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Just finishing up a great motorcycle ride in Southern California.   The weather out here really is amazing.  Never got above 80 or below 60.  Marine layer blew in most mornings, but burned off by noon.  Made for some spectacular riding conditions.  While the riding was great the camaraderie was even better.  Saw guys I haven’t seen in several years yet it seemed like we were working (or riding) together just the other day.  It’s that Passion thing I like to talk about at NC State.  There are things we all do that are just part of who and what we are.  Things we care about but can’t always explain why.  Sound familiar.  As one of my old agencies used to say, Passion Rules!

And can anyone tell me how to spell check on Word Press.

Al for now.  Back in the office on Wednesday after the long day of travel home Tuesday.

14 of 100

I was pleased to see comments about the strategic planning timetable in my mail this morning.  Three actually.  And you guessed it, all three were different, well, at least sort of different.

Comment one:  “Looks good to me.”  To the point, no ambiguity.  I get it. Lets rock.

Comment two:  ” Overall, I think the schedule could work, but I am concerned about faculty input.”  Ah, faculty input.  Faculty do have a lot on their plates and timing could be a factor.  That’s why we’re starting to let people know today what we want to accompllish by next April or May.  We’ll use the www.hiceschool.com blog to provide updates, email, large and small group meetings, etc., to keep people in the loop.  We also plan to include several faculty members on the various committees being created to work on the plan.  Faculty must be involved in order to create a realistic plan and I hope these measures and any others we can think of will encourage that participation and awareness from faculty.

Comment three: “Given the new senior staff that will be joining the university later this academic year, your timetable may be too aggressive.  Will the new Chancellor and Provost have an opportunity to participate in the process?”  Good question and I would say they will definitely play an important role in the strategic communications plan but that will come later in the process.  But we can’t wait until those positions are filled to begin our work.  A good strategic planning process should actually make it easier for them to slide into life at NC State.  As part of the process we will spell out — literally spell out — the key goals and objectives for the university from a communications standpoint. We will include an action plan for disseminating those messages and we will explain how it will all work.  We may also delve into ways to improve the efficiency of the communications process.  Not sure exactly how we’ll be doing all this, but it seems that issues like this must be considered as part of the strategic communications plan.  If they are not in the mix, it’s not a true strategic plan.

I know we’re just beginning, but please keep your thoughts and suggestions coming.  Check out what our peers are doing.  We’re not that different than other land grant universities.  My former home, UF, is very similar to us and I plan to use a lot of the materials created in Gainesville to help us through the process.  Through the examination of others, they will help us focus and fine tune.  And before you know it, a long-term strategic communications plan will emerge.

Almost forgot to mention that today will be the last “one-of-100” post for about a week.  I’m headed to California tonight for a motorcycle fix.  You know, wind in your hair, sun on your face, “live to ride, ride to live” kind of experience. Are you gonna miss me:-)

13 of 100

Spent some time today talking about time…how much time we need to implement a strategic communications planning process on campus, I should say.

The Chancellor and his staff were pretty stoked that we actually had the outline of a plan and a rough schedule.  More to come during the meeting with the NC State Communications Network on Wednesday, Oct. 21, but strategic planning will “officially” begin that day.  We’ll use the rest of October, November and December to organize the committee structure, then get to work in earnest in January.  Goal — no, the Deadline — is to have everything completed and ready to launch around the end of Spring semester.  I’m thinking mid-April. Milestones will be targeted along the way.

I know it’s going to be a challenge, but if everyone from the NC State Communications network is involved in the process and plays an active role in the changes, we’ll meet that deadline without any trouble.  And the Chancellor has been very clear, we need to make some changes.

Speaking of change, those of you on Campus know that Hillsborough Street is in the midst of a major change.  Yeah, it’s  a mess (a construction mess) and a challenge to navigate, but did you know that the Homecoming Parade is going to happen on that very street…construction and all.  On Nov. 6 around 6 p.m. the marching band will lead the way.  Should be an interesting site.

Preparing for my trip out west to do some motorcycle riding.  Lots to think about on the road.   Lots.

