As the year starts winding down, I thought I would write an article to say thank you.
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to work with All Things IC this year.
We’ve loved supporting Comms professionals and their teams in 2021.
We have continued to work internationally, including advising professional communicators in the US, Luxembourg, Norway, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, France and Canada.
Popular topics have been internal communication strategy creation, mentoring for individuals and teams, internal communication audits, senior leaders and people managers’ training, IPO preparation, change communication training and bespoke Masterclasses. I’ve completed a lot of Desk Reviews and love being invited to discover an organisation from the inside out.
Personal highlights for me including teaching a bespoke Masterclass for Apple’s global Comms team in the US (remotely due to COVID), relaunching my Candid Comms podcast in January, working alongside my All Things IC Inner Circle members in my confidential groups for senior-level Comms pros, launching three new Online Masterclasses: The internal communicator’s guide to hybrid working, How to plan and review your 2021-2022 Internal Comms and How to be a strategic internal communicator, and returning to the All Things IC Hub to teach my Monthly Masterclasses face-to-face.
After nearly four years of working together, I was delighted to offer my PA Louise Mackenney a position within the company and she officially became an All Things IC employee this year. Louise I can’t even put into words how thankful I am for all your hard work. I can’t wait to see you next month to celebrate together.
Thank you #TeamTeal, our brilliant team of associate Comms Consultants, Debbie West and Caroline King. I know how much clients have enjoyed working with you this year, thank you for all the advice and guidance you’ve given them. I’ve enjoyed working with you and particularly seeing you in person at the Hub, at the IoIC Awards and in December.
Thank you Debbie for producing my Candid Comms podcast and overseeing the Online Masterclass creation.
We also launched a range of All Things IC notebooks, which are available via Amazon. Thank you to Tiri at Seren Creative for overseeing this project for me.
In October 2021, I hosted the final The Big Yak unconference with my fellow The IC Crowd co-founders Jenni Field and Dana Leeson. Last week we officially closed The IC Crowd, after 10 years of running the non-profit community for IC professionals. Thank you to everyone who Tweeted us, attended our events or sponsored The Big Yak, it was a honour to serve the community in this way for the past decade.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me this year, from my accountant and tax advisers, to designer Lisa Kirkbride, the ace Alive With Ideas team, Consultant Rachel Extance, photographers Thomas Jackson and Sanjeev Bouri, my business coaches and my husband Jon. My counsellor Maya deserves a special mention, thank you for continuing to support my mental health in 2021 via our sessions.
A charity close to my heart
I’ve published countless blog posts over the past year and appreciate everyone who has got in touch to say thank you, share the content and write a guest post.
I’ve been asked how people can “pay me back” for all the advice and guidance I give away for free. There is no need to, I’m delighted to hear my thoughts are continuing to support professional communicators around the globe to increase your skills, knowledge and confidence.
However, there is a charity which is very close to my heart. Four years ago this month, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) here in London operated on one of my twin sons. They corrected his rare congenital heart defect and gave him a new lease of life. He can now keep up with his brother and sister and is thriving because of their care.
I have been fundraising for them over the years and have chosen to donate to them in lieu of sending Christmas cards this year. If you are looking for a charity to support at this time, I know firsthand just how vital their work is, and would be grateful if you chose GOSH. The parental accommodation made the world of difference while he was in cardiac intensive care. Having a bed nearby with a phone that connected to his bedside was incredibly helpful at one of our darkest times.
You can donate securely via my JustGiving page, or scan the QR code.
Get help with your 2022 internal comms
If you are in planning mode over the holidays, which I know many IC pros are, I have a range of ways to support you:
- Read: What’s top of mind for Comms pros in 2022.
- Read/listen: How to future-proof your career in 2022
- Listen: How to plan your 2022 internal communication – Candid Comms podcast episode
- Learn: How to review and plan your 2021-2022 internal communication – Online Masterclass
- Read: How to communicate the end of the year
- Read: How to look after your mental health this Christmas.
If you’re starting a new role in January, my How to create a 90 day plan Online Masterclass is for you.
Thinking of becoming a Comms Consultant in 2022? How to be a Comms Consultant – Exploration will guide you through your decision making.
If you’re looking for a new job, check out my jobs board.
Applications are currently open for the third All Things IC Inner Circle cohort, which starts in May 2022.
Wrapping up the year
My boys turn seven-years-old on 25 December, so there will be a lot of merriment in my house I’m sure. They’ve been counting down since October! I’m going to be finishing their birthday present preparation today and am hoping my grocery shopping includes two birthday cakes, or it will be a late night of baking.
Thank you for continuing to read this blog, which marks its 13th birthday in March 2022. Don’t forget to add your name to my email list to receive the monthly newsletter, The Water Cooler. I also publish a free desktop wallpaper every month.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a happy and healthy one. May God bless you and those you love. If you are working over this period, I hope you have a chance to rest when you can.
Take good care and I look forward to being in touch next year.
Thank you for stopping by,
Rachel.
First published on the All Things IC blog 22 December 2021.
