Keeping up with the latest technology to help do your job more effectively could be a full-time job – on top of your already full-time job as a PR practitioner.
Apple has trained consumers to expect and want new versions of its popular technology each year. While it’s impractical and crazy expensive to replace your technology setup at work every year, PRSA Boston’s Independent Practitioners Network, a group comprised of solo practitioners, will hold a discussion on June 24, 2014, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Salem about must-have technology that you might consider adopting.
Led by PR veteran Jack Jackson, the “Smart Tools for Running a Solo Business”discussion will raise questions solo practitioners and small agencies may want to consider as they navigate technology that didn’t exist a decade ago, much less three years ago.
“I’m not going to offer a cookie-cutter approach or prescriptive list of must-have technology because there are too many different variables among solo practitioners and small agencies – variables in terms of the range of services offered, comfort level with technology in general, preferences for one platform (like PCs) over another (like Apple), staffing resources and budgets,” said Jackson, who is also a communications professor at Stonehill College in Easton.
Instead, the discussion will explore key steps to take, including:
- How to evaluate your current software and processes to identify opportunities
- What client-facing solutions can improve the professional look of your work
- What back-office solutions can improve your productivity
Tech consultants often push tech solutions and platforms they’re most comfortable with but if they don’t have real knowledge of the PR sector, along with how fast the sector is evolving, and what our clients expect and need from us, consultants’ solutions may fail – and fail expensively as your agency grinds to a halt.
As past PRSA/Boston president and a 16-year virtual agency veteran, Jackson completely understands the needs of small agencies. He has evaluated and used a lot of PR-sector technology so his insights can help identify new approaches or processes that might be right for you.
“Smart Tools for Running a Solo Business” will be held at the Salem Center at 221 Essex St. Lunch is BYO. Please REGISTER so that we can get an accurate headcount.