12 of 100

Well,  the cable TV system here in Raleigh has let me down…briefly  I brought my new computer home to do some work tonight, but couldn’t get online via my cable modem.  Called the help line four times and each time was put into never never land, then hung up on.  Way to go Time Warner.  Then went to the “high speed” online help through a wireless signal I’m stealing from a neighbor.  High speed my arse.  I was on line for 30 minutes with Julian and Audrey only to be told to try again later.  Our Technical Experts are working on the issue.

Well my faith was restored about an hour later, when I turned the modem and computer off and back on again, and everything worked.

Discussion continues around the State COMM communications network ideas provided last week.  Mostly good reports from people.  I think it’s interesting that people are reluctant to respond on the Blog, but okay with doing so in person or in an email.  I’m getting questions about how I’m going to decide specific issues, but I maintain that I don’t want to be the sole decision maker.  This should be a team effort.  Thus, a team decision.  If I have to make a decision to keep things moving, so be it, but universities like this are not like big corporations.

Decisions are not very popular if dictated from on high in this kind of environment.  At Harley-Davidson, Sea-Doo, even Segway, that would not happen. The CEO says it will be and it will be.  That is one of the biggest challenges of people making the transition from corporate to higher education I think.  Many, no most, are not accustomed to that type of reaction and it can be a challenging transition.

So, meetings will continue this week as will the discussion.  A meeting of all members of the NC State Communications network has been scheduled for later this month so we’ll have a chance to ask questions and provide answers face-to-face so to speak. And so it goes.

11 of 100

I’ve modeled the following presentation and the State COMM organization from work done at UF.  The universities are very similar and the process works well there.  It’s worth a try here.  http://www.president.ufl.edu/committees/strategiccommunication/

Introduction

The North Carolina State University Communications Network (STATE COMM) will be made up of NC State Communicators including information officers, news writers, public relations professionals, publications and marketing professionals and others from across campus. By working together, STATE COMM will provide news and information about NC State and enhance communications both within NC State and with the university’s critical publics. The network will be charged with providing more efficient and effective communications, greater use of existing resources and enhanced public relations to strengthen the university. [Read more →]

So I tossed the idea out a few days ago about putting more form and function behind the NC State Communications Network.  I’ve talked about the group with a number of people and talked about some ideas on how we can use the larger organization to develop a strategic communications plan for the entire university.  I’ve pulled information we used at UF and Harley.  I’m talking to the Chancellor’s office, administration, colleges, units, alumni association, Centennial Campus, libraries, the whole ball of yarn, so to speak.

Now’s the time for comments or forever hold your peace.

I’m out tomorrow and because this post is so full of beef and because I’m posting it so late, I’m counting it as today’s and tomorrow’s.  I do get to set the rules here at HiceSchool.com, don’t ya know.

Nine of 100

10 of 100

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I’m excited today.  The first group of students has approached me about a project that involves university communications.  You don’t get these kind of opportunities anywhere else, at least not on a regular basis.  Working with students is really what higher education is all about.  Sure, you’ve got to get out the news about the research and discovery taking place on campus, the novel flu outbreak in town, the library of the 22nd century, that kind of stuff, but working with students is why we’re here.

The group wants to talk about the NC State branding campaign, especially the television portion of the effort.  I’m anxious to hear what they think of the work and what suggestions they will have after their research has been completed.

On other fronts, more meetings!  Hey, what a surprise.  Floating the ideas to increase the activities of the NC State University Communications Network and it is being met with positive comments.  Names are already reaching me of people who would like to be involved on the various committees.  A dean or two has even noted the effort and that’s a good thing.

Headed for Gainesville tomorrow afternoon then next week is a short week for me.  If you’ve looked at my background you know I’m a motorcycle guy from way back when and I’ll be in California working on a “project” with several of my motorcycle buddies.  Did I mention the project involves riding motorcycles:-)  Yes, that makes me happy, though I’m looking forward to getting settled in here in Raleigh and doing a little riding in this area.  No need to go all the way to California when mountains and beach are an hour or two away.

That means next week will be light on posts, but then this is not Harry Potter. I’m sure you can bear the separation.

Eight of 100

Seems too obvious, but a vigorous university communications group appears to be a necessity at NC State. Especially given the charge provided by the Chancellor and the budget challenges every major university in the nation is facing these days. The group already exists, but there doesn’t appear to be a lot of structure around it and no real purpose except to provide an opportunity for communications professionals on campus to network from time to time.

