Jobs and Career in Corporate Communication

Jobs and Career in Corporate Communication
In this era of globalization, most of the academic discussions concentrating on communication management. The main purpose of communication management is the accessibility of information flow from top management to bottom and vice-versa. It will be effective only when all parties (both internal groups as well as stakeholders) in the organization should be communicate and transfer the necessary information meaningfully and resourcefully.
Communication is the cornerstone function of every organization to build up its status in the corporate world as well as its stakeholders. Communications is one of the most important link between an organization and the public. Communication generating from an organization and going out of its various audiences? Whether within or beyond? is termed as corporate communication.

Communication is the key factor in the creation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on all corporate activities. Through communication, stakeholders understand company’s purpose, goals and values. Communication also aimed to influence employee’s attitude toward the workplace loyalty and pride in the company in which they are working.

Major companies are considered communication as an effective tool to increasing its scope and rationalizing its service. They have renewed their communication strategy to expand their business empire. Leading organizations have their own communication team with efficient communicators who are responsible for communication function with various national and international organizations.

What is Corporate communication?
Theoretically speaking, Corporate Communication plays a critical role in building and maintaining relationships with the stakeholders of a corporation. Media communications are an essential channel through which all stakeholders receive information and develop perceptions of a company. Corporate communications are effective in the successful business and its effects identified by the leading companies. It is equally important as technology since application of technology need to communicate effectively in the corporate world. Without effective communication corporate relationship will be impossible.

To put it simply, corporate communication is an umbrella that encompasses fields like advertising, public relations, internal communications, investor relations, crisis management, brand management, events and in some cases can extend to marketing as well.

Duties of Corporate Communicator
As a corporate communicator, an individual becomes the face of the organisation. The skill sets required in corporate communications are an ability to articulate ideas, ability to write lucidly and above all? being a people?s person. The corporate communicators are involved in internal communication with employees and are responsible to effectively transmit information originating from the management. For a stock market listed company, the communication department within the organisation is responsible for channelling investor queries as well as ensuring a constant flow of information between various stakeholders. In large organisations, the advertising and PR strategies also fall within the ambit of corporate communication.

Specific responsibilities of a corporate communicator include:
• Supervise the status of the organization
• Develop, execute and evaluate communications strategies
• Ensuring effective two-way internal communications
• Taking the lead on media handling, proactively placing good news stories, dealing with enquiries and producing media releases
• Developing links with other departments, which enhances the smooth functioning.
• Planning proactive communications
• Leading public relations, including customer services
• Playing a key role in issue management and planning
• Ensuring that other health organizations are kept fully briefed on developments, plans and any incidents in your organization
• Producing high quality information service
• Advising senior colleagues on strategic communications and related issues
• Engaging in business promotion campaigns
• Typically, the following skills would be necessary for a communications role:
• Ability to work equally well both on your own and within a team
• Ability to write, speak and brief others clearly
• Ability to assess and select appropriate communications routes for different messages and audiences
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to recognize sensitive situations and act appropriately
• Negotiating and influencing skills
• Ability to work well with others at all levels both within and outside your company
• Ability to gain the trust and respect of senior colleagues
• Ability to provide creative input to projects
• Ability to think strategically

Above all, corporate communicator represents the corporation’s voice, its reputation, integrity and the images it projects of itself on a global and regional stage populated by its various audiences and stakeholders.

What do aspirants need for it?
There are no defined qualifications for entering this field. Those with the gift of the gab and the ability to write have an edge. Soft skills like networking, inquisitiveness and time consciousness are also important. Graduates in English literature and mass communication with some hands-on experience are preferred at the entry level, so are MBAs.
A degree or diploma in mass communication helps for a career in corporate communication. However, many professionals agree that more than the degree, it is your personal skills that matter the most. “It helps to have a degree in communication, but it is not essential. What matters is being able to understand issues related to your organisation, an understanding of current affairs, and an eye for any development that could affect the organisation. A degree or diploma in communication, no doubt, helps get an entry into the field. Also, language skills and the ability to see opportunities are important qualities.

A degree would not give you the strategic thinking and the ability to make and maintain contacts that matter a lot in corporate communication. You also need an ability to understand the business, ability to network within and outside the organisation and the ability to make people believe you as well as believe in you. It is only after that your audiences trust you.

The pay package
The pay scales in the sector vary based on the organisation and experience on part of the candidate. A candidate with a relevant degree and good communication skills can also get remuneration in the range of Rs 3.5 lakhs per annum. Once you have relevant experience of 4-5 years in the field, the annual remuneration can easily go up to Rs 5-6 lakhs. While talented people can make their way up to the level of vice-president in a company, at the entry level, corporate communicators usually draw salary of Rs 15,000-20,000.

The demand from organisations is only going to increase given the growth we are witnessing. If you feel that communication is your strength and have an ability to understand businesses then this is the career for you. After all, like finance and marketing professionals, a corporate communication professional too is not restricted to a specific industry.

Vacancies in: Career Guide