My Experience at the TCA Nairobi Hangout by Comms Avenue.
I recently attended the TCA Nairobi Hangout organized by Comms Avenue. It was an incredible opportunity to meet and learn from some influential women in the communications field, including Wageni Kimani, Babara, and Charity Mbithe.
The Topic: Navigating Internal Communications
The event’s theme was Navigating Internal Communications. Charity Mbithe moderated the session, with Barbara and Wageni sharing their experiences and insights from their journeys in communications.
Why I Attended…….
As part of the Comms Avenue Batch 7 mentorship program, I wanted to network, step out of my comfort zone, and soak up as much knowledge as possible. During a networking session, I met a lady named May Rakel, who encouraged me to dive deeper into communications and make the most of events like these.
Key Lessons Learned
- Employees are Consumers Too: Effective internal communication is crucial because employees need to be well-informed about the company. If they aren’t, it’s hard for others outside the company to understand what’s happening.
- Know Your Audience: It’s important to understand who your audience is, where they are, and what tools they have, like smartphones. This helps in communicating in a way that resonates with them.
- Understand Your Organization: Knowing what your organization does, how it operates, and how it communicates is vital. This knowledge helps in crafting targeted communication strategies.
- Organizational Culture Matters: Understanding the culture of your organization helps in communicating effectively and supporting the organization fully.
- SWOT Analysis is Key: Knowing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your organization is essential. This helps in identifying areas for improvement, creating strategies to overcome challenges and how best you can approach the situation.
- Repetition Is Key But Know Your Limits: While repetition is important, it’s also crucial to know how much information to share and how often, to make sure people ain’t bored with you.
- Structures Matter: Proper structures are vital for the success of any organization, company or agency because many agencies fail due to a lack of proper structures.
FYI A participant shared that they had to wake all the design creatives at 1 am , Something simply had to be done.
8. Speak the Language of Your Audience: Learn the language of your audience, If possible which will always be the case 😊 and know the best times to share information with them. Just so you know they might be in their little office gossip chamas which is very mentally healthic😂
9. Know Your Value: Recognize the value you bring to the table. Remember, you are not expendable, and that your skills are very valuable.
10. Use AI Tools: Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Canva can be incredibly helpful. Learning how to use them effectively is very important as they are here to stay for the longest time. And hey, this does not in any way mean you are lazy.
The Importance of Networking
Networking is more than just getting something in return. It’s about building relationships, getting to know people, and establishing connections before asking for opportunities. While it can be challenging, especially for those who aren’t naturally social, it’s essential for professional growth.
A Memorable Takeaway
One quote that stood out to me from Wageni’s speech was, “Always remember that you are beyond what you think you are.”
This reminds us to be self-aware and recognize our potential beyond our perceptions. It’s a powerful message about staying positive and focusing on personal growth.
