Reference no: EM133200896
Reflection & Practice Questions
Pitching the environmental network
At a conference for environmental technicians last week, one of the speakers described a social networking community set up in his local area. Anyone working in the field - from municipal public works staff to employees of environmental engineering firms and environmental educators and students - can join. Members share information, ask for solutions to problems, arrange face-to-face events and job hunt.
The speaker described some initial resistance. At first, employers saw the network as a time-wasting threat. Although people new to the environmental field were enthusiastic about the career and professional development opportunities it offered, most experienced practitioners weren't as keen. They feared they'd become the overworked resources for everyone else, without gaining any benefits themselves. After a few months, though, the network was thriving. It boosted members' job performance, and had proven itself to all stakeholders.
You can see the possibilities for your own part of the province, and want to build some strong momentum within your own company before you approach local municipalities, other environmental firms in the city and area schools for support. It's not money the network needs from them; although sponsorship of social or professional development events might be nice. The real need is endorsement for the network as a legitimate work activity, and recognition for the time members spend on it.
You talked your company's public relations team, which organizes the quarterly all-hands meeting, into squeezing five minutes into the agenda for you to make your pitch. In that brief time, you hope to convince the environmental employees in the group to embrace the network so it gets off to a robust start. For the support staff and managers in the crowd, you can portray your company as a leader in promoting professional collaboration in the environmental field. Janine, one of your colleagues, agreed to share the presentation stage so you don't give the appearance of being a completely lone voice.
Now you need to plan the five-minute presentation.
- Outline the presentation, including how you and Janine will share the delivery.
- Outline the visuals you'll create to accompany your presentation.