The group at UF was fractured at times, but has pulled together during a strategic communications planning process that started before I left.  Be that as it may, there is a lot we can learn from the organization at UF, Michigan, Vanderbilt and other universities.  Sounds like a benchmarking opportunity to me.  http://ufcn.urel.ufl.edu/index.shtml

Group would need to include a steering committee made up of communicators from University Communications, the colleges, and key units across campus. Might also want to include a representative(s) from faculty and senior staff. Subcommittees for public relations, media relations, Web communications, internal communications and publications also make sense.  Best practices as well, but I think we’d benchmark best practices on the corporate side first.  The profit motive is a powerful influence and I think we can learn a lot from the commercial world.  Too many subcommittees may be difficult to manage so need to consider their focus carefully.

Initial task of the steering committee would be to develop a university-wide strategic communications plan. Not easy considering the decentralization on campus, but necessary to enhance the brand outreach and impact of the university on the local, state, national and international levels.  And isn’t that what we all need to be striving toward.

Objectives of the plan would be to provide processes whereby we could:

• To consistently communicate unified messages and initiatives to NC State Communicators
• To serve as a clearinghouse for  NC State issues, incidents and plans
• To coordinate and promote training and professional development opportunities for its members
• To take advantage of shared resources and ideas among members
• To promote camaraderie among members

More details to follow in the days ahead and will be anxious to hear what people think.

I should note that the outline is based on work done at UF.  It has proven effective and will provide a great starting point for our efforts at NC State.

Seven of 100

At many of our universities — public and private — our supporters tend to forget that our athletes are first and foremost, students.  You know, student athletes.

In my former life, it seemed like far too often we battled with the conference and the NCAA to highlight the academic side of the university.  While the athletic association understood the student side and was always in our corner, the conference was not always so easy to work with.  I know they understood/understand that academics comes first, but at times you had to ask yourself if that was a sure thing.

“We don’t have any space for you” was the constant refrain when we attempted to get space to display our academic success at conference, tournament and national championship games.  Well, just what do you think the University before the University of Florida means.  We’re an institution of higher education people!

So, I was very excited when I receive the “2009 Scholar Athlete Poster” from the Athletic Association here at NC State.  There in print, a celebration of the academic success of our Student Athletes; the names and majors of 208 athletes with a 3.0 or higher GPA’s for the Spring Semester.  Majors ranged from computer science, to math, to environmental technology and history and everything in between. Sports from football, basketball and baseball to rifle, soccer and swimming.

Congratulations to all the young men and women who made the list.  You help make NC State great.  And congratulations to the coaches, faculty, staff and everyone else supporting you along the way.   You go Wolfpack!

On the communications front, meetings and readings continue.  So much to learn.  While NC State is similar in many ways to my alma mater, it has its own style and personality and more of it shines through every day.  How to explain?  Like brothers and sisters.  Not really.  Like nieces and nephews.  Not that either.  More like friends who grew up together then moved away.  The foundation is the same,  but now it’s different.

Six of 100

Was all set for my first meeting with the Alumni Association publications team this morning when the flu hit. I know the media is hyping this Swine Flu thing to the nth degree — and I loath them for that –  but flu is a fact of life.

Think about it. We’re here on this college campus where there are more than 30,000 students. That means more than 30,000 young men and women who are in constant contact with each other and in constant motion. Of course flu is going to happen. It was made for this kind of environment.  Fortunately the folks at the Alumni Association are smart enough to stay home when they are not well. And that’s a good thing. I’m driving to Gainesville this afternoon and had I been exposed I could be spreading the bug over 500 miles of unsuspecting travelers. Heck, I could probably shut down “South of the Border” if I stopped in and infected the entire staff. But, that’s not going to happen.  I may be stopping, but won’t be infecting.

Will be spending the rest of the morning reflecting on the report titled, “An Analysis of University Communications Units of North Carolina State University.”

I think it’s ironic that the reports’ authors interviewed me about organizational structures in higher education as part of their study. That was a year before I’d even considered a move to Raleigh.  We’ll see what they have to say and begin the dialogue with university communicators to determine what makes sense and what doesn’t. [Read more →]