Being in business today is tough. There are more tools then ever, more competition, more channels to reach your customer. But you have one thing that others don’t have. Passion. Charisma. Drive. Character. Why spend time trying to fit in when you can, and should, stand out? I believe that everyone has a special gift. Once developed, that gift needs to be shared with the world. The world needs you and your special gift. Your business or organization epitomizes your gift (or should). Does it?
Because being successful in today’s economy takes courage. It takes courage to carve your own path, pursue what you know to be true for your organization, your employees, your partners. Courage to be selective in what you stand behind. Courage to see everyone else chasing the newest tool or platform or fad…and stay true to your core purpose. Courage to stand up and speak boldly when no one else will. Courage to be a role model. Because you know that at the end of the day, courage is contagious.
My job, as I see it, is to help organizations discover and harness their organizational courage and communicate from that place.
My role is part teacher, part cheerleader and part strategist to help organizations develop strategic communication and strategic partnerships that truly inspire.
Let’s connect!
Corporate Social Responsibility – Creating a Legacy Beyond the Bottom Line
You consider yourself a citizen of the world and you understand that your business is, too. You started this business for a reason, after all. A reason that goes far beyond a healthy bottom line. It shows up in how you treat people and the decisions you make on a daily basis, both large and small. It defines who you are and the legacy your business will leave in this world.
You realize that your customers want to associate with a company that stands for something bigger than the products it sells or the service it provides. A company whose values align with their own. Whether you call it cause marketing, corporate social responsibility or just good business sense, my role is to help tie your vision and effort into strategic business goals. Think of me as your outsourced corporate social responsibility officer. I can help with:
- Cause Marketing Campaigns/Project Management
- Employee Engagement/Volunteer Initiatives
- Strategic Nonprofit/Community Partnerships
- Internal/External Corporate Social Responsibility Communications
- Training on Cause Marketing/Corporate Social Responsibility
I also share lots of relevant resources on my Facebook and Twitterpages.
Strategic Business Partnerships
As an entrepreneur or small businesses owner, you probably need more time. Greater awareness. Additional resources. Want an efficient way to do more with less? Develop strategic partnerships.
Whether you’re just launching a social media campaign, entering a new market or generating buzz for your latest product or initiative, my skill lies in guiding the effort to recruit and develop sustainable, long-term partnerships for maximum impact.
- Partnership Inventory and Assessment
- Partnership Development Strategy
- Prospective Partner Research
- Proposal Development
- Partner Communication and Management
Marketing/Communications Tools and Strategies. Dream Big. Start small.
Your business is unique and your marketing should be, too. The messages you craft and share with the world are a reflection of your brand – what does your brand say about you?
From long-term strategy to the latest social media tools, my passion is helping entrepreneurs and small businesses communicate more effectively from a place of purpose.
- Marketing/Communication Strategy
- Internal Communications
- Marketing Project Management
- Social Media Strategy (Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Training on Marketing/Communications
I share lots of relevant resources on my Facebook and Twitter pages. I’m also a co-host on The Naked Marketers – an irreverent yet informative podcast on all things marketing.
The Face Behind InCouraged Communications – Megan Strand is a project manager, creative marketer and proponent of authentic communication… passionate about spotlighting, connecting and supporting businesses that are doing well by doing good. Perhaps it was 2 years spent in Honduras as a Peace Corps volunteer, but social responsibility has been a thread in each of Megan’s professional roles over the past 12 years. Her title has ranged from Communications Officer to VP of Operations experienced in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors…but the common thread always comes down to connecting people with valuable information and new ideas. A process and structure junkie, one of Megan’s greatest strengths is drawing the roadmap with which to herd the proverbial cats.
