become a brilliant public speaker.

Here are few of the guidelines Dawson-Squibb gave that could help you become a brilliant public speaker:

• In order to be an outstanding public speaker, you should always know what your goals and outcomes are as well as good planning and structure.
• Preparation and planning is vital. You should know your audience, know your occasion and very importantly, practice your speech a few times.
• Always arrive early which allows you time to “mingle with your audience”. Stress is inevitable so deal with it by being s prepared as possible. Don’t apologise for your nervousness, make sure you speak on the correct topic last but not least breathe!
• Grab the attention of your audience with a ‘solid opening’ ensuring you introduce your topic and give your speech a clear structure.
• Keep your speech short and to the point because as the saying goes, less is always more. Avoid being rushed, repetition and clichés as this will lead to losing your audiences’ attention.
• A sense of humor helps hold the attention of your audience. Use humour where appropriate. A ‘wow’ moment, highlighted by humour, grabs while confidence and using the correct tone holds it.
• Use cue cards and don’t overdo visual aids so that you can maintain eye contact with all the audience.

For future Public Relations practitioners, mastering the skill of public speaking gives you a competitive advantage. After the speeches on Friday and the advice from Dawson - Squibb, every PR student in attendance would have a better idea of what it takes to give an excellent presentation.